Angelo Litrico

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Angelo Litrico
Born 1927
Catania, Sicily
Died March 13, 1986 (aged 58)
Rome
Residence Rome
Nationality Italian
Occupation Fashion designer
Labels Litrico Alta Moda
Known for Tailor to the Cold War
Litrico Alta Moda
Type Private
Founded 1952
Founder Angelo Litrico
Headquarters Rome, Italy
Industry Fashion
Products Menswear
Website www.litricomoda.com

Angelo Litrico (1927 – 13 March 1986) was an Italian fashion designer. He dressed many world leaders on both sides of the Cold War, and is credited with introducing fashion shows for men's clothing. The company he founded continues to this day, under the control of his nephews.

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[edit] Biography

Angelo was born in 1927, the eldest of 12 children,[1] the son of a fisherman[2] in Catania in Sicily.[2] He started work with a tailor in Catania, but realised that to fulfil his ambitions he would have to move to Rome, which he did in 1952.[2] Walking down Via Sicilia, he saw a tailor's workshop and asked for a job, which he was given.[1] His success was ensured by a silk jacket he wore to the opera that was noticed by Rossano Brazzi, the actor best known for Three Coins in the Fountain. With Brazzi as his first client, Litrico's fame spread and eventually he bought the shop where he had started as an apprentice. One of his innovations was putting on a men's fashion show, previously only women's wear had been shown on a catwalk.

But Litrico really made his mark when he was invited to participate in a 1957 export drive to Russia by the Italian fashion industry. Litrico used photos to make a coat as a gift for Nikita Khrushchev.[1] Khrushchev was so pleased with it that he commissioned a full wardrobe from Litrico for his famous trip to the USA in September 1959.[1] This included the shoes that would become famous by being slammed on the table at the United Nations General Assembly in October 1960.[3]

American journalists were so intrigued to see a well-dressed Soviet premier that they asked for the name of his tailor. When Litrico went to the USA shortly afterwards, he found himself besieged by journalists, and his fame was assured.[1] He dressed many world leaders of the era, such as John F. Kennedy,[2] Juan Perón,[2] Tito,[2] Dwight D. Eisenhower,[2] and King Hussein of Jordan.[2]

Litrico was awarded several Italian orders of merit: Knight (1962), Officer (1965), Commander (1968) and Grand Officer (1972).[1] He had a particularly close relationship with Christian Barnard which extended beyond dressing the heart surgery pioneer;[2] Litrico help to pay for hundreds of children to go to Cape Town for operations under Barnard.[1]

He died of heart failure on 13 March 1986 at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome after breaking his hip.[3] He was aged 58.[3]

[edit] Company

After Angelo's death, his brothers Franco and Giusi took over the company.[1] Franco's sons Luca and Fabio joined the company and since Franco's death in 2004 they have expanded the company's range under the "Franco Litrico" label.[1]

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes and references

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i History. Litrico Alta Moda. Retrieved on 2008-04-25.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i “Ángelo Litrico, sastre de Kennedy y Perón”, El Pais (Madrid), 1986-03-15, <http://www.elpais.com/articulo/agenda/ITALIA/angelo/Litrico/sastre/Kennedy/Peron/elpepigen/19860315elpepiage_1/Tes/>. Retrieved on 25 April 2008 
  3. ^ a b c “ANGELO LITRICO, 58, IS DEAD; ITALIAN MEN'S WEAR DESIGNER”, New York Times (no. Late City Final Edition, Section 1): 40, <http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F50714F93A5F0C758DDDAA0894DE484D81>. Retrieved on 25 April 2008 

[edit] External links

Persondata
NAME Litrico, Angelo
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION Italian tailor
DATE OF BIRTH 1927
PLACE OF BIRTH Catania, Sicily
DATE OF DEATH 1986-03-13
PLACE OF DEATH Rome