Ennio Capasa
Encyclopedia
Ennio Capasa is an Italian
fashion designer, he was born in Lecce
in 1960
He is the creator of CoSTUME NATIONAL
, the Italian fashion house he founded in 1986 and now an internationally renowned designer label famous for its subtle shapes, dark tones and sartorial detail.
’s Accademia di Brera, Capasa moved to Tokyo
to work with Yohji Yamamoto
for two years.
Back in Italy, in 1986, he presented his first women’s collection in Milan with CoSTUME NATIONAL. Since 1989 he has paraded his creations in Paris at the fashion week every year.
His style is
…in which lines and looks are interpreted with precise cuts and few colours; black is no treated as a denial of colour but as its simplification.
As well as sculpture and Italy’s sartorial traditions, Capasa is inspired by hard rock, funk, Italian 1960s cinema and Body Art.
A number of stars have chosen his clothes for tours or red carpet appearances including Mick Jagger
, Willem Dafoe
, Nicole Kidman
, Cameron Diaz
, Tom Cruise
, Brad Pitt
, Jude Law
, Scarlett Johansson
, Cate Blanchett
, Keanu Reeves
and Stefania Rocca
.
A multi-talented, multi-faceted designer Capasa is the stylist and art-director for CoSTUME NATIONAL
, CoSTUME NATIONAL HOMME, and C’N’C CoSTUME NATIONAL – the line’s brand for young people. He also designed the headquarters of the organization in Via Fusetti, Milan as well as his flagship stores around the world.
collection of women’s ready-to-wear.
CoSTUME NATIONAL HOMME his menswear line, was first showcased in 1993 and continues to be paraded in Milan each year.
1995 was the year in which he attended personally to the interior design and launch of the first CoSTUME NATIONAL flagship stores in Milan, Tokyo, New York
and Hong Kong
.
Over the years his designer label has developed in various directions.
As well as men’s and women’s ready-to-wear items, lingerie, perfumes and cosmetics (Costume National Scent), 2004 saw the birth of the C’N’C streetwear line for young people, produced and distributed by Itierre Spa.
He designed the costumes for “Frida’s mirror”, a play based on the life of Frida Kahlo
with Ottavia Piccolo
(Franco Parenti Theatre, Milan 1998); he was responsible for the set-up and staging of “Live Red: Blood, transformation and transfiguration in contemporary art” (PAC
, Milan’s Contemporary Art Pavilion, Milan 1999) and in 2002 he designed the costumes for “Le regole dell’attrazione” (The rules of attraction) with Valentina Cervi, Fabrizio Sacchi, Elio Germano, Lorenzo Lavia, directed by Luca Guadagnino.
In 2005 Capasa’s passion for powerful motorbikes led him to design a limited series collection of accessories together with Ducati; the following year saw the launch of Black Dogo, an original, ultra-potent machine. Its look was the result of a joint project between Ducati and C’N’C CoSTUME NATIONAL.
To celebrate 21 years of CoSTUME NATIONAL, Ennio Capasa took on the staging of Michel Gondry
’s exhibition “L’arte del sogno” (Dream Art); he created the C’N’C CoSTUME NATIONAL dress for the Absolut vodka bottle – a sensual creation in vinyl- black and also the new Alfa Romeo
147 C’N’C CoSTUME NATIONAL – produced in limited numbers.
The anniversary also marked the opportunity to launch the new 21 CoSTUME NATIONAL perfume and organize the 21 CoSTUME NATIONAL photographic exhibition published by Assouline on 21 years of the company and the most significant stages in the development of his design.
The associated book features details of the working relationships, friendships, photographs and celebrities who espouse the CoSTUME NATIONAL philosophy including Willem Dafoe
, Milla Jovovich
, Mick Jagger
, Hilary Swank
, Keith Richards
, Lenny Kravitz
, Cameron Diaz
, Shakira
, Madonna
.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
fashion designer, he was born in Lecce
Lecce
Lecce is a historic city of 95,200 inhabitants in southern Italy, the capital of the province of Lecce, the second province in the region by population, as well as one of the most important cities of Puglia...
in 1960
He is the creator of CoSTUME NATIONAL
CoSTUME NATIONAL
CoSTUME NATIONAL is an Italian fashion house founded in 1986 by Ennio Capasa, Creative Director, and his brother Carlo, CEO of the Maison, which has its head offices in Milan...
, the Italian fashion house he founded in 1986 and now an internationally renowned designer label famous for its subtle shapes, dark tones and sartorial detail.
Biography
After completing his studies at MilanMilan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
’s Accademia di Brera, Capasa moved to Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
to work with Yohji Yamamoto
Yohji Yamamoto
Yōji Yamamoto , is an award winning Japanese fashion designer based in Tokyo and Paris. Yohji is considered to be among the master tailors whose work is thought to be of fashion genius and he has been described by Julie Gilhart, fashion director for Barney's New York as probably the only designer...
for two years.
Back in Italy, in 1986, he presented his first women’s collection in Milan with CoSTUME NATIONAL. Since 1989 he has paraded his creations in Paris at the fashion week every year.
His style is
…in which lines and looks are interpreted with precise cuts and few colours; black is no treated as a denial of colour but as its simplification.
As well as sculpture and Italy’s sartorial traditions, Capasa is inspired by hard rock, funk, Italian 1960s cinema and Body Art.
A number of stars have chosen his clothes for tours or red carpet appearances including Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger
Sir Michael Philip "Mick" Jagger is an English musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and a founding member of The Rolling Stones....
, Willem Dafoe
Willem Dafoe
Willem Dafoe is an American film, stage, and voice actor, and a founding member of the experimental theatre company The Wooster Group...
, Nicole Kidman
Nicole Kidman
Nicole Mary Kidman, AC is an American-born Australian actress, singer, film producer, spokesmodel, and humanitarian. After starring in a number of small Australian films and TV shows, Kidman's breakthrough was in the 1989 thriller Dead Calm...
, Cameron Diaz
Cameron Diaz
Cameron Michelle Diaz is an American actress and former model. She became famous during the 1990s with roles in the movies The Mask, My Best Friend's Wedding, and There's Something About Mary. Other high-profile credits include the two Charlie's Angels films, voicing the character Princess Fiona...
, Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise
Thomas Cruise Mapother IV , better known as Tom Cruise, is an American film actor and producer. He has been nominated for three Academy Awards and he has won three Golden Globe Awards....
, Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt
William Bradley "Brad" Pitt is an American actor and film producer. Pitt has received two Academy Award nominations and four Golden Globe Award nominations, winning one...
, Jude Law
Jude Law
David Jude Heyworth Law , known professionally as Jude Law, is an English actor, film producer and director.He began acting with the National Youth Music Theatre in 1987, and had his first television role in 1989...
, Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson is an American actress, model and singer.Johansson made her film debut in North and was later nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead for her performance in Manny & Lo . She rose to further prominence with her roles in The Horse Whisperer and Ghost World...
, Cate Blanchett
Cate Blanchett
Catherine Élise "Cate" Blanchett is an Australian actress. She came to international attention for her role as Elizabeth I of England in the 1998 biopic film Elizabeth, for which she won British Academy of Film and Television Arts and Golden Globe Awards, and earned her first Academy Award...
, Keanu Reeves
Keanu Reeves
Keanu Charles Reeves is a Canadian actor. Reeves is perhaps best known for his roles in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, Speed, Point Break and the science fiction-action trilogy The Matrix...
and Stefania Rocca
Stefania Rocca
Stefania Rocca is an Italian actress.Rocca is best known for her roles in the films Nirvana , The Talented Mr. Ripley and Dracula . She also was the lead in Dario Argento's The Card Player. Her most recent appearance was in the Italian movie, Commediasexi where she played the main character,...
.
A multi-talented, multi-faceted designer Capasa is the stylist and art-director for CoSTUME NATIONAL
CoSTUME NATIONAL
CoSTUME NATIONAL is an Italian fashion house founded in 1986 by Ennio Capasa, Creative Director, and his brother Carlo, CEO of the Maison, which has its head offices in Milan...
, CoSTUME NATIONAL HOMME, and C’N’C CoSTUME NATIONAL – the line’s brand for young people. He also designed the headquarters of the organization in Via Fusetti, Milan as well as his flagship stores around the world.
Career
At the 1986 Milan fashion shows Capasa launched his first CoSTUME NATIONALCoSTUME NATIONAL
CoSTUME NATIONAL is an Italian fashion house founded in 1986 by Ennio Capasa, Creative Director, and his brother Carlo, CEO of the Maison, which has its head offices in Milan...
collection of women’s ready-to-wear.
CoSTUME NATIONAL HOMME his menswear line, was first showcased in 1993 and continues to be paraded in Milan each year.
1995 was the year in which he attended personally to the interior design and launch of the first CoSTUME NATIONAL flagship stores in Milan, Tokyo, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
.
Over the years his designer label has developed in various directions.
As well as men’s and women’s ready-to-wear items, lingerie, perfumes and cosmetics (Costume National Scent), 2004 saw the birth of the C’N’C streetwear line for young people, produced and distributed by Itierre Spa.
Transversal fashion projects
Capasa has also worked with theatre.He designed the costumes for “Frida’s mirror”, a play based on the life of Frida Kahlo
Frida Kahlo
Frida Kahlo de Rivera was a Mexican painter, born in Coyoacán, and perhaps best known for her self-portraits....
with Ottavia Piccolo
Ottavia Piccolo
Ottavia Piccolo is an Italian theatre and film actress. She has appeared in 45 films since 1962. She won the award for Best Actress at the 1970 Cannes Film Festival for the film Metello.-Selected filmography:* The Leopard...
(Franco Parenti Theatre, Milan 1998); he was responsible for the set-up and staging of “Live Red: Blood, transformation and transfiguration in contemporary art” (PAC
Padiglione d'Arte Contemporanea
Padiglione d'arte contemporanea is a contemporary art museum in Milan, Italy. It is located in via Palestro, near Giardini Pubblici Indro Montanelli.- References :* - External links :*...
, Milan’s Contemporary Art Pavilion, Milan 1999) and in 2002 he designed the costumes for “Le regole dell’attrazione” (The rules of attraction) with Valentina Cervi, Fabrizio Sacchi, Elio Germano, Lorenzo Lavia, directed by Luca Guadagnino.
In 2005 Capasa’s passion for powerful motorbikes led him to design a limited series collection of accessories together with Ducati; the following year saw the launch of Black Dogo, an original, ultra-potent machine. Its look was the result of a joint project between Ducati and C’N’C CoSTUME NATIONAL.
To celebrate 21 years of CoSTUME NATIONAL, Ennio Capasa took on the staging of Michel Gondry
Michel Gondry
Michel Gondry is an Academy Award winning filmmaker, whose works include being a commercial director, music video director, and a screenwriter. He is noted for his inventive visual style and manipulation of mise en scène. - Life and career :...
’s exhibition “L’arte del sogno” (Dream Art); he created the C’N’C CoSTUME NATIONAL dress for the Absolut vodka bottle – a sensual creation in vinyl- black and also the new Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo Automobiles S.p.A. is an Italian manufacturer of cars. Founded as A.L.F.A. on June 24, 1910, in Milan, the company has been involved in car racing since 1911, and has a reputation for building expensive sports cars...
147 C’N’C CoSTUME NATIONAL – produced in limited numbers.
The anniversary also marked the opportunity to launch the new 21 CoSTUME NATIONAL perfume and organize the 21 CoSTUME NATIONAL photographic exhibition published by Assouline on 21 years of the company and the most significant stages in the development of his design.
The associated book features details of the working relationships, friendships, photographs and celebrities who espouse the CoSTUME NATIONAL philosophy including Willem Dafoe
Willem Dafoe
Willem Dafoe is an American film, stage, and voice actor, and a founding member of the experimental theatre company The Wooster Group...
, Milla Jovovich
Milla Jovovich
Milla Jovovich December 17, 1975)is an American model, actress, musician, and fashion designer. Over her career, she has appeared in a number of science fiction and action-themed films, for which music channel VH1 has referred to her as the "reigning queen of kick-butt".Milla Jovovich began...
, Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger
Sir Michael Philip "Mick" Jagger is an English musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and a founding member of The Rolling Stones....
, Hilary Swank
Hilary Swank
Hilary Ann Swank is an American actress. Swank's film career began with a small part in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and then a major part in The Next Karate Kid , as Julie Pierce, the first female protégé of sensei Mr. Miyagi...
, Keith Richards
Keith Richards
Keith Richards is an English musician, songwriter, and founding member of the Rolling Stones. Rolling Stone magazine said Richards had created "rock's greatest single body of riffs", and placed him as the "10th greatest guitarist of all time." Fourteen songs written by Richards and songwriting...
, Lenny Kravitz
Lenny Kravitz
Leonard Albert "Lenny" Kravitz is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and arranger, whose "retro" style incorporates elements of rock, soul, R&B, funk, reggae, hard rock, psychedelic, folk and ballads...
, Cameron Diaz
Cameron Diaz
Cameron Michelle Diaz is an American actress and former model. She became famous during the 1990s with roles in the movies The Mask, My Best Friend's Wedding, and There's Something About Mary. Other high-profile credits include the two Charlie's Angels films, voicing the character Princess Fiona...
, Shakira
Shakira
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll , known professionally as Shakira , is a Colombian singer who emerged in the music scene of Colombia and Latin America in the early 1990s...
, Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
.
External links
- CoSTUME NATIONAL Official site
- Ennio Capasa Blog
- His collections on Style.com
- Article about Ennio Capasa from the New York Times
- Suzy Menkes article from the International Herald TribuneInternational Herald TribuneThe International Herald Tribune is a widely read English language international newspaper. It combines the resources of its own correspondents with those of The New York Times and is printed at 38 sites throughout the world, for sale in more than 160 countries and territories...
Articolo di Style.it su Ennio Capasa - Spring/Winter Men Collection 2008