Pucci Gang (Part 2)

Emilio Pucci was born in 1914 to one of Florence’s oldest noble families, and would live and work in the Pucci Palace in Florence for much of his life. He was a versatile sportsman as he raced cars, swam, skied, fenced and played tennis. He even joined the Olympics but ended up not competing. In a 2 year span, he studied agriculture, won a skiing scholarship and received an MA in social science was awarded his doctorate in political science. The following year he joined the Italian Air Force, and served as a bomber pilot during WWII, rising to the rank of captain and decorated for valour by the time he left to pursue his fashion career.

He had an affair with Mussolini's daughter, Edda Ciano.


The affair turned complicated in 1943 when Edda’s husband, Galeazzo Ciano, helped overthrow and briefly imprison Il Duce. Mussolini was rescued by German paratroopers and restored to power; he then had Ciano executed. When Edda tried to help him, Mussolini turned on her, placing a million-lira price on her head, in part because she possessed her husband’s diaries, which incriminated Mussolini and the Germans.

Edda asked Pucci for assistance. In 1944, with the diaries hidden in her clothes, he smuggled her into Switzerland. She made it; he didn’t. Pucci was captured and tortured by the Nazis. When they finally turned him loose, he fled to Switzerland, where he waited out the war.

In 1946, Pucci rejoined the post-Mussolini Italian air force and was living on his military salary. The next year, he took a brief leave to ski in Zermatt. There he found himself dissatisfied with postwar ski apparel. So he simply designed some more ski clothing, this time for himself.

The clothes were stretch pants in novel synthetic fabrics and bright colors, all done in light, streamlined forms for speed and comfort. It happened that a photographer for Harper’s Bazaar was in Zermatt, and she asked Pucci if she could photograph the outfits.

She sent the photos to Diana Vreeland, who alerted a Lord & Taylor buyer, who ordered a collection. Pucci produced the clothes, and they started to sell.

And this is where it all began.




From dresses, pens, jewelry, kitchenware, furniture, swimwear, party sets, beach towels, sunglasses, make-up, shoes, pet accessories and perfume, Pucci has become a brand that is for me, unbeatable. Truly my idol.



















Your bloggerina is a certified Pucci Gang!