E. Marinella’s tailoring art on show in Sorrento
As part of the kermesse ‘Ritratti di Made in Italy: Arte e Cultura da esportazione’, after the opening exhibition dedicated to the goldsmith’s art of Gerardo Sacco, it is the turn of the sartorial art of the prestigious Neapolitan brand E. Marinella, specialised in the production of ties and luxury clothing items. The exclusive exhibition-narrative, curated by expert art historian Filomena Maria ‘Mimma’ Sardella, is scheduled from 14 June to 28 July at Villa Fiorentino in Sorrento and is entitled ‘Questa di Marinella è la Storia vera’.
The exhibition is a tribute to 110 years of activity of the famous brand. The history of the Marinella company is the history of Naples. A history that has its roots in Via Riviera di Chiaia, at number 287, where Don Eugenio Marinella opened the maison’s first shop on 26 June 1914. A small 20-square-metre shop where tailor-made products (especially shirts and ties) were made from silks hand-printed in England.
Despite the two world wars and the influence of the American market, the Marinella house earned its place of prominence over time, first in Italy and then worldwide. Over the years, many illustrious people have passed through its doors and bought ties. From the Kennedys to Bill Clinton, from the Bushes to Obama, and then Berlusconi, the presidents of the Italian Republic (among the loyalists were Leone, Cossiga and Napolitano), Giovanni Agnelli, Pietro Barilla, Aristotle Onassis, Marcello Mastroianni, Vittorio De Sica, Totò, Luchino Visconti and Juan Carlos of Spain, to name but a few.
However, the maison is not only famous for ties. The production boasts various men’s accessories such as shirts, cufflinks, watches, perfumes, leather goods, where silk often remains the main element. Since 2010, it has also started making products for women such as scarves, bags, key rings and wallets. In 2017, four iconic patterns of Marinella ties were even exhibited at the MoMA in New York on the occasion of the exhibition ‘ITEMS: Is Fashion Modern?’, dedicated to the relationship between clothing and its functionality between the 20th and 21st centuries.
Today, in addition to the historic shop in Via Riviera di Chiaia, E. Marinella shops are in Milan, Rome and Tokyo and in many department stores such as Bergdorf Goodman in New York, Le Bonne Marchè in Paris, Liberty in London and Santa Eulalia in Barcelona.
Opening hours: Mon – Sun 10:00 to 13:00 and 17:00 to 20:00
For more information and details: 0818782284 – info@fondazionesorrento.com
Photo © Fondazione Sorrento
