The Drama of War and Postwar Italy Through the Life of One of Its Most Celebrated Icons.
When people think of fashion designer Emilio Pucci, it is of his bright, swirling colors and easy, freeing fabrics, and everyone from Sophia Loren to Jackie Kennedy donning the eye-catching dresses that personify La Dolce Vita. What few know about Pucci, however, is that before creating his world-famous fashions, he played a critical role in the war against the Nazis, risking his life to smuggle out to the Allies one of the most important documents of World War II.
A vivid and fascinating biography of a remarkable man. Long before he became one of the world’s most celebrated fashion designers, Emilio Pucci had been a fighter pilot and victim of both Nazi torture and the duplicity of the future head of the CIA. Skilfully weaving together the history of Pucci’s times with the events of his extraordinary life, Ward and Pucci’s niece tell for the first time the story of his role in saving and smuggling into Allied hands what the New York Times called “one of the most important historic documents of the Second World War.
A fascinating book…unveiling Emilio’s unknown past. In the end, the arc of his story moves from black and white into brilliant color.
Behind the powerful imagery of Pucci designs lies a remarkable tale of courage and intrigue that totally redefines our understanding of this great fashion designer. This is the poignant, gripping narrative replete with alliances, tragedies, manipulation, betrayals and daring – all shadowed by the unexpected in the dying months of WWII.
Emilio in torpedo bomber, Libya 1941