The Inimitable Style of Franca Sozzani
And The Most Stylish Movie to Watch Now
Today is the eighth anniversary of the death of Franza Sozzani. For 28 of Sozzani’s 66 years she was the head of Vogue Italia. During her stewardship, Vogue Italia was a creative tour de force, pushing the boundaries of fashion editorials; sometimes causing controversy and always elevating the artistic integrity of the magazine.
Like the great Diana Vreeland, Sozzani was guided by her intuition and innate sense of what the public was almost ready to see. She pushed our collective eye forward using intellect and art as her guide while eschewing the commercial. The photography world especially misses her presence and support.
I’ve always admired the inimitable personal style of Sozzani. Scrolling through the thousands of images of her online, it’s nearly impossible to tell what year it is and who she’s wearing because she transcends trends and designer dictates. Her style has a bohemian air to it with an aristocratic edge, unstudied, comfortable and totally personal. She was also a great example for all women on how to age naturally and gracefully. As a tribute I’ve compiled images that illustrate Soazzani’s effortless elegance. Eight years later, the void she left as an influential voice in fashion has not been filled and is still missed.
Sozzani’s son, Francesco Carrozzini, made an excellent documentary called Franca, Chaos and Creativity. Available to rent on Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV.
The Most Stylish Movie to Watch Now
If you haven’t already, I highly recommend watching the recently released bio-pic Maria. The movie follows the great opera singer, Maria Callas, through her last, melancholy days in Paris. The script and direction, at times, leaned too heavily on the diva myth when it could have focused more on the woman. Nevertheless, I watched it twice because of the exquisite art direction and costumes expertly created by Massimo Cantini Parrini.
The sets depicting Callas’s grand Paris apartment and the autumnal location shots of the city blanketed in leaves are breathtaking. A soft light, evoking sepia faded photos, permeates the movie and adds to the spell. The costumes are well integrated into Callas’s character. They exude the dignity of a dying woman struggling with her past and the knowledge that her best days are behind her. The greatness is still there; the clothes and posture convey that. It fully captures the luxurious side of the seventies, the fabrics, the furs and the potent, quiet elegance of 1970’s couture.
Maria, directed by Pablo LarraÃn and starring Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas. Currently streaming on Netflix.
That’s all for now friends, hope these two style icons have inspired you. Our clothing is a part of us. It doesn’t define us, but when done right it can show the world your true self.
I wish you all a very happy holiday, filled with love, laughter and style. Thank you for reading and please talk What Looks Good up at your next gathering ;)
xxx Jolain
A true icon and a master of her work. If u just take a look at her style right now, everything is relevant and stylish.
Thank you Jolain for helping me start my day with style!