Emanuel Ungaro

Emanuel Ungaro

Past

Emanuel Ungaro’s fashion is bold, colorful, and exuberant. For forty years, his innovative designs have graced Paris runways. Emanuel Ungaro was born in Aix-en-Provence, in the south of France, in 1933. His father was an Italian tailor from Brindisi. Ungaro moved to Paris when he was 22 and began designing for The House of Balenciaga. The rigid and silent workroom there left him yearning for a more sensual and expressive outlet for his art. After six years at Balenciaga, he left to join Courreges. In 1965, he opened his own couture fashion house, “Emanuel Ungaro.” His clothing was full of color, mixed patterns, and elegant draping. It was a huge, critical success. With this collection, he earned an international reputation for unique color combinations, unexpected motifs, and sleek silhouettes. In 1968, he launched his “pret-a-porter” (ready to wear) line, “Parallele” and opened his signature boutique in Paris on the Avenue Montaigne. In 1973, he followed with his first men’s wear collection, which he named “Ungaro Uomo,” and in 1983 with his first perfume, “Diva.” In 1996, he formed a partnership with the Italian leather designer, Salvatore Ferragamo. With Ferragamo, Ungaro launched a collection of footwear and handbags.

Present

His label also encompasses a line of ski clothes, housewares, beachwear, and sunglasses. Ungaro is primarily known for the “space-age” clothes he created at the beginning of his career and his bold mixture of color and patterns. Today, he produces softer, more flowing lines. His latest collection is influenced by the colors and patterns of south-east Asia, particularly those of Cambodia. Ungaro is a very private man. He feels his clothes should create the sensation, not him. He has said that it is his job to make noise in the small world of fashion.

Take Note

He has been called “the couturier that loves women.” And women love him…And we love him.