The first full-length illustrated biography of the legendary Carla Sozzani (b. 1947), a key figure in the international worlds of fashion, art and design. Carla Sozzani offers a fascinating look at the remarkable life and work of a visionary icon. Based on interviews with Sozzani herself, Louise Baring’s captivating text chronicles all the key moments of Sozzani’s highly successful career, from her early years in fashion to her groundbreaking forays into publishing, curation and retail. The book begins with a preface that introduces us to the stylish world of Carla Sozzani; each chapter that follows covers a foundational aspect of her life and work. Interspersed with the images that illustrate each chapter are pull quotes in Sozzani’s own words. Beginning with her bourgeois childhood in Italy, the text takes us to Sozzani’s early love of fashion and passion for travel; her trajectory as a magazine editor, including working on special issues for Vogue Italia (her sister Franca Sozzani would edit the magazine for 28 years) and launching the Italian edition of Elle; embracing unmarried motherhood in conservative Milan; founding her own publishing company, as well as a gallery that has staged hundreds of exhibitions, including of her own extensive photography collection; launching her own fashion label; helping to propel fashion designers Romeo Gigli and Azzedine Alaia to worldwide fame; and creating – in collaboration with her longterm partner, artist Kris Ruhs – the world’s first concept store, 10 Corso Como, later rolled out in Tokyo, Seoul, Shanghai, Beijing and New York. Ever restless and in search of new ways of sharing her vision, the inter-disciplinary Carla Sozzani continues to tread her own path: a true trailblazer.
