Impressive Fashion Designs by Roberto Capucci in the 1950s and ’60s

Born 1930 in Rome, Italian fashion designer Roberto Capucci embarked on his creative path by establishing his first atelier in Sistina in 1950. In 1958, his ingenuity shone through with the creation of the “Linea a Scatola” (Box Line), earning him the prestigious ‘Boston Fashion Award.’ This recognition placed him alongside luminaries like Pierre Cardin and James Galanos.

Fashion designs by Roberto Capucci in the 1950s and ’60s

Venturing onto the international stage, Capucci captivated French critics during the 1961 Paris fashion shows, prompting him to establish his atelier in Paris in 1962.

In 1970, Capucci’s innovative spirit manifested at the Nymphaeum of the Museo di Arte Etrusca at Villa Giulia in Rome, where he challenged conventions with models donning low-heeled boots, minimal makeup, and hairstyling. His later years witnessed a departure from established fashion calendars in 1980, with Capucci choosing to present his collections only when fully prepared.

The 1990 exhibition “Roberto Capucci l’Arte Nella Moda - Volume, Colore e Metodo” at Palazzo Strozzi in Florence marked a resurgence, earning acclaim across prominent museums globally. In 2005, Capucci’s legacy was preserved through the establishment of the Fondazione Roberto Capucci, housing an extensive archive of historical dresses, illustrations, drawings, and media.

Roberto Capucci’s contributions have left an indelible mark on the fashion landscape, earning him recognition as a key figure in “Italian High Fashion” and a pioneer of the “Made in Italy” movement.

Take a look at these vintage photos to see portraits of classic beauties wearing fashion designs by Roberto Capucci in the 1950s and 1960s.

Anna Maria Ghislanzoni in ball gown of almond-green poult, ruched and swagged, worked into fold upon fold and loop upon loop of rustling by Roberto Capucci, photo by Sante Forlano, Harper's Bazaar UK, October 1953

Model in short-sleeved dress with white collar by Roberto Capucci, Italy, 1953

Elsa Martinelli full-skirted petal dress by Roberto Capucci, photo by Angelo Frontoni, 1955

Maria Grazia Mariani in dress by Roberto Capucci, photo by Pasquale de Antonis, 1955

Model in full-skirted flounced petal-dress by Roberto Capucci, photo by Regina Relang, 1955

Barbara Mullen in short houri-skirted evening dress in crushed flame red taffeta clasped at one hip with a rose by Roberto Capucci, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar U.S., May 1956

Model in wonderful front-pleated black faille dress, tucked up behind to show a Valenciennes lace petticoat by Roberto Capucci, photo by John Antill, Italy, Harper's Bazaar UK, March 1956

Anne St. Marie in three-quarter length mink coat designed by Capucci for Roberto Capucci, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, October 15, 1957

Anne St. Marie in a cut away bubble coat of black-dyed Russian broadtail lamb by Roberto Capucci for David Furs, turban of black velvet at Hattie Carnegie, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, September 1, 1958

Christa Vogel in splendid topcoat in cinnamon and oatmeal tweed, with an inverted pleat to give its extra width by Roberto Capucci, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, April 1958

China Machado in evening tunic of black lace ribbon-embroidered with sea flowers by Roberto Capucci, coiffure by Enrico Caruso, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, October 1959

Claire Bloom in collar of ten tiers of crisp white organdy worn over a slender short wool crêpe dress by Roberto Capucci, photo by Hiro, Harper's Bazaar, April 1959

Hiroko in black chiffon butterfly dinner dress, three short tiers of skirt and three deep tiers of sleeves, eached tier ruched in chiffon by Roberto Capucci, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, October 1960

Simone d'Aillencourt and Nina Devos in dresses by Roberto Capucci, photo by William Klein, Rome, 1960

China Machado in dazzling coat of basketweave gold lamé, cuffed at the throat and belted above the waist, worn with golden toque, by Roberto Capucci, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, October 1961

Hélène Delrieu in white wool suit with black wool blouse by Roberto Capucci, photo by Georges Saad, 1961

Ina Balke in a suit by Roberto Capucci, photo by Regina Relang, Rome, Italy, 1961

Isabella Albonico is wearing a black lace dress, the back with a single bowed strap and a poufed white organdy hat, both by Roberto Capucci, photo by Gleb Derujinsky, Harper's Bazaar, April 1961

Italian designer Roberto Capucci with Tilly Tizzani wearing one of his designs, photo by Norman Parkinson, Florence, 1961

The Italian Collections, three little black dresses by Roberto Capucci, Florence, Italy, Queen, March 1961

Close-up of model in Roberto Capucci design, photo by Pierre Boulat, 1962

Dorothea McGowan in pink wool fleece coat with a two-piece look, back section is buttoned, by Roberto Capucci, photo by William Klein, Vogue, March 15, 1962

Dorothy McGowan in a dress by Roberto Capucci, photo by William Klein, Rome, 1962

Katherine Pastrie in violet wool two-piece dress by Roberto Capucci, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1962

Model in green wool gabardine suit by Roberto Capucci, photo by Angelo Cozzi, 1962

Model in wool suit of mustard, green and bronze plaid tied at the waist worn with large brimmed taupe hat by Roberto Capucci, photo by Georges Saad, 1962

Sylva Koscina in evening gown by Roberto Capucci in his salon, photo by Pierluigi Praturlon, Paris, 1962

"Paris Silhouettes", Gloria Friedrich in suit by Roberto Capucci on the balcony of Helena Rubinstein's house in Paris, photographed for Stern magazine, March 1963

Marie Lise Gres in carved white sheath of thick, ribbed ottoman, embossed in pattern of Roman stripes, thickly fringed, with a black sailor hat by Roberto Capucci, photo by William Klein, Vogue, April 1, 1963

Marie Lise Gres in superbly tailored three-piece suit of pale gray worsted worn with shiny black hat and black-tie silk scarf by Roberto Capucci, photo by William Klein, Vogue, March 15, 1963

Model in sleeveless white Ottoman sheath trimmed with fringe by Roberto Capucci, photo by Georges Saad, 1963

Donna Mitchell in stay-at-home pajamas in turquoise silk cloqué, dropping from a triangular bodice that stops at the hips and falls into deep ankle cuffs by Roberto Capucci, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, April 1965