About the artist:

Sarli was born in Naples in 1927 and died in Rome December 9, 2010. He presented his first collection at the Palazzo Pitti in Florence in 1954 at the age of 29. In 1958, he established his own house, in Naples. He opened ateliers in Rome on Via Veneto and Milan. Sarli exports its collections mainly to the United States, Canada, Japan and the Persian Gulf countries. He created dresses for Ornella Vanoni, Carla Fracci, Valentina Cortese, Carla Bruni, Valeria Mazza, Mina, Elizabeth Taylor and Monica Bellucci. Italian President Giorgio Napolitano praised Sarli's originality, sobriety and quality in his message of condolence. Fausto Sarli is one of the prestigious names of Rome's high fashion trade. His pret-a-porter collection is found throughout the world strengthening the presige and fame of this designer who excels in two fundamental aspects of fashion and elegance: creativity and practicality. Sarli abandoned his business studies course at a young age and decided to dedicate himself to high fashion. He gained experience in the world of fashion at successful houses such as Schubert and De Luca.In 1957 he was proclaimed the winner of a young talents competition by a jury of fashion designers made up of Schubert, Capucci, Marucelli, veneziani, and Simonetta. That same year he presented his first collection at Florence's Palazzo Pitti. The following year Sarli set up his own atelier in Naples, the city where he was born. Encourged by the success in his home town, he decided to open a second atelier in Rome's Via Veneto in 1959. Those were the years of the "Dolce Vita" and Sarli's collections were enthusiastically received wherever they were presented. The perfection of his cut and his original styles won over both journalists and customers alike. The world's most demanding and famous women wanted to wear Sarli designs. Shy and modest by nature, Sarli did not let his success affect him; he shunned cult status and carried on scrupulously and diligently with his work. In 1980 Sarli began a new creative season with his "Studio" collections in which he furthered his stylistic research. In 1984 he launched the Sarli pret a porter collection. Different requirements and methods are the inspiration behind his pret a porter collections which are studied in every detail, cut, line, and are at the same time both comfortable and practical. Sarli has received a number of prizes in his career. Among these is the "Golden Lion", a prize that had only previously been awarded to Valentino Garavani and Milan Schon, and which he won in 1987. Over the past years, Sarli created an eyeglasses collection an eau de toilette, and accessories for the men's collection. His ties and vests were an immediate hit.