elio fiorucci’s bold legacy comes to life in triennale milano retrospective

Triennale Milano unveils extensive Elio Fiorucci exhibition

Running until March 26th, 2025, Triennale Milano presents Elio Fiorucci, the most extensive exhibition ever dedicated to the renowned Italian fashion designer and his eponymous brand. Celebrating Fiorucci’s transformative influence on fashion and Italy’s contemporary art scene since the 1960s, the retrospective provides a detailed look at his legacy. Drawing from the personal archives of the designer and a range of industrial products, the show intertwines the story of his life with the development of his brand, offering fresh insights into his vision. For the first time, visitors can listen to previously unreleased audio recordings of Fiorucci himself, a rare chance to understand his creative approach in his own words.

Curated by art director Judith Clark, the exhibition features the designer’s most iconic works, including photographs, clothing, accessories, and contemporary art. These items are set within an immersive exhibition design by theater and opera director Fabio Cherstich, enhancing the theatrical quality of Fiorucci’s world. Presented in a chronological arrangement, the material allows visitors to follow the evolution of his career, showcasing the personal and professional milestones that defined his innovative legacy.

Elio Fiorucci, installation view | image by Delfino Sisto Legnani DSL Studio © Triennale Milan

How One Designer’s Vision Made Milan a Global Hub of Creativity

Stefano Boeri, President of Triennale Milano, emphasized the importance of the exhibition in filling the cultural void surrounding Fiorucci’s influence in the city.‘Milan, thanks to Fiorucci, has in fact been for at least two decades one of the magnets of the most advanced ideas in international youth culture and the cradle of the most fertile and daring contaminations not only between fashion, design, visual art, and advertising, but also between culture and commerce,’ Boeri shares. ‘By invading the dark Milan of the 1970s with colors and shapes and then exporting his chromatic comet to the world, Elio Fiorucci gave his city the gift of primacy in international creativity.’

Fiorucci’s bold, colorful aesthetic exploded onto the Milanese scene in the 1970s, transforming the city into a hub of creativity. Through his characteristic fusion of fashion, design, and advertising, Fiorucci changed the retail landscape and redefined Milan’s role in the global cultural zeitgeist. The exhibition narrates how this brand was a mirror of its designer’s personality—playful, irreverent, and always ahead of the curve. His ability to combine fashion with art and commerce is explored through a vast collection of media, including video footage, architectural models, and even room-sized installations.

Elio Fiorucci, installation view | image by Delfino Sisto Legnani DSL Studio © Triennale Milan

Fiorucci’s Vision Continues to Influence Modern RetaiL

Elio Fiorucci, whose name became synonymous with youth culture, creativity, and irreverence, has seen a revival in contemporary global culture. His brand has become a favorite among Gen Z and the style-conscious It Girls, with its bold and boundary-pushing designs. However, beyond his innovative clothing, Fiorucci has also contributed to the world of retail and experiential marketing.

As early as the 1960s, the designer understood that the retail interior design could create an environment that engaged all the senses, creating the concept store to turn shopping into an experience. He was the first designer to incorporate scent into retail spaces by using air conditioning systems to perfume his stores, and he famously introduced music as an integral part of the shopping experience. These innovative touches created an atmosphere that was as much about entertainment as it was about purchasing, helping to elevate his brand to international fame and setting a lasting benchmark for the modern retail experience.

Elio Fiorucci, installation view | image by Delfino Sisto Legnani DSL Studio © Triennale Milan

Exhibition Catalog and rare Album Capture the Designer’s Vision

Accompanying the exhibition is a comprehensive catalog, available in Italian and English, published by Electa. The catalog features essays by scholars and creative figures, exploring the themes and languages that interested Fiorucci throughout his career. It offers a deeper dive into the designer’s cultural impact and his unique vision for the future of fashion and retail.

Also included is Around the World for Elio Fiorucci: The Albums of Mirella Clemencigh, a special album curated by Judith Clark and Adelita Husni-Bey. The album introduces Fiorucci’s imagery and features a conversation between the exhibition curator and Husni-Bey, the daughter of Mirella Clemencigh, a fashion designer and Fiorucci collaborator. The album is a rare glimpse into Fiorucci’s personal relationships and creative collaborations from the 1960s and 1970s.

Elio Fiorucci, installation view | image by Delfino Sisto Legnani DSL Studio © Triennale Milan

Fiorucci Stickers, Panini, 1984, courtesy Fiorucci / Fiorucci Stickers, Panini, 1984, courtesy of Fiorucci

Elio Fiorucci, installation view | image by Delfino Sisto Legnani DSL Studio © Triennale Milan

Elio Fiorucci, portrait with glasses Fun, 1978, courtesy of Love Therapy archive

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sketch for illustration Fiorucci, courtesy of Fiorucci

tin box Love Therapy, courtesy of Love Therapy archive

Targetti lamp for Fiorucci, 1982, courtesy of Love Therapy archive

bag, Love Theraphy, 2000s, courtesy of Love Therapy archive | image by Gianluca Di Ioia – Triennale Milano

Elio Fiorucci at his desk, 1995 | image by Marco Maria Lussoso, courtesy of Love Therapy archive

color illustration for stickers Panini, Eighties, courtesy of Fiorucci

Elio Fiorucci, installation view | image by Delfino Sisto Legnani DSL Studio © Triennale Milan

Fiorucci graphic, courtesy of Fiorucci

red leather jacket with fringes, Fiorucci, 1979, courtesy Franco Marabelli archive | study and research Elio Fiorucci | image by Gianluca Di Ioia – Triennale Milano