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Italian Fashion History
Online course
+44 (0)20 7942 2000
From the Renaissance to the present, this online fashion history course will trace the story of Italian fashion. A fascinating story where politics, power, and international trade play key roles in the fashioning of a country that is still today recognized as a key player in the global fashion scene. This will lead us to wonder 'what makes Italian fashion uniquely Italian?'.
The course is aimed at an audience with an interest in the history of dress, fashion, Italian culture and art. Guest lecturers include: Dr Silvija Banić, Dr Paolo Plebani, Isabella Campagnol, Dr Bruce Edelstein, Sonnet Stanfill, Romeo Gigli and Adriana Camerini Saralvo.
On this online art history course, learn from our world-class experts wherever you are, whenever suits you: watch lectures live or view the recording later in your own time. You can experience the full breadth and depth of the V&A's collections with 12 hours of study over 6 weeks. Learn at your own pace: lecture recordings and study materials, lecture notes, copies of the presentations, and additional study materials are available in our secure Microsoft Teams environment for 6 weeks after the course ends, so you'll never miss a thing. And finally, join the conversation: share your perspective with your fellow students, and support each other in your further enquiries outside of class time.
On this online art history course, learn from our world-class experts wherever you are, whenever suits you: watch lectures live or view the recording later in your own time. You can experience the full breadth and depth of the V&A's collections with 12 hours of study over 6 weeks. Learn at your own pace: lecture recordings and study materials, lecture notes, copies of the presentations, and additional study materials are available in our secure Microsoft Teams environment for 6 weeks after the course ends, so you'll never miss a thing. And finally, join the conversation: share your perspective with your fellow students, and support each other in your further enquiries outside of class time.
Dress historian, lecturer and curator
Virginia Arabella Hill
Virginia is an Anglo-Italian dress historian. She gained her BA degree in History of Art from East Anglia University and her MA degree in Dress from the Courtauld Institute of Art. Her extensive experience in the world of dress and fashion includes training as a textile conservator in Florence and working in fashion in Milan over several years.
Rich course content with connections to the V&A collection and excellent presentations. Previous V&A Academy Online Course Attendee
Course overview
The aim of the course is to investigate what makes Italian fashion uniquely Italian. A fascinating story where politics, power, and international trade play key roles in the fashioning of a country that is still today recognized as a key player in the global fashion scene.
Each lesson will be different: a mix of frontal lecturing, guest presentations, interviews and case-studies that will bring the topics to life and provide plenty of food for thought. Students will be encouraged to ask questions and make comments. Each lesson will be accompanied by a handout providing key information and a brief reading list.
Art of any form representing dress (such as the wonderful examples in the collections of the V&A) will provide visual evidence of clothing worn and help us to establish a chronology of Italian fashion, especially for the earlier centuries covered by the program. Special guests from the fields of Italian art, dress and design history, as well as contemporary fashion, will give us an insight from Italy.
The course is aimed at an audience with an interest in the history of dress, fashion, Italian culture and art.
V&A Academy Online. A learning environment you can trust.
Our courses are built using the latest Microsoft software. Tune in to expert lectures live or catch up on demand. Join discussions and continue your learning with downloadable handouts and presentations.
See FAQs to learn more about joining online.
See FAQs to learn more about joining online.
Enrol now
Online course: Italian Fashion History
14 January 2025 - 18 February 2025
£130.00
Need help enrolling? Talk to the admissions team:
+44 (0)20 7942 2000
Open 10.00 - 13.00, Monday to Sunday (closed 24-26 December)
