By Eleni Vasiliki Bampaliouta
The exhibition “The Italian Art of Film Costumes” at the Benaki Museum is a unique cultural event that brings together cinema, fashion, theatre, and opera through the iconic figure of Maria Callas. It is a tribute not only to the legendary soprano but also to the power of costume as a vehicle of memory, aesthetics, and storytelling.
At the heart of the exhibition are the costumes from the film Maria (2024), directed by acclaimed Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larraín and starring Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas. The costumes were created specifically for the film by internationally renowned Italian costume designer Massimo Cantini Parrini, one of the most distinguished contemporary costume designers in cinema and theatre. His work is characterized by meticulous historical accuracy, extensive research, and a profound understanding of character psychology—qualities that are vividly reflected throughout the exhibition.
Parrini’s curatorial approach seeks to reveal the many dimensions of Maria Callas’s personality. Through the costumes, visitors follow the transition from the grandeur of the celebrated diva to the more intimate and vulnerable side of the woman behind the legend. Iconic opera costumes, luxurious evening ensembles, elegant everyday attire, and authentic references to the fashions of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s create a compelling visual and emotional journey through the life of the world-renowned soprano.
The exhibition also highlights the significance of Italian costume design and the “Made in Italy” aesthetic, which shaped the global fashion landscape throughout the twentieth century. Through haute couture fabrics, intricate handcrafted details, and carefully researched historical references, visitors gain insight into Italy’s rise as an international center of creativity, craftsmanship, and elegance. Costume is presented not merely as clothing, but as a cultural document reflecting the social transformations, artistic movements, and aesthetic values of each era.
Of particular interest is Massimo Cantini Parrini’s collaboration with students from the renowned Polimoda fashion school in Florence, where he is both an alumnus and mentor. This partnership gives the exhibition a strong educational and intergenerational dimension, highlighting the transmission of knowledge, expertise, and artistic vision to a new generation of designers.
Organized by the Embassy of Italy in Athens and the Benaki Museum, under the auspices of the National Chamber of Italian Fashion, the exhibition strengthens the cultural dialogue between Greece and Italy. Its inclusion in the “Days of Italian Fashion in the World” initiative further underscores its international significance and its role as a bridge between art, cinema, and fashion.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the exhibition serves as a tribute to the enduring legacy of Maria Callas. Her image emerges as a symbol of artistic excellence, personal strength, and timeless elegance. Through the costumes created for the film, “La Divina” is brought to life once again as an emblematic figure who continues to inspire the worlds of music, fashion, and culture.
