This story – a 'catwalk tale', if you like – bursts straight from the heart of the two designers, straight from that sacred heart, symbol 'de la maison', which was embroidered on a handkerchief and donated to the Madonna Addolorata of Mussomeli, hometown of Sylvio Giardina's family.

The heart serves as an ex voto, a votive offering, to give thanks to the angels and saints that have protected the duo over the years and guided them in their journey through the world of haute couture, a journey that began in Rome and continued on the catwalks of Paris.
For the Spring/Summer 2008 Haute Couture collection the designers have returned to the Eternal City, to strut their stuff in that most striking of locations - the “Complesso Monumentale Santo Spirito in Saxia”.

Religious iconography and iconology are taken as inspiration and reinterpreted in an almost Felliniesque atmosphere. In the background, a patron saint celebration, with marching bands and “La Lummata”, the traditional illuminations of Salerno, birthplace of Antonio Grimaldi, specially constructed for the designers by local artisans.

In this joyous, party atmosphere saints and the designer's guardian angels parade along the catwalk dressed completely in white with their faces covered by lace half-masks.
Their garments of modern and geometric shapes contrast with the traditional atmosphere, and white – the colour of purity – is used to highlight the strong and decisive sartorial structures: oblique sleeves that create ample swirls contrasted with calf-length skirts, tight at the knee, or short with a 'cul de Paris' effect.

Over the bodies of these graceful creatures flow garments in organza and duchesse satin, or bows and ribbons that envelop them, becoming 'jacket-sculptures'.
The jewels remind you of the rays of the sacred heart, mounted in wrought metal.

Angels that upon touching the Earth wear patent leather shoes in neutral colours that give them the appearance of being barefoot.

The contrast is amplified when the sinless, white souls are followed by fallen angels in total black. These garments are dominated by impetuous, strong black with embroidered Chantilly lace, giving a pinstripe effect.

Knee-length tube skirts or decidedly slim man's trousers are combined with lace-buttoned shirts. The sacred heart becomes 'applique' radiating out over the pleated corsets.
Black and white, colours always dear to Grimaldi Giardina are softened for the cocktail and evening wear by more neutral and romantic hues like ecru, powder-puff pink, and ivory with flashes of gold and silver.

The play on the contrast between material and shape continues with the garments of tulle with large shields on the corsets decorated with Swarovski crystals and stones. The extraordinary workmanship of the lace, conceived and designed in a most original manner comes straight from the pencils of the designers. The lace becomes an ornament like aged jewels presented to the Madonna. Shaped like hearts and bubbles and, above all, cameos with delightful figures carved on the inside like antique tapestries, they dissolve into fringes for stoles and jewelled dresses.

Through this festival Grimaldi Giardina's patron saints and guardian angels parade symbolically, but the designers reveal the name of only one of them.
It appears in a dress of guipure embroidered with large hearts and is dedicated to their deceased friend Egon von Furstenberg, who sustained and encouraged them at the beginning of their career. A true prince for Antonio Grimaldi and Sylvio Giardina in both style and soul, whose affection is forever cherished. 

 This fashion designer article has been provided to the Fashion Newspaper by our friends at www.sfilate.com