Mariano Fortuny Designer Country: Spain

1. Biography of Mariano Fortuny
2. Invention of Fortuny pleating
3. Master Workshop in Venice
4. Success and Expansion

Biography of Mariano Fortuny

Mariano Fortuny was born in Granada in 1871. He studied painting in France and settled in Venice in 1889, where he devoted himself to painting and photography. In the late 1890s, he became interested in fabric printing, creating exquisite fabrics reminiscent of Venetian brocade and velvet from the 14th to 16th centuries.

Invention of Fortuny pleating

In 1901, Fortuny presented his first clothing models made from printed fabrics in Paris. In 1906, he patented a method of pleating silk fabric known as "Fortuny pleating." Using this fabric, Fortuny created long dresses that accentuated the natural lines of the female body, which he called "Delphos."

Master Workshop in Venice

In 1907, Fortuny opened a workshop in his palace in Venice, where intricately crafted printed and pleated fabrics were produced by hand. Fortuny viewed clothing design as a form of artistic expression, and his designs were far ahead of their time, truly merging fashion and art.

Success and Expansion

During the 1910s and 1920s, Mariano Fortuny's models in ancient styles gained popularity, with notable clients such as Isadora Duncan. In 1919, Fortuny opened a factory in Italy and in the 1920s, he established boutiques in Paris and New York. However, after 1934, Fortuny stopped creating clothing and focused on other artistic pursuits.