Marella Agnelli

Born: Florence, Italy, 1927
Died: Turin, Italy, 2019

Descending from Italian royalty, it’s no wonder Marella Agnelli was blessed with all the traits of a Princess. Hailed as one of the world’s most elegant women by Valentino himself, it’s not a surprise that even today Marella Agnelli still remains sophisticated and influential. Known as one of the leading style icons of the 1960’s, and wife of Fiat chairman Gianni Agnelli, Marella was also known for her love of Italian Art collecting and as a socialite.

Born Princess Marella Caracciolo di Castagneto in 1927 in Florence, she grew up extremely privileged. Educated in Paris, she moved to New York as an assistant to Erwin Blumenthal, whilst contributing now and again to Vogue. In the seventies she created a textile line for Abraham-Zumstegfor which she gained a prestigious award in 1977. Always a keen gardener, Agnelli published gardening books which included many of her own photos of gardens in Italy.

Like the few socialites who had the privilege to be so, Agnelli was part of Truman Capote’s elite circle of ‘swans’, along with the likes of Slim Keith and C.Z. Guest. She also appeared in Vogue many times, and appeared in the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame in 1963.

Marella Agnelli Biography

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Written by Sabina Rouse

Sabina Rouse, current English Literature student at the University of Reading in her second year. She enjoys writing for the Fashion and Beauty sections of the University Newspaper Spark* in addition to contributing to the online magazine Lust and Found. Sabina writes for the Biographies section of Catwalk Yourself.


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