Curiel (brand)

CURIEL

Industry	Fashion
Founded	1908
Founder	Ortensia Curiel
Headquarters	Milan, Italy
Products	Women's ready to wear, accessories
Website	curiel.it

Curiel is an Italian fashion brand.^[1] It was founded in 1908 in Trieste, an Italian seaport city by Ortensia Curiel and is based in Milan.^[2]

In 1945, Gigliola Curiel, made several customized costumes for the premieres of Teatro alla Scala in Milan.^[2][3] La Scala, was one of the most notable theatres at that time.^[4]

In 1964, the Curiellino little black dress was introduced, and Gigliola also presented her first collection in New York at Bergdorf Goodman, and Harrods of London in 1965.^[5][1][3]

In 1965, Raffaella Curiel, the third heir, draws the first collection and in 1970 opens her atelier in Corso Matteotti. Raffaella follows the French school by Pierre Balmain and she was active in the fashion field since the seventies.^[1][6][7][8] Raffaela Curiel's works combined fashion and art, earning the nickname of "The intellectual of italian fashion".^[4][5][9]

In 1992 Rafaella Curiel opened a showroom in New York.^[8][10]

In 1994, her daughter Gigliola Castellini Curiel, started working with Raffaella in the atelier.^[1]

In 1995 and 1997, Raffaella Curiel received the Ambrogino d'Oro and the Cavalry of the Great Cross of the Italian Republic respectively.^[1][8]

In 1998, Gigliola Castellini Curiel started her own collection line, Gigliola CURIEL.^[3][9]

In 2016, RedStone Haute Couture and storied Italian fashion and couture house Curiel Srl have signed a joint venture.^[11][12][13]

Curiel is a fashion house that has been designing haute couture for women of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds. Many of these designs are still preserved in the studio located in Via Montenapoleone 13 in Milan.^{[14][15][16][17]}

Carla Fracci (20 August 1936 - 27 May 2021), was a renowned Italian ballerina, actress, and ballet director. Widely regarded as one of the most exceptional ballerinas of the 20th century, she held the position of principal dancer at the Teatro alla Scala Ballet in Milan. Following her tenure there, she embarked on a freelance career, collaborating with esteemed international companies such as the Royal Ballet of London, the Stuttgart Ballet, the Royal Swedish Ballet, and the American Ballet Theatre. Fracci gained acclaim for her captivating portrayals of the leading roles in various Romantic ballets, including The Witch, Giselle, Swan Lake, and Romeo and Juliet. Additionally, she showcased her talent in productions such as Nijinsky and The Complete Bell Telephone Hour.^[18]

One of Fracci's close friends and allies in the world of La Scala Theater was Raffaella Curiel, who not only served as her stylist but also shared a deep bond with her. Curiel fondly remembers Fracci as someone who was born to dance, possessing the humility that distinguishes great individuals.^[19][20]

In the fashion drama Made in Italy, which aired in 2020, every episode delves into the narrative of an influential Italian designer and the iconic brand they established. Episode four specifically focuses on the story of CURIEL.^{[21][22][23][24]}