Monday October 29, 2018, “The Art of Objects: The Birth of Italian Industrial Culture, 1878-1928”. Luca Cottini, PhD, Villanova University - 800 E. Lancaster Avenue - Villanova, PA 19085. 4:30 p.m., Speaker’s Corner, Falvey Memorial Library. Distinct from the Italian Fashion lecture series, Dr. Cottini discusses his recently published book, which explores the experimental encounter of arts and industry in Italy at the turn of the 20^th century.

From the fashion-conscious Medici family who sported extravagant velvet, ribbons and jewels to 20^th century icons like Jackie Kennedy and Audrey Hepburn who donned ensembles by Valentino, Italy and fashion have been nearly synonymous. The Villanova University Italian Studies program in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, directed by Luca Cottini, PhD, presents its fifth annual Italian lecture series, “Italian Fashion and the Pursuit of Beauty,” evaluating the intersection of art, fashion and beauty.