Queens on Stage at the Reggia di Venaria: Italian costume art between

"Queens on Stage" at the Reggia di Venaria: Italian costume art between film and theatre

From 17 April to 6 September 2026, the Reggia di Venaria opens "Queens on Stage. The art of Italian costume between cinema and theatre", an exhibition that highlights how costume design constructs royal personas on stage and screen.

Curated by costume designer Massimo Cantini Parrini together with art historian Clara Goria, the show brings together 31 garments from Italian ateliers and archives, displayed in a three-act layout that emphasizes textiles, proportions and tailoring through targeted lighting and scenographic choices.

• Exhibition setup: three thematic sections — Fantasy, Myth, History — arranged into eleven scenes that treat royal imagery as theatrical invention.
• Designers and highlights: works by Gabriella Pescucci, Massimo Cantini Parrini, Giancarlo Bartolini Salimbeni, Milena Canonero, Piero Tosi and other figures of Italian costume craft.
• Featured performers: garments once worn by stars such as Michelle Pfeiffer, Salma Hayek, Gina Lollobrigida, Maria Callas and Elizabeth Taylor, spanning film, theatre and opera.
• Display and accessibility: specially designed lighting frames fabrics and construction; tactile panels, audio descriptions, subtitles, LIS translation and high-readability texts support inclusive visits.
• Associated program: reinstallation of Princess Ludovica’s apartment, a film series at Cinema Massimo, a Silvana-published catalogue and thematic events across the Savoy residences.

Tickets: starting from €12 (full price); reduced fares for groups, under-21s, university students and schools; free admission for children under 6.

Visitor tips: book guided tours and educational activities in advance; check the Reggia schedule for linked screenings and special events.