Sofia Gnoli presents "Archaeology of Fashion" at the Museo del Tessuto in Prato

Book presentation: "Archaeology of Fashion"

On Wednesday 18 March 2026 at 5:00 PM, the Museo del Tessuto in Prato will welcome Sofia Gnoli for a presentation of her book Archaeology of Fashion. Heritage, archives, communication (Carocci). The event is part of the exhibition Azzedine Alaïa and Cristóbal Balenciaga, Sculptors of Form and focuses on the strategic role of brand heritage and archives in fashion research and communication.

Main topics

The book examines how Brand Heritage strengthens a label’s identity and desirability, linking historical memory and corporate archives with contemporary communication practices. It draws on national and international museum and archive examples that convert material legacy into cultural and strategic resources.

Event program

• Sofia Gnoli – Presentation of the book and perspectives on heritage in fashion.
• Renato Stasi – Talk titled "Archive Thinking for Fashion," addressing physical and digital archives and their role in teaching and design research.
• Short presentation of the student project A‑BISSO: exploring heritage to navigate the future, developed by University of Florence students.

Who should attend

The talk is aimed at curators, researchers, fashion and design students, professionals and anyone interested in how archives and collections inform innovation, production and communication in fashion. It offers practical insight into archival methods and comparative case studies.

Practical information

The book references institutions such as Armani Silos, Cristóbal Balenciaga Museoa, Archivio Gucci, Museo del Tessuto di Prato, the Victoria and Albert Museum and The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art as comparative cases.

For practical details on museum opening hours, access and booking, please consult the Museo del Tessuto di Prato official website or contact the museum directly.