The Galleria Carla Sozzani in Milan presents an extensive retrospective of the documentary photographer and reporter Alfa Castaldi from 16th February to 30th March.
His work in fashion became legendary. In 1968 he was the first to travel to the Eastern Europe for a fashion shoot, placing the clothes of Walter Albini, Ken Scott, Krizia and Jean-Baptiste Caumont on the streets of Prague. “Reporting” through pictures on the newest trends. In the 80’s his shots for “Compagnia di Stile Popolare” convey both the fashion and analysis of the history of fashion for Uomo Vogue in an almost academic style unseen until Castaldi.
His curiosity and need to understand the causes, as much as the results of things, has Castaldi going for “behind the scenes” reportage. From the inside, he is as likely to shoot the designers as the dresses, and his body of work, and more importantly his friendships, are reflected in the intimate portraits of Karl Lagerfeld, Ottavio and Rosita Missoni, Giorgio Armani, Laura Biagiotti, Andrea Branzi, Michele De Lucchi, the Fendi sisters, Gianfranco Ferre, Ettore Sottsass and many others.
But his most enduring friendship was the one he shared with Italian fashion writer and style icon Anna Piaggi (born in Milan in 1931). The trust and fierce support they gave to each other is seen in this series of unknown, intimate photographs Castaldi took of Piaggi, wrote Giuliana Scimé about the prolific photographer.
“Alfa Castaldi at Galleria Carla Sozzani”
on show from 17th February to 30th March 2013
Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 10.30 am – 7.30 pm
Wednesday and Thursday 10.30 am – 9.00 pm
Monday, 3.30 pm – 7.30 pm
Galleria Carla Sozzani
corso Como 10 – 20154 Milano, Italia
