An Exhibition · Toronto 2026

Fashion Frames.

Where style becomes cinema. A journey through Italian elegance and the actresses who wore it on screen.

Curated by Stefano Dominella

Lavazza IncluCity · Distillery District June 25 – July 19
Istituto Italiano di Cultura June 30 – July 27

[ The Exhibition ]

"Italy has dressed the entire world — from Hollywood divas to the great figures of international history."

Made in Italy · Stile e Cinema

Where style becomes cinema.

From an idea and curated by Stefano Dominella, Fashion Frames offers a journey through the elegance and creativity that characterise Italian fashion — an exclusive selection of works and gowns from the most prestigious houses in Italy.

Each creation tells a story of craftsmanship, innovation and passion — a testament to Italy's lasting influence on the global fashion scene. Italy has "dressed" the entire world, from Hollywood divas to the great figures of international history, creating a global stylistic revolution that has changed the history of our country.

Italian fashion has always kept up with the times, very often dictating the rules. In the 1950s it was cinema itself that showed the world that a new Italian couture trend was emerging in Rome. The capital was transformed into the "Hollywood on the Tiber" — the Italian-style dream factory.

Cinema and celebrity immediately became a vehicle and privileged tool for Italian fashion. The Hollywood stars who arrived in the capital began wearing the creations of the then-nascent Italian houses — triggering a style revolution throughout the world.

Drawn from important private historical archives and from the personal historical archive of curator Stefano Dominella, the exhibition gathers gowns worn by iconic actresses who marked and dictated new styles — from the draperies that surround Lana Turner to the empire-line of Audrey Hepburn, from the mermaid that envelops Anita Ekberg in La dolce vita to Sofia Loren's unforgettable red dress in Pane, amore e….

The exhibition is not only a tribute to Italian fashion, but also an opportunity to celebrate our culture and heritage. For the first time, we bring to Toronto the value of know-how, beauty and style that have made Made in Italy famous around the world.

Curator Stefano Dominella

Presented in Partnership

Fashion Frames partners — Istituto Italiano di Cultura Toronto · Mariotto · ICFF presented by Lavazza

Le Dive · The Icons

Dressed by Italy.

Sofia Loren.

Pane, amore e… · Dino Risi · 1954

A red dress, an Italian mambo — a postcard from the South.

Audrey Hepburn.

War & Peace · King Vidor · 1956

The empire line that inaugurated a new fashion the world over.

Anita Ekberg.

La dolce vita · Fellini · 1960

The mermaid that wrapped a star in the Trevi Fountain.

Lana Turner.

Italian Couture · Roman archive

Draperies that invented a romantic, knowing sex appeal.

Monica Bellucci.

Malèna · G. Tornatore · 2000

A statuesque Mediterranean beauty, immortalised by Tornatore.

Scarlett Johansson.

A Good Woman · Mike Barker · 2004

An art-deco silhouette, lifted from the period and worn anew.

Claudia Cardinale.

Italian Cinema · Roman archive

A Sicilian dolce vita, shoulders bare, a smile holding court.

Gina Lollobrigida.

Italian Couture · Roman archive

The nipped waist that taught Hollywood a Roman cut.

— Made in Italy.

Plan Your Visit

Two venues, one exhibition.

Fashion Frames is mounted across two of Toronto's most distinguished spaces, each with its own run — June 25 to July 19 at the Lavazza IncluCity Festival in the Distillery District, and June 30 to July 27 at the Istituto Italiano di Cultura.

Lavazza IncluCity Festival

Distillery District.

On view

June 25 – July 19, 2026

50 Gristmill Lane
Toronto · Ontario

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Italian Cultural Institute

Istituto Italiano
di Cultura.

On view

June 30 – July 27, 2026

496 Huron Street
Toronto · Ontario

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