Magnificent Obsessions 1/3

This obsession is in the DNA of Persol, a synonym of quality and the national Made in Italy brand, such as it is in the art of the cinema, a magic process that springs from the devotion and creativity of legendary directors and actors. From Marcello Mastroianni in La Dolce Vita and Cary Grant in North by Northwest or Steve McQueen™ in The Thomas Crown Affair and The Getaway, Stephen Dorff in Somewhere by Sophia Coppola, Persol sunglasses were specifically chosen by numerous unforgettable artists in the movie business and international star system. Curated by Michael Connor (listed among the “Young Curators to Watch” 2010 by Time Out, New York) PERSOL MAGNIFICENT OBSESSIONS. 30 stories of craftsmanship in film sets out to show how the making of a full length film – just like that of a pair of glasses – is nothing less than an uncompromising search for the type of perfection only a work of art can fully encompass.

 The exhibition explores the countless steps required to produce an icon – from the actor’s full immersion in the study of his character, to the meticulous work of the costume designer. Iconic characters, sounds and images, sets, costumes and posters... the show points the floodlights on the development of each of these elements to reveal the hours, weeks and even months of research and craftsmanship required.

Magnificent Obsessions. Persol, cinema and craftsmanship is the first of three volumes celebrating “magnificent obsessions”: tales of ardent passions and meticulous attention to detail that have made the great films great.