VINTAGE ITALIAN FASHION: BONCOMPAGNI FASHION AND TEXTILE MUSEUM ROME IN PICTURES 

Among the best fashion and textile museums in Rome, Museo Boncompagni always captures the hearts of the fashion community because of its beautiful vintage colors and a display of vintage Italian fashion. The full name is Museo Boncompagni Ludovisi per le Arti Decorative—in English, it is known as Boncompagni Ludovisi Decorative Arts Museum.

The museum is located on Via Boncompagni in Rome, number 18. It has Italian fashion art from the 19th and 20th century. The main exhibitions are items of clothing and accessories, but you will find paintings, ceramics, sculptures and beautiful furniture. Admission is free and the museum is open from 9 am to 1 pm then from 2 pm to 7 pm.

The building itself was built by Giovenale for Boncompagni as a small mansion in Baroque style. The museum is spread throughout the building in many rooms it has. The presentation is unique and focuses on different unique designs of the furnished rooms. Although it was remodeled in the thirties, it maintained the previous old era style and look—a perfect representation of the much evolved Italian fashion industry.   

The displays also included old newspaper articles that featured fashion and prominent industry people of the old Italy. Similarly, presentations of sketches of fashion designers are carefully framed and hanged on the walls to showcase the work process of the fashion houses. Silk was huge in the 19th century—not only was it used for evening dresses but also for stylish blouses and Italian fashion accessories.

Many items were donated by fashion icons and companies. Famous designers like Lorenzo Riva and Marella Ferrera also donated their magnificent work. There are more than eight hundred Italian fashion clothing pieces displayed at the museum. Bags, hats, special stylish furniture—chairs that speak ‘style’, as well as portraits, are also part of the exhibitions.