Luciano Soprani

Soprani was born in Reggiolo[1] in 1946 to a family of farmers[1] in the province of Reggio Emilia. After studying agriculture, he decided that he was more interested in fashion, and in 1967 he joined the local firm of Max Mara[1] in Reggio Emilia. He stayed there for nearly eight years,[1] before moving to Milan in 1974.[2] As a freelancer, he worked with labels such as Heliette, Basile, Nazareno, Gabrielli and Gucci.[2]

In 1982 he set up his own label, while continuing to work for other houses such as Gucci.[1] He was also wardrobe designer for the 1990 film Wild Orchid.[3]

In 1992 Soprani fell out with his Japanese business partner, Onward Kashiyama Co., Ltd., who owned 70% of Luciano Soprani SpA. Soprani dissociated himself from the company, whilst seeking to regain use of the trademark.

Soprani died of throat cancer in a hospital in Milan, on 23 October 1999.[1]

His friend Dilio Ortigoza succeeded him as designer at the company, to be followed by Alessandro Turci in 2002.[4] Studio Soprani was acquired by the perfume company Satinine S.p.a., and renamed Luciano Soprani S.r.l. in January 2006.[4]

• Official Luciano Soprani website
• Luciano Soprani at FMD