A.N.G.E.L.O.
December 18, 2007
| Lugo is a very small town not far from Bologna: 32.000 people, an economy based on agriculture, artisanship and finance, and a proud historical background (the revolution against Napoleon's troops during the Italian campaigns - 1796 - definitely deserves to be mentioned). Most of you probably have never heard of this town. It's more or less the same with our city, Trieste, when we go abroad. But you might have heard of the most important vintage archive that is based there. The most precious jewels lie in unexpected places off the beaten track... |
 It all started more than 20 years ago, when second hand clothing was a niche for collectors. And Angelo Caroli - founder of A.N.G.E.L.O. - is first and foremost a collector, who would go looking (and he still does) for rare clothing in small markets all over the world when the word "vintage" had not yet been pronounced. To make things clear, here's an example: he owns one of the world's most valuable Levi's jeans collections, with pieces that go back to the history of the brand, like the 1938 Levi's 501dx. In his search for vintage rarities, Angelo has always been driven by his fascination for second hand garments: you get to own something that belonged to a stranger, and who knows what life they lived and what story lies behind their clothes! To Angelo style is more than just fashion because it's made up of emotions, of memories, of one's own culture and history. A vintage piece therefore always has, in itself, an unspoken story, an invisible "something" which becomes more important than the garment itself. You own something unique which carries within itself pieces of lives you will probably never know nothing of. So now, after years and years spent collecting vintage clothes, Angelo's archive not only is a visible history of the past century's fashion. It is also an invisible history of people from the past. But you might feel this is a very romantic approach... |
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An expert in the field, Angelo Caroli organises and collaborates at several exhibitions, events and happenings on vintage clothing and its surroundings, displaying the rarities from his archive. He also participates in the most important vintage fairs. About 10 years ago he created, in collaboration with Stazione Leopolda (company which is connected to PITTI Immagine), the "Vintage Selection" fair based in Florence and now in its 10th edition. Oh, and he is a beautiful human being and a friend of ITS. We can prove it, check out the photo here! |
