Antonia Sautter
Antonia Sautter is a designer and entrepreneur born in Venice, to a German father and an Italian mother, renown for her costumes that recreate the elegance of the past ages of Italy’s magnificent history, from the 17th century up to the 1920s. Her passion for the creative arts, costume history, textiles and ancient techniques of tailoring, accompanied by her love for artisan craftmanship has permitted Antonia Sautter to become known as a distinguished Italian celebrity: famous throughout the world.
In addition to haute couture, Antonia Sautter plans and organizes private events worldwide with her distinguished style. The most notable of which is Il Ballo del Doge, the most exclusive luxury event of the Carnival of Venice.[1]
Antonia's Biography
After studying foreign languages and literature at the Ca 'Foscari University,of Venice, Antonia Sautter moved, at a very young to New York where she started working in the fashion industry.
Once having returned to Venice she became the Managing Director of the Italian branch of Venezia Mode, a leading company in the distribution of products bearing the Made in Italy hallmark to the United States.
Subsequently she becomes an entrepreneur by starting her own Atelier and founding Antonia Sautter Creations & Events, in which she develops her unique concepts of luxury products and haute couture creations.
In 1994 she creates Il Ballo del Doge, the International Gala event of the Venetian Carnival, described by Vanity Fair as… "The most lavish, exclusive, and coveted social event of the world."
In 1999 she was chosen by Stanley Kubrick for the creation of part of the masks used in his last masterpiece, Eyes Wide Shut.
While her costumes are sought-after particularly during the Carnival period, her works have also been used in theatrical and film productions, most notably in Jean Louis Guillermou's "Antonio Vivaldi, un Prince à Venise” (France, 2006) starring Michel Serrault and Stefano Dionisi.
Il Ballo del Doge
IIl Ballo del Doge is an annual ball organized by Antonia Sautter since 1994 during Venice’s Carnival in Palazzo Pisani Moretta majestically situated on the Grand Canal, a beautiful 16th century palace. The concept of the ball developed in a very original manner thanks to the fortuitous meeting between Antonia and Terry Jones, founding member of the Monty Python team. Terry was in Venice preparing an historical documentary for the BBC on the Crusades.
Antonia was in charge of logistics, costumes and set designs necessary to the shoot.
From her involvement in this joyful venture the idea of recreating the magical elegance of bygone ages developed in her mind and from there the Ballo del Doge began to take shape. Its 23rd edition takes on February 6th, 2016 and it is rightly considered as "the main event of the Venetian Carnival season".
Each year the event develops along a different theme that is conceived by Antonia Sautter’s artistic vision: in 2016 the theme is "The Secret Gardens of Dreams".
The Ball dress code is very strict: traditional evening wear is strictly forbidden. Access is only allowed to those wearing periode costumes that guests can fit at the Atelier Antonia Sautter. The event is normally attended by the international jet set, VIPs and aristocrats from the world over who delight in wearing costumes created by the designer and made available for the event. Each costume is unique, made following age old skills of Italian craftsmanship.
Fashion creation
AS Creations & Events is the umbrella name covering all of Antonia Sautter’s business activities, from her fashion line Fashion Venetia and her line of home furnishings to the organisation of corporate events and private parties for cultural organisations, international companies, as well as public and private individuals.
Boutiques
In three boutiques situated just behind Piazza San Marco (Saint Mark's Square) in Venice, Antonia Sautter sells her fashion creations – Fashion Venetia, hand dyed and hand printed silk velvet fabrics, shoes and bags, and home furnishings all following traditional Venetian artisan methods. The boutiques also sell masks (traditional Venetian masks), bronzes, lost wax sculptures, carousels, music boxes and marionettes.
Curiosities
In 1995 Antonia participated in the production of the BBC documentary "Crusades" directed by Terry Jones founder member of the Monty Python team: providing logistic, costume and set production services.
The costumes used in the 2006 French film "Vivaldi a Prince in Venice" by Jean Louis Guillermou were all created and made in Antonia’s laboratories.
The masks that are seen in the Stanley Kubrick film, Eyes Wide Shut starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, were created by Antonia Sautter.
In her Atelier Antonia has more than 1.200 costumes, all designed by her and handmade by her expert female artisans in the historical heart of Venice.
Her costumes are proudly worn by theatre performers and fun loving socialites.
References
- ↑ "Crisis? It's party time at Venice Carnival", Reuters, 24 February 2009, retrieved 2011-07-29