Designer Lavinia Biagiotti Cigna Creates Costumes for La Fenice New Year Concert
MILAN — Lavinia Biagiotti Cigna is set to design an exquisite collection of costumes for the upcoming New Year concert at the historic La Fenice theater in Venice. This project holds significant personal value for the designer, who cherishes a deep emotional connection with Venice.
A Heartfelt Tribute to Venice
“This is a project dear to me; Venice is the city of my heart. I visited many times as a child with my parents,” revealed Biagiotti Cigna, who has been at the helm of the Laura Biagiotti brand since her mother’s passing in 2017. She explained that Venice has consistently been an inspiration for the brand, including the iconic perfume named after the city, launched in 1994.
Honoring a Legacy
Biagiotti Cigna pointed out that next year marks the 30th anniversary of both the devastating fire that destroyed La Fenice and the death of her father, Gianni Cigna, who played a crucial role in establishing the company alongside her mother. A special tag in memory of her father will adorn the grand curtain, which her mother donated to the theater through the Amici della Fenice organization. “The curtain symbolizes life and rebirth every time it rises,” she emphasized.
Costumes for Distinguished Performers
The costumes designed by Biagiotti Cigna will be showcased by étoiles Eleonora Abbagnato and Friedemann Vogel, along with the talented dancers from the Ballet Company of the Rome Opera House, under the choreography of Diego Tortelli. This collaboration marks another milestone in her esteemed career.
A Special Bond with Eleonora Abbagnato
Biagiotti Cigna highlighted her close relationship with Abbagnato, who has frequently attended her fashion shows and even performed on stage. “This is the 10th project we’ve undertaken together; she is a dear friend whom I greatly respect and admire,” she remarked, drawing parallels to the relationship her mother had with the late ballet legend Carla Fracci.
Designing for Movement and Elegance
When designing the costumes, Biagiotti Cigna was mindful of ensuring that the garments allow freedom of movement for the dancers. She conceptualized three striking looks for Abbagnato: a feather-light white gauze dress, a luxurious silk dress with sparkling Swarovski crystals under a cashmere hooded cape, and an elegant white suit for the televised performance.
Elevating Dance-Couture
For Vogel, the designs take on a more sculpted aesthetic, featuring a white double cashmere suit paired with a pullover adorned with a unique 3D knot, a recurring motif throughout the collection. The dancer’s costumes also include cashmere and silk bodysuits embellished with Swarovski crystals and tiny sequins, complemented by braided cashmere leg warmers.
A Collection Inspired by Venice
“I would define this as a dance-couture collection encapsulating the essence of Venice through the lens of the Biagiotti imagination — white and luminous,” she stated, highlighting her distinctive approach to blending fashion and artistry.
