When fashion marries solidarity. An all-Italian excellence the “Fashion dresses peace” award, a recognition that is awarded every year with the patronage of the European Parliament. The prize, made by the master goldsmith Gerard Sacco this year it is awarded, among others, to the great stylist Giorgio Armani. So there are two Italian excellences: the goldsmith art of the master Sacco and that of the Armani style. The awards ceremony this year, due to the health emergency due to the Covid 19, has been postponed. But the prize was awarded to the winners all the same.
The recognition, awarded every year since 2016, stems from the will of the "African Fashion Gate" association with the high patronage of the European Parliament. It is aimed at transmitting a message against all forms of discrimination, which may have arisen from differences related to skin color, ethnicity, but also religion, sexual orientation, disability. In March the ceremony, which takes place on the occasion of the World Congress of Fashion and Design at the European Parliament in Brussels. This year the forced stop but, despite everything, the award has maintained its high significance.
What does the work of the master Gerardo Sacco, goldsmith craftsman from Crotone represent
The award is designed and made with precious materials by Master Gerardo Sacco in his goldsmith's art workshop in Crotone. It represents a woman with typical features of Africa. It then has an intertwining of colors of the peoples on the cloth. It calls for integration and contempt for all forms of discrimination.
Gerardo Sacco, when he was very young, learned the rudiments of the goldsmith's art in a laboratory. Here he learns to shape and shape gold and silver. His training continues in Valenza where he goes to improve and perfect the techniques and processes of gold working. Then the return to Crotone where he starts his artisan business. The peculiarity of his art lies in the traditional processing of the past, specializing in a style reminiscent of the Mediterranean culture. He also received the honor of Commander of the Order of Merit of the Republic.
The winners of the sixth edition
The “African Fashion Gate Aps-Ets” committee, president Marietou Dione, vice president Marlena Ianniello, treasurer Angelica Morra decreed the winners of this edition. The awards were given to some personalities who have distinguished themselves in their commitment to inclusion. TO Giorgio Armani "Symbol of Italian fashion in the world, for the lively and courageous attention to the problems relating to the safeguarding and respect oftechnology". And still says the motivation for respect "for the animal world and for its strong appeal to a more sustainable fashion because of great quality and able to last over time".
The other awards
And then a Charles Capasa, president of the National Chamber of Italian Fashion. TO Carlo D'Amario, CEO of Vivienne Westwood, e Jelena Ivanovich, modeling and equality scouts. And again the international award for Fashion Journalism a Simone Marchetti. He is the director of the Italian edition of Vanity Fair, he has dedicated an entire issue of the magazine to the theme of discrimination. TO Franco DiMare, director of Rai3 for having told the dream of a Europe without borders, physical and spiritual barriers. Also rewarded Fashion Channel for having dealt with the theme of inclusion of diversity. AND Wikimedia Italy, president Matteo Ruffoni, for his activities in support of cultural institutions.
"I'm honored - had declared the master Sacco a few years ago - to have created an award that is not the usual plaque but a work imbued with social value, with which characters of profound humanity are honored and fashion is rediscovered as an awareness-raising tool to awaken consciences on a plague that is unfortunately still current as the racism".
