Terence Ward & Idanna Pucci — EMILIO PUCCI: THE ASTONISHING ODYSSEY OF A FASHION ICON - with Sara Gay Forden episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 30, 2026 · 1H 3M

Terence Ward & Idanna Pucci — EMILIO PUCCI: THE ASTONISHING ODYSSEY OF A FASHION ICON - with Sara Gay Forden

from Politics and Prose Presents · host Politics and Prose

The Drama of War and Postwar Italy Through the Life of One of Its Most Celebrated IconsWhen people think of fashion designer Emilio Pucci, it is of his bright, swirling colors and easy, freeing fabrics, and everyone from Sophia Loren to Jackie Kennedy donning the eye-catching dresses that personify La Dolce Vita. What few know about Pucci, however, is that before creating his world-famous fashions, he played a critical role in the war against the Nazis, risking his life to smuggle out to the Allies one of the most important documents of World War II.The authors bring to life Italy’s darkest and brightest days, with the extraordinary Emilio Pucci at its center. Italy at the end of the war was broken, and Florence, which the Pucci family had called home for seven centuries, lay in ruins. Pucci returned home bruised in body and soul, having endured trials that would have broken many, but, like Italy itself, rose from the ashes, and went on to design some of the most exuberant fashion of all time. He helped usher in a new era of creativity in Italy, which again became a mecca of fashion, art, design, film, and more.A host of supporting characters—including Mussolini’s daughter and Allen Dulles, and, most importantly, the timeless city of Florence and the mythic island of Capri—enrich this compelling narrative that will draw readers of all kinds, from war and history buffs, to fashionistas and fans of espionage thrillers along with the millions of readers who devour books about Italy and her many charms.Terence Ward is the author of Searching for Hassan: A Journey to the Heart of Iran and The Guardian of Mercy: How an Extraordinary Painting by Caravaggio Changed an Ordinary Life. Idanna Pucci is the author of The Lady of Sing Sing and The World Odyssey of a Balinese Prince. Idanna grew up in the Pucci palace, eyewitness to her uncle's extraordinary work. She and Terence have had far flung lives, from Iran to Indonesia. They live in Florence.Ward and Pucci are in conversation with Sara Gay Forden, is a bestselling author and veteran journalist known for her book The House of Gucci, adapted into a major film, and her extensive reporting on the Italian fashion industry and tech giants for Bloomberg News, where she currently leads the legal team in D.C.; she covered fashion in Milan for years before moving to Washington, D.C. to focus on big tech like Amazon, Facebook, and Google. https://www.saragayforden.com/aboutPURCHASE:https://politics-prose.com/book/9781250289674?ic_referral=q4-db_E4ndRn78KEziaox5CsnurHCLMHRoLzaYDBCLcwM9M1-RmeU5gep6A2Lx8PRSmkKQ5Mh84KkHTo1PS0jPVkbPspSsIi3Fb0Ko26DDFEXHW78G5F027GTNoiGkzLFM8mFa0

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Terence Ward & Idanna Pucci — EMILIO PUCCI: THE ASTONISHING ODYSSEY OF A FASHION ICON - with Sara Gay Forden

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