Emilio Pucci was the Marchese di Barsento, a member of the Italian aristocracy. He was a member of the Italian Olympic ski team, and designed his own ski clothes.
After he was photographed wearing his own creations for Harper's Bazaar, he was urged to become a designer. Pucci opened his couture house in 1950 on the Isle of Capri.
Pucci created "palazzo pyjamas", which became a symbol of the jet set (worn by fashion icons such as Grace Kelly, Lauren Bacall, and Elizabeth Taylor) and "introduced the famous 'Capri Pants' that stormed the world".
Marilyn Monroe was buried in a Pucci gown. Pucci was known for bold swirling patterns and bright colors, borrowing liberally from the heraldry of medieval Italian city-states, and his designs are instantly associated with his name.
He was elected to the Italian Parliament in 1965, and was knighted by the President of Italy in 1982. Pucci received the Neiman Marcus Award twice and a Council of Fashion Designers of America Special Award once. He died in 1992, and his daughter Laudomia Pucci took over management of the design house.
While she no longer owns the company, she is still its Image Director.