Laura Biagiotti

Laura Biagiotti (Italian: [ˈlaura bjaˈdʒɔtti]; born on August 4, 1943 in Rome) is an Italian high fashion designer. She studied literature in Rome, expecting to become an archeologist, but started to help out at her parents' dressmaking business and had her first fashion show in 1972. Her mother, Delia Biagiotti had designed the uniforms for Alitalia staff in 1964.

The House of Biagiotti (based on Via dei Condotti in Rome) is now listed among the largest fashion houses in Italy: expansion of products including accessories and watches. She moved to Beijing for some time and was the first Italian designer to present a collection in China in April 1988

According to her company's website in 1995 she received an award from the President of Italy for her contributions to fashion and later the Marco Polo award from the Chinese government for promoting fashion in China. She also received the Leonardo Prize in Italy. The Italian post office issued a 41 Euro cent stamp with her name in 2002.

She received the America Award of the Italy-USA Foundation in 2011.

Since 1980 Biagiotti lived and worked in the Roman countryside, in the restored 11th century Marco Simone Castle together with her husband Gianni Cigna, who died in August 1996. Biagiotti is the daughter of Delia Soldaini Biagiotti, the founder of a fashion atelier. Laura’s daughter Lavinia Biagiotti Cigna entered the family business in 1997 and became the company’s Vice President in 2005.

Awards.

Laura Biagiotti was the President of the Leonardo Committee, composed of prominent Italians in the fields of industry, art and culture, from 2000 to 2008, and became its Honorary President in 2009.

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