Giorgio di Sant'Angelo

Sant'Angelo was born as Jorge Alberto Imperatrice in Rosario, Argentina, from a middle class hard working family. Son of Domingo Antonio Imperatrice and Leila Ratti, he had a younger brother, Hector Daniel Imperatrice (born 10/4/1945). Later in life, he said he was born anobleman in Florence, Italy, the son of a Florentine count.

In the mid-1980s, Sant'Angelo added the "di" back to his last name and continued to design his high end signature line. Made almost entirely out of stretch knits, critics hailed it, confirming the return of his influence. The versatile, wrap stretch pieces of clothing, in unique materials, colors and patterns, proved an antidote to the overly tailored styles of the time. Unfortunately, di Sant'Angelo died in 1989, so his comeback was short-lived. But his legend continues in the minds of modern-day fashionistas, with designers like John Galliano and Marc Jacobs citing him as an influence. He was given a plaque on the 7th Avenue walk of fame along with his contemporaries such as Halston and Stephen Burrows.

He is known for his work on Cleopatra Jones (1973), Something Short of Paradise (1979) and Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold (1975).

Sant'Angelo opened his own ready-to-wear business in 1966. He experimented with knits, and developed new fabrications with textile mills like DuPont. He also collaborated with textile converters like Crantex, to create his own prints, and leather makers like Calderon, for his accessories. He cited various native and ethnic cultures as the inspiration for his collections, like the American Indian or the Bohemian Gypsy. But his most important contribution to modern women's clothing at the time was his liberating construction techniques and his use of stretch fabrics. He rejected the traditional shift with the zipper-up-the-back, and instead, designed clothing that wrapped, tied, hung or clung to the body. He didn't simply design clothes, he ornamented the body and made fantasy wearable. He made couture pieces for celebrities and entertainers as well. Eventually, he started to license his name and expand into cheaper, more affordable clothing. The first line was called Sant'Angelo 4U2, which were less expensive versions of his fantasy pieces. Then there was the 'Marjer Parts' line, which was also more affordable, but more trend-influenced. Later, he dropped the 'di' from his last name and licensed out his name as Giorgio Sant'Angelo. Unfortunately, much of that clothing did not have his own hand involved, and instead, was overly commercial and did not possess his innovative signature. In 1976, Sant'Angelo befriended guitarist Michael Laucke, whom he met through jewelry designer, philanthropist and former fashion model Elsa Peretti, and Sant'Angelo frequently hired Laucke to play at the launching of his new lines in New York, setting "the pace for a more subdued Sant'Angelo".

Sant'Angelo moved to New York City after his experience at Disney. He first worked as textile artist, and later worked in interior design. For fun, he started making Lucite and plastic jewelry. Catherine Murray di Montezemolo first noticed the jewelry, then later Diana Vreeland, who started featuring it in Vogue magazine. This set his career into motion. Ms. Vreeland recognized the talent that Sant'Angelo showed, and hired him as a freelance stylist. It was out of this collaboration that some of the most iconic fashion photographs of the 1960s were taken. Shots like the model Verushka wrapped in fur in the desert, or psychedelic flower makeup around one of Twiggy's eyes.

Giorgio di Sant'Angelo was born on May 5, 1933 in Florence, Tuscany, Italy as Giorgio Imperiale di Sant'Angelo.