Kolkata, November 2025 : Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata in
collaboration with the Consulate General of Italy in Kolkata is delighted to
collaborate in the organization of the “Una Serata Fiorentina: Alta Moda
Multi-Genre Showcase I MEDICI” designed by Rohan Pariyar, on November 17, 2025,
at the Victoria Memorial Hall.
This celebration of
art, culture, and couture promises to bring together the elegance of Italian
heritage and contemporary fashion creativity in the heart of Kolkata. The
evening, presented by Victoria Memorial Hall and the Consulate General of Italy
in Kolkata will pay tribute to the grandeur of Renaissance Italy and the
timeless influence of the House of Medici, celebrating the creativity that
emerges from the exchange of ideas and cultural traditions
“I Medici” is a dream
project that draws from Pariyar’s deep admiration for Renaissance art,
architecture, and the spirit of invention that defined Florence’s golden age.
Having studied fashion in Milan, Rohan’s creative language has long been shaped
by European history and craftsmanship, a sensibility that finds full expression
in this collection.
“Renaissance Italy is
the time I wish I had lived to witness,” he shares. “An age that shaped the
course of humanity and gave us art, music, architecture, and literature that
continue to inspire even today.”
The collection
reimagines 15th and 16th-century palettes, textures, and silhouettes through a
contemporary Indian lens. Each of the 40 handcrafted ensembles pays homage to
the women of the Medici dynasty, Lucrezia, Contessina, Clarice, Caterina,
Bianca, Maria, and others, women who stood at the intersection of power, art,
and intellect. The garments, created in Rohan’s Kolkata atelier, feature over
2,400 hours of zardozi and cutdana embroidery, and are inspired by Florentine
architecture, Renaissance frescoes, and the mastery of artists like Botticelli
and Da Vinci.
To complement this
vision, the show has been conceptualized as a 45-minute immersive experience,
merging fashion, music, and dance. Set in the Eastern Quadrangle of the
Victoria Memorial Hall, the presentation will be a theatrical journey through
history directed by Rohan Pariyar and Kuntanil Das, choreographed by Pinky
Kenworthy featuring Dance routines by Sapphire Creations Dance Company by
Sudarshan Chakravorty, make up and hair direction by Abhijit Chanda, music by
Kolkata based FM Ensembles led by Pramit Sarkar, production directed by
Kuntanil Das and assisted by the fashion students of IFM academy, Amity
University, Sister Nivedita University.
This collaboration
between India and Italy goes beyond fashion; it celebrates the shared cultural
heritage and artistic dialogue between the two nations. “The partnership with
the Consulate General of Italy and the Victoria Memorial Hall adds immense
value to this moment,” says Rohan. “It’s an honour to showcase the spirit of
Renaissance Italy in a setting as grand and historic as the Victoria Memorial
Hall.”
With “I Medici,” Rohan
Pariyar not only cements his position as one of Kolkata’s most visionary
designers but also ushers in a new chapter for Indian couture—one where
history, craftsmanship, and imagination come together on a truly global stage.
Mr. Anurag Kumar,
Secretary and Curator, Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata“As a cultural space,
Victoria Memorial Hall is dedicated to creating dialogues between history and
contemporary artistic expression. Through ‘I Medici’, we are proud to provide a
platform where Indian designers and performers interpret global heritage in
their own creative language. This collaboration with the Consulate General of
Italy underscores our commitment to promoting Indian talent and positioning
Kolkata as a vibrant hub for international cultural exchange.”
Mr. Riccardo Dalla
Costa, Consul General of Italy in Kolkata:“‘Una Serata Fiorentina’ is not
merely a fashion showcase but a celebration of the timeless elegance and
cultural renaissance that continue to inspire our shared heritage. Framed by
the majestic eastern quadrangle of Victoria Memorial Hall, the evening
epitomizes the enduring dialogue between Italian artistry and Indian
creativity, weaving history and modernity into a dazzling tapestry of
unparalleled beauty and grace.”