Known as the "Prince of Prints," designer Emilio Pucci (1914-1992) hailed from one of Florence’s oldest noble families. His country-gentleman upbringing led him to be an avid sportsman and a continuous player in Italy’s political landscape throughout his life.

Pucci, familiar with stretch fabrics used in the ski industry, at first attempted to branch out into swimwear in 1949. The following year Pucci moved on to scarves. And then at the urging of Steven Marcus, owner of Neiman Marcus, Pucci applied his talents to women’s wear. He specialized in wrinkle-free silk dresses that became enormously popular among the famous, including Sophia Loren and Jackie Kennedy.

In an eloquent testimony to Pucci’s stature among American women celebrities, Marilyn Monroe was buried with one of Pucci’s dresses on.