The inauguration of the exhibition “Byzantium – Ravenna: Icons of Italian Fashion” took place with great success on Tuesday, May 21, 2025. The exhibition was organized by the Embassy of Italy in Athens in collaboration with the Polimoda Institute of Florence, as part of the inaugural edition of the global tribute “Italian Fashion Days Worldwide.”

Hosted at the Byzantine and Christian Museum until July 21, 2025, the exhibition highlights the influence of Byzantine art—and in particular the mosaics of Ravenna—on contemporary Italian fashion. The artistic direction is by Massimiliano Giornetti, Director of Polimoda, while the exhibition benefits from the scholarly and curatorial contribution of the internationally renowned fashion collector Angelo Caroli, with the support of the National Chamber of Italian Fashion.

The exhibition features 20 stunning haute couture creations from the 1960s to 2020, accompanied by iconic accessories. Among them are works by Armani, Ferré, Prada, Valentino, Versace, Capucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Krizia, Gucci, and Romeo Gigli, who, inspired by the shimmering mosaics, imperial purple, and opulence of Byzantium, reinterpret the cultural depth of Ravenna and the Eastern tradition through fashion.

The inauguration was attended by over 250 guests, including members of the Greek government, representatives of the diplomatic corps, and figures from the artistic community.