Roberto Capucci – Beauty Will Save the World (Roberto Capucci, la bellezza salverà il mondo) (2024)

The documentary on Roberto Capucci immerses us in the world of an undisputed master of fashion, whose creative genius has transformed garments into true works of art. Each of his creations, often bearing a unique name inspired by nature, transcends ephemeral fashion to become eternal, much like a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly. Capucci, now at the venerable age of 93, continues to astonish by designing costumes for an opera, proving that his vision has never ceased to evolve.
The documentary does not merely retrace the milestones of his career but invites us to solve a true puzzle, symbolized by a photograph encapsulating all the essential elements of his art. Through interviews with family members, collaborators, and prominent figures in the fashion world—ranging from gallerist Carla Sozzani to photographer Toni Thorimbert, as well as his loyal seamstress and the heads of the Capucci Foundation—the film seeks to unveil the secret of his success. But there are no simple answers: Capucci is an enigma, a visionary who chose to remain on the fringes of the fashion system yet managed to secure a place of reverence in the Olympus of creativity.

Regarded as a veritable earthly deity by industry insiders, Capucci has built a close-knit circle of devoted followers, including the great Rita Levi Montalcini. His ability to „consume beauty,” as he himself used to say, made him an admired outsider, understood by all—a creator of garments that do not merely walk the runways but enter the most important museums in Europe.

The documentary culminates in an epic scene: the „dressing,” in which his iconic garments come to life on a model within the magnificent halls of Villa Manin, leaving us with the vision of an ideal woman—somewhere between fairy tale and reality—dressed as only Capucci could have imagined.