Fratti

Giuliano (1906-1992). Creator of accessories and jewellery. Born in Milan, he was nicknamed “Mr. Button” and, as Maria Pezzi recalls, “the king of crazy jewels.” His atelier was at via Montenapoleone 29, in the fashion building. That’s what Fratti would call it, because in the same building both Rina Modelli and the milliner Projetti had their headquarters. Twice a year, owners and representatives of tailoring shops would arrive from all over Italy to purchase Fratti’s belts, buckles, buttons, decorations, and jewellery. Active already in the 1940s, he had learned to use the most varied materials, matching rich ones with humble ones and creating original solutions. In 1947, the famous illustrator and designer Federico Pallavicini designed a jewellery line, to be manufactured in passementerie with feathers and raffia, for him. The painter Filippo De Pisis, a great name in the 20^th century, designed, in one single night, an entire collection of accessories for him. He boasted clients such as the famous tailoring shops of Nicola Zecca, Carosa, the Sorelle Fontana, Gattinoni of Rome, Bonanno of Naples, Fercioni, Tizzoni, Venesiani, and Rina Modelli of Milan. He also had private clients such as Mistinguette, Isa Miranda, and Valentina Cortese. He closed his business in 1972, in order not to see, as he put it, the agony of haute couture.