Big leaguers Beyoncé, Anna Dello Russo and Madonna have all been spotted in creations by Fausto Puglisi - but who is he?
 |
| Fausto Puglisi |
It wouldn't be a Madonna tour without the outlandish outfits - Jean Paul Gaultier's conical-bra corsets, Dolce & Gabbana's rhinestone confections and Givenchy's S&M-ish leather have been some of her most memorable in the past. For her MDNA tour, which stopped off in London last night, they come courtesy of Gaultier again, who has revamped his famous piece from 1990's Blond Ambition tour - and one Fausto Puglisi, whose menacing bullet chains, fur coats and ram masks for her backing dancers are pitch-perfect.
Never heard of him? Neither had we, but alongside Madonna, big leaguers like Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez and Anna Dello Russo, whom Puglisi credits for his ascent, are already acquainted with his flamboyant creations - impressive for someone who's had no formal design training (he studied Greek and Latin literature) and started his label two years ago. His line, inspired by the "power, sex and decadence of the Roman empire", is stocked in Spiga2, Dolce & Gabbana's Milan concept store. The 36-year-old Sicilian has also consulted for Versace, the label his work is often compared to, and worked with David LaChapelle. In short, the man is going places - we accost him for his musings.
On dressing Madonna
"It's all about the incredible work of Arianne Phillips [Madonna's long-time stylist]. She knows what works on Her Madgesty. It all started during the promotion of Music, when Madonna wore my blouses. I was a boy and Arianne and Madonna have trusted me ever since. At the MTV Europe Music Awards in Stockholm [in 2000], Madonna wore an amazing Dolce & Gabbana red cowboy suit and I designed bling-bling, Swarovski accessories for her. I can't forget all the work I did by hand, putting hundreds of crystals and beads on while flying from Rome to New York. The hostesses were looking at me like I was ET."
