History of fashion expert to deliver the 2023 Lucrezia Zaina lecture

The esteemed expert on the history of Italian fashion, Professor Eugenia Paulicelli, will deliver this year’s Lucrezia Zaina Bequest Lecture on Tuesday 18 April in The Tung Auditorium.

Eugenia Paulicelli, Professor of Italian, Comparative Literature and Women and Gender Studies at The City University of New York, will deliver her lecture on ‘Fashion and Film in Italy (1946-1953): A Transatlantic Perspective.’

The significant role of cinema in Italy’s reconstruction and rehabilitation after the havoc left by WWII, a civil war and the fascist regime, is a subject of significant academic interest. Fashion played a crucial role not only in the nation’s process of rehabilitation and cultural and economic reconstruction, but also in the launch of the ‘Made in Italy’ on a global scale.

Professor Paulicelli’s lecture will therefore focus on the post-war period and take into consideration new archival materials, including critically examining a selection of newsreels on fashion.

There will be the opportunity to take part in a Question and Answer session with Professor Paulicelli, led by Dr Stefania Tufi, a Reader in Italian Studies in our Department of Languages, Cultures and Film.

Following the lecture there will be an Italian-themed reception for all in the state-of-the art Yoko Ono Lennon Centre.

This lecture is funded by a generous legacy bequest from Professor Lucrezia Zaina, known as Lexie, who was a lecturer in French and Italian at the University from 1964 until 1988.

Now in its twelfth year, the Zaina Bequest Lecture has seen a range of high-profile and fascinating speakers in the area of Italian Studies, including the former Everton FC Manager Carlo Ancelotti.

Dr Stefania Tufi, said: “We are delighted to welcome Professor Eugenia Paulicelli to Liverpool to share with us her expertise in the history and theory of fashion.

“We have a long tradition of Italian at the University of Liverpool, with Italian Studies taught here since 1881, and we are extremely grateful that Professor Lucrezia Zaina’s generous legacy has helped to promote knowledge of Italian and Italian Culture across our city.

“This is the first time we’ve held the well-established Lecture in the state-of-the-art surroundings of the Tung Auditorium and so we’re really looking forward to an excellent event – make sure you get your tickets booked!”

The Lucrezia Zaina Lecture 2023, featuring Professor Eugenia Paulicelli, takes place on Tuesday 18 April from 5.30pm in The Tung Auditorium. Tickets are free but booking is required, for more information and to book, please visit: Lucrezia Zaina Bequest Lecture 2023 with Professor Eugenia Paulicelli Tickets, Tue, Apr 18, 2023 at 5:30 PM | Eventbrite