There were fireworks, choreographies, Mariah Carey singing Volare and proving that she could deliver a service for the occasion, and this wonderful idea that, decidedly, nothing is impossible, especially when you have a 400,000 watt sound system.
And then there was Giorgio Armani, gone, certainly, but present all the same. Which, in fashion, is ultimately the very basis of the concept of eternity. The Milan house explained that the designer had personally been involved in the ceremony, even from beyond the grave, which proves that couture is a sector very well connected to “angel dust”.
On a giant screen, King Giorgio appeared, while the Italian flag was handed to an honour guard and to sixty models in tricolour tailored suits. Emporio Armani, partner, supplier, foundation of foundations and supplier of suppliers, dressed the Italian delegation. The delegation marched last, according to the tradition of the host country, which consists in arriving after everyone else but better dressed.
Mariah Carey, for her part, wore a Roberto Cavalli gown inspired by an archive print. Archives. Which is convenient, because when the dress weighs fifteen kilos of Swarovski crystals, you can say it is historical. The mermaid train was spectacular, so spectacular that the Adriatic Sea requested image rights. It was glamorous, retro, Hollywood, Italian, Olympic, and probably ISO 9001 certified.
Cortina achieved a rare feat: making people believe that fashion, sport, music and the afterlife can work together. It is beautiful, it is moving. All that was missing was Mussolini for a complete tableau.