Born: Grantham, England, 1968
Rising star Antonio Berardi told Vogue in 1997, ‘My work is a mix of my British and Sicilian roots: an art school mentality combined with the inspiration I take from the strength of the women in my family.’ Berardi, whose Sicilian parents owned an ice cream business, graduated from London’s Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in 1994, already showing signs of pulling power: his show featured hats by Philip Treacy and shoes by Manolo Blahnik; hairdresser Sam McKnight and make-up artist Mary Greenwell gave their services free of charge. In December 1996 Berardi signed up with Italian manufacturers Givuesse and in 1999 he showed for the first time in Italy. His collection, ‘Never Mind the Borgias’, contained punk and Renaissance references, his pièce de résistance a jacket constructed from 200 zips. Later that year he made matching purple outfits for the wedding of Victoria Adams (Posh Spice) to Manchester United star David Beckham – and their baby Brooklyn.
