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Laura Biagiotti was born in 1943 in Rome. She started out studying literature in Rome and planned to become an archeologist but then she started to help out at her mother's dressmaking business and had her first fashion show in 1972. Her mother, Delia Biagiotti, had designed the uniforms for Alitalia staff in 1964. The house of Biagiotti (based in Rome) is one of the largest fashion houses in Italy.
The company produced high-fashion clothes for designers such as; Barocco, Schuberth, Capucci, Heinz Riva and Litrico. But Laura Biagiotti wanted to create fashions with her own name, so in 1965 she made a deal with an experienced designer, Angelo Tarlazzi, to produce ready-to-wear clothes for women.
After her first successful fashion show in 1972, Laura Biagiotti earned the name "Queen of Cashmere" after taking over a cashmere company called MacPherson and devoting a large part of her efforts to creating revolutionary new garments made from the precious yarn. She was generous in her use, and the warm, enveloping dresses, sweaters, and cardigans were welcomed by women, especially those living in the cold climates.
Biagiotti wanted to produce flattering and comfortable clothes for women, who quickly took to her soft tailoring and loose-fitting dresses distinguished by their tiny pleats, top-stitching, and ajouree` work. Every Biagiotti collection includes a series of comfortable "baby doll" dresses, and pants often have elastic waists. She is known for trying on models herself, and insisting that her collaborators also try them on, standing, sitting, and walking, until she is sure that each and every model is practical and comfortable. These same principles are also applied to the men's fashions she creates.
Lines;
- Laura Biagiotti Uomo - for men was launched in 1987.
- Laura-Piu - for women wearing sizes larger than 14
- Laura Biagiotti Junior - for children
Among the many licenses are Laura Biagiotti sunglasses, which have been seen on the faces of many famous women.
She moved to Beijing for some time and became the first Italian designer to present a collection in China in April of 1988. A few years later a Biagiotti boutique was opened in Moscow in 1994 (which is very popular among the new rich of the city). Then, at the invitation of the Russian government, she staged the very first fashion show ever to be allowed in the halls of the Kremlin in February 1995 where over thirty Russian models paraded down the runway along with some of the west's top models to an enthusiastic audience.
According to her company's website in 1995 she received an award from the President of Italy for her contributions to fashion and later the Marco Polo award from the Chinese government for promoting fashion in China. She also received the Leonardo Prize in Italy. The Italian post office issued a 41 euro cent stamp with her name in 2002.
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