Victoria Memorial Hall and Consulate General of Italy in Kolkata Presents 'I Medici' - A Couture Tribute to Renaissance Italy

“Renaissance Italy is the time I wish I had lived to witness,” he shares. “An age that shaped the course of humanity and gave us art, music, architecture, and literature that continue to inspire even today.”

The collection reimagines 15th and 16th-century palettes, textures, and silhouettes through a contemporary Indian lens. Each of the 40 handcrafted ensembles pays homage to the women of the Medici dynasty, Lucrezia, Contessina, Clarice, Caterina, Bianca, Maria, and others, women who stood at the intersection of power, art, and intellect. The garments, created in Rohan’s Kolkata atelier, feature over 2,400 hours of zardozi and cutdana embroidery, and are inspired by Florentine architecture, Renaissance frescoes, and the mastery of artists like Botticelli and Da Vinci.

To complement this vision, the show has been conceptualized as a 45-minute immersive experience, merging fashion, music, and dance. Set in the Eastern Quadrangle of the Victoria Memorial Hall, the presentation will be a theatrical journey through history directed by Rohan Pariyar and Kuntanil Das, choreographed by Pinky Kenworthy featuring Dance routines by Sapphire Creations Dance Company by Sudarshan Chakravorty, make up and hair direction by Abhijit Chanda, music by Kolkata based FM Ensembles led by Pramit Sarkar, production directed by Kuntanil Das and assisted by the fashion students of IFM academy, Amity University, Sister Nivedita University.

This collaboration between India and Italy goes beyond fashion; it celebrates the shared cultural heritage and artistic dialogue between the two nations. “The partnership with the Consulate General of Italy and the Victoria Memorial Hall adds immense value to this moment,” says Rohan. “It’s an honour to showcase the spirit of Renaissance Italy in a setting as grand and historic as the Victoria Memorial Hall.”

With “I Medici,” Rohan Pariyar not only cements his position as one of Kolkata’s most visionary designers but also ushers in a new chapter for Indian couture—one where history, craftsmanship, and imagination come together on a truly global stage.

Mr. Anurag Kumar, Secretary and Curator, Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata“As a cultural space, Victoria Memorial Hall is dedicated to creating dialogues between history and contemporary artistic expression. Through ‘I Medici’, we are proud to provide a platform where Indian designers and performers interpret global heritage in their own creative language. This collaboration with the Consulate General of Italy underscores our commitment to promoting Indian talent and positioning Kolkata as a vibrant hub for international cultural exchange.”

Mr. Riccardo Dalla Costa, Consul General of Italy in Kolkata:“‘Una Serata Fiorentina’ is not merely a fashion showcase but a celebration of the timeless elegance and cultural renaissance that continue to inspire our shared heritage. Framed by the majestic eastern quadrangle of Victoria Memorial Hall, the evening epitomizes the enduring dialogue between Italian artistry and Indian creativity, weaving history and modernity into a dazzling tapestry of unparalleled beauty and grace.”