Men and woman fashion Project for Pret-a-porter company Facis by Marco Silombria.

Project for Pret-a-porter company Facis by Marco Silombria.

Collage and felt pen.

Size; H cm 65 x L cm 49

This project is created during the collaboration of Marco Silombria with Armando Testa, who was the main advertising graphic designer of FACIS, starting from the 1950s.

Work by Marco Silombria (Savona, 1936 - Albissola, 2014). The history of the Facis brand began in the 1930s in Turin, when the Donato Levi company and the Rivetti wool mills merged into a single company, giving rise to the GFT (Gruppo Finanziario Tessile) and the Facis brand (Fabbrica Abiti Confezionati in Serie).

Thus, shops with the Marus and Facis brands began to spring up in Turin. During the post-war period, the Facis brand revolutionized the men's formal clothing market in Italy. Inspired by the American model, they focus entirely on clothing tailored to size. In the early 1950s, the GFT literally took the measurements of more than 25,000 Italians, allowing Facis to dress the whole nation for the first time in non-woven clothes.
sartorial.

Communication becomes fundamental for the brand, so much so that the company's first advertising poster was created, designed in 1954 by Armando Testa. In the sixties and seventies Facis turns out to be the largest Italian house of men's clothing.

About artist:

Marco Silombria, an influential figure in Italian Pop Art, was born in Savona in 1936 and passed away in Albissola in 2017. His career spanned several decades and was marked by a remarkable versatility, making significant contributions to painting, sculpture, and advertising. Silombria began his artistic journey under the tutelage of renowned artists Emilio Scannavino and Lucio Fontana, whose guidance helped shape his early style and approach to art.

In the late 1960s, Silombria established himself in Turin, a city that became the backdrop for his dynamic career in both art and advertising. He worked with prominent figures like Armando Testa, creating iconic campaigns for major Italian brands such as Fiat, Gallo Rice, and Facis. His work for these companies not only showcased his innovative graphic design skills but also played a pivotal role in defining the visual identity of these brands during a transformative era in Italian marketing.

Transitioning to fine art in the 1980s, Silombria embraced a distinctive style that blended elements of Pop Art and Neo-Dadaism. His paintings often featured openly homoerotic themes, making bold statements through vibrant colors and reinterpretations of classical subjects. This period saw him exploring the rich mythological traditions of Greek and Roman art, reimagining figures like Eros, Dionysus, and Saint Sebastian with a modern, provocative twist.

Silombria's commitment to social and cultural causes was equally notable. He was a key figure in the F.U.O.R.I. (Fronte Unitario Omosessuale Rivoluzionario Italiano), Italy's first gay rights movement founded by Angelo Pezzana. He contributed significantly to the movement's visual identity, creating iconic graphics and donating artworks that celebrated LGBTQ+ themes. His involvement with the Turin Radical Party and initiatives like the first homosexual cinema review, "From Sodom to Hollywood," highlighted his role as a pioneer in advocating for gay rights and visibility.

Collectors and art enthusiasts are drawn to Silombria's work for its historical significance and bold artistic expression. His pieces, which range from playful advertising graphics to profound and introspective paintings, offer a unique insight into the cultural and social shifts of 20th-century Italy. Silombria's art is not only a reflection of his times but also a celebration of individuality and freedom, making it a valuable addition to any collection that seeks to capture the essence of modern Italian art and history.