Mariuccia Mandelli, known by her artistic name as Krizia died on Sunday at the age of 90. She was one of Italy’s first ready-to-wear brands that helped build the country’s global fashion identity. Mariuccia was born in Bergamo. She carried passion for fashion ever since the young age. Krizia studies in Switzerland and became an elementary school teacher at first but left teaching to open a laboratory in Milan with partner Flora Dolci where she began producing skirts and dresses. Krizia had her first independent fashion show in the prestigious Palazzo Pitti, won the Critics fashion Award, previously assigned, only to Emilio Pucci. Her debut was outstanding and soher name circulates in the mouth of all the experts in the world of fashion.

“It’s difficult to imagine Milan without Mariuccia Mandelli, who was among the great protagonists of the transformation of this city into capital of fashion,” said Giorgio Armani.

Karl Lagerfeld designed ready-to-wear for Krizia from 1964 to 1970.

“She was the Miuccia Prada of the Sixties and early Seventies: Very funny – nearly “folle” – but a very pleasant way to be mad,” Lagerfeld said.

Alber Elbaz remembers Mandelli as one of Italy's top designers in the Eighties.