The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents the U.S. premiere of Il Teatro Alla Moda (Theater in Fashion), the first exhibition to explore Italy’s famous haute couture designers and their impact on the stages of opera, dance and theater. More than 80 costumes, sketches and drawings from Giorgio Armani, Roberto Capucci, Enrico Coveri, Fendi, Alberta Ferretti, Romeo Gigli, Antonio Marras, Missoni, Emanuel Ungaro, Valentino and Gianni Versace will be on display here to celebrate the current transformation of the Italian Renaissance Beverly Hills Post Office into a distinctive performing arts venue and to honor the designers’ contributions to the performing arts.

The exhibition will have a limited 4-week run from Oct. 14–Nov. 13. While the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts is under construction, the exhibit will be on display at 253 N. Beverly Dr. on the ground floor of the new MGM Place, which will be converted into a temporary gallery. The Annenberg will open in the fall 2013.

“I had the opportunity to see this stunning exhibition in Italy and thought it would be wonderful to share these exquisite costumes with our future audiences,” says Annenberg Executive Director Lou Moore. “The designers’ passion for the arts resonated with me on a personal level. For many of them, the arts are their first love. ”

Curated by Massimiliano Capella of Musei Mazzucchelli in Brescia, Italy, “Il Teatro Alla Moda” has been previously exhibited in Rome (Museo del Corso November - Dec. 2010), Brescia (Musei Mazzucchelli January – April 2011) and Milan (Palazzo Morando, May - July 2011) and will be on display at the Villa Manin in the outskirts of Venice July 20-Nov. 4, 2012.

“The relationship between theater and fashion has allowed the designers to leave their own unique mark on theatrical events,” said Curator Capella. “These designers brought their signature styles and love of the arts to the stage to capture the essence of the characters in the productions. The distinctive look of each house is apparent in these works for the stage.”

Highlights of the exhibition include costumes from the following productions: Giorgio Armani (Soul), Roberto Capucci (Tribute To Maria Callas, Capriccio Enrico Coveri (The Great Gatsby), Fendi (La Traviata, Carmen), Alberta Ferretti (Carmen), Romeo Gigli (The Magic Flute), Antonio Marras(Midsummer Night’s Dream), Missoni (Lucia di Lammermoor), Ungaro (The Clemency Of Titus), Valentino (The Dream Of Valentino), Gianni Versace (Salome), and Capriccio, Dionysos (Doktor Faustus).

“When the Annenberg opens, we hope to become a center of creativity and collaboration for artists, where young and old can experience first class performances of theater, dance and music; where new work and educational programming will inspire, enlighten and challenge; but most of all, where artists can create and share their passion,” concluded Executive Director Moore.