| Luciano Soprani | |
| Birth Date: | 1946 |
| Birth Place: | Reggiolo, Italy |
| Death Place: | Milan |
| Nationality: | Italian |
| Label Name: | Luciano Soprani S.r.l. |
| Occupation: | Fashion designer |
| Children: | Lorenzo |
| Website: | http://www.lucianosoprani.it |
Luciano Soprani (1946 - 23 October 1999) was an Italian fashion designer known for his tailored, colourful men's suits and silk evening gowns.
Soprani was born in Reggiolo[1] in 1946 to a family of farmers[1] in the province of Reggio Emilia. After studying agriculture, he decided that he was more interested in fashion, and in 1967 he joined the local firm of Max Mara[1] in Reggio Emilia. He stayed there for nearly eight years,[1] before moving to Milan in 1974.[2] As a freelancer, he worked with labels such as Heliette, Basile, Nazareno, Gabrielli and Gucci.
In 1982 he set up his own label, while continuing to work for other houses such as Gucci.[1] He was also a wardrobe designer for the 1990 film Wild Orchid.[3]
In 1992 Soprani fell out with his Japanese business partner, Onward Kashiyama Co., Ltd., who owned 70% of Luciano Soprani SpA. Soprani dissociated himself from the company, whilst seeking to regain use of the trademark.
Soprani died of throat cancer in a hospital in Milan, on 23 October 1999.[1]
His friend Dilio Ortigoza succeeded him as designer at the company, to be followed by Alessandro Turci in 2002.[4] Studio Soprani was acquired by the perfume company Satinine S.p.a., and renamed Luciano Soprani S.r.l. in January 2006.