Costanza Menchi (Artisan Apprenticeship)

Costanza Menchi (Artisan Apprenticeship) EDUCATION Summ. 2008: Middlebury College, Italian Language School, Middlebury, VT, USA M.A., Italian Studies, Culture and Communication The program focuses on Italian culture and the recent methodology of teaching Italian culture through the communication tools and new technologies Coursework in Fashion History, Italian Fashion, Costume Designer, Cinema, Theatre, and Linguistics Knowledge of the Italian culture in order to strengthen teaching skills, thus learning to apply my interests as a way of teaching. Also how to teach language and culture through new technological resources is of great interest to me Thesis research topic focuses interdisciplinary interests, and the relationship among the American and the International cinema through the world of fashion, particularly the Italian fashion during the 1950 s Thesis: Clothing Cinema: the Costume Designer s Craftsmen and the Influence of Italian School of Costume Designers on International Cinema. It focuses on the development of the Italian costume designers for film and their increasing success: from Gino Carlo Sensani and Piero Tosi to the three time Oscar winner Milena Canonero Spring 2007: Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising FIDM, Los Angeles, CA, USA Fashion Studies Scholar Coursework in history of costume design and costumes for film June 2002: Università degli Studi di Firenze, History of Theater and Dress Department, Florence, Italy< Diploma di Laurea in Lettere (M.A. in Humanities), History of Art, Major History of Costume and Fashion Interdisciplinary Thesis on costume in theatre and cinema: Costume in Contemporary Opera: The Costume Designer Gabriella Pescucci (Oscar winner) at the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Opera Theatre. Coursework in History, Italian Literature and Language, History of Regional Culture and Traditions, Theatre and Cinema, Fashion and, Costume for theatre and film TEACHING EXPERIENCE Since 1999 I have been teaching a number of different courses at Smith College in Florence, Italy, in the USA, and in others American programs, as well as at the University of Florence, mostly within the field of Fashion Studies. I have a large experience of developing, administrating and examining courses, formulating course curricula and course descriptions, objectives and grading criteria, as well as archiving the relevant documents.

As course director and seminar coordinator my tasks included responsibility over the course outline, course content, teaching forms, assessment forms, examination, and grading. When I work in Italy I combine multiple sources, in particular using the city and the country as my classroom to let the students experience the real life of my culture. Over the past eleven years I have been organizing extra curricula activities, and events (fashion shows, seminars, screenings, lectures series, workshops, visits, fieldtrips, etc ) to enhance students learning experience. EMPLOYMENT Spring 2011 present: Richmond University, Florence, Italy Academic Advisor of the Fashion Internship Program Sept. 2010 present: LET s Work Artisans! Learning through Experience Original didactic project developed with OMA Osservatorio dei Mestieri d Arte Ente Cassa di Risparmio Bank of Forence, AACUPI Association of American College and University Programs in Italy, Comune and Provincia of Florence, Regione Toscana www.letsworkartisans.it February 2010 - present: Istituto Europeo Design IED, Florence, Italy Lecturer of History of Fashion Photography Fashion as a Visual Language History of Italian Fashion Fashion and Cinema Italian Fashion and the Artistic Craftsmanship Interpreting the Fashion System Spring 2009 - present: Middlebury College in Florence, Florence, Italy Supervisor of students special projects (thesis & essay) on History of Italian Fashion March 2009 - present: The Florence Newspaper, Florence, Italy www.theflorencenewspaper.it Fashion editor Fall 2009 present: Florida State University, Florence, Italy Coordinator of the Culture and Language Exchange Program Diamoci una mano: learning Italian Language through experience and theater Directed and coordinated Students Community Service and Cultural Exchange Program Diamoci una mano in cooperation with the nursing home RSA San Silvestro - Montedomini in Florence Students enrolled in Italian Language classes have the opportunity to practice the language and at the same time to experience voluntary work in a retirement home with elderly Florentine people Spring 2009 present: IED European Institute of Design, Florence Lecturer of

Interpreting the Fashion System Fashion as a Visual Language History of Fashion Photography Fall 2008-2011: New York University in Florence, Florence, Italy Lecturer of History of Italian Fashion Fall 2008: Middlebury College in Florence, Florence, Italy Lecturer of Drama and Costume Designer Workshop Italian Commedia dell arte masks and costumes Summer 2008: Middlebury College, Italian Language School, Middlebury, VT, USA Costume and Set Designer Misteri Buffi by Dario Fo, adaptation by Enrico Bernard, Summer 2008 Saturday Night Live, adaptation by Gloria Di Folco, Summer 2008 Summer 2008: Middlebury College, Italian Language School, Middlebury, VT, USA Italian Language Tutor for Grammar, Stylistic and Pronunciation Spring 2008: New York University in Florence, Florence, Italy Coordinator and Lecturer of a Lectures Series Gave lectures series entitled Costume and Fashion in Cinema, the Italian Perspective. How the Italian Artisans Creativity Influences the Success of Movies and the Release of the Italian Fashion. International guest lecturers scheduled: Salvatore Ferragamo Spa, Sorelle Fontana Foundation in Rome January 2008 - present: Florida State University in Florence, Florence, Italy Lecturer of Italian Language Teaching Italian Language and Culture courses at all levels Fall 2007 - present: Smith College, Junior Year Abroad, Florence, Italy Lecturer of History of Costume and Fashion in the Western Society Teaching a course entitled The History of Fashion in the Western Society, with a monographic section about Renaissance clothing: Eleonora di Toledo and the Medici s wardrobe. The course examines the development of Italian Fashion through the centuries On-site visits are planned and serve as a fundamental component of the course Fall 2007 present: Richmond University, Florence, Italy Lecturer of History of Italian Fashion Teaching a course (in English) focused the birth, evolution, decline, revival and most recent developments of Italian fashion from the Late Gothic Age to the present made in Italy design. Italian fashion is decoded in relation to art history in an international, social and economic context On-site visits illustrate the dominating role of Florence in fashion from its

origins to present Fall 2007 present: Fashion & Cultural Tour Leader, Florence, Italy Guide for museums and monuments in Florence, private and small groups Spring 2007: Historic Deerfield Museum, Flynt Exhibition Center, Deerfield, MASS, USA Assistant to the Director of Exhibitions and Curator of Textiles Assisted in the organization of the exhibition Celebrating the Fibers Arts Catalogued, labeled, prepared mounts and mannequins, dressed mannequins, installed objects in gallery, installed lighting September 2007 Dec.09: Smith College, Department of Music, Northampton, Mass, USA Translator English-Italian for conferences papers Fall 2006 Sum. 2007: Smith College, Italian Department, Northampton, Mass, USA Teaching Fellow Created curriculum and conducted conversation classes for beginner & intermediate levels Organized frequent cultural activities as an extension of curriculum As an extension of curriculum organized events for students: fashion show, course on daily life in Italy and Italian fashion 2005 2006: Leonardo Da Vinci Language School, Florence, Italy Professor of Italian Language Taught courses in Italian Language and Literature at all levels Taught courses in Art History 2003 2005: University of Florence, Department of Art History, Florence, Italy Teaching Fellow of History of Fashion and Theatre/Film Costume Created curriculum and implemented classes on the History of Costume Assisted in correction of theses Participated as a member of the examining committee 2003 2006: Dante Alighieri Society, Florence, Italy Professor of Italian Language and Professor of History of Art Taught Italian Language and Literature, Art History courses at all levels 2003 2006: Holy Cross College in Italy, Florence, Italy Professor of History of Italian Fashion Taught Italian Language courses and classes in History of Costume - Assisted students preparing for University of Florence exams

2002 2006: Compagnia del Buonumore, Florence, Italy Costume & Set Designer Italian Commedia dell Arte, Young Florentine and International Talents 2001 2006: Smith College, Junior Year Abroad, Florence, Italy Art History & Italian Language Tutor Tutored students preparing for University of Florence exams Organized and supervised the orientation program for all students 2000 present: Smith College, Junior Year Abroad, Florence, Italy Students Extra Curricula Activities Coordinator Direct and coordinate students orientation program and students extra curricula activities in Florence PUBLICATIONS Gabriella Pescucci (Oscar winner) on Stage: Costume in Contemporary Opera. Fashion Plates, from the Archivio Storico of Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, in Arte orafa arte tessile, Firenze, Italia, 2011 Fashion Editor: Articles on Fashion and Costume regularly published on the biweekly newspaper The Florence Newspaper www.florencenewspaper.it LECTURES AND CONFERENCES - PARTICIPATION/ORGANIZATION November 2011: CAPA, Florence The Birth of Italian Fashion Served on a Seminar about the origins of Italian Fashion and the Fascist Contribution October 2011: AIFS Florence Study Center, Florence Italian Fashion and the Made in Italy: How it began? Served on a Seminar about Italian fashion and the origins of Made in Italy May 2011: The American Association for Italian Studies & American Association of Teachers of Italian Joint Convention AAIS AATI, Erice, Italy Roundtable Organizer and Lecturer Participated in various sessions and roundtables. Served on 2 panels promoted by AACUPI: Learning Through Experience Presented paper entitled: 1. Diamoci una mano. Laboratori di scambio linguistico e culturale tra studenti ed anziani. 2. LET s Work Artisans! Learning through Experience. Incontri formativi col mondo dell artigianato artistico May 2011: Artigianato e Palazzo, Palazzo Corsini Florence LET s Work, Learning Through Experience Presenting the original didactic project developed in cooperation with OMA Osservatorio dei mestieri d arte and Ente Cassa di Risparmio, Promoted by AACUPI, Comune e Provincia di Firenze e Regione Toscana www.letsworkartisans.it

March May 2011: CAPA, Florence The Birth of Italian Fashion Served on a Seminar about the origins of Italian Fashion and the Fascist Contribution January 2011: OMA (Osservatorio dei Mestieri d Arte) CNR-IBIMET European Master Class DREAM Served on seminars and organized itineraries on the subject of The Natural Fibers and Casentino Cloth Fall 2010: CAPA, Florence The Birth of Italian Fashion Served on a Seminar about the origins of Italian Fashion and the Fascist Contribution Fall 2010: AIFS Florence Study Center, Florence Italian Fashion and the Made in Italy: How it began? Served on a Seminar about Italian fashion and the origins of Made in Italy November 2010: Florens2010 International Forum on promoting Florentine Heritage of Culture, Economy and Environment Lecturer and Roundtable Coordinator Served as Coordinator and Lecturer of the Roundtable Learning Through Experience promoted by AACUPI Lecturer on the original Educational Experience Discovering Craftsmanship and Made in Italy in Florence: Learning Through Experience October 2010: Florens2010 International Week of Culture AACUPI meeting in Florence Lecturer and Roundtable Coordinator Served as Seminar Creator and Coordinator: Learning Through Experience The American Association of Colleges and University Programs in Italy presented a selection of its activities in Florence. Some of the University programs present various activities they have been organized involving American students in learning Italian language and culture, through hands-on experiences together with members of the Florentine community Spring 2010: Istituto Europeo Design IED, Florence, Italy Served on a Seminar: Dressing Renaissance Florence April May 2010: Textile Museum in Prato, Italy Lectures supported by the Tuscany region and the Province of Prato Delivered guest lectures on Fashion & Cinema and Italian Artisans in Fashion

February 2010: Florida State University in Florence, Florence, Italy Delivered guest lecture entitled Carnevale! The Italian Masks of Commedia dell Arte Workshop on making masks Nov. 2009: Archivi della Moda del 900, 2nd Seminar, Bologna, Italy Participating in all sessions and roundtables October 2009: Istituto Europeo Design IED, Florence, Italy Served on a Seminar: History of Fashion Photography Sept.- Nov. 2009: Artisans in Fashion, Lectures Series NYU, Florence, Italy Organizer of a Lectures Series on Florentine craftsmanship, eco-friendly items and their future in the global market together with Osservatorio Mestieri d Arte OMA Organization June 2009: Archivi della Moda del 900, 1st Seminar, Florence, Italy Participating in all sessions and roundtables May 2009: Istituto Europeo di Design IED, Rome, Italy Served on a Seminar Moda italiana e cinema: Vestire il cinema, Costumisti e stilisti italiani in primo piano. La diffusione della moda italiana attraverso film di successo tra arte, artigianato e creatività May 2009: Istituto Europeo Design IED, Florence, Italy Served on a Seminar Italian Fashion and Cinema: Wearing Cinema, Italian Costume and Fashion Designers highlighted. The Spread of Italian Fashion through successful films between art, craft, and creativity May 2009: Osservatorio Mestieri d Arte OMA, Florence, Italy Artigianato a Palazzo Annual Symposium: Celebrating the International Year of Natural Fiber at Palazzo Corsini an Villa Bardini Served on panel La moda nella formazione Fashion in Education. Studying, Researching, and Doing through the Study Abroad Program in Italy: Italian Fashion, Craftsmenship, and Eco-Friendly Textiles March 2009: Richmond University in Rome, Rome, Italy Delivered guest lecture, for students enrolled in the History of Italian Cinema course, entitled Italian Fashion and International movie makers

March 2009: New York University, Florence, Italy Lecturer and Organizer of a Seminar The Language of Fashion Lecture and workshop for students enrolled in Italian language courses to study fashion as a not spoken language and a communication tool February 2009: Florida State University in Florence, Florence, Italy Delivered guest lecture entitled Carnevale! The Italian Masks of Commedia dell Arte January 2009: Richmond University in Rome, Florence, Italy Lecture and Fashion Tour during the orientation month, Fashion Day in Florence Delivered lecture entitled From Florence to the World: The Birth of Italian Fashion and Made in Italy Nov. 2008: Insegnanti Italiano Lingua seconda Associati ILSA, Florence, Italy Annual Symposium October 2008: The Centre for Fashion Studies at Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden Interactions, Annual Symposium Participating in various sessions and roundtables Fall 2008: Smith College, Northampton, MASS, USA Delivered guest lecture, in videoconference, entitled The birth of Italian Fashion in the 1950s: Designers, Economic Boom and Success on the American Market Summer 2008: Middlebury College, Middlebury,VT, USA Delivered guest lecture entitled Fashion and Jewelry During the Medici Reign Spring 2008: The American Association for Italian Studies & American Association of Teachers of Italian Joint Convention AAIS AATI, Giardini Naxos, (Me), Italy Participated in various sessions and roundtables. Served on panel Il neorealismo: cinema, letteratura, mondo. Presented paper entitled: La figura femminile nel cinema neorealista. October 2007: Insegnanti Italiano Lingua seconda Associati ILSA, Florence, Italy Annual Symposium 2007 Spring 2007: The American Association for Italian Studies Annual, Conference AAIS, Colorado Springs, CO, USA Participant in panel discussions Served on a panel entitled The Drawing-room Ladies. Female Creativity and Drawing-room Culture in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth-Century

Presented paper entitled: Female Journalism: the First Fashion Magazines Between Eighteenth and Nineteenth-Century Spring 2007: Smith College, Northampton, MASS, USA Lecturer of Italian Fashion Served as a project leader Responsible for concept, music and set design Supervised choice of garments, set and music selection PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS Member of: Costume Society of America, CSA, 2007 present American Association for Italian Studies, AAIS, 2007 present American Association of Teachers of Italian, AATI, 2007 present Insegnanti Italiano Lingua Seconda Associati, ILSA, 2007 present Association of Scholars at American Universities in Italy, ASAUI, 2009-present INTERNSHIPS 2002 2004 2004 Czech Republic Honorary Consulate, Florence, Italy Assistant Office of International Events Coordinated concerts, exhibitions, conferences between students and professors from Czech Republic and other countries Participated in conferences and roundtables on Italian culture 2002: Teatro Comunale di Firenze, Opera Theatre, Florence, Italy Press Office Assistant Managed calls, mail, general administration Organized all receptions and first night activities for each production Assisted in the preparation and production of press releases Prepared layout and production of programs and theater publications Updated archives of the press office and organized publication pertaining to the theater and its productions 2002-2003: Romualdo del Bianco Foundation, Florence, Italy Assistant Office of International Events Coordinated concerts, exhibitions, conferences between students and professors from Czech Republic and other countries Participated in conferences and roundtables on Italian culture 2001 2002: United Nation UNESCO in Florence, Florence, Italy Assistant to the Director Organized cultural events at the National Library of Florence Supervised international UNESCO meetings in Italy