Emmanuel Ungaro is a French fashion designer. His father, a tailor who fled Italy during Fascist rule, gave his son his first sewing machine. In 1955, the 22-year-old Ungaro moved to Paris to work for Cristobal Balenciaga. After a short stint with house Courrèges, Ungaro opened his own fashion house in Paris, in 1965.
Ungaro fashions are noted for being elegant and sexy, skillfully draped and often featuring vivid colors and patterns. The women's line sold well and Ungaro added a menswear line in 1973.
Today, Ungaro offers clothing for women under the Emmanuel Ungaro, Ungaro Fucshia and U by Ungaro labels. Men's clothing labels include Ungaro Homme, U by Ungaro and Emmanuel/Emmanuel Ungaro. Ferragamo briefly owned a majority stake in the company in the late 1990s/early 2000s, which resulted in the creation of Emmanuel Ungaro Parfums, a testament to the importance of fragrances for the Ungaro brand.
Ungaro's first perfume, classic women's scent Diva, was introduced in 1983. Senso, Ungaro and Emmanuel Ungaro for Men were also introduced. The formation of Emmanuel Ungaro Parfums, in partnership with Ferragamo and Bvlgari, led to the release of Fleur de Diva, Desnuda and the Apparition series of fragrances for men and women.
The U by Ungaro line of the company also markets fragrances in collaboration with Avon.
Emmanuel Ungaro retired in 2005. The company is today owned by entrepreneur Asim Abdullah, and the current creative director is Giles Deacon.
