Costume designer Massimo Cantini Parrini and the art of telling stories through clothes

Between cinema and tailoring, a journey into the visionary world of a master of costume

Creating worlds, telling stories, conjuring up an era... It can be done with words, with gestures – or with garments, as international costume designer Massimo Cantini Parrini does. He is known for masterpieces such as Tale of Tales, Pinocchio and Dogman, all directed by Matteo Garrone, as well as Cyrano by Joe Wright. Among his most recent work are Maria, starring the magnificent Angelina Jolie, and Le Déluge, nominated for Best Costume Design at the 2025 David di Donatello Awards. His credits also include acclaimed TV series such as M - Il figlio del secolo. His accolades are numerous: five David di Donatello awards, five Nastri d’Argento, and a European Film Award. He has twice been nominated for an Oscar. Recently, he announced a significant partnership with Florence’s Polimoda, where he will return as a mentor for a Master’s course in Costume Design. Among his own mentors was the legendary Piero Tosi, who brought him into the historic Sartoria Tirelli in Rome, where he has lived for many years.

Let’s start from the beginning: where did your love of fashion come from?

As a child, I was fascinated by the power of a garment to narrate the story of a person – even of an entire era. By the age of thirteen, I had already begun collecting antique clothing. That collection now numbers over 4,000 pieces.

And your passion for costume design in cinema?

It’s always been there. Cinema – with its magic, its power to create entire worlds – is the perfect place for fashion to merge with storytelling.

Pinocchio

An actor or actress you’d love to dress?

I’m drawn to actors and actresses with strong personalities – people who, through costume, can express a rich, multifaceted identity. Some belong to the past, of course, but looking to the present, I’d say someone like Cate Blanchett, for her depth and versatility, or Timothée Chalamet, who has such a natural and authentic elegance.

In Maria, how did you blend the elegance of two icons: Callas and Angelina Jolie?

The challenge was to capture the essence of Callas – her grandeur, her theatricality – and blend it with Angelina’s delicacy, strength and modernity. I wanted the costumes to reflect this unique, contemporary character, while still retaining a sense of historical refinement. A dialogue between eras, made visible and tangible.

And in Le Déluge, how did you recreate the figure of Marie Antoinette, portrayed here during her imprisonment?

I wanted to show a woman who was not just a queen, but human – fragile, restless – in the days before her tragic end. The costumes became symbols of aristocratic femininity, but also of an inner revolution: a contrast between the beauty of her apparent opulence and the turmoil invading her spirit. I aimed to blend elements of luxury with an increasing sense of unease.

Cyrano

Applications have just opened for your Master’s in Costume Design, due to launch in 2026 in collaboration with the prestigious Polimoda in Florence...

The partnership with Polimoda is a wonderful opportunity for dialogue and growth.

Polimoda is a centre of excellence in training the next generation of global fashion talent. Sharing my experience with young people, helping them understand the synergy between creativity and craftsmanship – that brings me immense satisfaction.

What does Rome mean to you?

Rome has a kind of magic that’s hard to put into words. It’s a place of extraordinary excellence, both artisan and cultural. I often collaborate with master craftsmen who have worked in film for decades. There are legendary costume houses, marvellous workshops, and artisans who have helped make Italian cinema great around the world.

Do you have favourite places in the city?

I love getting lost in the alleyways, the secret gardens, the museums that speak of Rome’s millennia-old history. And the piazzas – like Piazza Navona or Campo de’ Fiori – fascinate me. They’re places where past and present constantly intertwine.

And when you’re in search of inspiration?

When I’m looking for inspiration, I like to wander through the oldest quarters of Rome – places like the Jewish Ghetto or Trastevere. I also love the markets, where the voices and colours seem to whisper hidden stories. And I can’t leave out Villa Borghese – a peaceful refuge where art and nature come together in timeless beauty.