BRISBANE – Students from St John’s College in Nambour - accompanied by their Italian teacher Saraid Hinton and language curriculum leader Maree Anning - recently had the privilege of visiting the renowned Gucci store as part of their preparation for their Italian exam.
The ninth version of the Australian Curriculum for Italian language studies includes a section on the influence of Italian fashion and the impact of Made in Italy worldwide.
The students had the chance to appreciate the quality of Gucci products and learn about the brand’s founder, Florentine Guccio Gucci.
Gucci had worked as a young porter at London’s Savoy Hotel, observing the elegant luggage carried by the hotel’s distinguished guests.
Upon returning to Italy, Gucci was inspired to open his own workshop, drawing on the sophistication of those English suitcases but using high-quality Italian materials and paying great attention to detail.
The students also interviewed Francesca Cerniglia and Giovanna Amatruda, teachers at the Italian Language Centre in Lutwyche.
From these interviews, the students learnt not only about how important fashion is to Italians, but they also got a professional perspective on the differences in style between Australia and Italy.
The concept of making a bella figura goes far beyond choosing clothes and accessories; it also encompasses how one walks, speaks and presents oneself.
As Giorgio Armani once said, “Elegance is not about being noticed, but about being remembered.”
The enriching experience for the students at St John’s College confirmed, once again, that learning a language is deeply connected to understanding the culture it represents.
Having the opportunity to directly explore the Italian influence present, even in Queensland, makes studying Italian more meaningful and relevant for young learners.
