Constantine Palace in Strelnya to host show of leading Italian fashion houses

The leading Italian couturiers will show their collections in the State Palace of Congresses, the Constantine Palace in Strelnya, as part of the official programme timed to St. Petersburg's 300th anniversary.

The Constantine Palace will host such an event for the first time after the reconstruction of the palace and park ensemble, said the press service of the State Palace of Congresses.

The leading Italian fashion houses, Versace, La Perla, Iceberg, Rocco Barocco, Alessandro de Benedetti and Missoni, will participate in the gala-show in the Blue Hall.

St. Petersburg Governor Valentina Matviyenko, Chief of the Russian President's Business Administration Vladimir Kozhin, Italian Deputy Minister for Productive Activities (Foreign Trade) Adolfo Urso, President of the Italian Foreign Trade Institute Beniamino Quinteri, President of the Italian National Fashion Chamber Mario Boselli, Russia's leading fashion businessmen, pop and film stars and representatives of the culture and business elite from Moscow and St. Petersburg are invited to the fashion show as honorary guests.

The Constantine Palace in Strelnya boasts a 300-year history. Peter the Great wanted to build his main marine residence, the Russian Versailles, in Strelnya. Later the palace was often rebuilt and in 2000 it was transferred for the account of the Russian President's Business Administration. The palace was in a sad state. It was reconstructed and equipped with the best communications, air conditioning and security facilities. During the celebrations of St. Petersburg's 300 anniversary it hosted the Russia-EU summit.