Flavio Panizzutti
| Town/City | Surfers Paradise |
|---|---|
| First name | Flavio |
| Last name | Panizzutti |
| Country of Origin | Italy |
| Date of Birth | 18/12/37 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | 1952 |
| Submitted by | David Panizzutti |
Story
This story is about my father whom was born in Gaiarine Italy. It was after the war and this region had little prospect for the future, my father was a fashion designer and had shown ability and passion from a very young age as he used to make all his clothes from scratch whilst at elementary school. His family were told that Australia was the promised land of opportunity and that he should go there.
The journey was on a ship that took three months. During this time Flavio had his 18th birthday, and like many new migrants he had to borrow the money to travel and once in Australia had to work to pay it off. Flavio arrived in Sydney with one suitcase and the equivalent of $20.00 to start his new life. According to my mother who is Australian born and of Welsh decent, he knew all of two words when they first met and they where “Banana and Chocolate”…but this did not stop him and by the time he was 21 he had his own fashion label and manufacturing factory that employed 50 plus people. You may remember the ads during the 80s of Angelo V’dal, it was a spoof of Saturday Night Fever…..”Angelo V’Dal, you get that funky fever” was the main song…
Upon arrival my father being the European fashionista thought that he had gone back in time, as Australia in the 50s was not the cultural dynamite it is today but a rather bland place, Flavio being a very humorous person has been remembered saying on numerous occasions
“When I arrive I got of the boat and saw these people all walking, but in reverse, I yelled to them from the ramp of the boat and said NO NO not like that like this”, and would show us in his proud and funny way him walking forwards with exaggerated arm and leg movements, and to the people astonishment they all said “thank you”, and started to walk forwards from that day onwards. Flavio Panizzutti won many fashion awards in the 70s and 80s as well as many heart for his truly unique, warm and honest ways. Flavio did much to springboard the Australian mens’ fashion industry to where it is today, not only did he design but he also manufactured and you would not find a industry person in the mens’ fashion industry that did not know his name.
Flavio Panizzutti died in his loving sons arms of a massive heart attack Australia Day 26/01/1989 and will be remembered and loved by many. Flavio leaves behind his wonderful wife Gwendolyn and four children, as well as many fond memories.