Rugged Style War - Rome: WWII-Era American Military Jackets from the Eternal City

With their softened camouflage, sun-faded stencils, and well-worn insignia patches, this collection of more than 100 iconic WWII American military jackets will wow even the most hardcore connoisseurs and collectors. The cult-status jackets come from the collections of the authors, who are natives of Rome. This “eternal city,” universally defined as one of the largest “open-air sets” in the world, provides evocative backdrops for some of the pieces. In glamour poses shot off the usual tourist routes, 30 models-for-a-day put a distinctive spin on the jackets, mixing and matching them with rugged outfits. Part of the appeal of vintage military jackets is that each piece tells the story of the life it lived. This manifesto of post-WWII style encourages us to see its charms with new eyes.

Mirko Di Giovanni enlisted as a warrant officer in an Italian law enforcement agency and earned a law degree. He began collecting American vintage clothing in the late 1980s, focusing on military garments. Andrea Ventura's passion for vintage clothing leads to collaborations—as a graphic designer and style consultant—with high-end fashion brands. David Petrini is a member of AIRF (Associazione Italiana Reporter Fotografici). His work mixes elements from classic documentary photography to portraiture. All three authors are natives of Rome.



David Petrini was born in Rome in 1974. Influenced by his father (Associated Press photographer), he started to shoot with film in the early ’90s. He began working for the architecture department of Sapienza University, collaborating on some editorial projects. A member of AIRF (Associazione Italiana Reporter Fotografici), he shaped his style with mixed elements ranging from classic documentary photography to portraiture.