Marella Caracciolo di Castagneto

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Marella Caracciolo di Castagneto (later Marella Agnelli; born May 4, 1927) is an Italian-American who made a small but significant name as a fabric designer and a bigger name as a tastemaker and socialite of New York society during the 1950s and 1960s. She was one of Truman Capote's so-called "swans" along with Gloria Guinness, Babe Paley and Slim Keith.

Comparing her to fellow swan Babe Paley, Capote remarked:

If they were both in Tiffany's window, Marella would be more expensive.

Background

Marella Caracciolo was born in Florence to an old noble Neapolitan family. Her father was Filippo Caracciolo, 8th Principe di Castagneto, 3rd duca di Melito, and a hereditary Patrician of Naples. Her mother was née Margaret Clarke of Peoria, Illinois and her brother were Carlo Caracciolo.^[1] She was married to the FIAT magnate Gianni Agnelli from 1953 until his death. Their son, Edoardo Agnelli, was born the following year.

She often appeared in Vogue and was included on the International Best Dressed List in 1963. She was also included on the list's Hall of Fame.

She was portrayed in the 2006 film Infamous by Isabella Rossellini.

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