Maria La Callas: The Costumes That Brought a Legend Back to Life

More than four decades after her death, Maria Callas continues to captivate audiences across generations. Her voice transformed opera, her presence transcended the stage, and her image remains one of the most enduring symbols of twentieth-century elegance. This summer, the Benaki Museum of Greek Culture invites visitors to rediscover the legendary soprano through a different lens: the art of costume design.

From 27 May to 13 September 2026, the exhibition Maria La Callas: The Art of Italian Costume Design in the Film presents eighteen costumes created for Pablo Larraín’s acclaimed film Maria (2024), starring Angelina Jolie as the iconic Greek soprano. Organized by the Embassy of Italy in Athens and the Benaki Museum under the patronage of Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, the exhibition offers a rare opportunity to explore the meticulous creative process behind one of cinema’s most celebrated portrayals of Callas.

At the heart of the exhibition is the work of internationally renowned Italian costume designer Massimo Cantini Parrini, whose creations for Maria balance historical accuracy with emotional storytelling. Rather than simply reproducing garments worn by Callas, Parrini sought to capture the essence of a woman navigating the final chapter of her life. The film follows Callas during her retirement in Paris, reflecting on her extraordinary career, her public image, and the personal struggles hidden behind the legend. Through costume, the designer reconstructs not only what she wore, but also who she was.

The costumes on display move between the worlds that defined Callas. Some recreate the dramatic stage attire associated with her most memorable operatic performances. Others evoke the sophistication of her social life, reflecting the glamour that made her an international style icon. Together, they reveal the many facets of a woman known both as a musical genius and as “La Divina” – a figure whose influence extended far beyond the opera house.

What makes the exhibition particularly fascinating is the extraordinary level of research behind every garment. Parrini and his team studied photographs, recordings, magazine features, album covers and stage appearances spanning three decades of Callas’s life. Each detail, from silhouette to fabric choice, was carefully considered to recreate the atmosphere of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. The result is not only a tribute to Callas, but also a reflection on the evolution of Italian fashion and its growing international influence during those transformative decades.

Often described as a “fashion archaeologist,” Parrini is known for approaching costume design as a form of historical preservation. His extensive personal archive of vintage garments, dating from the seventeenth century to the present day, informs a practice rooted in authenticity and cultural memory. Visitors to the exhibition will discover how costume can function as a historical document, preserving not only style but also the social and cultural values of an era.

The exhibition also highlights the collaboration between generations. Curated by Parrini in partnership with students from Polimoda, Florence’s internationally respected fashion school, the project creates a dialogue between established expertise and emerging creative voices. It celebrates craftsmanship while looking toward the future of fashion education and costume design.

For Greece, where Callas remains an enduring cultural symbol, the exhibition offers a unique opportunity to encounter the diva through a medium that is often overlooked. Beyond the mythology and the voice, these costumes reveal the careful construction of an image that continues to resonate worldwide. They remind us that fashion, like music, has the power to tell stories, preserve memory, and keep legends alive.