Designer robes: The Pope wears Prada but his Bishop prefers Armani
By Nick Pisa
Last updated at 7:15 PM on 4th May 2011
The Devil and Pope Benedict XVI may well wear Prada but for the Pontiff's bishops the wardrobe choice is Armani.
Monsignor Domenico Mogavero, 64, donned £2,000 vestments created by designer to the stars Giorgio Armani, as he said an inaugural mass at a restored church.
Monsignor Mogavero was given the white robes free of charge by committed bachelor Armani in return for saying mass at the church which is on a tiny Italian island where the designer has a holiday home.
Holy robe: Monsignor Domenico Mogavero wears £2,000 vestments created by designer to the stars Giorgio Armani
It is well known that Pope Benedict wears bright red Prada slip on shoes beneath his vestments but designer robes are thought to be out of the budget of the hold order. As demonstrated at the Royal Wedding where a nun sitting next to Prince William was spotted wearing Reebok trainers.
Monsignor Mogavero, is bishop of Mazara del Vallo near Palermo on the Italian island of Sicily and his diocese includes the volcanic island of Pantelleria which lies just 40 miles from the north African coast.
More...No they WEREN'T ninja nuns! Sisters in Reebok trainers who got the best seats for Royal Wedding are unveiled
Red, Bride and Blue: LIZ JONES on how the Kate effect brought a British touch to fashion's biggest night
Stars with a flare for fashion: How the A-list are spearheading retro revival (and this time round, it seems the trend's got legs)
In the summer it's idyllic picturesque beaches make it a magnet for VIPs who anchor off the coast in yachts and famous visitors have included Prince William and the then Kate Middleton, Sting, Eric Clapton, Guy Ritchie and Madonna.
When asked about his luxury designer vestments - which come in the liturgical colours of white, red, green and purple, Monsignor Mogavero said: 'These robes help to give praise to God and that's why I asked Giorgio Armani to design them.
'He has a home on Pantelleria and it was not a question of being trendy but rather the aim of involving someone who has a long time connection with the island.
Pantelleria: Monsignor Mogavero was offered the Armani robes in return for saying mass on this small island off Sicily
'Giorgio Armani has a sense of originality and good taste and I thought it would be good to put these qualities to use for the service of God and the Mass.'
The vestments are hand made are are embroided with pictures of the island and the Mediterranean Sea and Monsignor Mogavero said he would 'thank Armani personally' when he saw him in the summer.
Last year monsignor Mogavero called on Italy's controversial prime minister Silvio Berlusconi - who is on trial over under age sex allegations - to resign saying his 'private life is out of control.'
Monsignor Mogavero also defended the West's attack on Libya in a recent radio interview saying: 'I cannot say that I feel decidedly hostile and contrary to it. A call for freedom cannot be dealt with superfically.'
No-one was immediately available for comment at Armani's main office in Milan.
Read more:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1383478/Designer-robes-The-Pope-wears-Prada-Bishop-prefers-Armani.html#ixzz1LPh9mpix
