Luisa Spagnoli left her mark in the fashion world, but little do people know that she was the woman who invented the “Baci Perugina,” the famous little chocolate with the whole hazelnut surrounded by gianduia and wrapped in a short love poem. 

A favorite for Valentine’s Day, the “Bacio” or Kiss, is today one of the best-known Italian chocolates, eaten at any time of year all over the world. A woman, ahead of her time, Luisa Spagnoli’s struggles, and successes inspired and impacted women the world over, while at home helped Italy’s economy during and post WWI.