Buon Weekend - "Vogue" - Madonna
Before David Fincher was an A-list Hollywood film director, he directed many iconic videos."Vogue" is one of my favorites.Last night was Vogue's Fashion Night Out in Rome. Once again, I went with my partner in fashion/art crime. It was cold and rainy but the streets were still packed.We had a great night, ending with an impromptu belated birthday drink at Hotel de Russie. I really need to write a post about that bar.Buon weekend a tutti![youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuJQSAiODqI&w=480&h=360]
Buon Weekend - Il Rientro
After a very long summer, Il Riento is upon us. My friend Erica wrote eloquently about the return of vacationing Italians HERE.I hope everyone had a great summer. Mine was weird. Seriously. Next year there WILL be some changes.For example, next time I go Anguilla I will not work the entire time.
I will not spend hot ass August in Rome. Instead I hope to rent a place near Marina di Pietrasanta.
I went to the Tuscan coast last weekend for my birthday. It was my first time there (pics later). It was lovely. I wish I could have stayed longer.Not sure if this song was a hit in America, but it was huge in Europe. It will always remind of this summer.Buon weekend a tutti!![youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EVhiBGvVFc&w=640&h=360]
Lo Shopping - My Interview With Eating Italy
The folks at Eating Italy asked me some questions regarding shopping in Rome for their Rome Confidential series. Grazie a tutti!
HERE are my answers.
Snapshots: Rome - Ferragosto Lunch
The Dog Days Of Summer
Am I the only person who finds it difficult to work when it's blazing hot and there's no a/c?Earlier in the week it was so bad, I felt nauseous all day. I couldn't take it anymore and on Thursday went out to Santa Marinella for a day trip. Finally, some relief.
I have never been during high season. It was packed.My favorite restaurant was closed so I tried L'Acqua Marina which my friend Elizabeth likes. The food was delicious and the view wasn't too bad either.
I think there are more tourists in town this August. That is great news for the economy. Not such great news if you are a local stuck in Rome. Almost everything non touristy (e.g. dry cleaners, newsstand, favorite restaurants) is closed. It's the worst of both worlds. I don't get to enjoy "quiet Rome" because my area is packed with tourists.The majority of my friends are out of town for weeks. Many of my American expat friends to go the States to see family and my Italian friends are traveling all over.Plus it's too bloody hot to do anything outside from 9:30 a.m. to about 5:30 p.m.I know I say it (I need to get out of Rome in August) every year, but this summer broke the camel's back. A law was passed recently allowing places that serve "food" to stay open as late as they want instead of closing at 2:00 a.m. So now the obnoxious bar across my very narrow street, has drunk tourists singing/fighting/yelling until 5:00 a.m.Even with my windows shut and a fan going I can hear these fools. I don't think I will be able to move to a new apartment when my contract is up next year, but I will rent a place in the mountains or by the sea next summer. I am so done.No sleep + 100 degree temperatures = one cranky person.How do you cope with the heat?
Io Adoro - Chez Dédé
I've written about Wonderfool the spa and concept store before. One thing I really like about Wonderfool is how they highlight Iocal artisans.A few weeks ago there was an aperitivi at the store and several of the designers were there.I had a chance to speak with the très chic Daria Reina the Creative Director of Chez Dédé, a French-Italian label. She and her partner Andrea Ferolla started the company a few years ago. Inspiration struck the luxury goods communications consultant and the art director while they were on the island of St. Barths.At Wonderfool they sell only their bags, but Chez Dédé also makes scarves and bracelets. Their scarves for men, Les New Yorkaises, would be perfect for my boyfriend, if I had one. The colors are striking and I hope they start to design some for us ladies as well.Each bag is name for an island or a beach they have visited. One of the newest editions is their Grand Tour bag. It's sporty and sophisticated. I LOVE it. It's a perfect bag for a longer trip. You can fill it with mementos of your journey.Another addition to the collection is the Taormina bag. Made with a stunning Sicilian red, this bag inspires me to book a trip to Sicily pronto.
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The craftsmanship is remarkable. Not only are these bags gorgeous, they are well made. Daria said it was important to her and her partner to make the bags in Italy. I'm sure Chez Dédé would make a lot more money producing the bags elsewhere. I appreciate their commitment to pay artisans well.
I'm not completely anti-fast fashion, but I'm doing my best to avoid it. I'd rather own a few things of excellent quality than buy a bunch of things from Zara/H&M/Top Shop that fall apart after two washings. Also, I have the worst figure for fast fashion. What looks cool on my thin and/or tall friends looks, well, cheap on me.
I adore these bags and not just because I'm an Island Girl myself. They are very "Stylish Simplicity".
I was telling one of my friends that I couldn't decide which one to get. One of the bigger totes (Ciao Portofino! Bonjour Cap Ferrat!) or the cute smaller Salina one? I will decide after my birthday next month.
Traveling To Rome? You Need These Apps.
My friend, Erica, has written a more in-depth post on Huffington Post about Rome based apps. I'm writing about my top three.I receive a lot of e-mails asking me where to eat in Rome. I love to cook and have my favorite restaurants, but I'm by no means an expert. Instead, I suggest people buy apps by Gillian McGuire, Katie Parla and Elizabeth Minchilli. I've asked them why they decided to create their apps (which is a lot of work). Thanks for responding, ladies!Why buy an app? For one, they are updated frequently. Some guidebooks become outdated the moment they are published. Also, these apps are written by people who really know this city. They live here. They see the vendors they write about, know the chef/cooks at the restaurants, and capture the city in a way that someone on short term assignment cannot do.I think they are an invaluable resource. There are a lot of restaurants, gelato places, coffee shops, etc. here and yes, it is possible to have a bad meal in Rome. With these apps, the chances of that happening are greatly reduced.EAT ROME by Elizabeth Helman Minchilli. When Elizabeth was twelve her family moved to Rome. She returned for good while studying in Florence for her dissertation. Elizabeth has written books on design and has been writing about food, design, and travel for various publications for twenty years. One of my favorite features of her app is the comment section. It's great to read everyone's experiences at various restaurants. Elizabeth does respond to feedback which helps keep the app up to date."I'm a big believer in embracing all of the technical innovations that are happening in publishing. While I've always been happy to write for magazines, newspapers and book publishers (and continue to do so) I love the possibility that blogs and apps present. They give me not only much more control over the content, but allow exciting and extremely helpful direct contact with my readers."ROME FOR FOODIES by Katie Parla. Katie grew up in the Garden State (aka New Jersey). She started working in restaurants from a young age and moved to Rome in 2003 after graduating from college. Since her move, Katie has earned a sommelier certificate (FISAR) and an MA in the Cultura Gastronomica Italiana (Universita’ degli Studi di Roma “Tor Vergata”). Katie has has written several guide books and writes about food and travel for a number of publications. The Katie's Picks section is great. She has a very specific POV when it comes to food and doesn't hold back her opinions."I decided to develop and app for a few reasons. I wanted to experiment with new media, find a new way to connect with readers, and monetize blog content. I had the app re-developed in order to introduce concepts of branding and improve user interface."ROME FOR EXPATS by Gillian McGuire. Gillian has lived in Rome for seven years. Prior to her move, she and her family lived in several African countries. Her expats friends call her "The Source" for a reason. I've included an expat app because there are people who travel to Rome and rent apartments and/or stay for an extended period. If you need to know where to find an English speaking dentist, or a hairdresser, cilantro, or maybe you're dying for a bagel, or looking for a personal trainer (to help burn off that bagel), this is the app for you."First, I love an assignment, so I found I was often asked the question "where can I find... x?
A Day Of Upsets.
Italy upsets Germany.Justice Roberts surprises many.Nadal is out.There was major celebrating in Rome last night.Mario Balotelli was on fire. Love this photo of him and his mom.
Officina Slowear - Preppy Chic Italian
I was invited to the Rome store opening, co-hosted by Monocle magazine, of this Milan based company. I went with my partner in fashion and art crime, Erica. We had an excellent time (and some prosecco).This men's store is fantastic. I wanted to check out Officina Slowear before bringing my client, Coach G. I thought he would like it. He did and we found some great pieces. Over the weekend I saw him wearing the polo shirt he bought and he was rocking it. Riccardo, the store manager, was super helpful and even gave Coach G a book as a gift.
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Officina Slowear is preppy chic meets Italian style and tailoring. The clothes are cut slim and made with high quality materials. Price wise, they're mid-range, more expensive than J. Crew but less expensive than a store like Kiton.Slowear has a few international stores... London, Seoul, and Paris. I think they're opening a store soon in Mexico City and you can find some of their clothes at Barneys in the United States.The store also carries interesting books and accessories. If you're looking for causal clothes with style, this is the place.Officina SlowearVia di Campo Marzo, 73Rome, Italy+(39) 06 925 95 839
Io Adoro - Wonderfool, A Spa/Concept Store In Rome
Filippo Cosmelli of IF Lifestyle Management suggested I check out Wonderfool when I asked him for some advice regarding one of my personal shopping clients.Prospero Di Veroli, a former advertising executive on Madison Avenue, has created a beautiful space dedicated to well-being and style.I've heard people rave about the spa services. Originally the store was a men's boutique and spa. In 2009 Wonderfool began to offer spa services to female clients as well. While the décor has a luxurious, understated masculine vibe, the prices for the spa are moderate.
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Prospero has a brilliant eye and finds interesting things to sell in Wonderfool. I like that he champions unique artisan designers, like Natusko Toyofuku. Wonderfool is also the only store in Rome that sells Orlebar Brown swim trunks (Daniel Craig, in Casino Royale).The scarves by Rome-based Wilma Silvestri are gorgeous and made with vintage fabrics. I must buy one of the Chez Dédé totes. I will be writing a separate post about those. There is a tailor on site who makes made-to-measure suits and shirts.I'm so glad I "found" this store and look forward to bringing my clients to Wonderfool. However, I need to stay away because every time I walk in I buy something. This is a problem.WonderfoolVia dei Bianchi Nuovi, 3900186 Romewww.wonderfool.it
I Know There Is Beef Between Milano And Roma But...
I have to say I had a great time in Milano. I don't think I could live there with all the fog and smog. It's too cold during the winters (ten years in Los Angeles, has clearly thinned my blood) and too grey.The "rivalry" between Rome and Milan is similar to the one between San Francisco and Los Angeles. I swear when I hear Milanese talk about Rome it sounds like a person from San Francisco complaining about flaky Angelenos. Meanwhile many Angelenos say San Francisco is a fake New York and needs to get over itself.The vibe in Milan is completely different from Rome's. As a Milanese friend said to me once, "Milan is an European city. Rome is an Italian city."It's a smaller city, with Milan's city limits population at 1.3 million compared to Rome's 2.8 million. Milan is the business, fashion, media/advertising, and design capital of Italy and many international companies like Google and Sony base their Italian offices there.
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One thing that cracked me up was that every single cab driver (I took a lot of cabs thanks to the strikes. Sigh) told me they thought Rome was beautiful but could never drive there.
When people who drive for a living tell you a place has insane drivers, one must pay heed. One cab driver said, "Look at this traffic! See how we have lanes here and it's orderly? That doesn't happen in Rome." I learned to drive stick in Rome and had to agree with his observation.
I've often heard that the Milanese were not friendly. That wasn't my experience at all. Maybe everyone I met was in a good mood because of the Salone?
On Saturday morning I was looking for a textile showroom located on a small side street not far from the stock exchange. I couldn't get over how quiet it was. I felt like I was in NYC's Financial District. At 10:30 a.m. Rome is already crowded with tour buses and huge groups of tourists following a tour guide holding an stick/flag/umbrella.
When I saw Cattelan's (one of Italy's most famous contemporary artists) piece, I gasped. I could not imagine a work of art like that on Wall Street, especially as the finger is being given to us, the public. I thought it was a very astute comment on the financial meltdown of 2008. When it was unveiled many business people were not pleased but the mayor stood firm. It was only supposed to be there for a month. It might remain in its current location until 2013, then moved to a museum.
Next time I go to Milan, I hope I have time to see some art. And the Prada flagship store.
Anatomy Of A Bepoke Suit - Close To The Finish Line
Last Thursday my client Coach G. and I went to Sartoria Marinuzzi for another fitting.His suit is coming along nicely. As Babs would say, "The fit is like buttah."
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The suit will be finished in a few weeks.
Anatomy Of A Bepoke Suit - The First Fitting
In an earlier post, I wrote about finding a tailor to make a suit for my client Coach G.On Friday he had his first fitting with Signor Marinuzzi.
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It's a fascinating process. I've never seen a suit made before. Back in the day, I made dresses, skirts, and one truly tragic jacket.
I appreciate the level of craftsmanship, talent, and time it takes to make a bespoke suit. I cannot wait to see it once it's finished.
Anatomy Of A Bespoke Suit - A Trip To A Sartoria
I recently started working with a new personal shopping client, Gerard, aka Coach G. One of his main objectives was to have a suit made.In the past I've worked only with women. Now I have learned more about mens' suits than I thought possible. There are so many details and decisions. Two buttons versus three buttons. Side vents versus center vents. The difference between how suits are cut in Europe versus America (Europe... slim, very slim).One great thing about living in Italy is, it's not difficult to find a sarto (tailor) who can make a suit by hand. The issue is, which one? Do you go with a local sarto or a store like Kiton, Brioni, or Rubinacci?
Bespoke suits are not cheap. They are an investment. Before paying between 1,900-15,000 + euros for a suit, do some homework.First, is it really bespoke or MTM (made-to-measure). There is a huge difference. With a bespoke suit the tailor is on sight. You have fittings with the person who is actually making your suit. A pattern is cut based on your measurements. The suit is made by hand not computerized machines. An excellent sarto will make a suit that fits your body perfectly.
MTM uses standard patterns. Once your measurements are taken, they are sent to the factory or a tailor offsite. MTM is good option for people who want to spend less than bepoke but want something that will fit better than RTW (ready-to-wear).If someone tells you that your suit is bespoke and the man who is making your suit is not there to see you in person, or the suit is not made by hand, then your suit is not bepoke and you shouldn't be paying bepoke prices.Second, get a referral and/or pull images of suits that you like worn by people who have a similar build to your own.One of my friends is married to a man who dresses impeccably. I asked her where he had his suits made and that is how I found Signor Marinuzzi.
I went to see him. He and wife do not speak a word of English. I told them about my client and what he was looking for. They showed me different fabrics and a suit in progress. I left believing Gerard would be in very good hands.Signor Marinuzzi makes suits for men and women. That's it. Only suits.Sartoria MarinuzziVia Alessandro Farnese, 12/A (zona Prati)Roma 06-3213903