NYC - MONDAY 25
This was one of the last photos I took in the subway on my way home to pick up the luggage to go to the airport - it couldn't be more appropriate - this week is one hundred years of the New York subway - 27 October 1904 - 2004 - Thank you NEW YORK and THANK YOU all my friends - it was great seeing you all - Barto - Susan and Allegra - Laura and Jimmy -Noreen and George -Charlie - Eden and Neal -Eric Arrigo Rex and Marilyn - Jack - Ben - Rollins and Tipper -Isabel - Violetta - John - Barry - Susan and Peter - Eden and Neal - Matteo and Susanne - Judith and Paz - Hellen - Jeff - Burt - Nora - Laurie and Peter - Andy and Jennifer - Andrea and Giuliana - and spero a presto.

NYC - MONDAY 25
I was waiting outside Bergdorf's for Arrigo Rex - I turn round and saw Kean Etro - Etro's men's wear designer - straight in from Milan for his Collage Party in collaboration with Bergdorf Goodman - his personal installation is inspired by his love of cooking and preserving food in salt - he confessed to me that he often puts leather shoes and shirts under earth - sometimes rolled up with rusty nails - like the Sacred Shroud - he likes the smell of the earth when he digs them up - Kean's collages at Bergdorf's are kitchen jars filled with icons and fashion accessories - Like - Under Spirits: alcohol, Lady of Grace statue - Olive Oil Packed: plaid boxer shorts and several large mushrooms - Pickled: buttons, vinegar, shoelaces and frogs - Under Spirits: alcohol Buddha - great fun!

NYC - MONDAY 25
I'm cheating again - it is not Monday, but Thursday and I'm not in NYC anymore - I must stop this habit - but, I wanted to tell you about this fun Collage Party at Bergdorf Goodman - through November 8 - Bergdorf Goodman and Etro present the U.S. premiere of Collage Party - a traveling experiment where a number of artists create collage art works - even in the windows on Fifth Avenue - like a studio visit to an alternative space and the ensuing chaos created during the process are exhibited as an installation on the top floor of Bergdorf's men's store - curated by Scenic in co-operation with Collage Party creator Paul Butler.
www.theotherpaulbutler.com

VENEZIA - TUESDAY 26
I'm really cheating - it is still Monday and I'm still in New York City - but - let's pretend that is already domani and it's 9.30 a.m. (body time 3.30 a.m.) and the plane is about to land at Marco Polo airport - if you look closely at the photo above, you can just make out the Grand Canal and Piazza San Marco - I'm going to take a break from my Blog for a few days to re-adjust to jet lag and country living - so a big hug to you all - and - a presto - contessanally

NYC - MONDAY 25
It's time to go back home.............fast forward 6 hours!

NYC - MONDAY 25
This is where the Tiffany books are "made":

It is unfortunately my last morning in New York - I went up to say good bye to my friends - on the executive floor of Tiffany's - John Loring - arbiter of Tiffany design for 25 years was away lecturing across the country - his research assistant Rollins Maxwell who's JRT Tipper is my best friend in New York - and my buddy - artist and photo editor par excellance Eric " Arrigo Rex" Erickson - were awaiting me with handkerchiefs to mop up the floods of tears - I'm going to miss the party for Greetings from Andy (Warhol): Christmas at Tiffany's by John Loring at the end of the month - but, hopefully I'll be back next fall for the party for the Tiffany Diamonds book - again and naturally - by John Loring.

NYC - SUNDAY 24
How about a rickshaw ride around New York - just $ 1 a minute for two - this pollution free ride is about leisure and pleasure - not speed and distance -it elevate cycling in general by offering non-cyclists a virtual "bike ride" effortlessly, and demonstrating that cycling belongs in cities -
these three wheeled pedicabs have become a symbol of fun in NYC.
www.manhattanrichshaw.com

NYC - SUNDAY 24
Nix Wares - 37 East First Street - just opened last night - it's a great gift store - animals, dolls, bags, baskets - and much more - are made from very colorful recycled plastic bags, telephone wires and soda bottle tops in South Africa - recycling out of necessity is the secret behind the creative genius of the street entrepreneurs of Africa who work closely with Niki to coordinate the color combinations and develop design ideas.
www.nixwares.com

NYC - SATURDAY 23
With just over a week to go to the elections and the polls for the race to the White House being more or less even - it was interesting for me to spend part of my day at the Kerry Edwards rally in Washington Square Park where actor Harvey Keitel was M.C. to the New York democtratic office holders.
www.democrats.org

NYC - SATURDAY 23
Have you noticed the VOTE OR DIE! campaign plastered all over the streets of NY - created by - businessman, entertainer, actor, producer and designer - Sean "P. Diddy" Combs - to educate, motivate, and empower the 42 million Americans eligible to vote on November 2nd - also know as the forgotten ones - mobilizing the hip-hop generation with the campaign's urgent Vote or Die! message, Diddy has created a 'coalition of the willing' that includes media powerhouses, the fashion world, celebrities like Naomi Campbell, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Foxx, Ellen DeGeneres, Ashton Kutcher, Mary J. Blige, Drew Barrymore, Tony Hawk,Paris Hilton,Yoko Ono, Alicia Keys, Kanye West, and many more........
www.citizenchange.com

BROOKLYN - FRIDAY 22
The breathtaking location
Poldi, Tin Tin and Matteo Thun admire the view before the photo shoot.

NYC - FRIDAY 22
Going to work - today I was shooting designer and architect Matteo Thun and his family's Christmas card with the stunning backdrop of the New York skyline - Matteo, Susanne, Tin Tin and Poldi sat in the back of design consultant Jeffrey Osborne's chic black Audi as he kindly drove us over the Brooklyn bridge to the River Cafe - in between lots of touristy photo taking - each with his own digital camera - and coffees - American and Expressos - we finally got the job done!

NYC - THURSDAY 21
What is inside this Chinese take-out food container???
Jean-Georges Vongerichten new and trendy restaurant - Spice Market - in the Meatpacking District serves street food inspired by Mr. Vongerichtens travels in Southeast Asia in a casual and sexy atmosphere - delicious distintive tastes.......
So let's get back to the container above...... it is not a take-out but the actual 'bowl' in which the best ice cream -green tea - lemon ginger - passionfruit - blueberry lessi - durian -
comes to your table - I think this is a tongue in cheek take on his inspiration from the Vietnamese street markets and the Thai food stalls - it's just one of the cool and unusual details of this restaurant.
Spice Market - 403 W. 13th St - 212 675 2322 - www.jean-georges.com

NYC - THURSDAY 21
It's all Metropolitan - from the opera to the museum
China: Dawn of a Golden Age, 200-750 AD
From the late Han dynasty (third century A.D.) to the High Tang (mid-eight century) Chinese civilization underwent a transformation as a result of the massive immigration of peoples from northen Asia and the extensive trade along the Silk Road. This landmark exhibition tells the story of Chinese art and culture during this formative period. I especially liked the stone and earthernware statues, some reminded me of Picassos terracotta sculptures. One that stood out was the Tomb Guard with Leonine Head a seventh century baked clay pigment statue found in the Xinjiang Uygur region - this beastlike creature with a dragon-ish head has orange skin with purple circles, similar to a sort of leopard print - green hair and green wings on his shoulders as well as on the top of its head - it also has eyes on his sides as well as on the face - very colorful, quite remarkable and striking.
www.metmuseum.com

NYC - WEDNESDAY 20
The Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center was a first for me - and the 6os architecture - designed by Wallace K. Harrison - is so now and trendy - crystal chandeliers and all - Aida is a grand production and came second only to the Red Sox winning the best of seven in the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium - that was really the only chit chat overheard during the intermissions...... who's your daddy?

NYC - WEDNESDAY 20
The slogan - Vesuvio Bakery at Prince Street since Adam met Eve - realistically the Dapolito family has been making bread for three generations - his bread has been described as "retro chic" as it still looks the same as it did in the 1920s and the interior is sort of old worldly and sparse -the delectable window display is so refreshing after all the trendy fashion boutiques in SOHO - it's a yummy treat to walk by it.

NYC - TUESDAY 19
Let me introduce you to these really great Ozone Design socks - designed by artist Peter Rittmaster and Ozone president and CEO Laurie Mallet - " I like to follow fashion trends and apply them to socks, which I consider an accessory rather than an undergarment - I also like the idea that the bland-est and plain-est people often wear the wildest socks". www.ozonesocks.com

NYC - MONDAY 18
The Lower Eastside Girls Club # 8
Kwame Jackson the last "You're Fired" apprentice of the last show last year - was the last star to arrive and the last to be photographed with the girls from the girls club - did he last the evening???

NYC - MONDAY 18
The Lower Eastside Girls Club # 7
Movie actress and trendy style setter Chloe Sevigny - is out weekly to support a good cause -
looking very demure she talks to a "mysterious unidentified handsome young stranger".

NYC - MONDAY 18
The Lower Eastside Girls Club # 6
Girls Club program director Jenny Dembrow is "chained" to her elegant tattoos draped over her torso - front, back and sides - poses with the girls from the Girls Club.

NYC - MONDAY 18
The Lower Eastside Girls Club # 5
Young American fashion designer Zac Posen enjoys his vodka martini through a straw!

NYC - MONDAY 18
The Lower Eastside Girls Club # 4
Handsome decoupage designer and homeware trend setter John Derian in midnight blue and cook book author and caterer Susan Simon in a vintage crochet Anne Klein - enjoy a drink before dinner.

NYC - MONDAY 18
The Lower Eastside Girls Club # 3
Film star Rosario Dawson hosted the Girls Club Gala evening at Capitale - I am committed to help to create opportunity for all the little sisters coming up behind me - her latest film - Oliver Stone's Alexander opens in November.

NYC - MONDAY 18
The Lower Eastside Girls Club # 2
"The passion of dreams is the life
within the childhood's imagination
along unending goal and thoughts"
Judith Bruce - photographed here with her sensuous and glamorous film star daughter Paz de la Huerta soon to appear in Griffin Dunne's film Fierce People.

NYC - MONDAY 18
The Lower Eastside Girls Club # 1
Alienated soul and fan of the arts Helen McEachrane kindly posed for this photo at the Girls Club gala event - The Lower Eastside Girls Club is a private organization dedicated to developing programs that turn today's girls into tomorrow's leaders to make a difference in the world - it is committed to a project based experimental learning model of education - their programs fall into three overlapping categories: Leadership development, Literacy and Healthy Bodies/Healthy Minds. visit - www.girlsclub.org

NYC - MONDAY 18
I stopped by film and pop star photographer Susan Shacter's studio today and had a nice "cuddle on the sofa" with Roy Scheider and Marlon - naturally named after Brando - a handsome occicat - who loves to jump on peoples backs and walk around their shoulders...........

NYC - SUNDAY 17
Allegra waiting for Sunday lunch..............

NYC - SUNDAY 17 - trick or treat ?

All the delis and food stores in the Big Apple are already displaying pumpkins in many shapes and sizes - this years novelty have painted faces on them. It's nearly Halloween!

NYC - SATURDAY 16
Lazy day today - just the 25th street flea market!

NYC - FRIDAY 15
Here is an advance preview of the Ettore Sottsass retrospective exhibition that will open at Barry Friedman Ltd on November 11th. This will be the 87 year old Italian architect and designer's first major show in New York since 1987 and will include furniture, ceramics, glass and drawings. Shown above the '60s Valentine typewriter for Olivetti which was quickly acquired by the Museum of Modern Art.

NYC - FRIDAY 15
Let me dedicate at least one photograph to a modern day hero.

NYC - FRIDAY 15
Tommy Tune, the dancer, choreographer, singer, actor and director - photographed here at Berdorf's last night - made the front page of the NYT Real Estate section this morning - he is selling his $9.9 million duplex penthouse in Carnegie Hill - he told the NYT -"The view at night is ultimate Manhattan." - he is now looking for a less grandiose space where he can paint and live -

NYC - THURSDAY 14 - Robert Miller # 3
Seen at the Robert Miller benefit photo auction in aid of the Humane Society of New York - Etiquette and Protocol consultant Carolyn Starry - in Chanel gold trouser suit - with her dog Erica Kane - in Jazzy Couture and Chanel bling bling...........

NYC - THURSDAY 14 - Robert Miller # 2
Blond - 6 ft tall - socialite - handbag designer Ce Ce Cord and her Yorkshire terrier Tiger admire the photographs - Ce Ce also designs a line of doggie clothes - called - guess what?..........."Tiger's Travels"!

NYC - THURSDAY 14 - Robert Miller # 1
A benefit photography auction was held tonight at the Robert Miller Gallery for the 100th Anniversary of the Humane Society of New York's veterinary clinic - New York based Italian photographer Marco Glaviano proudly stands next to his dog Bentley. Please visit and help - www.humanesocietyny.org

NYC - THURSDAY 14 - Bergdorf # 3
Borghese's chairman and CEO Georgette Mosbacher -loves outrageous hunks of magnificent and oversized jewelry -like her beloved black, white and gray pearls - which she wears even with jeans....

NYC - THURSDAY 14 - Bergdorf # 2
Famous and still beautiful model Carmen Dell'Orefice - holds the longest career in catwalk modeling and Tiffany & Co's design director and book author John Loring admire Carmen's photo and Jack's introduction in Ellen Graham's glamorous book.

NYC - THURSDAY 14 - Bergdorf # 1
Photojournalist Ellen Graham launched her book The Bad and The Beautiful - introduction by Tiffany's John Loring - at Bergdorf's - an intimate look at the stars, the rich, the famous and the scrutinized.

THURSDAY 14
Can you guess now - where am I ?

AM TRAVELING AGAIN........
stop over in Paris - guess my destination???

VENEZIA - MISSONI # 2
Here is the entrance to the Missoni houseboat/barge "Timoteo" which was moored at the Fondamenta of the Isola di San Giorgio - just across from Piazza San Marco - note the Missoni runner - after the photo shoot we were treated to an abundant and delicious fish banquet on the new Missoni Home Collection plates - designed by Rosita - round curved square plates with aqua and pale blue squiggles - like waves - designed on them - what a treat - a day to remember.

VENEZIA - "MISSONI" # 1
We were on our way to meet the Missoni's in Venice - Manfredi was going to photograph Rosita for the FT Travel magazine - and we passed this art supply and hardware store in Calle Crosera Bottteghe just off Piazza Santo Stefano - it looked so missoni-ish, couldn't be more appropriate and in keeping with the photo shoot!

DUCK SHOES a' la MODE!
Quack Quack - L L Bean watch out you have HIGH - Very 10cm HIGH - Competion here.....
Casadei has translated the Bean Boot into a fun fashion accessory!

Seen at PRIVATE VIEW # 2
Director Jordan Stone's "Social Distortion" tattoo - is placed on his shoulder because it moves or distorts as the arm bends - a tribal sign - tattooed in red, a very important color in Penang Malaysia.

Seen at PRIVATE VIEW # 2
"I collect tattoos like postcards - from my travels, all over the world." says producer and proud father Marco Maccapani - from New Zealand the Baroque Maori band - from Brazil the three bands which represent his three children (with Angela Missoni) Margherita, Francesco and Teresa AND the heart is a copy of a silver ring Margherita gave him and told him "Don't Lose it" and therefore it is immortalized for ever on his arm........

PRIVATE VIEW # 2
La Triennale hosted the shortlist of the Lexmark European Art Prize chosen from 4,000 paintings - submitted from 32 countries across Europe - "And, the winner (of the 30,000 Euros) is....." Italy's Giovanna Fezzi with Lamb Chops!

PRIVATE VIEW # 1
What a treat - a very very selected private view of very very selected "creme de la creme" paintings to be auctioned by Christie's in three international sales: Burri - Dali' - Ernst - Fontana - Magritte - Matisse - Miro' - Picasso - Warhol - and many more - Post-War and Contemorary Art - LONDON Oct 20th - Impressionist and Modern Art - NEW YORK Nov 3rd/4th - Modern and Contemorary Art- MILAN Nov 22nd - Brava and txs Paola Gradi

BACK TO MILANO
This time for art gallery openings......

ANDALUSO
Caffe': lungho - ristretto - macchiato - corretto - cappuccino.......?
Here is the latest invention - called Andaluso - made by topping frothy cream from the top of the milk with Zabaglione! Sara the inventor and owner of Casa del caffe' Carraro in Conegliano
gave this flavorsome coffee an exotic name because she wanted to transmit the heat and sunshine of Spain - and, it's a Bomb!

ZINNIAS
It is so refreshing to be back in the country - even if it's just for the day - after all the deafening music - hot lights - chaos and traffic. This is probably my last crop of Zinnias before the winter - I like Zinnias whether they have "pompon" or "daisy" shaped heads - as well as all the color combinations that I can mix together in flower arrangements - yellows and oranges - reds, purples, pinks and fuchsias. French milk jug from the Cannes Saturday morning flea market and plate by John Derian.