photograph courtesy Manfredi Bellati
HAPPY HOLIDAYS Pin It

photograph by moris moreno courtesy Aponwao Design Inc.
FLORIDA/VENETO

"ART" # 4. Am I seeing double was my first thought when I opened the NY Times the other day? As I live "right around the corner" from the real La Rotonda by Palladio near Vicenza, my second thought was, what is it doing in the center of Biscayne Bay! This Fabulous Floating Villa was a five days only, inflatable installation, during Art Basel Miami Beach week. Designed by Luis Pons the Miami-based, Venezuelan-born architect in response to the current real estate boom in Miami where architectural fantasy has given way to non-style architecture. "The culture of Miami , the architecture, the people tends to be superficial. I've made my objects inflatable and plastic in order to reflect this idea of non-substance," Pons says. May I suggest to Architetto Pons that he follows in the "footsteps" of Simon Starling, the 2005 winner of the prestigious British Arts Turner Prize, whose work Shedboatshed: He dismantled a wooden shack, transformed it into a boat, sailed it down the Rhine and rebuilt it into a shack in Basel! That, Pons should transport to Italy The Fabulous Floating Villa and re-inflate it next September in the basin of San Marco during the Venice Architectural Biennale and hopefully win the Leone d'Oro for best model in the classical style of architecture after Palladio!!!

www.aponswaodesign.com

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MILANO/NEW YORK
or when NYC comes to Milano.

Maily Zegna hosted a trunk show of Laudomia Piccolomini's jewelry in her beautiful apartment in the center of Milan. Maily has as much style as the surname she bears and is often called upon by her friends to decorate their Christmas trees, arrange flowers or help with anything that is creative. Laudomia's story begins about four or five Christmases ago when she wanted to give her mother a very, very special present. She found some magnificent stones and made a necklace, but when her mother put the necklace on all the stones fell to the floor. Discouraged, she puts them away for six months and then had the idea of stringing them back together with copper wire, replaced today by 18 karat gold wire. This is the beginning of her one of a kind, precious and semi-precious stone jewelry collection which is sold at all the Barney stores as well as to celebrities like Nicole Kidman and Mary Jane Blige. It is her love for color and her good eye for taste and proportion that makes her jewelry unique.

laudomia.piccolomini@verizon.net - www.barneys.com

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MILANO

Art # 3 - Galleria Salvatore+Caroline Ala. This spetacular retrospective show of eighty six year old artist, Emilo Vedova (till February 25th, 2006) at the Salvatore and Caroline Ala Gallery in Brera must not be missed. The exhibition includes fifty historic pieces including sculpture, paintings on canvas, paper and steel. The pieces de resistance are surely these three tondi (photographed above) realized in the 1980's as well as the "Plurimo Binario" a stunning freestanding sculpture/painting made in the 1970's of wood and metal. A catalogue will be published by Charta early next year, it will illustrate works from all four one-man shows held at the Galleria Salvatore Ala since 1986. I can't wait to have one!

Galleria Salvatore+Caroline Ala - via Monte di Pieta 1 - tel: +39028900901 -galleria.ala@iol.it

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MILANO
ART # 2. Watercolorist, Francesca Brandolini d'Adda showed her work last week in a "pop-up space" in Palazzo Saporiti on the elegant Corso Venezia of Milan. Though she is Venetian and has lived in Tuscany, she now resides in the beautiful countryside of the Prosecco grapes in Follina. Fascinated by the technique of the English and Neapolitan schools of watercolorists she has taught herself the art, at the beginning, more as a challenge to overcome the difficulty of the execution "If you go wrong, you have to throw it all away, you can't erase anything when you paint with water colors." she explains. Today she has her own personal style, which differs from most classic watercolors, because it is more "precise" and detailed. She is much in demand for all sorts of commissions, like the wine labels photographed above or postcards of private residences, plates for restaurants as well as interiors, landscapes, portraits of children and dogs. La Contessa's most famous collector was Pope John Paul II, who owned a beautiful watercolor of the church of Santa Maria del Carmine.
Francesca Brandolini d'Adda - Via Pallade - Follina (Treviso) - Italy
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CHRISTMAS CARDS

I have just finished the "tedious job" of writing one hundred plus Christmas cards, though I must say I do enjoy thinking about my friend as I write, especially the ones who don't have email and who I stay in touch with only at Christmas time. But let me tell you my snobbish Christmas card etiquette. First and foremost the cards HAVE to be CHARITY cards, otherwise what is the point, if you don't do a little bit of good, especially during the holiday season. So beware, should you send me a card that isn't a charity one, you will slide down the ladder in my opinion of you! Need I say more?

www.unicef.org

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MILANO

ART # 1. Nowhere Gallery. Being Art Basel Miami Beach week, I want to concentrate a little on local talent over here. Orio Vergani is the founder and director of the Nowhere gallery right bang in the heart of Milan. This young man has a "heavy load" to carry as he comes from one of the oldest and most respected families of Italian journalists. His father, Guido, like his grandfather before him, who had the same name - Orio Vergani - were very famous and Orio senior was said to be ".....a curious person. Curious of everything. He possessed the curiosity, vice and virtue characteristic of journalists, who love first to know and then to go deeper, that is to analyze, dissect, understand." And it is after his grandfather that young Orio takes after, though his chosen field is art and not journalism. His gallery is called Nowhere, because at the beginning he didn't have an exhibition space and would show his artists in galleries belonging to friends. Orio has a good eye for talent regardless of style and, as you can image his artists are nearly all young and unknown until he launches them and - wait for it - next year he will be showing the works of Alessandro Rolandi at the 3rd annual China International Gallery Exposition (CIGE) in Beijing. Watch out, because there are no boundaries for Orio, he is certainly going places.

Nowhere Gallery - Via della Moscova 15 - 02 6552822 www.nowhere-gallery.com

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VENICE
Peggy Guggenheim Collection. This photo from the series "The Walls of Venice" by Manfredi Bellati really stood out at the exhibition "Il Diaframma" of Lanfranco Colombo, Masters of Photography (till January 8, 2006), because it was the only unpredictable and abstract photo in the whole exhibition. But, who is Lanfranco Colombo??? He is the man who opened in 1967 Il Diaframma (The Aperture) in Milan, the worlds' first private gallery to focus exclusively on photography. The gallery has shown Italian and International photographers, such as Giovanni Gastel, Mario De Biasi, Gianni Berengo Gardin, Oliviero Toscani who were well-established artists in their own right, while others such as Gabriele Basilico and Giuseppe Pino, made their debut within the exhibition space of Il Diaframma. The images presented in this exhibition range between works of reportage, portraiture, naturalistic photography, fashion and still life. And to conclude, Manfredi says "I would have loved for Peggy Guggenheim to have seen my abstract photographs, she would have been intrigued by them, as she promoted abstract expressionism and launched Jackson Pollock's first solo show in 1943."

www.guggenheim-venice.it

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MILANO

From luxury shopping to pop-up retailing. Ape Malandra is a mobile clothing store that sells classic and stylish clothes in beautiful fabrics for women and children designed by Valeria Ferlini on the street. The changing room is improvised with a hula-hoop and two curtains, and the cashmere sweaters are made by the prisoners of San Vittore in Milan. The store has three wheels: it's housed in an Ape Piaggio, made by the same family as the Vespa. You can also spot an Ape or "bee" in the streets of Rome and Florence or in the chic resorts of Cortina in the wintertime and Forte dei Marmi in the summertime. Beware, because the Ape is sure to "sting" your wallet!

Ape Malandra - tel +39 340 4011558 or evatroppan@hotmail.com

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ROMAGNANO SESIA

Dear Friends, this is one of the most precious addresses I can give you! Though it looks like a boutique hotel lobby it is, in fact, the entrance to the Loro Piana outlet. Unless, you didn't know, Loro Piana is the largest quality cashmere manufacturer and the biggest single purchaser of the world's finest wools. And, anybody can go to stock up on their famous cashmere goods for men, women and children, along with fabrics, home furnishing, accessories, and gifts. Open 24/7 this luxury outlet is very well organized and the abundant sales staff very efficient, there is also an area with the current collection and a coffee shop. Though the prices are not exactly cheap, it is well worth a visit. I am told that some of their most sophisticated and demanding clients arrive by plane at nearby Malpensa Airport where a chauffeur driven car is waiting to accompany them to this outlet!

LORO PIANA - Punto Vendita Aziendale - Via per Novara 482 - Romagnano Sesia (Novara) - tel +39 0163 826875 - retailing@loropiana.it - www.loropiana.com Pin It

MILANO

Premio "Il Ponte" 2005 - is the bridge between business and non-profit organizations. This year this prestigious prize, initiated two years ago by Carla Venosta in memory of her husband Guido Venosta was appropriately awarded, in the international year of microcredit, to Professor Muhammad Yunus for his work to overcome poverty. Know as "banker to the poor", Professor Yunus started the Grameen Bank which Provides credit to the poorest of the poor in rural Bangladesh without any collateral.

www.fondazionevenosta.it

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NYC NOVEMBER - TUESDAY

The Rubin Museum of Art. I wanted to leave New York (and you) with a beautiful image and here is the Red Wolf-Headed Mistress of Dakinis (Tibet 19th C.) painting from The Rubin Musuem of Art. I had forty-five minutes before lunch and before going to the airport, so I dashed across the street and walked into the old Barney's building in Chelsea where the six-story spiral staircase, which Andree Putman originally designed, centers the exhibition space. The collection consists of paintings, sculptures, and textiles that range in date over two millennia, most reflect major periods and schools of Himalayan art from the 12th century onward. The exhibitions are organized with particular care to assist viewers who are new to Himalayan art. Wall texts and interpretive panels supply aesthetic, social, and historical perspectives to both scholars and casual viewers. As I zipped through the museum I realized that I have to come back and spend a few hours and maybe have lunch in the cafe', because it's so interesting and the art is beautiful...I think it might, just, become my favorite museum in NEW YORK CITY?

www.rmanyc.org

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NYC NOVEMBER - TUESDAY

Shopping on the streets of NYC. It's time to go home, back to Italy ....No, this is not our mode of transport to the airport, but it would have come in handy with all the luggage. The Caravan shop changes location every day - uptown, downtown, east side, west side, this traveling clothes store, brings mostly independent, designer labels to wherever the shopper may be. It is equipped with all the mod cons, like air conditioning, changing area, video screens showing runway shows and more, an armoire is filled with vintage pieces as well as the sexy film star and rock star inspired merchandise. "It's like a sleek sophisticated department store without the attitude." says Claudine Gumbel, who developed the concept with her husband Brian. Have you seen it yet on the corner of your street? If not log on to the caravan locator to see when the Caravan Shop will be next near you.

www.shopcaravan.com

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photograph courtesy Tiffany & Co.
NYC OCTOBER - MONDAY

Hulaween #2. The Divine Bette Midler co-celebrated her 60th birthday with the 10th Anniversary of the New York Restoration Project - a group that she founded to clean and green NYC -The festivities took place during the annual "Hulaween" (she is from Hawaii) fundraiser for NYRP at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. At the gala, Sting and Trudie Styler were honored for their environmental work, Sir Elton John performed and Martin Short served as auctioneer for the "live" celebrity auction lots. Miss Midler is the founding icon of the Restoration Project and her latest achievement is The Family Garden, sponsored by the Tiffany & Co Foundation, it's the transformation of a forlorn tract of land on 114th Street to the north of Jefferson Park into an alluring garden. Seen here with her at the opening ceremony are Robert De Niro, who cut the ribbon with a gigantic pair of sissors, Glen Close who recited the poem Spring by Gertrude Jekyll and Tiffany's design director, John Loring - THE JACK of all trades that are esthetic - who landscaped the garden and designed it's furniture. Mr. Loring took his inspiration from the Thomas Jefferson Park which is just across the street. He has created a beautiful garden by replicating the Jefferson head that is on the nickel on the backs of the steel chairs and has reproduced some of the landscape of Monticello. It is really worth a visit.

www.nyrp.org

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NYC OCTOBER - TUESDAY

Halloween #1. I'm not very fond of Halloween, because I didn't grow up with it and also I'm not very keen on dressing up in costume. So, my contribution to Halloween is a recipe for gnocchi that I had the other evening at my friend and cook book author, Susan Simon's apartment. The delicious meal was cooked by Ron Suhanosky owner of the best Italian restaurant, Sfoglia, on Nantucket, who, with his wife Colleen will be opening another restaurant in NYC on the upper east side. Naturally, pumpkin being one of the "icons" of Halloween, this Gnocchi di Zucca recipe is very appropriate. Here is my vague interpretation: make gnocchi (look up the recipe) use about 1/3 of cooked mashed pumpkin with about 2/3 mashed potatoes - dice a lot of extra pumpkin and saute in a pan with a bit of butter and crushed sage, then add lots of poppy seeds - seperately boil the gnocchi until they float up to the top, mix them in the pan with the sauteed pumpkins, adjust seasoning and serve - delicious!

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NYC OCTOBER - MONDAY

A very private, private view. I was lucky enough to have a very private view of International artist, Peter Rittmaster's latest, slick and elegant "pop sculptures". His tongue and cheek humor reflects in his art, which is, in part, inspired by flea market finds or by abandoned pieces he picks up on the streets of NYC, these he then transforms, mostly into resin molds to create, just to name a couple, The Briefcase Series: "The Deluxe Portable Serial Killers Starter Kit" or "The Deluxe Portable Cloning Kit" and The Barbie Bashing Series: "The Bulimic Barbie" or "Weapons of Minor Destruction". Apparently disguised as fun art objects, these intelligent social "comments" makes us reflect on the world we live in!

www.ozonesocks.com

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NYC OCTOBER - SUNDAY

St. Mark's Bookshop. This little jewel of a bookshop in the East Village was recommended to me by a beautiful, jewelry designer friend of mine. St. Mark's Bookshop specializes in Cultural Theory, Graphic Design, Poetry & Small Press Publishers as well a great selection of fiction and a wide range of literary journals, fashion and hard to find magazines. One of the unique features of this store is that they accept, on consignment, self publishing books by local authors, like the short stories, Lost Positives by John Cotrona or The Evasion English Dictionary by Maggie Balistreri which was subsequently picked up by Melville House Publishing. They are very helpful and welcoming and their website is interesting to browse, especially the store's bestsellers or the new arrivals sections. Is there a better way to spend a few hours?

St. Mark's Bookstore - 31 Third Avenue - tel. 212 260 7853 - www.stmarksbookshop.com

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NYC OCTOBER - SATURDAY
MET - Rara Avis (meaning rare bird) is the title of this fabulous exhibition (until January 22nd) at The Costume Institute of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. A selection of the stylish, taste-making octogenarian, Iris Barrel Apfel's collection. An American original in the truest sense, she is one of the most vivacious personalities in the worlds of fashion, textiles, and interior design and has cultivated a personal style, starting with her owlish "trademark" round eye glasses a la Groucho Marx. Her style is both witty and extravagant and it's originality is typically revealed in her mixing of high and low fashion: Dior haute couture (designed by Gianfranco Ferre) with flea market finds or Dolce & Gabbana striped leather trousers with a Zuni belt. Her wildly eccentric tastes in clothing and accessories project a boldly graphic modernity, which I can truly relate to.

And, while you are at the museum you must also see the remarkable exhibition of Vincent van Gogh: The Drawings (until December 31st)."Drawing is the root of everything." van Gogh wrote to his brother and though at first I found the drawings rather gloomy and conventional, as I went from room to room, it was not until the early 1888's (two years before his suicide) that the van Gogh we know of emerges. The first sign is in Three Cottages: Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer (1888), reed pen, brush and ink graphite "The energy that had charged his stroke became channeled in blunt swipes of the brush. The bold contrast of black and white were recreated in clashing hues." reads the caption. Is it partially thanks to the reeds plucked from marshes and sharpened with a knife that Vincent developed his style? I give this exhibition a five star rating - a must!

www.metmuseum.org

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NYC OCTOBER - SATURDAY

MOMA - It was my first visit to the new The Museum of Modern Art. Dare I say that I found the architecture rather "boring" - the best view - is looking out the giant windows through the Sculpture Garden, onto Manhattan. And, also the layout is a bit confusing. I really don't want to be negative, because I so enjoyed the art and was sorry I had so little time. A video caught my attention, in The Yoshiko and Akio Morita Gallery on the second floor, it is one of Sam Taylor-Wood's media installations that deal with stillness. Called David (2004) it is an intimate portrait of the dishy English soccer icon David Beckham, shot in a single 66-minute take while he was sleeping. It was commissioned by - wait for it - The National Portrait Gallery, which is my favorite museum in London. Wouldn't it be divine to have this installation hanging in the bedroom?

PS Have you been keeping count? This is the fifth Brit. in NY I have mentioned so far......!

www.moma.org

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NYC OCTOBER - FRIDAY

Seen at the Briggs Robinson Gallery. Here are a couple of the beautiful young people I saw last night at the Keith Haring Coloring Book Drawing exhibition at the Briggs Robinson Gallery. Painters, Myles Emery and Shelby Voice describe their work as "Lucid dreaming under water", reverse painting on Plexiglas: Their gallery/studio is called The Green House - 75 Greene Street - SOHO. They defined the Keith Haring exhibition as "The best coloring book in the world." and "Each drawing like a little joke." I'm dying to go and check them out!

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NYC OCTOBER - FRIDAY

Keith Haring at the Briggs Robinson Gallery. Now this was a fun and lively opening, full of beautiful young people and artists. And, the gallery owners are two young Brits, Nick Robinson and Josh Briggs photographed in front of the ultimate Keith Haring drawing of the radiant baby at the opening, last night of Keith Haring - The 1982 Coloring Book Drawings (until December 18th). On November 19th there will also be the launch of a new catalogue of the works in this exhibition. Produced by the gallery, in an object quality, limited edition of 2,000 with a new essay by David Shapiro. While Josh Briggs was working on the book at home his twenty month old baby daughter, Beatrix, drew over and scattered the prints and proofs all over the apartment! She certainly knows a good coloring book when she sees one, will she be following daddy's footsteps?

www.briggsrobinson.com

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NYC OCTOBER - FRIDAY

Rebecca Horn at the Sean Kelly Gallery. German born Redhead Rebecca Horn "I'm never photographed in front of my art." asked instead to be photographed with her best friend and fellow painter, Pat Steir. Twilight Transit is the title of her major exhibition at the Sean Kelly Gallery (until December 3rd). The exhibition is comprised of two sculptural installations and a group of new large-scale drawings. Concurrent with the exhibition is the launch of an important new monograph, Rebecca Horn, Moon Mirror. Site-specific Installations 1982-2005. She is without question one of the seminal artists of our time.

www.skny.com

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NYC OCTOBER - THURSDAY

Oih Target!!! When I come to New York City for such a short period of time, I never ever go out of Manhattan - however - I "begged" my cook book author friend, Susan Simon to take me in her Volvo to Brooklyn to have a look at Target. I have been curious about this store since it opened and their ads always look so young and fresh and what about the designers, that is really what I wanted to see and maybe buy. I was expecting an American version of Ikea and what do you get...... a very boring main street America shopping mall. And, the designers, where are they???? The Isaac Mizrahi clothes were practically non existent, just a little rack with a few leftovers and the Michael Graves objects....????? I went through the home department twice and could not find one....and, I repeat one piece designed by him.....so are the designers names just a publicity stunt??? Most disappointing.... However, we not could leave Target without buying something and the best buys were the best selection of dog toys. Pixel and Jay peg will be happy with their American toys and so was Allegra, who patiently waited in the car while we did our "shopping" for her treat.

www.target.com

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NYC OCTOBER - WEDNESDAY

The Empire State Building on a rainy day. Yesterday was so wet, cold, miserable, windy and damp that I was not inspired for my blog. It was a day to go to the movies or read a good book. So, the best I can do is to lazily "send" you a photo of the Empire State Building, taken from our window, with the mast up in the clouds. The mast, high up at 1,454 feet is now a TV tower, originally it was a mooring for dirigibles, or airships, which in the 1930s were considered to be the future of air travel. And, talking of movies, here is a list of a few of the many films shot on location at this famous New York landmark, how many do you remember? An Affair to Remember - Annie Hall -Auntie Mame - Bright Lights, Big City - Champion - Charlie Chan of Broadway -Daddy Long Legs - Detective Story - Easter Parade - FBI Story - French Connection I - Funny Face - Guys & Dolls - Independence Day - King Kong - Klute - Kramer vs. Kramer - New York Confidential - New York, New York - New York Stories - North By Northwest - On the Waterfront - Serpico - Shaft - Superman II- Taxi Driver - When Harry Met Sally.

PS. The sun is shining today......

www.esbnyc.com

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NYC OCTOBER - TUESDAY

Elle Deco 2005 Design Awards at Christie's. The two Brits are also handsome and attractive - Christopher Sharp of The Rug Company - best Floor Covering design company - and - Allegra Hicks - best Wall Covering designer. Christopher commissions bold and colorful rugs from fashion designers, such as Vivienne Westwood, Paul Smith and Diane Von Furstenberg as well as decorators and furniture designers. He Believes that "....if we make something interesting and beautiful, enough people will appreciate it." Allegra Hicks is an international luxury lifestyle brand featuring a ready to wear and beach wear collection, home ware, interior textiles and an interior design service. Chosen for her wallpapers, Allegra says that "I wanted them to be a good background for paintings and anything else you want on walls."

You can see and read all about these and the other winners in the November issue of Elle Decor on the newstands now!

www.therugcompany.info www.allegrahicks.com

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NYC OCTOBER - TUESDAY

Elle Deco 2005 Design Awards at Christie's. Elle Decor honored the U.S. winners of the Elle Deco International Design Awards at a cocktail party at Christie's last night. Surrounded by the beautiful paintings for the Orientalist Art auction to be held on October 26th the ten winners were toasted with Bombay Sapphire cocktails. Elle's editor in chief, Margaret Russell is flanked by tall dark and handsome John Robshaw - best Bedding designer - "Bedding is fun. I think of it as a big canvas that you can fold up and put away." - and tall blond and equally handsome, John Derian - best Tabletop designer - "I'm inspired by the original prints, and the hunt for them."

www.elledecor.com www.christies.com www.johnderian.com www.johnrobshaw.com

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NYC OCTOBER - MONDAY

Great Illy Coffee. New Yorkers are certainly going to miss the Galleria Illy in SOHO. It's such a great and interesting space to enjoy a truely good espresso or cappuccino prepared all' Italiana by trained baristas and paired with desserts and chocolates created by celebrated chefs. Or sit and relax and read from a library of a wide selection of books published by Charta. Or admire the beautiful b/w photos by Michael James O'Brien of the world's top chefs, 1989-2005 taken for Food Arts Magazine. Or take part in coffee-centric discussions and events and even premiering original theatrical productions. Or view a new James Rosenquist. Or celebrate neo expressionist pioneer Julian Schnabel's birthday at a private party introducing the artist's creation for the Illy collection of porcelain cups, one for every day of the week, starring Chuck, a recurring Schnabel character. or, or, or.............but, be quick the Galleria Illy closes on December15thh...che peccato!

Galleria Illy - 382 West Broadway - between Broome and Spring - www.illyusa.com/galleria

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NYC OCTOBER - SUNDAY

Hot chocolate"dessert". After, a very "American" brunch at Bubby's in Tribeca, a favorite of John John Kennedy, of pancakes and eggs Benedict, we decided to go for desserts to Jacques Torres Chocolate Haven. The very windy walk prepared us for their delicious hot chocolate specials like orange and the spicy wicked flavors! All the chocolates are made, in view, on the premises, in this modern day Willie Wonka state-of-the-art chocolate factory. The world-famous pastry chef and chocolatier extraordinaire, Jacques Torres or Mr Chocolate, as he is also known, is currently at work on another television series, a third book and other television projects.......

www.bubbys.com - Bubby's Pie Company 120 Hudson Street - NY 10013 - tel 212 219-0666
www.mrchocolate.com - Jacques Torres chocolate Haven - 350 Hudson Street - NY 10014 - tel 212 414 2462

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NYC OCTOBER - SATURDAY

From diamonds to downtown Chelsea. Another party - another scene - another theme. The party last night was held to celebrate the winners of the APA's - Advertising Photographers of America - First Annual National Photography Competition at the Drive in Studio in Chelsea. Two gigantic screens showed projected images of the 1,500 entries on the brick walls to loud music, wild dancing, drinking and partying. For me it was particularly interesting to see the standard of commercial photography submitted from all over the United States. If you are also curious in seeing the winners and top 300 runner ups, log onto:

www.apanational.com

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NYC OCTOBER - FRIDAY

Tiffany Diamonds - take the stage at Tiffany & Co's flagship store for the celebration of Tiffany's Design Director and author John Loring's 17th book entitled "Tiffany Diamonds" (Harry N. Abrams). Among the illustrious audience, surrounded by the diamond showcases of the third floor, Michael and Eleanora Kennedy with Katherine Mondadori, watched the electrifying fashion show featuring the jeweler's fabled rocks adorning the beautiful Badgley Mischka Spring 2006 collection. Mr. Loring said that "Now the moment in fashion is defined by clean, modern elegance - both wearable and flattering - and Tiffany has captured it in diamonds that shimmer with an easy grace and fresh simplicity." But, does Tiffany & Co realized that the real diamond "on their cake" is the talented John Loring himself..........

www.tiffany.com

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NYC OCTOBER - FRIDAY

Diamonds and dinner at Tiffanys - Anka Palitz, art collector and major supporter of the American Ballet Theatre was there last night to celebrate Tiffany's author, John Loring and his latest book "TIFFANY DIAMONDS" (Harry N. Abrams). Appropriately she is wearing the "Sea Fan" necklace of 2,495 diamonds set in platinum designed by Angela Cummings for Tiffany’s in 1978. This lush book celebrates the glittering world of Tiffany diamonds from their history to the mysterious tales of the worlds famous diamonds, as well as provides a rare glimpse into the glamorous lifestyles of the illusterous owners of Tiffany diamonds. And, did you know that it was Tiffanys who introduced the engagement ring as we know it today!

www.tiffany.com

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NYC OCTOBER- THURSDAY

It's "fireworks" at the Metropolitan Opera! Actually the photo shows the very 60's fabulous Viennese crystal chandeliers that hang in the lobby - very right now. I was lucky enough to be invited again, by my cook book author friend Susan Simon, to the opera to see Verdi's Falstaff. What a marvelous production. James Levine was cheered even before he started conducting! The sets and costumes were stunningly designed by Franco Zeffirelli! And, the singing in the nation's most important opera company was superb. I was very curious to hear the renowned Welsh bass-baritone, Bryn Terfel, the reigning Falstaff of our day, as I have heard so much about him. But, mostly I enjoyed the women singing, the fabulous Stephanie Blythe as Mistress Quickly and Heidi Grant Murphy as Nannetta. If you can get tickets as there is only one performance left - 22nd October - it's worth it!

www.lincolncenter.org

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NYC OCTOBER - WEDNESDAY

Back in NYC - what a joy and it seems like I never left , I really feel at home here. It's very early in the morning and I can't sleep after two pills! OIH, the pains of jet lag! This is the breathtaking view from my taxi as I was coming over the Williamsburg Bridge into Manhattan yesterday. I'm sooooo HAPPY TO BE HERE.....

I will be posting this blog every day from here so - be sure - to log in.

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I LOVE MILANO DURING FASHION WEEK BECAUSE:

it is also nice to go back home. E' finito, it's over, the end. The elder statesman of Italian fashion, Tai Missoni, gives a thumbs up to yet another great Milan Fashion Week. THEY Y MILANO DURING FASHION WEEK BECAUSE: "It's a good opportunity for young people to make themselves known." Y Marina Deserti Y Kicca Menoni "They prefer Il Salone del Mobile - design week." Y Fabbio Bellotti Y Gio' Marconi Y Chiara Beria di Argentine Y Marva griffin Y "To observe." Y Carlo Ducci "For Pleasure." Y James Goldstein "The possibility of making lots of money and never making it." Y Bardo Fabbiani.

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I LOVE MILANO DURING FASHION WEEK BECAUSE:

of the creativity, the colors and the clothes. Look at these beautiful rich colors, shapes and exquisite workmanship in the Gianfranco Ferre show - more couture than pret a porter - the collection was inspired by the midday sun of Mexico and Guatemala, a sparking vision of Latin-American women, hermosas y preciosas.... "Please, Gianfranco, I want them all!"

www.gianfrancoferre.com

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I LOVE MILANO DURING FASHION WEEK BECAUSE:

I'm out every night. Backstage at Gianfranco Ferre, models grab a nap before hair and make-up, after the weeks hectic schedule. This is the last "Big" show of the week, a week of: 241 collections - split up in 95 shows - 147 presentations - 10.000 industry operators - 1900 media representatives!!!! Sergio Salerni Y Silvana Armani Y THEY Y MILANO DURING FASHION WEEK BECAUSE: sooner or later they can go home and sleep!!!

www.gianfrancoferre.com

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I LOVE MILANO DURING FASHION WEEK BECAUSE:

of my favorite dress designer. Backstage, Gianfranco Ferre is looking incredibly calm, before his first show, while he waits for the models to arrive. L'architetto is so chic in his grey flannel suit with grosgrain binding, his black onyx cuff links and signature gold safety pin on his tie. I can tell that it's going to be another FANTASTIC collection just by looking at the clothes hanging on the racks. Gianfranco Ferre Y MILANO DURING FASHION WEEK BECAUSE: "I Love my work."

www.gianfrancoferre.com

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I LOVE MILANO DURING FASHION WEEK BECAUSE:

of the restaurants. I have discovered a new restaurant! It's called Coffee Design and it is inside La Triennale the design and architecture museum of Milan. I was there to see the vast and superb Keith Haring Exhibition (open till 29 January, 2006), as I am collector and an old friend of Keith's, as well as " his" Milan photographer and though I say so myself, do have a look at my photos inside the catalogue and inside the book " Keith Haring a Milano" (Johan & Levi Editore)*. Let's get back to the food which was abundant, creative and rather delicious - like tuna covered in ginger and sesame seeds with lots of grilled vegetables. And, though the restaurant looks a bit like a cafeteria, it's light and airy and looks onto the park. I did appreciate the design objects scattered around as well as the designer chairs that are all different, one from the other. I can't wait to go back, maybe on a Sunday for Brunch and a show. THEY Y MILANO DURING FASHION WEEK BECAUSE: "No more Truffles!" Suzy Menkes Y " I Love the food and the restaurants." Hamish Bowles.

www.coffeedesign.it www.triennale.it

*available from the Triennale bookshop

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I LOVE MILANO DURING FASHION WEEK BECAUSE:

the city becomes more international. New York Times Style Magazine editor Stefano Tonchi photographed here with photographer, Robert Maxwell whose extravagant show The Originals, portraits of unique personalities, famous and otherwise, not invented by "trained" professionals and for whom the rules don't apply were the inspiration for these beautiful photographs published in the magazine and shown at the Galleria Gio' Marconi.

Inge Feltrinelli Y Isabella Bossi Fedrigotti Y Albertina Marzotto Y Gio' Moretti YPierfilippo Pieri Y Katherine Mondadori Y Allegra Bossi Pucci Y Carla Sozzani Y Laurence Steele Y Afef Maria Carolina Zanetti Y Marva Griffin Y THEY Y MILANO DURING FASHION WEEK BECAUSE: The city becomes International and full of energy!!!

www.nytimes.com

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photograph courtesy giorgio armani press office
I LOVE MILANO DURING FASHION WEEK BECAUSE:
of Giorgio. Giorgio Armani has always been very nice to me and I'm fond of him and admire his work. He is scrupulous in every detail and nothing escapes his eye. Here is the classic photo of the gran finale of "Re" Giorgio surrounded by his "courtesans".

THE ARMANIS Y MILANO DURING FASHION WEEK BECAUSE: Giorgio "My fashion show." Y Silvana "I can't wait till it's all over so I can go and relax in the country." Y Roberta "I'm more relaxed after the fashion show."

www.giorgioarmani.com

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photograph courtesy giorgio armani press office
I LOVE MILANO DURING FASHION WEEK BECAUSE:
of the glamour and the VIPs. And when you are looking for glamour or VIPs you turn to Armani, photographed here surrounded by his faithful Sofia Lorena and Tina Turner, Fifty Cents and Olivia. Today was the title of another quintessential Armani red carpet collection, the maestro has done it again reinterpreting his timeless style in the "language" of ....Today!

THEY Y MILANO DURING FASHION WEEK BECAUSE: "We Y Armani and want absolutely everything" Y Sofia Loren Y Tina Turner Y "I like to wear his clothes - that's what" Y Fifty Cents Y "Watch the Armani fashion shows" Y Lady Helen Taylor.

www.giorgioarmani.com

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I LOVE MILANO DURING FASHION WEEK BECAUSE:

of beautiful real women. Armani's British ambassador, Lady Helen Taylor and Armani's niece, Roberta Armani wear the same chalk stripes perfectly - showing us how to mix and match to achieve day to evening looks with the "same" jacket.

Robert Maxwell Y Susanna Colleoni Y Gity Y THEY Y MILANO DURING FASHION WEEK BECAUSE: of all the beautiful women!!!

www.giorgioarmani.com

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I LOVE MILANO DURING FASHION WEEK BECAUSE:
it reminds me of swinging London. The magnificent Zandra Rhodes retrospective at the Galleria Carla Sozzani (until October 30th) soooooooo reminded me of swinging London, of Barbara Hulanicki and Abingdon Road, the first Biba shop, of John, Paul, George and Ringo, of Mick and his "I can't get no....", of Sir Peter Blake and his colorful Babe Rainbow and of the swimming pools of David Hockney. Zandra is renowned for her brilliantly colorful screen-printed and hand-decorated textiles, her bizarre garments shown here include the celebrated Dinosaur coat and a punk wedding dress. It's fantasy in abundance, it's fashion inspiration for all and it's out of this world! In 1997 in recognition of her contribution to the fashion and textile industry she was made Commander of the British Empire. She is as colorful in her person as her textiles.

Adelaide Acerbi Astori Y Vicky Ceschi a Santa Croce Y THEY Y MILANO DURING FASHION WEEK BECAUSE: of the new colors and their inspiration!!!

www.galleriacarlasozzani.org www.ftmlondon.org

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I LOVE MILANO DURING FASHION WEEK BECAUSE:

I stay in a beautiful apartment. No, I haven't gone back to the country. I'm still in the center of Milan and this is the view I wake up to. If you squint you can just about see the Morning Glory that has come out to wish me Good Morning. I enjoy staying there with Chiara and Martino because we have leisurely breakfasts, over looking the green garden, with pots and pots of tea and other good things and we talk and talk and it's very difficult to break away and go to work. It's like being home away from home!!!

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I LOVE MILANO DURING FASHION WEEK BECAUSE:

of the Missonis. There she is the beautiful ambassador of Missoni or as the New York Times calls her "the new improved 'it' girl - with manners", Margherita Missoni sits on the floor and concentrates on her mother, Angela's new collection. This feminine and pretty collection seems destined for Margherita's closet as well as the stars of Hollywood.

THE MISSONIS Y MILAN DURING FASHION WEEK BECAUSE: Angela "I don't know what's happening outside, I'm always in here with the collection." Y Rosita "I'm glad when the show is over, then I can relax." Y Tai "We have to try and give the city a bit of vivacity and movement." Y Vittorio "My fashion show." Y Margherita " As I live in New York, it' a chance to see La Mamma."Y Luca "It's an opportunity to see old friends."

www.missoni.com

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I LOVE MILANO DURING FASHION WEEK BECAUSE:

of the parties. So does Michael Roberts especially when the party is given by Tod's at the PAC for his book The Snippy World of New Yorker Fashion Artist*! The Padiglione di d'Arte Contemporanea was filled with over one thousand people and it was impossible to move and admire the collages and videos of the New Yorker's illustrator and style director, luckily the walls were papered with his geometric, bold yet naif and stunning designs that one got an overall feeling for the show. The artist gave Diego Della Valle a special collage featuring Tod's Gommino driving shoe, which the CEO loved so much he asked for the print to be made into their signature logo for fabrics and bags.

Maria Pezzi Y Maurice Y Lisa Van Goinga Y Carlo Ducci Y Carlo Giovanelli Y Marta Brivio Sforza Y Inge Feltrinelli Y THEYY MILANO DURING FASHION WEEK BECAUSE: of the parties!!!

* www.amazon.com www.newyorker.com www.todsgroup.com

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I LOVE MILANO DURING FASHION WEEK BECAUSE:

of the espresso coffee. I like to go to the Pasticceria Sissi and have a decaffeinated espresso coffee as well as snack on their mini-panini or in the mornings, their baby croissants which have far less calories than the big ones. It also has a lovely garden and a wide selection of newspapers, some in English and French. The pasticceria is best known for it's Sachertortes -chocolate cakes - hence it takes it's name from the notorious Austrian Empress Sissi. My old and dear friend Franco Moschino amusingly used to send Easter eggs at Christmas time to his friends from this fashionable and luckily not to well know pastry shop.

Pasticceria e Caffetteria Sissi - Piazza Risorgimento 6 - Milano - tel. 02 76014664

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I LOVE MILANO DURING FASHION WEEK BECAUSE:

of Prada and the Italian tradition of craftsmanship. Here are the two most powerful women of Italian fashion. Franca Sozzani, editor in chief of Italian Vogue and Miuccia Prada the only woman designer to be chosen worldwide as one of The Magnificent Seven by American Vogue. I was a customer of Prada over thirty years ago when they sold mostly bags and occasionally some jewelry designed by Miuccia. And, my great grandfather before me, as well as the Italian Royal House all used to shop at Prada at the beginning of the last century. I think it's the oldest Italian fashion brand and certainly the most sort after on the market today. Brava Miuccia and congratulations. Need I add that the collection was wonderful!

Francesco Vezzoli Y Sonia Raule Y Diego della Valle Y Sergio Loro Piana Y Cathy Horyn Y Hilary Alexander Y Ingrid Sischy Y THEY Y MILANO DURING FASHION WEEK BECAUSE: of Prada, the Italian craftsmanship and the Italians themselves!!!

www.prada.com

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I LOVE MILANO DURING FASHION WEEK BECAUSE:

of the atmosphere. Seen here in the garden of the Hotel Diana Majestic, Alberto Biani with Katherine Mondadori and Marta Marzotto who is here to watch her beautiful granddaughter, la contessina Beatrice Borromeo model the Biani line. Biani's collection is always refined and true to itself - clean lines and excellent fabrics. And, it is always a pleasure to go and watch his show because he takes over the conservatory and the garden of the Hotel - as the shows are always late you can wonder in and out, drink champagne or diet Coke, eat, watch the models in the tent being made up or just hang out with friends in the garden, chat and be part of the 'behind the scenes'. The seating is also rather bizarre and wonderful....the hotel provides sofas and armchairs, chair and stools, it's a lot like being chez soi. And....the Biani trousers, let me tell you a secret, are the best cut pants on the market, you can get them at 10 Corso Como!

Allegra Bossi Pucci Y Carla Nani Mocenigo Y Marva Griffin Y Gity Y Carla Sozzani Y Laudomia Pucci Y Sibilla della Gherardesca Y Diego della Valle Y Sergio Loro Piana Y Roberto Menichetti Y Michel Norsa Y Andreina Longhi Y Marina Pignatelli Y ALL Y MILANO DURING FASHION WEEK BECAUSE: Of the atmosphere, the energy and the bustle!!!

www.10corsocomo.com

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I LOVE MILANO DURING FASHION WEEK BECAUSE:

of the press. There she is at the Emilio Pucci show with her signature Louise Brooks hair style and big dark glasses, the most powerful, loved and hated Anna Wintour, editor in chief of American Vogue. This year she isn't exactly welcomed in the capitol of Italian fashion after the Article in the bumper September issue, entitled The Magnificent Seven were Prada was the only Italian designer chosen!!! She has made many Italian designers unhappy and more than one has threatened to cut advertising....... But, let's get back to Pucci and the beautiful collection designed, unfortunately for the last time, by Christian Lacroix. It was like being in Capri in the '60s, very glamorous, very wearable and soooo chic..... the blues, the turquoises of the Mediterranean with all the bright and fresh colors of the Pucci prints and a touch of gold made this collection very special...let's see what the British, Matthew Williamson will design next season......

Franca Sozzani Y Carla Vanni Y Deirdre Costa Major Y THEY Y MILANO DURING FASHION WEEK BECAUSE: they like to see their colleagues!!!

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