photo by Michel Sima courtesy Palazzo Grassi
VENICE - Palazzo Grassi

Picasso - La Joie de Vivre 1945-1948 exhibition. The exhibition takes it's name from the painting, Joie de Vivre, seen here in the background. Bathed in light and radiating around the figure of a woman-flower, the painting is the most emblematic work of the Antibes Picassos. The exhibition begins with fifty photographs taken by Michel Sima, of Picasso at work in the Chateau Grimaldi, now the Musee Picasso in Antibes. With the Musee d'Antibes closed for works, Jean-Louis Andral, it's chief curator, has shifted virtually it's entire collection to Palazzo Grassi (until March 11th, 2007). The post war years 1945-1948 were happy years in the life and work for Picasso. His liaison with Francoise Gilot, who inspired and influenced his work and with whom he had two children Claude and Paloma. His return, after the war, to the Cote d'Azur and the discovery and mastery of pottery, which Picasso tried by chance when visiting Vallauris. All these factors contribute to an extraordinary exhibition. Allow yourselves plenty of time, there is a lot of interesting works, photographs and pottery to look at.

www.palazzograssi.it

VENICE - Palazzo Grassi

Seen at the Picasso - La Joie de Vivre 1945-1948 opening. Extravagant and simpatica, Marina Ripa di Meane is wearing a vintage Armani violet velvet suit made all the more personal by the red accessories.

www.palazzograssi.it www.marinaripadimeana.it www.armani.com

VENICE - Palazzo Grassi

Seen at the Picasso - La Joie de Vivre 1945-1948 opening. Paola Caovilla's shoe is photographed on the Carl Andre, 37 Pieces of Work, 1969, 1,296 aluminum, copper, steel, magnesium, lead and zinc square plates, placed on the ground floor of Palazzo Grassi. Her husband, Rene designs the most beautiful, as you can well see above, jewel collection of elegant shoes, which are sold all over the world. Talking about the exhibition, Paola was "Enchanted to see the child in Picasso's work."

www.palazzograssi.it www.renecaovilla.com

VENICE - Palazzo Grassi

Seen at the Picasso - La Joie de Vivre 1945-1948 opening. Nori Starck has made Venice her residence. She is a great admirer of Francoise Pinault and supports what the French are doing in Venice for the city. She is wearing a Prince of Wales tweed long dress by Junko Shimada and is carrying a vintage, 1950s bakelite handbag.

www.palazzograssi.it www.junkoshimada.com

VENICE - Palazzo Grassi

Picasso - La Joie de Vivre 1945-1948 exhibition. This was one of my favorite sequences. Le Taureau from the first stage to the eleventh stage, are a series of lithographs of bulls started on December 5th, 1945 and finished on January 17th, 1946, that show the evolution from a bull drawing as seen above, to a bull drawing made up of a few simple lines. It was one of the most talked about works in the exhibition. Montecarlo banker, Sigifredo di Canossa, loved them "Because you can see the evolution from the first realistic drawing, which slowly 'frame by frame' becomes a stylized Picasso."

www.palazzograssi.it

VENICE - Palazzo Grassi

Seen at the Picasso - La Joie de Vivre 1945-1948 opening. Cottoveneto entrepreneurs, Claudia and Armando Sutor, they also own the Cottoveneto Museum of Ceramics near Treviso. Claudia, who is the curator of their museum, commented on the pottery section of the show "It's an unusual collection, it's not 'routine'. It's more as if it came from the private collection of Pablo Picasso." She is wearing Yojhi Yamamoto. Armando has a big eyeglass collection, as well as, every tie, about two to three hundred, designed by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis in the 1980's.

http://www.palazzograssi.it/ www.cottoveneto.it www.yohjiyamamoto.co.jp www.sottsass.it

VENICE - Palazzo Grassi

Seen at the Picasso - La Joie de Vivre 1945-1948 opening. Pianist and singer songwriter, Sofia Taliani loved the Picasso drawings "They are like a string quartet in music, one doesn't hear them very often and they are very, very special. A drawing is more intimate than a big, big painting." she commented. She is wearing a knit dress by Miles and her grandmother's crocodile handbag.

www.palazzograssi.it www.sofiataliani.com

VENICE - Palazzo Grassi

Seen at the Picasso - La Joie de Vivre 1945-1948 opening. Beatrice Ferragamo, escorted her brother-in-law, Views on Venice's, Filippo Gaggia to the Picasso opening. Beatrice told me that "It is emotional to see these works, considering the post war times." Filippo, whose agency, Views on Venice, rents the best and most prestigious apartments in Venice was impressed by the pottery "They reflect the past but are also an imprint of the future." He said.

www.palazzograssi.it www.viewsonvenice.com

VENICE - Palazzo Grassi

Picasso - La Joie de Vivre 1945-1948 exhibition. In the south of France, Picasso discovered pottery. Intoxicated by this new terrain for artistic exploration, in one year, he produced more than two thousand pieces. There are eighty of these at Palazzo Grassi. Fauns, bills, jugs in forms of women, owl vases, the Condor (1947/1948), shown above... His son Claude, then aged two, recalls "It was spellbinding to see my father's hands take hold of any pitcher that had just been thrown and twist its neck, apply a little pressure and squashing here and there at high speed, without any hesitation, produce a woman or a pigeon."

http://www.palazzograssi.it/

VENICE - Palazzo Grassi

Seen at the Picasso - La Joie de Vivre 1945-1948 opening. Theatre director, Guido Torlonia chats to Glass designer, Marie Brandolini d'Adda after seeing the Picasso, La Joie de Vivre 1945-1948 exhibition. "The blue looks great at Palazzo Grassi, it's the pale sky blue of the Cote d'Azur." Torlonia Commented. Whereas, Contessa Brandolini noted that "You can feel Picasso's Joie de Vivre and you can also feel the presence of women and children in this brief post war period." She is wearing a smoking by Yves Saint Laurent.

www.palazzograssi.it www.ysl.com www.lagunab.com

VENICE - Palazzo Grassi

Seen at the Picasso - La Joie de Vivre 1945-1948 opening. Palazzo Grassi's curator, Jean-Jacques Aillagon is proudly flanked by the beautiful nobildonnas, jewelry designer, Osanna Visconti di Modrone and Christie's Venetian representative, Bianca Arrivabene Valenti Gonzaga. They are both wearing Prada. M. Aillagon commented on the Picasso exhibition "It's the best Picasso show of the year. The works are rare and fantastic. Some of them are being shown to the public for the first time."

www.palazzograssi.it www.prada.com www.christies.com

VENICE - Palazzo Grassi

Picasso - La Joie de Vivre 1945-1948 and The Francoise Pinault Collection, a Post-Pop Selection opening. Welcome to Picasso and Palazzo Grassi. This seems to be the message of Maurizio Cattelan’s sculpture (untitled, 1998) which is strategically placed on the first floor. Cattelan’s Picasso leads us through an interesting new selection of Palazzo Grassi’s owner, Francois Pinault’s private collection of Post-Pop. On the top floor, two hundred and fifty fantastic works, illustrate Picasso’s Joie de Vivre 1945-1948 (curated by Jean-Louis Andral, until March 11th, 2007). These post war years were inspired by his new love, Francoise Gilot, his discovery of pottery and the Mediterranean. As an introduction to this happy period there are the fascinating photographs taken by his friend, Michel Sima, which enlightens us as to how the maestro worked a Chateau Grimaldi now the Musee Picasso in Antibes.

www.palazzograssi.it

photograph by manfredi bellati
NEW YORK

It’s time to go back to Italy. So sad. But, let me leave you with this spectacular view of Central Park from Katherine Mondadori’s apartment on Central Park South. As you can tell it is Tea time from the blue grey light. We had Trauop Huong Sin tea, sent especially from Vietnam by her friend, the abstract painter, Prince Cong De Cuong. Going back to the view, no wonder Big Luciano keeps an apartment in the same building.

www.centralparknyc.org www.lucianopavarotti.com

NEW YORK

Seen at the after party for the Glamour Women of the Year 2006 Awards at Nobu 57. Sandra Bullock received the Glamour Women of the Year Award from Barbara Walters, for being, The undercover Activist. For years, Hollywood’s successful actress, has been a devoted philanthropist, quietly donating millions to the Red Cross after September 11 and the 2004 tsunami. More recently, she’s been a financial force behind the creation of the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders in Austin, Texas and the rebuilding of the Warren Easton Senior High School in New Orleans. The mantra that drives her campaign: “Get educated.” She was wearing Michael Kors.
To donate to Sandra Bullock’s cause: www.warreneastonchartherfoundation.com
www.glamour.com www.noburestaurants.com www.redcross.org www.michaelkors.com

NEW YORK

Seen at the after party for the Glamour Women of the Year 2006 Awards at Nobu 57. The beauty, Padma Lakshmi Rushdie and The Satanic Verses, Salman Rushdie were at Nobu 57 for the after party for the Glamour of the Year Awards, 2006. Padma was wearing Naeen Khan.
www.glamour.com www.noburestaurants.com www.naeemkhan.com

NEW YORK

Seen at the after party for the Glamour Women of the Year 2006 Awards at Nobu 57. Women of the Year 2006, Queen Latifah is talking to Women of the Year 1990, Chai Ling. Queen Latifah was presented her award by her co-star in the film Chicago, Catherine Zeta-Jones, who affectionately referred to her as "Queenie". Queen Latifah received the award for being The Role Model to her female fans. Her philosophy: "As women, we need to protect each other." One of the most wanted women in China in 1989, Chai Ling, was the student leader in Tiananmennmen Square. She fought for democracy. She fled from China in April 1990, and completed plastic surgery while in exile, claiming that this would help conceal her identity. After ten months of hiding, she settled in Paris.

To donate to Queen Latifah's cause: www.ihosf.org
www.glamour.com www.noburestaurants.com www.catherine-online.org

NEW YORK

Seen at the after party for the Glamour Women of the Year 2006 Awards at Nobu 57. If looks could kill! It seems that David Bowie is saying “ How dare you photograph me.” Mr. Bowie was at Nobu to celebrate his wife Iman who received The Women of the Year Award for being The Model Citizen with her work for Keep a Child Alive.
To donate to Iman’s cause: www.keepachildalive.org
www.glamour.com www.noburestaurants.com www.imancosmetics.com

NEW YORK

Seen at the after party for the Glamour Women of the Year 2006 Awards at Nobu 57. Angela Missoni and Anjelica Huston chat about the old days, when Anjelica used to model for the Missonis. Huston presented The Glamour Women of the Year Award to Rosita, Angela and Margherita Missoni. The motivation: Three generations of Missoni women are the force behind this fashion house. Angela and Anjelica are both wearing Missoni.
To donate to the Missoni’s cause: www.oafrica.org
www.glamour.com www.noburestaurants.com www.missoni.com

NEW YORK

Seen at the after party for the Glamour Women of the Year 2006 Awards at Nobu 57. Actress, Rosario Dawson presented, The Glamour Women of the Year Award to Iman for her work with the organization, Keep a Child Alive. Rosario supports The Lower East Side Girls Club. She recently hosted their 10th anniversary gala event. The Girls Club is dedicated to providing a place where girls 8-18 can grow, learn, have fun, and develop confidence in themselves and their ability to make a difference in the world. A group of them were up in the balconies at Carnegie Hall, cheering their patron. Dawson's dress is by J. Mendel
To donate to Iman's cause: www.keepachildalive.org
To donate to Rosario Dawson's cause: www.girlsclub.org
www.glamour.com www.noburestaurants.com www.carnegiehall.org

NEW YORK

Seen at the after party for the Glamour Women of the Year 2006 Awards at Nobu 57. Somaly Mam, was awarded the Mother Courage Award at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards. As an orphan in war-torn Cambodia, Mam risked her life to flee the brothel she’d been sold into. Once free, she vowed she’d help other girls escape too. Since 1996 her organization, Acting for Women in Distressing Situations, has saved 3,000 girls, many of whom have HIV, from brothels all over Southeast Asia. She trains them for other jobs and cares for them as if they’re her own children. On hearing the story, Queen Latifah pledged $150,000, which was matched by Barbara Walters. This modern day saint, received a standing ovation.
To donate to Somaly Mam’s cause: www.afesip.org.
www.glamour.com www.noburestaurants.com

NEW YORK

Seen at the Glamour Women of the Year 2006 Awards. Glamorous former model, B Smith is enjoying a glass of champagne at the Women of the Year Awards at Carnegie Hall. B, has three restaurants, “It was natural for me to become interested in food.” She told me, “When I used to model in the wonderful cities of Europe I went to great restaurants. I have also published a cook book and had a TV show.” She also designs a home collection and most of all “I like to have fun.” She concluded. She is wearing vintage Yves Saint Laurent.
www.glamour.com www.bsmithwithstyle.com www.ysl.com www.carnegiehall.org

NEW YORK

Seen at the Glamour Women of the Year 2006 Awards. The Missoni sisters. Teresa is studying languages in Italy and Margherita is studying acting in New York. The whole Missoni clan came to New York to support Rosita, Angela and Margherita, who were presented with a Women of the Year Award by their former model and friend, Anjelica Huston.

To donate to the Missoni cause: www.oafrica.org
www.glamour.com www.missoni.com

NEW YORK

Glamour's Women of the Year 2006 Awards. The 1970’s supermodel Iman was presented with The Model Citizen Award, by Rosario Dawson, for her work for the AIDS crisis in Africa, where she and her family were once refugees. She’s teamed up with the non-profit Keep a Child Alive, to produce her much talked-about I am African fund-raising campaign and provide lifesaving antiretroviral drugs to infected African children. She was wearing Bill Blass.
To donate to Iman’s Keep a Child Alive: www.keepachildalive.org

www.glamour.com www.imanbeauty.com www.rosario-dawson.net
www.glamour.com

NEW YORK

Glamour's Women of the Year 2006 Awards. Comedian, Stephen Colbert, with his dry humor introduced and gave, The Snow Queen Award to Rachael Scdoris. Scdoris who is 21, is legally blind. She, with sixteen dogs, raced 1,150 miles on a tiny sled over cracking ice and snow in temperatures of fifty below zero, making her the first disabled athlete to complete the punishing Iditarod race in Alaska.

To donate to Rachael Scdoris cause: www.usaba.org

www.glamour.com www.colbertnation.com www.iditarod.com

photograph by Manfredi Bellati
NEW YORK

Glamour's Women of the Year 2006 Awards. We were kindly invited to attend the Glamour magazine, Women of the Year 2006 Awards at Carnegie Hall by the Missonis. It was such a wonderful ceremony. My Kleenex hardly left my eyes. A night dedicated to humanitarian causes, courage and inspiration. The Style Dynasty Award went to Rosita, Angela and Margherita Missoni. Three generations of Missoni women who are the force behind the fashion house. Nonna, Rosita founded the company in the 1950s. Now with mamma Angela as creative director and daughter Margherita as muse, the brand is hotter than ever. These women brought their high-fashion house roaring into 2006 thanks to a new fragrance, as well as, "The solidity of the family," says Rosita. "It gives you serenity, and from there you find strength." The award was presented to them by one of their former models, Anjelica Huston.

To donate to the missonis cause: www.oafrica.org

www.glamour.com www.missoni.com www.carnegiehall.org

NEW YORK

Books - Seen at Barnes and Noble. Santo Versace was in town for a few days to see his son Antonio, who is studying economy, and for a retail event at the Versace store on Fifth Avenue. Versace, was browsing in Barnes and Noble, in Chelsea, which is also my favorite bookstore. He enjoys reading and when he is in the U.S.A. he looks for the latest books on business and on trend forecasting. In Italian, he prefers to read great tomes, like the biographies of Julius Cesar or Richelieu. His favorite book, which he suggests everybody should read, is Primo Levi's If This Is A Man.

www.versace.com www.bn.com