FASHION FOOD AND FLOWERS

The Missoni Dinner Party. Finally, at home, Angela Missoni relaxes after the Autumn/Winter Missoni fashion show. The show was beautiful and I have to confess that I fell in love with quite a few pieces. She is chatting to Marie Jose Susskind-Jalou, president of Edition Jalou, who publish the French fashion magazine, L’Officiel.

Flowers. Rosita Missoni designs the Missoni Home Collection. She also takes care of the interior design of the family apartments. Her favorite flowers are orchids because they come in beautiful colors; they look good and are easy to decorate with.

The Hostess. Rosita Missoni is a gracious hostess. She opened up the Missoni Milan apartment for an after show dinner party for the press, models and friends. Her favorite flowers are orchids. In fact, last year, Giancarlo Pozzi of the Floricultura Edmondo Pozzi created a green and purple Rosita Missoni Cattleya orchid.

Flowers. Rosita Missoni loves orchids because “It’s easy to decorate with them. You can also hang them and they last a long time.”

Food. Whenever there are more than twenty guests Rosita Missoni calls on the help of caterers, Tutto Fresco. As the name suggests everything is fresh and above all “in season”. Rosita is a true believer of seasonal foods, as well as, “home” cooking. Besides catering, Paolo and Nina run a butchers and delicatessen shop in Bodio Lomnago, near the Missoni factory. Shown above Cod Carpaccio with Oranges and Mache, an assortment of cheeses and fresh vegetables.

Fashion and Food. In Style U.S. magazine’s fashion director, Hal Rubenstein enjoys a glass of good red wine. He knows a lot about food, he was a former restaurant critic for Interview and New York Magazine. He “keeps his finger in the pie” now by consulting to restaurants and hotels, such as; Le Cirque, Fiamma, Ritz Carlton and Blue Water Grill. “Food consulting is fascinating because it helps shape public taste”. He said. His favorite restaurant in Milan is Contro Vapore where "They have the best beef in town."

The Guests. Style/T Magazine’s editor in chief, Stefano Tonchi chat’s to the magazine’s stylist Tiina Laakkonen. Tiina was in town to style the Bottega Veneta show designed by Tomas Maier.
Stefano's favorite restaurant in Milan: La Torre di Pisa and Il Girrarosto "I like to eat as you eat at home." he said

Food. The tempting desserts were laid on top of the piano in the entrance to the Missoni’s Milan penthouse apartment. The portions were just small enough so as to not feel too guilty about eating two or three of them. Tiramisu, chocolate mousse and Greek yogurt with berries were also prepared by Tutto Fresco.

Note. The rare orchid in the foreground.

FASHION FOOD AND FLOWERS

Backstage at the Missoni Autumn Winter Collection 2008/2009. The models are ready to go. Tanya is wearing an asymmetrical cashmere sweater in raspberry with a turmeric double cashmere skirt, whilst, Vlada is wearing a nabuk elephant print grey cloak with a petroleum turtleneck underneath.

Backstage. Finishing touches to Coco’s outfit; dress with organza silk skirt embroidered with paillettes and foundation pearl baguettes and a printed lurex knit top.

Backstage. Snejana and Natasha hang out backstage to fill in the time with other models before the Missoni Autumn/Winter collection.

fBackstage. All the models were provided with these handsome black and white toweling robes from the Missoni Home Collection. Snejana is tying up her brogue calf high boot lace.

Missoni water. There was plenty of Missoni water for guests and for models.

Backstage. Anna Gushina is wearing a beautiful herringbone knit mohair wool dress, with mink demi boeuf skirt and Missoni’s new yellow and grey extra long wool gloves. I love these colors.
Note: the peacock blue patent leather handbag .This year there was a strong emphasis on bags as well.

The Make-up. Celebrity make-up artist, Lucia Pieroni, created the make-up for Mac, for the Missoni Autumn/Winter collection. “ My inspirations were; running up a hill, a frosty face, a wind burn glow and ruddy cheeks. It’s all about being outside.” She explained. She is putting the finishing touches on Serafima. Lucia was Madonna’s make-up artist for her Drowned World Tour.

A detail. The make-up artist’s apron/belt, with the tools of the trade.

A detail. The make-up table.

The make-up. Here is the finished effect of the make-up, on Serafima, created by Lucia Pieroni for Mac.

Backstage – before. Just like the models, Magrherita and Teresa Maccapani Missoni are being coiffed and made-up backstage. Hair styles by Marc Lopez.

Backstage – after. The beautiful sisters, Margherita and Teresa, after hair and makeup, are ready for the front row. I sure they are curious to see what their mother, Angela has designed for the Autumn/Winter Missoni collection.

Backstage. Celebrity Italian, top model Maria Carla Boscone is dressed ready for the runway, she is talking to fashionista and Vogue Japan’s creative director, Anna dello Russo, who is wearing a jacket designed by Nicolas Ghesquiere for Balenciaga.

Backstage. This is what top model Maria Carla modeled on the runway. Long Peacock asymmetrical sweater in mohair cashmere with details in organza (see above) and gown in gazar silk with motives of solid stripes alternating with embroidered stripes of paillettes and pearls baguettes.

Backstage – food. Karlie is having a mouth-sized shortbread and apricot jam cookie. Cookies, coffee, tea and soft drinks are laid out for the models backstage. “I usually carry snacks in my bag during the shows, like carrots, oranges and I love Pepperidge Farm’s Milano biscuits.” She said.

Backstage - detail. Double faced black cashmere cloak, lined in Rachel knit. I loved the way that the Missoni knits were used inside solid fabrics. Very chic.

Fashion and Food. Director, Maurizio Nichetti, who is currently working on a cartoon series for RAI, entitled Teen Days, due out in 2009, is a restaurant buddy of Tai Missoni. Tai invites his friends to his favorite restaurant, Boeucc, established in 1696, in the center of Milano. “I enjoy good food and good friends. My favorite dish is barbequed spare ribs.” He told me after the show.

Food. Mouth watering, tiny, mini croissants stuffed with ham and lettuce were just some of the goodies especially prepared by Tutto Fresco for the guests at the show.

Food and flowers. Refreshments were laid out for the 800 + guests at the show. See the special effects of what a little bit of lighting, some parmiggiano and some anemones produce.

Milano: Book Launch - ECCENTRICI by Donatella Sartorio

Milano: Eccentrici book launch party. The Eccentrici book launch party was held in the suggestive courtyard of the Casa dei Atellani, in the center of Milan. Eccentrici, by Donatella Sartorio with photographs by Costantino Ruspoli is published by Luca Garavaglia for Excelsior 1881 and sponsored by The Centro Lino Italiano – Masters of Linen.

The Conference. On “stage” Donatella is surrounded by some of the eccentrics portrayed in her book. Next to her, Pasquale Di Donato looks on and journalist and writer, Giuseppe Scaraffia listens to the "King of Linen”, Vittorio Solbiati talk. Solbiati has been producing linen for four generations. In his extensive wardrobe he possesses at least thirty oversized linen jackets in different shades of white, ivory, beige and chalk. Standing next to him the beautiful journalist, Albertina Marzotto. Also in the photograph, 1980’s Giorgio Armani icon, now chef, Jill Haley and Angelo Bucarelli.
Note. Eccentrici is written in Italian with a parallel text in English and look out for Contessanally also featured in the book.
Remember. Click on any photo to enlarge

The Socialite. Allegra Bossi Pucci was listening attentively to the conference. She seemed enthralled by the theme.

The Sculpture. Angelo Bucarelli is a multifaceted Roman artist, he now works mainly as a sculpture; all his pieces contain words or letters. I love his eclectic and eccentric mix of styles; they all work together.

Detail. Angelo Bucarelli’s elegant red devil slippers from Stubbs and Wotton

A double page spread. This double page spread taken from the Book Eccentrici shows Jean Grimbert, who with his brother Michael is the co-owner of Arnys the Parisian temple of masculine elegance.
Contessanally tip: click on any photo to get a better view.

The inseparables. Architect and interior designer, Piero Pinto and reknowned P.R. Beppe Modenese, take a good look and admire the book Eccentrici, written by Donatella Sartorio with photographs by Costantino Ruspoli, published by Luca Garavaglia for Excelsior 1881.

Four fascinating men. Photographer, Giovanni Gastel, and his brother, film-director, Luchino Gastel hang out with Benedetto Borromeo and fashion designer, Alexander Julian.

The Photographer. Writer and journalist, Delfina Rattazzi chat’s with the Eccentrici book photographer, Costantino Ruspoli. Costantino's work is always fresh and he is able to capture the mood and the personality of his subjects. He is described in the “Thanks To” page by Donatella Sartorio as “ The most eccentric of all the eccentrics.” and I tend to agree with her.

Two Eccentrics. Photographer, Giovanni Gastel and designer, Stefano Ottina, two real life eccentrics, came to support Eccentrici author, Donatella Sartorio and the book's talented photographer, Costantino Ruspoli.

Two Eccentrici. Pasquale Di Donato and Catherine Baba, both portrayed in the book, played the Eccentrics, dressed to the nines. Pasquale’s girlfriend named the Princess in the book says of him “ He is an architect, a cook, a painter, a plumber. Pasquale knows how to do everything – he solves every problem.” Catherine is a stylist for trendy fashion magazines and lives in Paris, her mantra is “J’adore” which she repeats frequently with a range of inflections.

The Dog. Hoola-Hoola the miniature Schnauzer dog accompanied his Mummy, the television art anchor-woman, Michela Moro to the book launch. Michela is wearing a lilac and purple Missoni coat.

The Author. The author of the book Eccentrici, Donatella Sartorio, takes a pause from signing copies to talk to Mariuccia Mandelli, better known as Krizia.

Seen in the drawing room. Max Mara’s design director, Laura Lusuardi chat’s with photographer and lady of exotic and eccentric taste, Manuela Pavesi. Manuela is one of the twenty eccentrics published in the book. She is wearing one of Nicholas Ghesquire’s first outfits for Balenciaga. She states in the book “I have many faces and many layers; my aesthetic sense is in continual evolution. I love the past. I love the present, especially when modern things are “trash”.”

The Courtyard. The courtyard of La Casa dei Atellani, in the center of Milan, was the venue for the launch of the book Eccentrici by Donatella Sartorio, published by Luca Garavaglia for Excelsior 1881. The plants, statues and light fixtures in the courtyard, were all draped in white linen. The Centro Lino Italiano – Masters of Linen, sponsored the book.

HAPPY VALENTINES

Photograph by Santi Caleca courtesy Palazzo Grassi

Venice: Palazzo Grassi. Do love your sweetheart enough to buy her a $23.6 million Jeff Koons’ stainless steel Hanging Heart, like this one photographed at Palazzo Grassi? The sale price set a new record at Sotheby's New York, for a living artist at auction.

Watch out for Sotheby’s Saint Valentine’s Day Art Auction: Sotheby’s is holding a contemporary art auction to benefit (Red) the philanthropic organization created by Bono and Bobby Shriver, on February 14th. Over sixty artists have donated works of art; Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, Matthew Barney, Anish Kapoor, Sir peter Blake, Jeff Koons, Ed Ruscha, Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg, just to name a few.

HAPPY VALENTINES

photograph courtesy Lachaume

Paris: Lachaume. For Valentine’s Day send a bouquet of deep red roses and orchids to your loved one from La Chaume, the chicest, the oldest and the most famous traditional maitre florist in Paris. They have been on the prestigious Rue Royale since La Belle Epoque and the shop hasn’t changed since the French novelist, Marcel Proust popped in daily to pick up his boutonniere.

HAPPY VALENTINES

Paris: Gerard Mulot. For the past twenty five years the renowned Monsieur and Madame Gerard Mulot have been making traditional French patisseries, breads, croissants, that melt in your mouth, and the most delicious macaroons. The queue was so long, stretching outside the shop, on Saturday that I wasn’t able to get anything this trip. However, I can offer you a photograph of the Charlotte Fraise des Bois in the window which is the perfect cake to celebrate Saint Valentine’s Day.

HAPPY VALENTINES

Paris: Seen at Maison et Objet – Martine Goron. Did you know that Toile de Jouy is having a great revival? This romantic Toile inspired tea set is perfect for Valentine’s Day. See how pretty the pearls and chain look around the teapot and the metal work on the milk jug. Martine Goron has been designing tea sets for the past six years and has them made in Morocco, giving her a raison d’etre to live in Marrakech for six months of the year. Her inspirations come from her travels around the world and from the oriental way of life. Her tea sets come in small series or can be costume made to the dreams of her clients. They are available in the best stores around the globe. For more information you can contact Martine at: martinegoron@wanadoo.fr.
Contessanally tip: click on any photo to get a better view.

HAPPY VALENTINES

Milano and New York: For Pets Only. Don’t forget your best friend on Valentine’s Day. Give him a calorie free treat from the huge selection at For Pets Only. I’m sure you’ll get a lick and a lot of noise as he plays with his squeaky toy.

HAPPY VALENTINES

Venice Marco Polo Airport: Disney Princess. Treat your pre-school little girl, on Valentine’s Day, to her own eau de toilette so she can be just like mummy. Disney Princess Eau de Toilette from The Hub at Venice Marco Polo Airport.

HAPPY VALENTINES

Paris: Maison et Objet - AGR Createur d’Univers Pour Chantal Thomass. These side-tables or puffs named, yes, you guessed it right; Corset are part of a boudoir inspired line of furniture designed by luxury lingerie designer, Chantal Thomass for AGR Createur d’Univers and shown for the first time at Maison et Objet.

Paris: Maison et Objet – Chantal Thomass Stationary. An assortment of Chantal Thomass's sexy pale pink stationary was on display on top of her furniture designed for AGR Createur d’Univers, as well as, the sensuous black and pink lace corset.

Paris: Seen at Maison et Objet – Chantal Thomass. Luxury lingerie designer, Chantal Thomass, was at the Maison et Objet fair to promote her new line of sexy furniture designed for AGR Createur d’Univers. The Chantal Thomass brands have a very special universe, which can be defined by these words: Femininity, Sensuality, Chic, Glamour, Luxury and Seduction.