MILANO FASHION: Where - When - Why - What - Who - Want ? ? ?

WHAT:   G-Star Raw Denim presentation
WHERE: 10 Corso Como
WHEN:     26th September
WHY:       Spring/Summer 2010 collection

WHAT: G-Star continues its creative collaboration with design super star, Marc Newson, with a limited edition Spring/Summer 2010 collection, to be made available through high-end retail boutiques.  The collection features Newson’s modern interpretation of four classic styled jackets and two T-Shirts, available in both men and women’s cuts and based around an indigo blue palate. The traditional utilitarian fabrics associated with each style are replaced by premium materials, presenting a creative fusion of street-wear silhouettes and couture-level fabrics.

 

WHAT: The long sleeve tee is made from army-style waffle jersey and, features washed leather strips on the upper back and arms as artwork.

 

WHAT: The mesh leather jacket takes the classic nylon jersey and presents it in ultra-soft, perforated leather, with silk collar, cuff and waistband detailing,

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MILANO FASHION: Where - When - Why - What - Who - Want ? ? ?

WHAT:   Gucci show
WHERE: Gucci theater
WHEN:    26th September
WHAT:    Spring/Summer 2010 collection
WHAT:     Champagne was served in the lobby as you entered the theatre.

WHO - seen in the lobby. Bloomberg’s Sara Forden and Gucci Group’s executive vice president of global communications, Mimma Viglezio.

WHO - seen in the lobby.  Reena Wadhwa looked glamorous in a sari designed by Tarun Tahiliani.

RUNWAY GUCCI:  The designer, Frida Giannini’s   modern collection included lots of metal, multi-straps, harnesses, carbon fibers,  silk crepe, strips of leather,  metallic and crystal beading in the form fitting silhouettes.

RUNWAY GUCCI – the bag.   The Gucci bag for next spring and summer, is in pale blue crocodile, it has a signature bamboo handle and two shoulder straps, one made out of leather and the other one made out of chains.

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MILANO FASHION: Where - When - Why - What - Who - Want ? ? ?

WHAT:   Maliparmi presentation
WHERE: Palazzo Visconti
WHEN:   26th September
WHY:      Spring/Summer 2010 collection

THE COLLECTION:  Small untamed items are what the Mailparmi woman will be wearing next year.  The new collection evokes the deep desire to return to the heart of things.   For Maliparmi, this is the moment to give free rein to the elements that form a vital part of its DNA; craft production, handmade with passion and love.   The company has long made use of ancient fabric decoration techniques like tye & dye, block printing, hand painting, crochet and bead embroidery and, they are at the heart of the Maliparmi project.

WHO: Maliparmi’s creative director, Silvia Bisconti and its president, Annalisa Paresi.

WHAT:   Motto: Reuse – Creativity – Style = Tessuto della Memoria.  Maliparmi invented a fabric that is in fact the patchwork of many others sourced from its archives.   The Tessuto della Memoria was born as the result of bringing together several forgotten fabrics in one new one.  A series of clothing items and accessories were created with a mix of textures and patterns that have constituted the brand’s history and which now have an opportunity to be re-born. Conceived from the Maliparmi style and from the creative reuse of its vintage heritage, it represents a limited run, as the multiple fabrics used create a single one, which can no longer be reproduced.

WHAT- the catering.   Ethnic delicacies were catered by Soup based in Naples. The pretty waitresses sat on table tops with the food spread out before them.

WHAT – a detail.  A detail of the ethnic food; couscous with tomatoes, raisins and pine nuts was served in pretty bamboo containers.

WHAT – a detail.  In the background, fresh fruit bamboo skewers where refreshing in the heat of the day.  In the foreground, delicious chocolate and hazelnut semi freddo.

WHO:  The glamorous Neapolitan caterer, Alessandra Calvo whose company is called, Soup, born from the desire to transmit emotion. Alesandra’s cooking is half way between innovative and traditional Neapolitan cooking. “I love to experiment.” She told me.  Also on the menu that day, wontons.

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MILANO FASHION: Where - When - Why - What - Who - Want ? ? ?

WHAT:      Saks Fifth Avenue, The Wall Street Journal and Camera Nazionale della Moda      Party

WHERE:   Villa Mozart - Via Mozart 9

WHEN:      25th September

WHY:        To celebrate Milan Fashion Week

WANT:      The flower arrangement in the private Villa Mozart were spectacular, designed by Tearose, giant transparent vases held bouquets of blood red dahlias mixed with a few white hydrangeas.

WHO – seen at the Saks Fifth Avenue, The Wall Street Journal and Camera Nazionale della Moda Party.  Saks’s president and CMO, Ron Frasch chats with Gianfranco Ferre's creative directors, Tommaso Aquilano and Roberto Rimondi and Saks’s Chairman & CEO, Steve Sadove.

 

 

WHO – seen at the Saks Fifth Avenue, The Wall Street Journal and Camera Nazionale della Moda Party.   Ferragamo’s CEO, Michel Norsa and his beautiful wife, Bucci.

 

 

WHO – seen at the Saks Fifth Avenue, The Wall Street Journal and Camera Nazionale della Moda Party.  Saks’s senior vice-president of marketing, Terry Schaefer has a tete a tete with Harvey Nichols fashion director, Avril Oates. 

WHO – seen at the Saks Fifth Avenue, The Wall Street Journal and Camera Nazionale della Moda Party.  Camera Nazionale della Moda’s director, Giulia Pirovano.

WHO – seen at the Saks Fifth Avenue, Wall Street Journal and Camera Nazionale della Moda Party.   Editor in chief of The Wall Street Journal Magazine, Tina Gaudoin and Anne Marie Paltsou of Saks Fifth Avenue Italia.

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MILANO FASHION: Where - When - Why - What - Who - Want ? ? ?

WHAT:    Luisa Beccaria presentation
WHERE:  Via Formentini 1
WHEN:    25th September
WHY:      Spring/Summer 2010 collection

WHO:  The designer, Luisa Beccaria stand amongst her models. The Spring Summer collection embraces a femininity that evokes the 1950’s Hollywood glamour and brings a fresh new perspective to the brand’s romantic aesthetic.  The Luisa Beccaria woman is aware of her sex-appeal, is both empowering and strong.  Like the timeless beauties that often wear them, Nicole Kidman and Eva Mendes for example, these clothes are playful and sweet, emphasizing the brand’s creed true of elegance and sophistication.

WHAT: An exciting new venture, an extension of the Luisa Beccaria’s creative soul.  Luisa has “dressed’ the Citroen C3 Picasso car, the same way she dresses women, romantic with sensual empowerment and looks forward to “dressing” other objects that will transcend the Luisa Beccaria lifestyle.

WHAT – a detail.   A detail of the inside of the Citroen C3 Picasso “dressed” by Luisa Beccaria.  This unique car has 100% floral body, hemp seats in a floral print and a dashboard with a make-up holder and purse holder.  For an added touch of elegance, the knob of the gear stick is made out of Venetian hand-blown glass in the shape of a rose.

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MILANO FASHION: Where - When - Why - What - Who - Want ? ? ?

WHAT:  Gianfranco Ferre show
WHERE: Ferre Headquarters – Via Pontaccio 21
WHEN:    25th September
WHY:       Spring/Summer 2010 collection

GRAND FINALE:  Transformation is the main principle underlying the new collection, designed by creative directors, Tommaso Aquilano and Roberto Rimondi.  From fabric come textures at once incredibly elaborate and delicate, weightless, almost intangible.  Metal spirals are embroidered and hammered on organza, for a feel of bark. Pleated plisse silk lame are made of ultra light fibers, as fine as gossamer.  The folds and swirls of material create lines and shapes pervaded by a sense of architectural balance.

Contessanally tip:  Click on any photo to enlarge it.

RUNWAY FERRE: Materials wrap the figure softly, lusciously, like a second skin.  The sense of motion is in the gently close fits and the cocoon silhouettes.

BACKSTAGE FERRE – the make-up. The make-up was created by Peter Philips, Chanel’s global creative director of make-up.  Purity is achieved through beautiful skin and a shine around the eyes, beige lips create a nude look.

BACKSTAGE FERRE – the hair.   The hairstyle took a lot of teasing, to achieve the architectonical shape below.

BACKSTAGE FERRE – the hair.   The hair has an architectonical shape on top, going into a triangle at the back, which moves when the model walks, a modern Cleopatra.

BACKSTAGE FERRE – the hairstylist.    Legendary hairstylist, Luigi Murenu.

RUNWAY FERRE - the front: The red carpet dresses; folds of material wonderfully smooth and seductive flow leaving a train of soft silk chiffon.

 RUNWAY FERRE - the back.  The color palette is rich in neutral tones, light and sieved, such as sand, honey and nude.  Everywhere there are splashes of gold, and of platinum subsiding into exquisite iridescent gray hues.  Black and silk white musts.

BACKSTAGE FERRE – the press.  After the show, Tommaso Aquilano and Roberto Rimondi greet Conde Nast’s Grazia d’Annunzio and Ariela Goggi.

WHO: Seen at the Ferre show.   The late Gianfranco Ferre’s brother, Alberto and his wife, Charlie Ferre.

WHO: Seen at the Ferre show.   Belgium milliner, Geoffroy Moreels and Chilean photographer, Alberto Ibarretxe.

WHAT: Seen at the Ferre show.  Two straw hats designed by Geoffroy Moreels for his company My Bob.

WHAT: Seen at the Ferre show – a detail.  Geoffroy’s trademark; all hats have a red ribbon rim inside the crown.

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MILANO FASHION: Where - When - Why - What - Who - Want ? ? ?

WHAT:   Latteria di San Marco restaurant
WHERE: Via San Marco 24
WHY:      Best food in Milan.
WHEN:    Monday to Friday – no reservations

WHO:       Maria and Arturo Maggi run the Latteria di San Marco restaurant with their sons Marco and Roberto.   Tuscan born Arturo is the chef and his food is simply delicious, innovative and since 1998 he has been cooking with solid silver pans.  The tiny interior is decorated with pictures, photos and artwork of roses.  In the country, where the Maggis go for the weekend, Arturo possesses over a thousand rose bushes from which he dries the petals and you can drink and infusion of rose petals called Arturose.  I have been going there for over thirty-five years, it’s like eating at home and for the trendy Brera residents it’s their local restaurant.

 

WHAT:   Thin ribbons of celery root and carrots make the ideal low calorie first course or side dish.

 

WHAT:    Eggs sunny side up are cooked in a sliver pan and are dusted with a generous helping of bottarga (fish roe), though Arturo says they are better eaten with truffles.

WHY:       Cooking in solid silver pans takes away all the natural acidity the ingredient possesses, “Conclusion, a product cooked in a silver pan is not acerbic.” Arturo explains.

 

WHAT: The individual marmalade tart was crunchy, with a thin layer of custard under the bitter jam and delicious to taste.

WHAT:   Even the check comes in a small solid silver frying pan.

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MILANO FASHION: Where - When - Why - What - Who - Want ? ? ?

WHAT:   Sportmax Show
WHERE: Milano Moda Donna
WHEN:   25th September
WHY:      Spring/Summer 2010 collection

BACKSTAGE: Models line up ready to walk down the runway. Inspired by a trunk out of which come romantic dresses, which rub shoulders with military jackets, trench style coats, bustiers and voile blouses.  Fashion as a contemporary privilege that looks back without a trace of nostalgia.

SPORTMAX BACKSTAGE – the make-up.  Created by Chanel’s global creative director of make-up, Peter Philips the make-up is young, sultry, sexy, and playful with focus on the eyes.

SPORTMAX BACKSTAGE:  Max Mara’s legendary, Laura Lusuardi and Chanel’s global creative director, Peter Philips.

SPORTMAX BACKSTAGE – the make-up.   Here is a glimpse of the colors for the Spring/Summer Chanel make-up 2010 collection, created by Peter Philips. For the show he used peachy blush and eye shadow and the new lipstick will be called Insousiant, which translates, as carefree.

 SPORTMAX BACKSTAGE: Two models relax after rehearsals and rest their feet from the high-heeled boots.

SPORTMAX BACKSTAGE – the boots.   High canvas and leather boots/sandals reach up above the ankle.

SPORTMAX BACKSTAGE – the bag.    Canvas and leather knapsack looks chic and elegant with the military inspired clothes.

SPORTMAX BACKSTAGE: a cross of military, corsets and trench coat inspired clothes in cotton.  The military inspired more masculine pieces are given a more feminine eccentric touch.  The soft powder and wisteria shades blend with neutral colors to become designs to be combined with black and sherbet yellow.

SPORTMAX BACKSTAGE – the Press. Fashion editor of Il Giornale newspaper, Daniela Fedi.

SPORTMAX BACKSTAGE – a detail.   A detail of Daniela Fedi’s animal rings. The reindeer ring, designed by Maria Licci, is made from aluminum, it is “The perfect way to wear “horns”.” Daniela jokingly explains. The dachshund on a cushion ring represents Daniela’s dog Pardo, short for Leopardo.

SPORTMAX BACKSTAGE: Organza blouses are tucked away in pinstripe trousers, chain mail sweaters with eye and hook fastenings are reminiscent of  the underwear of old, flow over shorts.

SPORTMAX BACKSTAGE – a detail.   An old fashion inspired top, has tiny buttons down the back and is worn under a tulle t-shirt.

SPORTMAX RUNWAY:  After the successful show, Max Mara’s chairman, Luigi Maramotti prepares for an interview.

SPORTMAX BACKSTAGE: A saucy model flirts with the camera. She is wearing a dress inspired by underwear.

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