MILAN - FURNITURE FAIR

Fuori Salone - Driade. I really liked the Ron Arad polished aluminum and satin stainless steel Screw stool for Driade. It combines playful forms which are central to Arad's work, as well as, advanced technology. He is Consistently inventive and challenging. I must say that for the past fifteen to twenty years since I have know him, his designs have always been fresh and innovative.

www.driade.com www.ronarad.com

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MILAN - FURNITURE FAIR

Fuori Salone - Poltrona Frau. At the Poltrona Frau Party Nigel Coates also made "an entrance". Coates is one of the few British architects who is equally well known as a designer. Also uniquely, he has consistently asserted that architecture and design should reflect the confusion and sensuality of the city at large. With regards to the humorous statement on his T-shirt, let me say, dear Nigel, "Wishful thinking..."!

www.poltronafrau.it www.nigelcoates.com

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MILAN - FURNITURE FAIR

Fuori Salone - Poltrona Frau. At the Poltrona Frau Party, international jet setter, Fiona Swarovski arrived carrying a rather large portfolio. Since the opening of her own design atelier, Fiona Winter Studio, it seems that she would now like to branch out in....can you guess what??? Furniture! In fact, the lovely lady had an appointment with Matteo Cordero di Montezemolo, Managing Director of Charme Investments, to show him her designs. They spent twenty minutes looking at her sketches...will we she her designs realized in one of the Charme owned furniture companies next year? We'll have to wait and see.

www.poltronafrau.it

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MILAN - FURNITURE FAIR

Fuori Salone - Bellora. Let's get out of the fair and let's move on from one design star to an Italian film star. Francesca Neri was the guest of honor, seen here with Giuseppe Bellora, at the opening of the third Bellora store in Milan. Bellora is known for it's superb home collection and they are, among the connoisseurs, also famous for their custom made linens for yachts. Very chic!

www.bellora.it

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MILAN - FURNITURE FAIR

Rho-Pero - Poltrona Frau lounge. Cassina's Ceo, Demetrio Appolloni looks on to a bit of playful fun from eclectic designer Piero Lissoni and design star, Philippe Starck. The friendly dispute goes back a few months ago when the pair had an argument in Paris. Lissoni sustains that Starck, now that he is famous, cannot use and dispose of the press, when the whim strikes him!

www.cassina.it www.poltronafrau.it www.philippe-starck.com

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Photograph courtesy Cappellini
MILAN - FURNITURE FAIR

Rho-Pero - Cappellini. This was the most talked about piece at the Cappellini stand. Francois Azambourg was not trained as a designer, nor as an architect, but as an engineer, yet his Mr. Bugatti chair for Cappellini is so playful and cartoon-esque. I guess his engineering training comes through in the innovative use of materials; crumpled tin injected with polyurethane, though mass-produced, each one, with its own pattern of dents, is slightly different.

www.cappellini.it

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MILAN - FURNITURE FAIR

Rho-Pero - Cappellini. Sexy, Fabio Novembre is the "darling" of the design press, he is very handsome and doesn't think twice about being photographed naked on a gold chair. Anything, for a bit of publicity for himself and for his products. For Cappellini, Fabio presents his RHP project - Revolutions Per Hour; a big sofa that can be made in a single-block or it can be divided into more segments, but wait for it, what make it distinctive are two design archetypes; on one end the classic cube and on the other the chaise-longue by Le Corbusier. But the fun part are the slipcovers. Seen above, is the black and white version, it is very'50's Valentino. The second option, is a grey wrinkled fuzzy fabric which gives the sofa an instant rugged rock effect. What's more, it is very versatile and comfortable.

www.cappellini.it www.novembre.it Pin It

photograph courtesy Cappellini
MILAN - FURNITURE FAIR

Rho-Pero - Cappellini. WhenTV influences everyday life. Giulio Cappellini staged an in-house reality show or Real House as he likes to call it. In the center of the Cappellini exhibition space, a circular glass crystal box re-created a house, with mother, father and kids. It was decorated with the Cappellini collection of furniture. Just to mention a few famous pieces inside; Tom Dixon's Pylon Chair, Shiro Kuramata's Revolving Cabinet, Marc Newson's The wooden Icon chair and Jasper Morrison's Elise bed. Giulio, is photographed above surrounded by "his Big Brother family". He said, that the installation was "A multicultural container in which design can be touch, heard and lived." Around the glass "house" the new Cappellini collection was displayed.

http://www.cappellini.itwww.jaspermorrison.com www.shirokuramata.comwww.tomdixon.net www.marcnewson.net

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MILANO - FURNITURE FAIR

Rho-Pero - The Fair. The 45th International Furniture Fair moved this year from Milan to the newly built exhibition center, designed by architect, Massimiliano Fuksas, to the Milan hinterland at Rho-Pero. It was a nightmare to get to and from the new fair grounds because the infrastructures are not completed yet. Therefore, one heard stories of how they got crushed on the subway or how they got stuck in traffic jams on the autostrada. The fair grounds are quite overwhelming. The glass and steel structures house sixteen pavilions, in all, it's a complex of two million square feet. There were over one thousand five hundred exhibitors...so it made for a lot of walking and comfortable shoes.

www.cosmit.it www.fuksas.it Pin It

photograph courtesy Gaia & Gino

MILAN - FURNITURE FAIR

Fuori Salone - Gaia & Gino. Going from a Girl's best friend to a Man's best friend , and you know how partial I am to dogs... here is Guzel a re-fillable glass water bowl designed by Timotheos Leahy, one of eight students from the California College of the Arts chosen and directed by innovative designer, Yves Behar to design the new line of dog products in the Gino the Dog collection for Gaia and Gino.

www.gaiaandgino.com www.cca.edu http://www.fuseproject.com

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photograph courtesy Sawaya & Moroni
MILAN - FURNITURE FAIR

Fuori Salone - Sawaya & Moroni. In it's second year Sawaya & Moroni's BaRock and Roll collection presents the Girl's Best Friend line designed by William Sawaya. These pieces are as excessive as to be baroque, yet at a closer look they are more adornments. The coffee table has a stainless steel structure and the legs are ringed prisms made of faceted acrylic to look like diamonds. The title is, yes.....you got it....inspired and a homage to, Marilyn Monroe's famous song and the pieces, a high table, a lamp and a coat hanger are designed in the hope that we can, in this day and age, relearn how to desire and dream.

www.sawayamoroni.comwww.marilynmonroe.com

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MILAN - FURNITURE FAIR

Fuori Salone - Sawaya & Moroni. Paolo Moroni and William Sawaya are such old and good friends. Their dinners are unforgettable, not only for the food, a mixture of Italian and Lebanese, but also for the mix of interesting people and stimulating conversation. How I miss these evenings now that I don't live in Milan anymore. Standing behind the 2006 Maua Huni gigantic candleholders designed by Ingrid Gossner from the BaRock n' Roll Collection, Paolo, who runs the business and manufacturing and Wiliam who designs most of the furniture pose for me. The Candleholder was initially made by Sawaya& Moroni in 1992 as a limited edition in rough steel, today it is reproduced in five bright acrylic plastic colors and five sizes. It is their best seller, about 1700 pieces are sold per month. Bravissimi!

www.sawayamoroni.com

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MILAN - FURNITURE FAIR

Fuori Salone - Spazio Rossana Orlandi. Making their Milan debut, design duo Ines Kaag and Desiree Heiss of Bless are obsessed with electrical wires...or should I say, by changing the appearance of electrical wiring. As most of todays indispensable electronic products (such as computers, mobilephones, chargers, telephones, printers, stereos,TV's etc...) still have to be plugged in to provide the necessary electricity. The Bless Cable jewelry is designed to transform these undesired appendixes into desirable objects. From a large scale of different styles, reaching from crystal stones, pearls and bangle busters over wooden cubes and lace braids to fur and sand toppings, the client can bring his or hers own cable and order from the provided styles, the one that fits his or hers environment. Very stylish!

www.bless-service.de www.rossanaorlandi.com Pin It

MILAN - FURNITURE FAIR

Fuori Salone - Spazio Rossana Orlandi. Rossana Orlandi takes a break from her busy schedule and jots down little notes to herself. Her concept store is one of the most fascinating places in Milan. A mixture of old and new; fashion, design and furniture co-exist side by side, they have one common denominator, they are special, curious and sometimes slightly bizarre. She has an incredible eye and is a great talent scout. Here, she wears a coat that she designed herself and a "rope" necklace by Bless. She is sitting on Charles Kaisin's Newspaper Extendable Bench, a limited series of 50 pieces. Kaisin, is a graduate of The Royal College of Arts and a professor at the Saint Luc Institute in Brussels. The designer has an ecological approach to his designs and his concept is to reuse old newspapers in a very visual way that makes people aware and respectful of environmental issues.

www.rossanaorlandi.com www.charleskaisin.com www.bless-service.de www.rca.ac.uk

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MILAN - FURNITURE FAIR

Fuori Salone - Established & Sons. I first came across the new British furniture design manufacture, Established & Sons on a great TV program, which doesn't exist anymore, on CNN, it was called Design 360. And, as this seems to be a "Rule Britiannia" moment in time; The Anglomania exhibition, opens May 3th - September 4th at the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Today, is Her Majesty, Queen Elisabeth II's, 80th birthday and tomorrow her predecessor Queen Elisabeth I is portrayed by Helen Mirren in a two-part drama miniseries, on HBO called "Virgin Queen" in the U.S.A. Let's not get distracted and get back to design. Established & Sons was launched last year at the Milan Furniture Fair. They introduced a collection of products designed by Britain's best design talents, celebrating and encouraging the diverse talents the country has to offer. This year, in the expansive Pelota location, alongside ten new products and introducing two new designers, the premier collection (now in production), as well as, the company's Limited Edition designs were shown. Amanda Levete of Furture Systems's new Drift bench, shown above, is an impressive, exaggerated, elongated form, it has a fluid Language that is characteristic of the work of Future Systems's architects. They boast an impressive list of clients. Two versions are available of the bench, either the red high gloss reinforced plastic or a layered beech plywood Limited Edition of twelve.

http://www.establishedandsons.com http://www.future-systems.com/ http://www.metmuseum.org/ Pin It

photograph courtesy Alcantara
MILAN - FURNITURE FAIR

Fuori Salone - Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia. I was working all week on my photographic assignments and my first job was at the science museum of Milan at the exhibition Alcantara Style and Italian Car Design. The exhibition testifies the stimulating relationship between a unique material like Alcantara and the creativity of major Italian car designers. The show revisits five decades of Italian car design, illustrated by 15 concept cars created by the great masters of international car design: Bertone, Giugiaro and Pininfarina. It was a fascinating journey, where the evolution of culture, aesthetics and fashion merge with the most innovative car design of the past fifty years. Above, is the beautiful sports car Birdcage 75th designed by Pininfarina. The concept of the Birdcage 75th, is a homage to the spirit of the dream car era, it is based on the road racing chassis of the Maserati MC12. The sports car, seeks to create a functional and dynamic automotive sculpture and to capture the ultimate expression of speed, sensuality and elegance. The contrast struck between its organic fluidity and the severe tension of its mechanicals, creates a dynamism seldom realized.

www.alcantara.com www.pininfarina.it www.giugiarodesign.it http://www.bertone.it www.maserati.com

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photograph by Manfredi Bellati

MILAN - FURNITURE FAIR

Fuori Salone - Heavy Light. This impressive event called Heavy Light, organized by Interni magazine in occasion of Milan Design Week had ten luminous installations scattered all over the city. Interni, supported by some leading companies, such as, S.Pellegrino and designers, made use of the Gates of the city to create luminous installations that changed Milan into a city of light, both in the strict sense of the word and metaphorically. On stage, the historical gates of Milan, as an opening and an expansion symbol of the city towards its increasingly dynamic and propulsive suburbs. Shown above, under the gate of Porta Garibaldi, in Piazza XXV Aprile is Jacopo Foggini's Plastic Palace a "majestical" chandelier made of plastic gold links, it was sponsored by Motorola. This Chandelier made it debut during the recent Turin Winter Olympic Games as a stage set for Luciano Pavarotti when he sang his most famous aria Nessun Dorma......"e' allora vincerooooooooooo"!

www.jacopofoggini.it http://www.sanpellegrino.com www.motorola.com www.lucianopavarotti.com

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photograph by Manfredi Bellati
VENEZIA

Restoration of the clock tower in Piazza San Marco. Or, when New York meets Venice. The Empire State Building is the last in a series of images on the sheeting that covers the scaffolding to the watch tower during it's restoration. The idea was conceived by photographer, Oliviero Toscani as a homage to the great towers of the world. Other famous towers depicted on the clock tower were, London's Big Ben - Paris's Eiffel Tower and the leaning tower of Pisa. What a great idea.

www.torreorologio.it www.olivierotoscani.it

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MILANO

At the IO DONNA 10th Anniversary Party. Look who was having a cozy "heart to heart" chat sitting on the sofa. An unusual couple, Miuccia Prada and Donatella Versace. What were they talking about? Fashion, Children, Love........ Donatella was last spotted, with Trudy Styler at the Prada show.

www.io-donna.it

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MILANO

Easter Eggs. Lula is a new space in Milan entirely devoted to chocolate. Fashion trend setter, Antonio Ponte conceived this shop as a "living room" where people can just pass by or have cultural exchanges, in a cozy atmosphere, reminiscent of the old chocolate and confectioners shops. The store takes it's name from his bull terrier, Lula. The assortment of chocolates and flavors are varied and unusual as is the ad-hoc exclusive packagings, like textile boxes or colored chocolate trays, decorated with thin papers and silk or velvet ribbons. Milk or dark, with nuts, almonds or dried fruits, but also rose or vanilla, ginger or lavender, red pepper or wild fennel, green tea or orange, lemon or limoncello flavored, chocolates are the protagonist here. For Easter, Antonio has designed these beautiful Faberge inspired, hand decorated eggs. As well as, chocolate eggs wrapped in one of a kind, vintage designer silk scarves that hold a hand written poem by Nicoletta Pallini Clemente.

www.lulamilano.com Lula - Via Archimede/Via Fiamma 17 - tel: 0270006915

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MILANO

Why not add rose petals to your food? It was the first time that I saw edible flowers among the fruit and vegetables in Italy. In fact, these flowers arrive twice a week from Les Halles in Paris and are sold exclusively in a "jewel" of a greengrocer in the heart of Brera. Called, Il Fruttivendolo, the Galantino brothers, Teo, Enzo and Tonio have been selling for the past twenty-five years, in and out of season fruit and vegetables to the trendy, hip and rich of the neighborhood. The culinary use of flowers dates back thousands of years. And, rose petals are so pretty. Delight your guests with: rose petal pickled peaches - rose petal ice cream - rose petal pears - rose petal soup - champagne jelly with rose petals and grapes - rose petal cupcakes - garnish ice cubes with rose petals or just sprinkle rose petals into green salads for a splash of color. The possibilities are infinite, just google rose petals and have fun!

Il Fruttivendolo: Via Solferino 12 - tel: 02 6599730 -www.google.com

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PIXEL
is already looking out for my next blog............ Pin It

MILANO Pret-a-Porter
Autumn/Winter 2006/2007

TIME TO GO HOME
the next Milan Fashion shows are
September 23rd - October 1st, 2006 Pin It

GORIZIA

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAI. Ottavio Missoni 85th birthday last month, was celebrated with the exhibition Caleidoscopio Missoni, until June 4th, at Palazzo Attems-Petzenstein museum in Gorizia. Curated by Luca Missoni, the exhibition presents forty big patchwork tapestries designed by Tai together with knitwear, dresses, objects and decorating fabrics installed to give a sensorial kaleidoscopic effect.

www.provincia.gorizia.it www.missoni.com

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Autumn/Winter 2006/2007 - backstage at Missoni. Champagne flowed backstage to mark Angela's 10th "Birthday"! Since she took over from her parents, Angela Missoni has been designing the Missoni ladies line for ten years and 20 collections. Her greatest indulgence is to spend more time with her boyfriend, Bruno and not do anything. Her father, Tai would like to spend more time with his friends and her mother, Rosita would like to go into the woods and pick wild chicory.

www.missoni.com

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Autumn/Winter 2006/2007 - Missoni. This was one of the best Missoni shows. Angela Missoni's 20th Collection. A new egg-shaped silhouette was shown, as well as lots of mini and low waisted knee length dresses, capes and hooded cardigans in the famous striped Missoni knits. The leggings and high heels worn with everything, made the collection young, modern and bold. And, as Missoni is a family run business, there couldn't be a better "slot" to tell you about family and children related greatest indulgences; For Missoni's men's creative director, Luca Missoni - Diadoro's CEO, Enrico Mambelli - top manager, Giulia Ligresti - Donna Tania Ruffo di Calabria - I-D magazine editor in chief, Terry Jones - Canale 5's anchor woman, Cristina Parodi and socialite, Katherine Mondadori all would love to spend more time with their children and families. And, art critic, Mariuccia Casadio's greatest indulgence are her four "adopted" Tamagotchis!

www.missoni.com www.diadora.com www.i-dmagazine.com www.mediaset.it/canale5

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Autumn/Winter 2006/2007 - Missoni. Angela Missoni's daughters, Teresa and Margherita pose with Italian actress, Eliana Miglio before the Missoni show. Eliana's latest film "But, When Do The Girls Get Here?" directed by Pupi Avati came out last year. Eliana's greatest indulgence she says is "Love." Whilst, Margherita's greatest indulgence is "Boys." And, Teresa says she would like to spend more time with her family.

www.missoni.com Pin It

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Zelens Creams. Lunch at Katherine Mondadori's with Marko Lens. I was lucky that they were both in town as Katherine is usually in NYC these days and Marko practices between London and Milan. I was dying to hear more about the creams. So let's get serious and let me be the first to tell you about these new incredible creams. Zelens Day and Night creams were created by Harvard and Oxford educated plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Marko Lens. The creams arise from Dr. Len's extensive research in skin cancer and they owe their anti-ageing properties to the fullerene C60 molecule, a powerful antioxidant that won its creators a Nobel Prize for chemistry in 1996. They also contain twenty other naturally-occurring ingredients. Marko won't have much trouble promoting the creams because, A) they are fantastic and B) they have already been endorsed by such Hollywood stars as; Melanie Griffith, Ursula Andress and by socialite Katherine Mondadori. He also has an impressive list of patients, amongst whom are clients who send their jets for him. And, the icing on the cake, is the beautiful "Zen-like" jar and packaging, designed by talented and internationally renowned Anouska Hempel or Lady Weinberg, for the social columns. You can buy the creams online or in London at Selfridges and in Milan prior to the Italian launch at Milano Make-Up. Health related greatest indulgences are: Nilufar's, Vazanine Yashar loves to indulge in beauty creams - socialite, Marchese Marta Brivio Sforza and New York Times, Stefano Tonchi both would like to spend more time at the gym - Pitti Immagine's CEO, Raffaello Napoleone's greatest indulgence is sailing - stylish, fashion and home retailer, Rosanna Orlandi and design consultant, Chiara Dal Canto Brandolini would both love to indulge in a Spa, but Chiara would also love to take with her Oscar winning actor, George Clooney!
www.zelens.com www.selfridges.com Milano Make-Up - Via Santa Margherita www.nilufar.com www.nytimes.com www.pittimmagine.com Rosanna Orlandi Via Matteo Bandello 14-16 www.georgeclooney.org

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Autumn/Winter 2006/2007 - Gianfranco Ferre. I asked Gianfranco Ferre to describe his collection in a nutshell and he told me " Severe, Regal and Modern." It was all of those and more it was luxurious, glamorous and very red carpet. It spelled "Hollywood". At the academy Awards this year, the Italian director, Cristina Comencini wore Ferre, she was a candidate in the Best Foreign Language Film category with her film 'Don't Tell'.

www.gianfrancoferre.com www.oscars.org www.labestianelcuore.it

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Autumn/Winter 2006/2007 - backstage at Ferre. The Italian royals. His Royal Highness Prince Serge of Yugoslavia is flanked by his wife, Princess Eleonoire on his right and by Princess Helene, his twin sister on his left. They are being interviewed by anchor woman, Illaria Grillini for Rai, Italian state television. Prince Serge runs a public relations and consulting firm, as well as a charitable foundation to aid the poor in Turin. He also served as local ambassador for the Torino Olympic Winter Games. Prince Serge and Princess Eleonoire's greatest indulgence would be to spend a quite weekend, with no social engagements watching a dvd. Whereas, Princess Helene's greatest indulgence would be to take a trip with her enfant.

www.gianfrancoferre.com www.lavitaindiretta.rai.it www.torino2006.org

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Autumn/Winter 2006/2007 - backstage at Ferre. After the Gianfranco Ferre show, french actress, Roxane Mesquida hangs out backstage wearing a very sexy dress by the designer. Her latest film, Sheitan by Kim Chaprion has just been released. In the horror movie she plays a foxy young temptress and co-stars with Vincent Cassel. Her greatest indulgences are the parts she chooses to play, because they are always tragic parts, the "Opposite to what I am in real life."she tells me.
www.gianfrancofere.com www.lesheitan.com www.roxane-mesquida.com

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Autumn/Winter 2006/2007 - Gianfranco Ferre. Milva, also known as La Rossa (the red), is definitely the only Italian singer who was able to entirely express her talents in music, theatre and comedy. She is being interview by ex rock star and now Tv Moda's presenter Jo Squillo while Ornella Vanoni listens in. They are sitting in the front row waiting for the Gianfranco Ferre fashion show to begin. Milva's, like Vanoni's and Paoli's greatest indulgence is sleep. While, Jo's is reading.

www.gianfrancoferre.com www.milvalarossa.it www.tvmoda.it

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Autumn/Winter 2006/2007 - Gianfranco Ferre. Italian actress Anna Falchi is so beautiful in real life that when she was being photographed before the Gianfranco Ferre fashion show, someone cried out "She is our Brigit Bardot". Like Prada's Patrizio Bertelli her greatest indulgence is work.

www.gianfrancoferre.com www.annafalchi.net www.prada.com Pin It

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Autumn/Winter 2006/2007 - Gianfranco Ferre. Italian pop "nobility", Sapore di Sale's Gino Paoli and Senza Fine's Ornella Vanoni sit side by side, in the front row of the Gianfranco ferre fashion show. They have often been a twosome on and off stage. Their latest cd and dvd together "Vanoni Paoli Live" sold 80,000 copies. It was issued last September to co-inside with their 70th birthdays. They also have the same greatest indulgence which is "Sleep", could it because they are both night people and therefore treasure sleep more?

www.gianfrancoferre.com www.ornellavanoni.it www.ginopaoli.it Pin It

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Autumn/Winter 2006/2007 - backstage at Ferre. In between shows Gianfranco Ferre sits backstage grinning like a "Cheshire cat", because he already knows that his collection is a success. While, his staff, well trained by Rita Airaghi, are taking care of every last detail for the star studded second show.

www.gianfrancoferre.com

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Autumn/Winter 2006/2007 - backstage at Ferre. Here is the most sought after top models of the moment. Lily Cole, the flame-haired Londoner, has been touted as the new Kate Moss. She is featured regularly in the top international fashion magazines as well as ad campaigns. In 2004 the British Fashion Awards named her 'Model of the Year'. Lily has been cast to star in Phantasmagoria, an adaptation of Alice In Wonderland which will be directed by shock rocker Marilyn Manson. Lily would like to study Politics at University, and backstage at the Gianfranco Ferre show she was reading "Political Ideologies". For the "foggy eye" make up Gianfranco Ferre was inspired by the gothic post punk group Siouxsie And The Banshees.

www.gianfrancoferre.com www.stormmodels.com www.vamp.org/Siouxsie www.marilynmanson.com Pin It

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Autumn/Winter 2006/2007 - backstage at Ferre. I have know make-up artist, Vicky Ceschi a Santa Croce since she was a little girl. So, it's always fun to bump into her at the shows and chat in English, she was brought up bi-lingual. She now lives in Tuscany where she owns and runs, with her man, Pietro, a luxury bed and breakfast in an ancient convent, which dates back to the XVII century, called La Cappella. Backstage a the Gianfranco Ferre show she is retouching top model, Andrea Nemcova's make-up. Vicky's greatest indulgence is make-up " I go to New York especially to stock up on make-up. I love Nars and Laura Mercier. I also love to go to all the little boutiques downtown where transvestites buy their make-up. It's a great inspiration point for me."

www.gianfrancoferre.com www.lacappellalucca.it http://www.nextmodels.com http://www.lauramercier.com www.narscosmetics.com

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Autumn/Winter 2006/2007 - backstage at Ferre. In between shows at Gianfranco Ferre, models, Katia Kokoreva and Anna Carolina grab a nap. Other V.I.P's whose greatest indulgence is sleeping are; Armani's social P.R., Contessa Giovanna Borletti - Jewelry designer, Carla Maria Orsi Carboni - International Herald Tribune's, Suzy Menkes - Italian Vogue's editor in chief, Franca Sozzani - Italian singers, Gino Paoli, Ornella Vanoni and Milva - Russian show girl, Natasha Stefanenko - French photographer, Thribaut de Saint Chamas - Gianfranco Ferre's right hand, Liborio Capizzi.

www.gianfrancoferre.com www.giorgioarmani.com www.iht.com www.ginopaoli.it www.ornellavanoni.it www.milvalarossa.it www.condenast.com www.natashastefanenko.it www.supermodels.nl/katiakokoreva

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What a great way to collect old newspapers! My hostess in Milan, Chiara Brandolini loves baskets. Because, they express the unlimited possibilities in the workmanship of natural materials. They are also objects that have always existed and can be precious and rich like antique Japanese baskets, or they can be simple and full of poetry like the ones used by farmers. They are also useful, decorative and human. Chiara loves the open weave ones best because they express lightness. But, in general it's an instinctive feeling whether she like one more than another one. V.I.P's whose greatest indulgence is to find the time to read are; Emilio Pucci's CEO, Catherine Vautrin - Socialite, Wanda Galtrucco - American Vogue's editor at Large, Andre Leon Talley - ex Italian rock star and now TV Moda's presenter, Jo Squillo and beautiful black model Alek Wek.

www.alekwek.cjb.net www.emiliopucci.com www.condenast.com www.tvmoda.it

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At Galleria Carla Sozzani. 255-0+Tea is an interactive art installation by the American-based artist Weihong at the Galleria Carla Sozzani, curated by Daniela Morera until March 26th. The title is based on the computer digital designations in RGB: "255" is 100% pure white, "0" is 100% pure black. For this project, the artist created a black and white space in the Galleria Carla Sozzani: a table in half black and half white, a black chair and a white chair; black and white tea cups; a tea-pot half black and half white. Guests are invited to have a cup of High Mountain Taiwan Tea, served by Weihong, tea drinkers discover the black tea cups engraved with "255", white tea cups with "0," and the teapot on both side with "255/0." these mimics the T'ai-Chi symbols of Yin (black) and Yang (white). The underpinning of the exhibition is the interactive communication between the artist and the tea guests, which leads into the I-Ching notion of "Change". After the tea ceremony Weihong photographs her guests and then installs these photos on an animated Internet web site. On the walls of the gallery are photographs from previous interactive art installation; Houston, New York and Dali, China. The Milan photos will feature in her next exhibition as well as on her web site. It was fascinating to participate and such an interesting project.

www.weihong.org www.galleriacarlasozzani.org http://www.weihong.org/milan_teaguests.html

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Autumn/Winter 2006/2007 - backstage at Prada. Trudie Styler arrived at the Prada show with her friend, Donatella Versace. After the show, Trudie went backstage to congratulate Miuccia Prada on her beautiful collection. Trudie was in Milan for the premiere of her sixteen minute film Wait, commissioned by Glamour magazine, for which her husband Sting wrote the theme song " What Are You Doing For The Rest of Your Life?", as a gift for his wife. The song won a Grammy Award for best instrumental arrangement. Trudie was wearing Vintage Azzedine Alaia, Louboutin shoes and a Prada bag. Her greatest indulgence, she says is "Sex". Whilst, Miuccia Prada say she has NO indulgences as do English Vogue's editor in chief, Alexandra Shulman and artist Francesco Vezzoli, whose star studded porn trailer for a fictional remake of Gore Vidal's Caligula was just shown at the Whitney Biennial 2006 in New York after it's premiere debut at the Venice Biennale last year (see Contessnally, archive June 2005). V.I.P's who said they Knew every indulgences are art critic, Germano Celant and artist and gallery owner, Ottavio Fabbri who says "I know them all, it would be blissful to find one that I didn't know about!"

www.prada.com www.christianlouboutin.fr www.vogue.co.uk www.whitney.org www.grammy.com

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MILANO Pret-a-Porter

Autumn/Winter 2006/2007 - Prada. This was one of the most beautiful Prada collections. I LOVED IT! Miuccia has done it again. The collection is unconformist, it's a refusal against "Politically Correctness", of which she is fed up. On the mood of the collection, Miuccia Prada told Jim Shi of The Fashion Week Daily, it's “Strong, ready to go out in the world, it has a savage energy. The savage side of women is very necessary."

www.prada.com www.fashionweekdaily.com

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MILANO Pret-a-Porter

What can I say I'm partial to dogs and can't resist a stylish one like this one. Here is Jackie a beautiful Jack Russell Terrier. She is wearing a "diamond" collar from Bau per Miao and lots of charms or "tricks" as Prada likes to call her key rings. You can just see the "horn" against evil eye which comes in many materials and sizes from one of the fascinating shops of Milan, L'Oro dei Farlocchi. And, please note her gold mini soccer ball from Nike. Jackie's greatest indulgence is going for long walks in New York's Central Park. Other pet lovers are Interview's editor in chief, Ingrid Sischy and her cat Cassidy and American Marie Claire's editor in chief, Carolyn Cerf Dudzeele and her Jack Russell Terrier called "Jack Russell".

www.baupermiao.it www.prada.com www.lorodeifarlocchi.com www.nike.com www.interviewmagazine.com www.groupemarieclaire.com

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MILANO Pret-a-Porter

Autumn/Winter 2006/2007 - Pollini by Rifat Ozbek. Rifat Ozbek takes the curtain call after his beautiful collection for Pollini. Rifat's greatest indulgence is "My house in the south of Turkey." Other V.I.P's whose greatest indulgences is travel are: Publisher, Inge Feltrinelli - jewelry designer, Angela Pintaldi - Wallpaper's Milan editor, Nik Vinson - stylish journalist, Daniela Morera " I love taking fabulous trips to unknown places." - Driade's graphic Designer, Adelaide Astori Acerbi - Camera della Moda's, Mario Boselli loves " The mountains." - Princess Helene de Yugoslavie - socialite, Evelina Shapira - top model Lily Cole "Loves travel and fruit." - architect and fashion designer, Gianfranco Ferre "To travel in a private plane." - Style setter, Susanne Thun Hohenstein " A P.A., a pilot and a driver." Whereas, journalist and artist, Michael Roberts thinks "It's an indulgence to sit in Milan traffic."

www.pollini.com www.wallpaper.com www.driade.com www.cameramoda.it www.gianfrancoferre.com www.matteothun.com

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MILANO Pret-a-Porter

Autumn/Winter 2006/2007 - Pollini by Rifat Ozbek. This sixties inspired collection by Rifat Ozbek for Pollini is fabulous and wearable and certainly will be snapped up as soon as it reaches the stores. I want the set; matching A line dresses, coats, shoes, boots and bags in geometric prints and rich brocades.

www.pollini.com

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MILANO Pret-a-Porter

Autumn/Winter 2006/2007 - Pollini by Rifat Ozbek. Large than life, American Vogue's, editor at large, Andre Leon Talley, better known as ALT sits in the front row at the Pollini fashion show designed by Rifat Ozbek. Andre's greatest indulgence is reading and I so enjoyed reading his two books, called....can you guess? ALT and ALT 365.

www.pollini.com www.condenast.com

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MILANO Pret-a-Porter

Summer 2006 - Stuart Weitzman. These are more my style, Swaroski studded jelly flops by Stuart Weitzman as seen in the window of one of my favorite Milanese Boutiques, Marisa. Called Diamond Lil (Acqua Jelly) they are the "must haves" for the beach this year. The celebrity shoe designer will also be designing a special Oscar shoe this year. Princess Yasmin Aga Khan said, "I am thrilled that Stuart Weitzman is designing a pair of shoes inspired by my mother, Rita Hayworth, by incorporating some of her favorite jewelry. Funds raised through auctioning the shoes will help the Alzheimer’s Association, an organization I have been dedicated to since its inception, to fight this horrible disease that afflicted my mother."

Marisa- Via Sant'Andrea 10/A - tel +3902 76000905 www.stuartweitzman.com www.alz.org

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MILANO Pret-a-Porter

Autumn/Winter 2006/2007 - Rene Caovilla. Fur, fur, fur is everywhere, in every collection, so it's not surprising to see it on these glamorous Rene Caovilla evening sandals mixed with colorful gems. Caovilla is Italy's answer to Manolo Blahnik and Jimmy Choo. Caovilla brings refined 1950's elegance and luxury to his shoes. In his Autumn-Winter collection he unites Swaroski cystals, pearls, embroideries, velvet, cashmere and mink entwined together for the woman who needs luxury and elegance and is not prepared to give up her fantasies!

www.renecaovilla.com

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MILANO Pret-a-Porter

Autumn/Winter 2006/2007 - Alberto Biani. The Sozzani sisters need no introduction. Italian Vogue's, Franca Sozzani's greatest indulgence is "To sleep." And, Corso Como 10, Carla Sozzani's greatest indulgence is "To sing." Both sisters are devoted admirers of Alberto Biani. In fact, Franca was already wearing one of the new trouser prints from next season.

www.10corsocomo.com

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