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

WHAT:   T: The New York Times Style Magazine party.
WHERE: In the garden of The Bulgari Hotel.
WHY:      To celebrate it’s Fifth Anniversary.
WHEN:   During Fashion Week.

WHO:      Janet L. Robinson, president and CEO of The New York Times Company, Stefano Tonchi, editor of T Magazine hosted the party along with Francesco Vezzoli, the contemporary artist.

The Playing Cards. For the party, a large-scale landscape was created featuring giant houses made out of playing cards.  Each house illustrated one of the five T covers that were designed by, Frank Gehry, Jenny Holzer, Jeff Koons, Doug and Mike Starn and Francesco Vezzoli.

WHO: Host, T Magazine’s editor, Stefano Tonchi and Gucci’s Frida Giannini. “ We are delighted to be celebrating in Milan all of T’s success and influence in the world of fashion, art, design and travel, “ said Stefano.  “We commemorate five years of great contributions to style and offer our many thanks to the celebrities, advertisers, writers and photographers who have made T, it’s website and T International so successful worldwide.”

WHO: Host artist, Francesco Vezzoli and Italian Vogue’s Franca Sozzani.

WHO:  Propaganda and product placement entertainment manager, Marina Marzotto.

WHO: Emilio Pucci’s daughter, Laudomia.

WHO: Art dealers, Gio Marconi and Francesca Kaufmann.

WHO: Vanity Fair’s fashion and style director, Michael Roberts and Italian G.Q.’s editor, Michele Lupi.

WHO:  Designer, Aldo Cibic.

WHO:  Gucci PR, Camilla Orlandi arrives with Gucci’s world wide PR director, Giulia Masla.

WHO: Designer and editor of Domus magazine, Flavio Albanese.

WHO: Art dealer, Antonia Jannone and director/writer, Mara Chiaretti.

WHO:  Florentine fashion designer, Chiara Boni.

WHO: Designer, Gianbattista Vialli and Margherita Missoni.
WANT: Those pearls, which belonged to a Maharaja.

WHO: VPL’s, Victoria Bartlett and English designer, Neil Barret.

 

WHO: International PR, Karla Otto.  Karla has just added another office, in L.A. to her group making them five in all.

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

WHAT:     Massimo Alba first flagship boutique.
WHERE:   Via Brera 8.
WHEN:      September 9th. 
WHO:        Trend setting creative director, Massimo Alba has a long history in the clothing business; he created the Malo and Piombo clothing labels and re-launched the cashmere company Ballantyne.

A detail.  A corner of the boutique. The store has been decorated with furniture and objects from Alba’s home and studio, things he is fond of.

A detail. An oxford cloth shirt is dyed with an eco-friendly method, using very little water. Each item comes in a range of different shades, which testify its uniqueness and originality.  The “signature” corduroy trousers have a baggy and easy fit.

The walls.  The walls in the men’s section are papered with pages from the book, The Natural History of Plants, published in the nineteenth century, because “I wanted to create a Colonial feeling.” Alba explains.  The dressing rooms are papered with pages from a book depicting mammals and birds.  A sheet on one wall even boasts a lucky, dried four-leaf clover.

The Muse.  Alba is inspired by the artwork of Alex Kratz.  His ideal woman wears a silk twill printed shirt, a cashmere sweater, baggy corduroy trousers and motorcycle boots.

WHO:   Natural Chic is Massimo Alba’s motto, the researched and refined fabrics in the collections are exclusive, they have been designed to convey lightness, softness and character to the knitwear, jackets and coats.  His sophisticated collections can also be found at Barneys, New York.

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

WHAT:    Fiat Cinquecento fiberglass flowerpots, called, Create a Tree, contain different types of trees.
WHERE:  Along Via Montenapoleone.
WHEN:     During Milan Pret-a-porter.
WHO:        A co-operative initiative between the city of Milan, Fiat and designer, Fabio Novembre.

A detail.  The fiberglass Fiats "parked" along one side of the Via Montenapoleone looked realistic and stopped the traffic.

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

WHAT:     New Van Cleef & Arpels Boutique.
WHERE:  Via Pietro Verri 10.
WHEN:    22 September.
WHY:       First Italian boutique in Italy.
WHO:       Sponsored by Vogue Gioiello.

WHO:  Conde Nast International chairman, Jonathan Newhouse and soprani, Madelyne Monti. Mr. Newhouses is a reader of Contessanally.

WHAT:  Midnight in Paris watch, pink gold case with officer back, rotative (365 days) aventurine dial, sapphire back with calendar and meteorite, black strap, pink gold pin buckle, mechanical movement with poetic complication. 

WANT: Out of all the jewelry in very big and precious stones, this was my favorite piece.

WHERE: Outside on the upstairs landing candles placed in a row created a strong effect.

A detail.  Box them in!

WHO: Conde Nast’s Alessia Glaviano.

WHO: Glamorous “ladies who lunch”, Suzy Gandini and Cicci Locatelli admire the diamond jewels in the case.

WHO:  Creating a “stir” with the paparazzi, Gabbriella Dompe and Laura La Russo had fun.

WHAT: Fresh fruit for the weight conscious clientele looked so pretty cut into small cubes and presented on a black tray.

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

WHAT:   New M Missoni Boutique.
WHERE: Corso Venezia 2.
WHY:      New Italian flagship boutique featuring the M line of less expensive wear for men and    women.   
WHO:      Margherita Missoni and Martina Mondadori.

A detail.  Tiny sweet bites made out of black pastry. The pastry was died black with some food coloring.

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

WHAT:     Bottega Veneta windows.

WHERE:  Via Montenapoleone 3.

WHY:        I liked the idea of the windows full of birdcages. They looked so elegant.

A detail. Of the smart idea of putting something precious into a cage, so that it doesn’t “fly” away.  The classic interwoven silk clutch bag is caged in.  Basket weaving either in silk or in leather is the “trademark” of the luxury goods manufacturer.

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VENICE: Film Festival - A SINGLE MAN the movie

LIDO: Venice Film Festival – A Single Man, the movie.  Set in Los Angeles in 1962, at the height of the missile crisis following US invasion of Cuba, Tom Ford’s directorial debut, A Single Man, is the story of George Falconer, a 52-year old British college professor, played by Colin Firth, who is struggling to find meaning to his life after the death of his long time partner, Jim. George dwells on the past and cannot see his future as we follow him through a single day, where a series of events and encounters, ultimately leads him to decide if there is a meaning to life after Jim. George is consoled by his closest friend Charley, played by Julianne Moore, a 48-year old beauty who is wrestling with her own questions about the future. A young student of George’s, Kenny, who is coming to terms with his true nature, stalks his professor as he feels in him a kindred spirit.

In the photo: Colin Firth who won the Coppa Volpi for best actor, Tom Ford and Julianne Moore.

Seen at the premiere of A Single Man.  Fashion journalist, Richard Buckley, who also has a tiny part in the movie.

Seen at the premiere of A Single Man.  The president of Lombardy, Roberto Formigoni chats with the acting ambassador of the Film Festival actress, Maria Grazia Cucinotta.

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VENICE: Film Festival - The Excelsior Hotel

LIDO: The terrace of the Excelsior Hotel.  The first edition of the International Venice Film Festival in 1932 was held on the terrace of the Hotel Excelsior at Lido of Venice, but it was not yet regarded as a competitive event. Today, at the 66th edition of the Film Festival, on the terrace of The Excelsior, special events were hosted for meetings with producers, artists, and for one-to-one interviews with directors and actors with the media.

LIDO: The terrace of the Excelsior Hotel – The food.  I had a Club Sandwich on the terrace of The Excelsior between movies and also people watched.  Unfortunately, in Italy Club Sandwiches are very hard to come by and when you can find them on a menu, they usually are not very good. This one I rated 5.5.

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VENICE: George Clooney at the Film Festival

 

 Photograph by Manfredi Bellati

The Cipriani Hotel.  Seen leaving  The Cipriani Hotel in a taxi for the premier of his latest film, The Men Who Stare at Goats, directed by Grant Heslov, George Clooney and his latest girlfriend, Elisabetta Canalis.

Contessanally tip: click on image to enlarge it.

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LA GIUDECCA: BAUER PALLADIO HOTEL & SPA

 

 LA GIUDECCA: Bauer Palladio Hotel and Spa.  Venice's newest all natural wellness spa and boutique hotel, The Bauer Palladio Hotel & Spa on Giudecca Island, continues the philosophical traditions of its past by redefining the ideals of grace, beauty and character. The original property, one of Andrea Palladio's famous Renaissance designs, was a sanctuary for unmarried women of virtue and style and represents a piece of Venetian history. Under the personal care of chairlady & CEO, Francesca Bortolotto Possati, the hotel has been carefully restored and updated to become a relaxing sojourn and spa without losing sight of its original identity. 

A detail: The grandiose space of the Great Hall has been transformed to a warm, welcoming respite to melt away the day. I love the bouquet of gigantic hydrangeas.

Bauer Palladio Hotel and Spa – the garden.  In Venice it is very special to have a garden.  In the garden patio cafe guests, in the summertime, can enjoy their meals, al fresco.

 

Bauer Palladio Hotel and Spa – the view. The SPA is a unique treatment space, with eight treatment rooms and a relaxation lounge framing the most exceptional view of the Lagoon and the shores of Venice... almost as if one is inside a perfect postcard.  Before you, the Salute Church, Punta della Dogana and Saint Mark’s Square.

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VENICE FILM FESTIVAL: Hotel Courbet the movie

LIDO: Venice Film Festival – Hotel Courbet, the movie.  Shown in These Phantoms 2 section, provocateur Italian filmmaker, Tinto Brass presented three short films. Hotel Courbet tells the story of a woman who lets herself go so she can assuage her erotic affliction. The provocative intimacy, violated unseen, is worth more for the burglar than any of the things he has stolen...  The woman is played by Caterina Varzi and the burglar by Alberto Petrolini, both in the photo with the director, who is especially noted for his work in the erotic genre.

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VENICE FILM FESTIVAL: Il Piccolo, the movie.

LIDO: Venice Film Festival. Il Piccolo, the movie. The director of the movie, Il Piccolo (The Little “Theatre”), Maurizio Zaccaro.  “What can we do as theatre people? To the mortification of not being able to oppose any kind of futile gesture in such moments, faced with such painful impotence in the theatre, or in art in general faced with such violence and madness, the artist can only force himself to continue doing his work as best he can.” Those thoughts, written by Giorgio Strehler on the occasion of the slaughter of Piazza Fontana.  They are the main idea behind the film on the Piccolo Teatro in Milan, whose story is integrated with the events of the city itself. Everything began with the renovation of the theatre in Via Rovello. A multi-ethnical building site. A Tarkovsky-style setting. In the old auditorium ghosts were flying. And what if it were a Gothic tale?

Venice Film Festival. Il Piccolo, the movie.  Extraordinary guest of honor,  gracious actress, Valentina Cortese, who also has a cameo role in the movie, received a standing ovation.

Venice Film Festival. Il Piccolo, the movie.  Actor and director,  Toni Servillo was also present at the screening.

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VENICE: Film Festival - Jaeger-LeCoultre Dinner Party

The Place: Granaries of the Cipriani Hotel - Jaeger-LeCoultre Black Tie dinner.  During the Venice Film Festival, Jaeger-LeCoultre gave a dinner party at the granaries of the Cipriani Hotel on the Giudecca.  White sofas  and orchids were placed on the riva overlooking Saint Mark’s Square and the Ducal Palace for guests to sit and admire the view as champagne was served. The famous watchmaker invited actors, stars, ambassadors and friends of the brand to help celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Calibre 101, the smallest mechanical movement for a ladies watch and to attend the unveiling of the Hybris Mechanica 55 set, the horological masterpiece trilogy with a total of 55 complications. 



Glamorous ladies.    Catherine Deneuve chats with Sarah, Duchess of York.

Another glamorous star.  Chinese actress, Huang Lu was in Venice with her film Ahasin Wetei (Between Two Worlds), Directed and written by Vimukthi Jayasundara.

VIP Guests.  Professional polo player, Eduardo Novillo Astrada, Astrid Munoz, actor, Joaquim de Almeida and his lady friend.

The Film Star.  Italian actor, Riccardo Scamarcio was promoting his film Il Grande Sogno (The Big dream) directed by Michele Placido.   His co-star, actress Jasmine Trinca won the Golden Lion Award for Best New Actress.

The Venetians.   A few glamorous Venetian where among the guests. Marie Brandolini d’Adda, Filippo Gaggia and Servanc giol.

The Place.    In the rustic setting of the granaries of the Cipriani Hotel on the Giudecca, the Jaeger-LeCoultre dinner was held.  Two long tables with candles running down the center and three large chandeliers created a magical atmosphere.

At the table, actress, Giovanna Mezzogiorno who was in Venice to promote the film she narrated and co-produced called, Negli Occhi (In the Eyes) directed by, Daniele Anzellotti and Francesco Del Grosso.

A Detail. A detail of the table setting.  

Note: how effective a line of candles, of different heights, are running down the center of the table.

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