NEW YORK CITY - October

Thursday - New York Personalities #1 - Ron Suhanosky - Recipe testing. I was very privileged and honored to be invited for a working lunch to my cookbook author friend, Susan Simon's apartment while she was testing recipes with much lauded chef, Ron Suhanosky. Ron and his wife Colleen have two restaurants, one in Nantucket and one in New York, they are both called Sfoglia. The Suhanoskys love Italy and Italian cooking. Their first cookbook, tentatively called Sfoglia Pasta is being written with Susan Simon and will be published in the Fall of 2009 by John Wiley. The cookbook will have one hundred and fifty recipes of pasta, polenta and risotto dishes.

The finished dish. The Fusilli, Guanciale, Carrot, Vin Santo, Cream pasta is ready to be eaten. This is what the New York Times food critic, Frank Bruni has to say about the recipe ”A dish of pasta this fantastic, its sauce of cream and Vin Santo applied with restraint and leavened cunningly by shredded carrots convince a person that whatever path led him to it should be embraced more often.” I totally agree, it was delicious and I can’t wait for the book to come out so that I can make it myself.

The ingredients. The ingredients are very carefully weighted up, so that the recipes are precise and easy to follow. Pin It

NEW YORK CITY - October

Thursday - New York Characters # 1- Versace Liberace. His working name is Versace-Liberace and his real name is Wendell E. Headly. Mr. Verace-Liberace has his office in Union Square. The fashion designer, loves to wear a crown because “To make me and other people feel good.” His inflated scarf/collar was inspired by astronauts and Eskimo-wear, the pre-Fall item was designed “To keep me warm.” He told me.

Pin It

NEW YORK CITY - October

Wednesday. This is about all I saw of Manhattan on my way in from the airport, I was making phone calls in the cab and missed the first breathtaking impact with New York City; the skyline. I hope you are all looking forward to the New York blog, just as I am happy to be here?

Wednesday. Landing at JFK – New York Airport. Does anybody know where we are below, just before JKF? I have no idea.

Answer: Andrea Cairone identified the photo above; it’s the marsh land close to Lawrence and Woodsburgh just before JFK Airport. Andrea has won a weekend for two in our farmhouse in Prosecco country, a dinner party in his honor, a visit to Andrea Palladio’s masterpiece, Villa Barbara in Maser and all the Prosecco Ombra he can drink during the weekend. We look forward to your visit.

Contessanally tip: click on the photos to view a bigger image.

Wednesday. Take off from Marco Polo – Venice Airport. You can see the Islands of Venice in the center, the Giudecca on the left and the Island of Murano on the right.

Pin It

MILAN - RTW S/S 2008

Marni. The Marni collection was wonderful; I really loved the bold silhouettes and the linear structure. The straight cut dresses and tunics were softly gathered at the waist. The cast resin applications created neckline details. The spectacularly full and voluminous skirts had restrained pleats. The long jackets closed in front, zipped at the back, looked elegant with the long and tapered pants. The collection was both romantic and structured and above all, very wearable.

Marni – The Designer. Marni's designer, Consuelo Castiglioni was very happy, backstage after her modern, strong, structured and colorful collection.

Seen at the Marni Show. Milanese jewelry designer and artist, Giorgio Vigna talks with Murano glass collector, Nancy Olnick. Nancy and her husband Giorgio Spanu have one of the most impressive and valuable Murano glass collections. The collection has been exhibited in Museums around the world.

Seen at the Marni Show. Two of the most important fashion retailers in the world, sit side by side in the front row at the Marni show. Joyce Ma, who has boutiques in Hong Kong and Paris and Terry Schaefer, Executive vice President of Saks Fifth Avenue. Joyce said about the Marni collection “It’s absolutely glorious.”

Seen at the Marni Show. Birthday boy, Matteo Marzotto whose Birthday treat was lunch later on with American Vogue’s Anna Wintour.

Pin It

MILAN - RTW S/S 2008

Prada – The Space. The Prada loft space was transformed into three circles. The Video screens showed colored patterns, like action paintings, as the models walked the figure of eight runways. Art meets fashion. The slim silhouette, were most unusual and interesting in the collection. I also loved the use of lots and lots of slim pants with very long and slim cardigan like tops for daytime and the gold pieces mixed with double cotton tank tops for evening. All the new retro-ish inspired patterns from plaids, to checks, to flower prints were unexpected and fresh in the Prada Spring Summer collection.

Prada. I loved the gold gathered skirt with the cotton tank top, the patterned tights and funky shoes for the evening.

Prada – The Make-Up. The make-up was very bold on the eyes, smudgy , funky and wild.

Prada - Backstage. The line to go backstage to say hello to Miuccia Prada after the Prada show is always very long and you can easily wait in line for even twenty minutes. It was a surprise; therefore, that Andre Leon Talley came twice. Pictured above with Miuccia and with Michael Roberts, Andre kept saying “I love this and I loved that, I loved……….”

Pin It

MILAN - RTW S/S 2008

La Rotonda della Besana: Moncler – The designer. Alessandra Facchinetti designed the beautiful quilted Jackets for Moncler. The clothing recalls reinterpreted sports and work uniforms with surprising volumes and breadths. The forms are reminiscent of structures from days gone by. They also bring to mind the slim-line touch of contemporary design where the tuxedo is lengthened and blurred and the bodice evokes a parachute harness. Alessandra is the hot designer of the moment, she will be designing the Valentino collections when the Maestro retires next year.

La Rotonda della Besana: Moncler - The Installation. The magical installation where dressmakers mannequins rotate and are reflected in a box of mirrors, stand on tubes which seems to allude to the construction of an old Meccano set, yet, also remind us of an old fashioned musical box.

La Rotonda della Besana: Moncler - The Installation Designer. Italian Vogue’s art director, artist and photographer, Luca Stoppini designed the Moncler magical installation at La Rotonda della Besana. “I get bored if I’m not always doing something. I work well with Alessandra.” Luca commented.

Pin It

MILAN - RTW S/S 2008

Backstage at the Missoni Show. Angela Missoni is personally cutting orchids to place in the models hair.

The Missoni Family – the Kids and the Fathers. Angela Missoni’s children Margherita, Francesco and Teresa pose with their step-father, Bruno Ragazzi and their father, Marco Maccapani.

The Missoni Family - the Mother. Rosita Missoni chats with Marpessa. Marpesa’s first modelling show in 1985 was for Missoni, she was so scared that Pat Cleveland had to pull her onto the runway. She is a full time Mom now.

The Missoni Family - the Father. Tai Missoni occupies his time backstage doing Sudoku.

The Friend. Italian Vogue’s art critic and friend of Angela Missoni, Mariuccia Casadio arrives backstage with a funky Japanese ashtray for Angela and proudly hugs her bambini, the Tamagotchis in their bright new coats.

Detail. Mariuccia shows off the coats she has just bought for her Tamagotchis. She always carries six around with her; the other ten take turns to stay at home.

The New Celebrity Dresser. New York based, Edward O’Sullivan was named head of worldwide celebrity dressing three months ago. This was his first Missoni show.

Detail. Edward’s bracelets evoke fond memories of times, places and celebrity friends. His T-shirt is from Urban Outfitters “I‘ve always liked snakes, because I’m afraid of them.” He comments. His cardigan is naturally by Missoni.

The Runway. Backstage there is a monitor so that you can see what is going on out front.

Ready to Go. The beautiful model is ready to walk down the runway in a knit dress for summer 2008.

The Clothes Rack. Each model has a dresser and a rack with the clothes and accessories she’ll wear out onto the runway.

Don’t Slip! Shoes are being sandpapered so that the models won’t slip and fall over on the runway.

The Make-up and the Models. While the nineteen year old model from the U.S.A., Rachel Clark looks on, Italian super model, Bianca Balti is having the finishing touches to her make-up. She is calm knowing that her baby girl Matilde is being well looked after by her nanny, just a few paces away.

The Baby. Both Matilde’s parents were working backstage. Her mother, Bianca Balti was modeling and her father, Christian was taking photographs. At three months old is she already getting a taste for the runway?

The Make-up Artist. British celebrity make-up artist, Charlotte Tilbury designed the Missoni make-up using Mac products.

The Make-up. The make-up was inspired by Rock and Roll 1970s, concentrating on the eyes with messed up and funky eyeliner.

Detail. This lush palette of “loose” lipstick reminds me of sorbet.

Seen at Missoni. Sitting in the front row at the Missoni show, Anna Wintour and Andre Leon Talley.

Detail. On each seat there are a press kit and a Missoni notebook. The book is made up of sections of colored blank pages; the colors announce the new 2008 S/S collection colors.

Pin It

MILAN - RTW S/S 2008

La Triennale – The New York Times Style Magazine Gala Party. The New York Times Style Magazine late night gala party at La triennale was star studded with celebrities, designers and VIPS. It launched the T magazine's new website, nytimes.com/tmagazine, which will be online from December 2^nd. T magazine will also be on sale with the International Herald Tribune. T magazine’s editor-in-chief, Stefano Tonchi said “T Magazine's website will be beautifully rendered, with fantastic visual contents, as well as, many interactive elements for readers who want the latest updates in fashion, beauty, travel and design.” Tonchi is featured above with the International Herald Tribune’s fashion journalist, Suzy Menkes and with Jefferson Hack, editor-in-chief of Another Magazine.

The Bi-continental PR and the Socialite Designer. PR, Karla Otto chats with socialite turned interior designer, Katherine Price Mondadori. Karla has just opened a New York City office in Chelsea at 545 West 25^th Street. Besides her regular clients she represents world-wide Emilio Pucci, Marni and Hussein Chalayan. With an inborn sense of interior design, Katherine Price Mondadori was asked to design the interiors of the Katherine Price Mondadori Tower in the Dubai Marina.

A Talented Designer. Watch out for Graeme Black, he is a very talented designer.

The Brothers and the Book. The book published by Assouline is called 21, which tells the story of the twenty-one years of Costume National. Ennio Capasa, the brand’s designer celebrates with his brother Carlo at the New York Times late night party.

The Editor and the Designer. Though Alberta Ferretti recently hosted a party, during the Venice Film Festival, for Richard Gere on her Yacht Prometej, she is just as happy, if not more, to chat with American Vogue Living Magazine editor Hamish Bowles.

The Late Arrivals. Romantic designer, Luisa Beccaria arrived way after midnight with her beautiful daughters, Lucilla and Lucrezia.

Pin It

MILAN - RTW S/S 2008

Palazzo Reale – The Vivienne Westwood exhibition and dinner party. The Vivienne Westwood exhibition was first launched in London at the Victoria and Albert Museum in 2004. Sponsored in Italy by the Camera Nazionale della Moda and produced by Palazzo Reale, it features thirty-five years of designs from the V & A’s collection as well as from Westwood’s personal archive. The exhibition is a tribute to Dame Vivienne’s career and explores how the designer has incorporated historical and cultural references into fashion in a unique and inspiring way.
Above, the poster for the Vivienne Westwood retrospective exhibition at Palazzo Reale, until January 20^th.

The Prize Giving. The President of the Camera Nazionale della Moda, Mario Boselli, gave Dame Vivienne Westwood a special award for her stylistic and creative contribution to the Italian fashion industry.

The Italian Speech. Dame Vivienne makes faces as she struggles, simpaticamente with her Italian during her acceptance speech for the special award given to her. Bravissima.

Detail. As Beppe Modenese looks on, note the slashes, ruffles and bows in Dame Vivienne’s long red evening dress. It is her belief that “You have a better life if you wear impressive clothes.”

Long Time Friends. Carlo D’Amario, Dame Vivienne’s long time business partner and managing director, talks to Elio Fiorucci. Fiorucci designed some clothes for Canon, one of the official sponsors of Milan fashion week, inspired by the Canon photographic competition entitled The Spirit of our Country through its most Significant aspects.

The Vampire. Actress, performance artist and sometime vampire performer on Piero Chiambretti’s television show, Xena Zupanic is really stunning.

The Celebrity. Showgirl and dress designer, Valeria Marini always looks sexy and scantily dressed.

Detail. As you can see Valeria Marini is addicted to diamonds, maybe that is why she called her dress company Seduzioni Diamonds by Valeria Marini?

Pin It