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A white rabbit in Central Park

With an interpretation of the famous Lewis Carrol story, the Furla Talent Hub plays with the parts of the characters of this fantastical journey filled with paradoxes, suspected absurdities and nonsense.
“The images and worlds are blended in an apparently historic dimension which is revisited in contemporary fashion. The stylistic narration takes form giving life to neck scarves, scarves, clutches, umbrellas, animated t-shirts, and also the purses follow the poetic marvels of Alice compounding the uniqueness of the brand Furla with this state-of-the-art , once off capsule collection ” Leitmotiv.”
The idea came about some years ago for the Vogue and Altaroma “Who is on next” competition, which helps launch new young talent, operation Furla saw Silvio Betterelli grow with great success last year and now it rewards the style trend of Alice and Lisa Ferrari, Courtney Crawford, Max Kibardin.
“Talent Hub” had its official launch at the New Museum in New York, a cult place-museum chosen as the perfect location by Furla as “fashion is one of the most fundamental elements of contemporary culture.
Furla Store on Madison Avenue
The collection “Leitmotiv” inspired by the story of Alice in Wonderland can now be found in Furla Stores in all world capitals, as well as in the prestigious New York store on Madison Avenue, which lies close to the Montblanc store. On 57ma road, just a few blocks from Central Park, the total look of the prestigious brand can be found, including purses, key-rings, glasses and scarves.
The Furla Store on Madison has numerous floors: on the top floors are the offices of the Italian brand -testimony to the importance of the American market as a leading global player.
Autumn Colors
It is time for the colors of autumn, the vanished tones that make even the most provocative mise seem human. Fashion certainly helps us to face the new season, sweeter than the summer that brings the pleasure of strong tones with it, a violence that we gladly accept because, after all we know that it will only last a season. Therefore “bring on” the yellows, the orange, the warmest brown tones; on with the first suits, that are teamed with skirts or pants that pull together a respectful city look. Time to say goodbye to the sea: it’s time for trips to the country, to the hills, where some lucky few can visit the occasional vintage flea market.
Bare feet in the bejewelled sandals of summer give way to closed shoes with or without wedges, respectful sometimes of the extreme youthful look of those who want sneakers, or a more formal option for the  “evening” such as the new Geox range of their latest collection: decorated and lined with different materials, using silvers and  even pink tones that speak of femininity, even when the “ugly shoe” was once only considered for those who we referred to as ” tom boys”.
Good times this autumn and sweet sweet fashion can help us to distance ourselves from summer fun, with the knowledge that the happy times will leave small traces on our memories.
Pierantonio Gaspari
Stylist interprets luxury knitwear focusing on excellent material and avant-garde style.
In the photo, the kimono-style sweater for autumn-winter 2009-2010.
Fuzzi: a winning brand
The very important stylist Anna-Maria Fuzzi who is known for her interpretations of a very selective, with collections that not only tell of an intuition of exceptional style but also speak of an extremely high handmade quality, has caught the attention of the highly demanding Jean Paul Gaultier, who is set to form a collaboration with the Italian stylist, who will be submitting her production to the Gaultier knitwear line.
Geox in pole position
“Each one of our products - Mario Moretti Polegato, president of the Geox, affirms - comes from patented research that we carry out in our Italian laboratories in collaboration with the best European Universities. Every new collection comes from the hands of the best Italian stylists with a double-soul made by Italian fashion and Italian technology.”
Beauty on Display
In Venice, during the Film Festival, the red carpet was adorned by both women and dresses of great beauty. Maria Grazia Cucinotta, sponsor of the 66 International Venice Film Festival, dressed in Roberto Cavalli, appeared with a great sense of occasion, showing off the sumptuousness loved by the stylist himself in her navy blue chiffon plissè floor length gown.
Diane Kruger for TOD’s in New York
The star of the new TOD’s advertising campaign is the stunning actress Diane Kruger, who interprets the image of the Tod’s style, that the prestigious Italian brand wants to communicate as their message: a woman with aristocrat allure, a modern sophisticated lady who is used to having beautiful but practices things in her possession .
The complete collection is now available in the Tod’s stores worldwide, especially in the comfortable headoffice of the Italian prestigious brand in New York, at 650 of Madison Avenue. The D-bag, the bag/purse most admired in 2009, whose workmanship uses more than one hundred different technical applications in its production, according to Diego Della Valle, commander of the mighty Italian Group.
Murrina and diamonds designed by Giusy Moretti for Columbus Day
Unique jewels created by the famous Giusy Moretti, the stylist who invented the application of precious jewels to the antique murrina glass of her family (a story that is totally “muranese” that has entered a page of high elegance in the book of jewels and in the history of Murano glass) such as the gold necklace like a “roman chain” illuminated by 24 diamonds with a cameo of authentic antique murrina that depicts the face of Christopher Columbus. The murrina - made in 1892 by Luigi Moretti ( an ancestor of Giusy) for the IV° centenary on the discovery of America, has been produced by the Venetian stylist for the occasion of Columbus Day 2009. It is available for purchase from the same producer (e-mail giusymoretti.it) who also has pieces from the entire collection of murrina jewels on sale.
ITS International Talent Support
The race of young talent stops the hands of the clock in Trieste, where the ITS contest is becoming more and more important under the management of Barbara Franchin. Now in its eighth edition, the competion keeps the Diesel flag of Renzo Rosso flying high, who from the very beginning believed in the great importance of this international competition of fashion talent and who, along with the other sponsors of the competition, offer the support to make this opportunity a reality and a unique one on the global stage.
Burberry Prorsum in New York
A new headoffice for the prestigious brand in the heart in Manhattan, on 444 Madison Avenue, between the 49th and the 50th. Displayed over four floors - with two terraces - the shelves of this new New York store that was inaugurated last April, now host the new collection designed by Christopher Bailey, drawing from a dreamy journey between East and West.
To honor the continuous investment and devotement by Burberry to New York, the Mayor of New York City, Mayor Bloomberg, declared Thursday May 28th 2009, “Burberry Day.”
The event coincided with the official lighting of the Burberry sign on the roof of the building of the new American center, 444 Madison Avenue, which is visible from all over New York.
Subsequently, to celebrate Burberry Day, the Burberry Day Foundation, brought together in 2008 by Christopher Bailey, together with the CEO of Burberry Angela Ahrendts,has committed to donate $500,000 dollars to the Robin Hood Foundation, to support public education and job training for the disadvantaged citizens and the youth of New York.

ZOOM

Marghera is like Brooklyn

We have all seen New York, because we have been there at least once for a holiday or for work, but we cannot really say we know it, if we have never been to Brooklyn, it is here that we can find the throbbing world, the creative one, the designer one, the artist’s one and the one of young architects. Everyone lives and works in Williamsburg, a shabby ex industrial area and reconverted in recent years, that has now become – contrary to its decaying appearance, the most trendy and the most lively area in the city.
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CULT

Will Eisner and New York
The stories of the city, its spaces and the people who are living in it discover a beautiful form of representation in the comic books designed by Will Eisner, one of the greatest American authors who in 1987 was awarded an eponymous prize dedicated to the art that tells stories using drawing. Eisner was born in New York in 1917 and died in 2005. He has made a significant contribution to the evolution of American comics, introducing graphic choices who have had the ability to communicate to its readers an effective perception of the characters’ actions and feelings, often in close contact with the boroughs of the Big Apple. The City of New York, for example, is the center of all the events present in “Spirit”, a hero without superpowers. ‘Spirit’ was born in 1940 and is responsible for making Eisner and his ‘pencil’ famous, as well as getting closer to the ‘graphic novel’ genre. One of Eisner’s other most successful stories is “A Contract with God”, published in 1978 and focused on the tale of a marginal Jewish immigrant and his relationship with God. In this story, Eisner proposes one of the predominant traits of his style: the choice of putting the spotlight on his characters, with the aim of characterizing human and emotional experiences and giving the readers a perception of the areas in which the story takes place. In “A Contract with God”, in particular, the Bronx “gets closer” to the readers and the comic ends to provide a real insight into not only the territoriality of the city but also of its personality and of those who choose to live there.

Venice videogaming
A mysterious murder among fireworks, dancing and indiscreet glances at the Venetian Carnival. These are the first images of “Assassin’s Creed II”, the video game available from November, developed by the French firm Ubisoft and set in Venice and Florence during the Renaissance, using the atmosphere of intrigue and corruption of the era for a plot in which Leonardo da Vinci, Niccolò Machiavelli, Caterina Sforza, and Lorenzo de ‘Medici take part in. The real excitement, however, is created by the reconstruction of the lagoon city, where one can freely explore the streets, bridges and fondamentas. As a result, fifteenth-century Venice gets to revive in a three-dimensional environment of outstanding graphic level. The team of 240 members (including consultants, architects and historians) who worked on the project has reconstructed in great detail the Rialto Bridge, the Canal Grande, the Basilica of San Marco, the Frari Church and the Arsenale, thus shaping a scenario that was immediately hailed as complex yet charming - capable of blending extravaganza with the necessary historical and artistic components. For example, little is known about what the Rialto Bridge looked like in the fifteenth century (it also happened to be destroyed by a fire during that period of time). The only certainty we have is that it was made out of wood, and that is why the creators used the bridge’s present day aspect and added wood on top of it in the video game. Walking through the maze of Venetian streets at night, or even taking a ride in a gondola, was once a fantasy that now becomes reality.

ZOOM

A Made in Italy made by professionalism

Be considered the brand that keeps the Made in Italy flag high in the world is a responsibility that requires a constant search for that quality and elegance needed for it. In Musile di Piave the curtains and upholstery has been a tradition for forty years. Past experiences have made this second generation stronger: Luca Pivato and Stefano Vettor of the Tappezzeria Artigiana Pivato bear this responsibility.  “It’s a responsibility we carry without problem. We work knowing to be able to repay faith of the customers that believe in us”, tells Luca Pivato, the owner. “This is something connected to the effort we always spend offering an innovative and quality product at competitive cost. Thanks to that – Stefano Vettor, sales manager, underlines – we can offer abroad a service breaking down every localism or distance.”
This responsibility becomes a need that turns into reality. Many years spent studying and understanding, listening and satisfying customer’s needs. Pivato is a young and motivated organization, able to interpret the dream of customers to make them come truth. Apartments, houses, villas, and the restructuring of large yachts: that’s an important component in the sales volume of the firm. International studies of architecture and design become key partners and source of inspiration and views to achieve unique prestige solutions. A recognition that comes from afar, and the proof is the collaboration with the Carnival shipping company Carnival, for which Pivato is setting curtains and sofas for a new boat designed by J. Farcus.
“Indeed – the owner continues – working for large international cruise ships is always cause for pride and push to improve. We started just two years ago but we’ve immediately understood how we had to move.”
Stefano adds: “Since the very first time we’ve understood that our role wasn’t simply supplying a product, but also suggesting the kind of curtains you are searching for, respecting delivery times and spending limits requested by customers.”
Ancient and Modern get married and sail on the seas of the world. Pivato firm wear the Italian colors with pride to show everybody that you can’t improvise quality, reliability and effort. Tappezzeria Artigiana Pivato is going to open soon the gates to East Europe. The Italian colors will get into Wien and through Russia, China and Japan, countries which are just a far away dream for many people. Tappezzeria Artigiana Pivato passes his own boundaries and limits. It made so for a decision and why Made in Italy speaks one language: the global market one.

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A stranded ship in the middle of Venice

Set in the elegant sestiere (quarter) of Dorsoduro, just steps from the Gallerie dell’Accademia and from the Guggenheim collection, “Agli Alboretti” is a three stars family-run hotel managed with passion and professionalism by Anna Linguerri, assisted by a loyal staff for many years. The peculiar name of the hotel derives from the trees which had been planted along the street Rio Terrà Foscarini when the existing canal had been filled in and transformed into a street at the end of the 19th century: Venetians, not accustomed to have trees along their calli, started to call it “strada degli alberetti” (street of the small trees), from there the name, half Italian and half Venetian, of the “Alboretti”.
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Not only a restaurant

From October to December. Just three months to the stroke of midnight of the New Year. Many are the celebrations in New York City, but the Zorzi NYC restaurant distinguishes itself like the reality keeping high the flag of taste, elegance, variety and refinement of the cuisine of the Bel Paese abroad. The restaurant is located between the 1st and the 35th Street near Empire State Builiding, and it’s a place to visit for the lovers of the quality cuisine, the ideal location to spend a pleasant night or to talk business between the brokers of Wall Street.
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From Milk to Hamburger

Milk, jam, mustard, yogurt: that is how the Americans eat according to Nando, the protagonist in the very entertaining film “An American in Rome” (1954). Nando is enchanted by the lifestyle of the New World, that he has come to know through the cinema and tries to copy it. But for Nando his love for food is very strong: his milk will be given to his cat, he will go back to drinking red wine and to eating his beloved macaroni!. The French semiologist Roland Barthes also underlines the presence of milk in American films: the heroes of the western films often drank milk, a symbolic drink of purity, strength and calm, before they faced their famous duels with their pistols.
Milk also returns in the Orwellian “Coming Up For Air”, in the description of a Milk Bar. We are in London in the 30’s: that is what those premises were called, they originated and were diffused in the Anglo Saxon world. Around the bright red bar, everything is smooth, shiny and tapered. Food with American names, they come out of cartons , tins, deep-freezers, they spurt out of taps, they are squeezed out of tubes. After all – think of Gorge Bowling, the protagonist – all decoration, not real food”. One gets the impression from this description, where there is no trace of milk, if only symbolically in the name of the premises, it reflects the way in which the New World enters into the old, with a mixture of technology and design and an innovative way to imagine food.
In the eyes of foreigners, you can therefore read, like a mirror, the elements that, maybe unconsciously, the American cuisine has chosen as its representatives: technology and milk. Technological and industrially manufactured food arrived in Europe with the well-being after the Second World War, while the presence of food derived from beef in the American diet is an inheritance from the second half of the nineteenth century: the extension of the railway network towards the west allowed the exploitation of agriculture and industrial animal breeding, in a territory which until then had been too far away from the big cities. Already then, a steak was an important dish, while the hamburger has become symbolic only in the last thirty years. A deep-rooted love, if every American eats about 3 hamburgers a week. If in the video the American society continues to be mirrored, we ask ourselves, with a little irony: if the cowboys drank milk, what do the super heroes eat now?. We cannot help noting in the advertisements the bond between Superman & Co. with some Fast Food Chains. When I see Peter Parker I’ll ask him what he thinks.

Miti d’Oggi, Roland Barthes, Einaudi, 2007, pp 67-70, (1957)
Coming Up For Air, George Orwell, Penguin 1990 p 22-23 1939
Fast Food Nation, Erik Schlosser, Il Saggiatore, 2004 p 308 (2002)

Current Affairs

From the Balkans to the ONU

It was a solemn ceremony in front of “his” Mobile Command Unit Division of Carabinieri which saw him greet and thank his friends and colleagues who have walked at his side for many years, obeying orders and following first the man than the General. Thus Leonardo Leso, widely considered a leading expert in peacekeeping missions, it was officially discharged to assume the post of Defense and Military Advisor at the Permanent Mission of Italy to the United Nations based in New York.
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Sport

Golf, history and nature at Cansiglio

The FIG-sponsored golf competition includes 36 hole medals for both men and women categories. This year, the annual tournament, cherished deeply by the club members and many of the golfers from the Veneto region, achieved a number of successes worth mentioning. The switchbacks that lead to the plans permit the escape from the scorching summer temperatures in the city and the spirit is nourished through the lush vegetation. When you arrive at your destination, the pleasant golf course (second birth after Venice) is stretched in a particular history and nature.
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Venetian Itinerary

The revealed glass

First it arrives the heat of the furnace that winds immediate the whole body and it inflames the face. Then the look meets objects, scissors, pliers, colored reeds, blocks of glass and sacks of silice. At the end there is a vigorous and cordial handshake. Pino Signoretto, teacher glassworker and artist, welcome us in this way, at the end of a day of work, inside his laboratory. The temptation to recognize in his face the lines of Hephaestus, the Greek divinity of the fire, is irresistible. To reorganize the divine it is however really him, the teacher, that makes us sit close to his works.
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