walking around London

I cannot help but love all the style inspirations. I love this city, the colors, the constant activity of art galleries, fashion houses, markets, bankers, foodies..I love having my weekly dose of this and then going back to the lovely yet fashionable country side. I love this about England..the fact that the country side, the wellington boots and barbour jackets can co-exist with the Saville Row and Harvey Nichols...

So what do I like this summer? I love the colors of shoes and accessories that these two gils paired with a plain trench coat




I love the colors of the flowers I can pick in the country side, and how they go with the lovely teapot from Denby (thank you Elizabeth for introducing us to Denby- we are now obsessed!)



and the contrast of brown buildings and brights graffiti, or the bright green of the fields around me

My personal sartorialist: zio Roberto

always impeccable, elegant, fun. He is my personal sartorialist

The lady in black

Walking around the Marais you are bound to meet interesting people.
I particularly like the atmosphere during or around fashion week, as the population of the Marais reflects the stylish trends of the catwalks, and the cafes are packed with fashionable crowds.

Yesterday, I stepped out of the office to go get a falafel and I crossed path with this interesting couple...She is the famous fashion blogger Diane Pernet from A shaded view on Fashion
Very charming and fascinating character...

Gay Paris

Fashionable Paris

I know I have seen this woman before..maybe on the Sartorialist website, or maybe on the Streetstyl..

The minute I saw her I knew I had to photograph her. I was waiting for J&A outside the Pompidou in Paris and she just walked by..a bit too skinny, smoking a cigarette, but still stunning.

Black & white vs. Colors

Walking in around my favorite part of town I spotted these two characters. Both interesting and remarkable.
The man looked strangely elegant, yet odd. Maybe because of the stark contrast of black and white, or maybe because of the sweater that looked a bit too tight.

The woman, on the other had had gracefully paired some really bright colors, going along with the current fashion. She looked at ease and in a good mood, maybe because the colors were giving her positive vibes?

Both man and woman were in their 50s and I found it encouraging that people seem to gain a better sense of style with age.

Fashion Police

Dresses, closets and shopping

The battle with Mr R on the food pantry- shoe closet continues and while most consequences of this war are negative (the house is a mess, my shoes are everywhere..) there is one positive aspect to it. I am rediscovering some of my long forgotten shoes. From Repetto, to Sergio Rossi, Giuseppe Zanotti, Borini, Church, Gucci, Prada, Ferragamo and the list goes on.

Changing shoes allows you to re-invent an outfit, make it sexy or sporty, elegant or casual.
I pulled out my dresses and started wearing them with heels, strap sandals, flat sandals and of course this led to more shopping, because some of the shoes really needed a new outfit to go with them:-)

So I purchased 3 dresses in 3 days (not good Petulia , not good): the first is a long black dress from Jucca , the second is a tailor made wrap dress a-la DVF, the third (just picked up) is from a local boutique called Le Gallinelle. Le Gallinelle (the chicks) is a wonderful space where Wilma Silvestri and her two daughters create clothes for women and men who love fashion but can go beyond the big names.

Le Gallinelle is in a former butcher shop, and still today you can see the barble counter where the poultry and meat were sold. Today, Le Gallinelle is a hip stop for Romans and foreigners alike...I am still hoping to bump into John Galliano who is rumored to be an admirer of Wilma's style!

Back on two wheels (questions and observations about cycling)

My poor bike was parked outside for almost 4 months, during the rainiest Roman winter ever.
A couple of days ago I decided to pick it up and get it back in running shape. I took her (my bike is definitely of female gender) to the garage.

After a change of tire and and a few minor touch ups (get rid of rust, straighten the handle bar) we were on the road. Rolling down the viale Aventino, heading towards Piramide and via Ostiense I was reminded of the beauty of Rome, of the smell of summer and the craziness of my fellow users of the road.

On the same day I was approached by the friends at Bici Roma, and by a group of urban cyclists organizing an event in Garbatella.
On my way home (you can see my daily route here) I saw many other cyclists, of all ages and styles..and of course the question came to mind: what is the best gear to wear when cycling in town?
How can I get to work by bike and not look like I just got back from a war in a tropical country?
I like to wear dresses , so that my calves are free and can tan a bit, but I run the risk of flashing the whole town..
I shall find a solution soon, before the full Summer heat arrives. In the meantime, I foudn this interesting article on the Times

New things I like

Ah, I love the Spring...

In particular the Roman Spring because it is a true anticipation of Summer.

And along with Spring comes the time when I spend more time outside and I discover more things...

I discovered that Delfina Delettrez Fendi opened a small boutique in via del Governo Vecchio, right next to another favorite shops ( Josephine De LaHuertas &Co).

A friend introduced me to the hilarious blog Sexy People. I am now addicted to it, and even tempted to send some of my perfect portrait from the 90s.

Mr. R has finally taught me how to use the new camera we got, so now I can wander around and snap away...

Next week we are all off to the country side for a weekend with friends, the following week I am going to the opening of the Bulgari exhibition at Palazzo delle Esposizioni. 

So many things to do!! Hope everyone is having an equally wonderful Spring.

p.s. the picture is from Delfina's collection for sale at the shop or at LuisaViaRoma.com

pretty in pink

Once in a while, walking around Rome, I am reminded of the subtle beauty of this city. After a rainy day, when the sky clears up and the clouds go away leaving mixed colors above us. The sky turns into a canvas of pinks, blues, whites framed by the lovely building of the historic center.

That's when I fall in love with Rome again.

In one of those days, on via del Babuino, I stumbled upon this very elegant man. Very much aware of his looks and style, he almost seemed to pose for me- the normally sneaky photographer. I like his loafers..very possibly Tod's and the pink trousers + shirt..almost pj like. The black blazer and the shopper from Caffe' Greco complete the look.

Good Fashion in Rome

On my way to the Gran Caffe' Caffettiera in Piazza di Pietra, I stopped to enjoy the view of the city on its first spring day.
This couple waiting outside the beautiful church of S. Ignazio di Loyola. This piazza is one of my favorite in Rome, it really gives the sense of the theatricality of baroque architecture. Everything is a theater, and we are all on stage.


The couple was at the center of my stage...and thankfully they were well dressed! A Chanel bag, Repetto flats, Clark's desert boot and a stylish stroller for the baby go a long way!

Back from Pakistan

It is difficult to adjust to what look like dull colors and smells. I had a wonderful time, I felt at home in a country that is miles and miles away from mine. The hospitality I found cannot be described, as it is something that can only be experienced.

The variety of colors, food, fabrics, music, decoration filled my eyes every day.. Here is a selection of pictures (very limited) from my two weeks in Isloo and Karachi.
Getting ready to go


two men and two women


The beautiful decorations


Delicious food


Helping hands

Fur and makeup

I was going to write up something about what I keep in my bag..and the ridiculous amount of money I spend of cosmetics.

I was partially inspired by Maria's brilliant blog Lipstick Masala and the great advice she gives ( I only wish she had started writing before I bought all the make up I have). But during one of my excursions today two things steered me off the subject of makeup :

1- I bought more make up, so I could not think critically about it
2- I bumped into a wedding party, in a church in the center of Rome, and saw this:



I am not against fur..but this creeped me out a bit. First of all it was very warm, and definitely not fur whether. Secondly, I am not sure I love seeing the legs (and head) of the poor animal.

What do you think?

Shoes on the metro

Along with jumpsuit, the talk of town for the summer seems to be the revamp of the low heel.
Last weekend's FT How to Find it featured a whole article dedicated to the new mid-heel craze. Among the supporters of this come back are LV with its Stephen Sprouse mid-heel pumps, Jimmy Choo with its printed linen Demure heels, followed by Chanel and March Jacobs..

Here in Italy we keep wearing sky high heels, and while I long for a more comfortable shoe that also gives me height, I am not sure I am in love with the short, stubby heel look.
I much prefer my Repettos..and for that matter I have been noticing Roman women wearing more and more flat shoes..not so much flats, but funky trainers...

While riding the metro I caught glimpse of two women, each wearing a different type of animal print sneaker.
I managed to steal a picture and actually ask one of the women about the shoes. Her pair was from Caterina Lucchi- an Italian brand that used to be extremely popular a few years ago and now seems to have disappeared...The other woman was wearing a pair of Nike's in gold and white fur (looked like cavallino)..how interesting..never seen them before!

What was I wearing? Bright purple stockings and patent black pumps...wait a second..I AM WEARING A MID-HEEL!!!!

Italian style now and then: vespa, flowers and glasses

My parents got married 39 years ago. They were far from being the most stylish people in Italy, but today they would be on the front page of Vogue ....why?

1- My mom's wedding dress was a white chiffon dress with cut out flowers. The dress was designed and made by my wonderfully skilled nonna. D&G's S/S collection for 09 was full of white dresses with lots of cut out flowers.




- Contact lenses were a luxury at the time, so my mom decided to walk to the altar sporting her black rimmed specs. She looked cute, but I am sure she didn't imagine that the same style would have become super popular again 40 years later..and yet, look at Madonna wearing specially made Ray Ban wayfarer during her tour

- my dad was just out of college when they got married, so no car for the couple. Instead they left the church riding a vespa . Today vespas are almost status symbols.They are hip, hard to find and very much talked about..in fact, I just found a blog called : who rides a vespa. Also in 2003 the NYT published an article all about this lovely scooter listing among the celebrity vespa owners: Steven Spielberg, Robert De Niro, Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno, Kevin Spacey, and Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick.
Today? The wedding dress is in a box, waiting for me to get married (who knows if I will fit into it, my mom was the size of Twiggy) . The glasses have been put away, in favor of contact lenses and the vespa replaced by a BMW. Neverless, my parents are still the same and in love just like that day, 39 year ago.

I will try to find a picture from their wedding..

Merci Paris

Think high fashion and think Paris... thank you is not the most immediate word that will come to your mind. Parisians can be a bit snappy, and the people in the fashion industry are not necessarily known for their kindness (or maybe yes)...

Anyway, talking to a fashion insider during my last visit to Paris (yesterday), I was informed of a new concept store that opened just a few blocks away from the apartment. The store is located in an amazing space, some kind of a mix between a warehouse, a posh residence and loft.
What's so special about the shop? All the profits, after costs are deducted, will go to a children's charity in Madagascar.

Merci, a brainchild of Bonpoint creators Marie-France and Bernard Cohen, sells vintage clothing, pieces from last year's designer's collections (YSL, Chloe, ..) some clothing and accessories from this year's collection, baby clothes along with kitchenware and some interesting furniture.

Interesting aspects of the Concept store at the Annick Goutal lab, where candles and fragrances are sold at 40% of the original price and the bookstore, structured just like an old English home library (at least in my mind) and runs all along the walls of the cafe. All books (or at least all the ones I picked up) are used, and the titles range from Lolita to the Lord of the Ring, Papa Goriot and Plato's republic.

Merci
111 boulevard Beaumarchais
75003 Paris
tel 01 42 770033

My friends in hats

A few nights ago I was out with a group of friends here in NY.We went out for dinner and then dessert at Chickalicious.
We had a molten choc cake with vanilla ice cream and an affogato al caffe. Both were divine and in a perfect size. Unfortunately I don't have a pic of the food, but I have a picture of us, devouring it.
Notice we are all wearing furry hats. We thought the scene looked straight out of a Russian women convention!

Jumping Competition in NY

This is great. Bill Cunningham from the NYT just released his weekly Fashion On the Street video.
You can watch it here and see what I was doing when walking around NY with my heels.
The title of the video is The water dace, in my case : "the water up to your knees dance".
Enjoy

A new start, with a pair of Ferragamo heels and a great haircut

2008 ended calmly, with friends, eating curry and not worrying too much about the new year that was about to begin. But then, a couple of days later, I felt the urge..the rush coming through, the need to mark the change of the year.
I started making lists- as this is a ritual I carry over every new year- I cut my hair and went out shopping!
After waiting in line in the overheated Ferragamo boutique for about 1 hour, Patient Amina and I were finally escorted by the Ferragamo lady to the shoe section of the shop.
My feet were swollen as I had been standing for hours wearing heels. I had on my green shoes from Paris, so I was running the double risk of: green and possibly larger than life feet!

Luckily all went well, as I took my shoes off and slipped on the Ferragamo pumps, I felt like a princess. Not only the shoes fit perfectly, but they felt light, comfortable, they made me feel as if I could wear them for hours and never be tired. What they say about this brand is true, their shoes really are incredible. I feel like Mr. Salvatore's descendants have made to measure heels for me, and left them in the Rome store for me to pick up. Thank you!

So here they are. I will take a better picture later. Time to go to bed, and take off the shoes:-)