LIGHT MODE
DARK MODE
Black is still the king of colors, and this season it is on display in all its fascinating aspects. Black is rock, glam and punk. It’s romantic, boho, tribal and futuristic. Think black is not ‘happy’ enough for the cold season? New and unusual combinations of
Men, prepare to dive into a stylish Florentine summer with four trends fresh from the Pitti Uomo fair and the Milan Fashion Week. Italian with an Asian twist The classic Italian style—tailored, fitted and extremely refined—is absorbing new influences from the now-not-
Non ci sono piu’ le mezze stagioni! This has, by now, become a standard expression among Italians to express the fact that the ‘mid-seasons’ of spring and autumn don’t seem to exist any more. Especially in Florence, freezing winters seem to turn into hot
As some of you may know (or may have surmised), Sex and the City was the inspiration for the name of this column. As Valentine's Day nears, there is no better time to recall that glorious episode when Carrie celebrates her life as a single woman and states her
Florence sparkles with thousands of holiday lights. For some, this is a truly magical time that has the power to make us forget all our troubles and embrace the joys of life. For businesses, it can mean a make-or-break year, and so retailers are desperately looking forward to
Lace is back! Since last spring/summer collections, we have seen an incredible amount of lace, shown all over the female body, and the upcoming fall trends are continuing this direction. ‘Fashion reflects society and society reflects fashion': this is what I always tell my students. For example,
September is a month full of fashion and cultural events all over Italy. We started off with the Venice Film Festival, soon it will be Milan Women's Fashion Week and, in the meantime, the unmissable Vogue Fashion's Nights Out, which comes to Florence for the first time on
January is not only the month of fashion events by Pitti Immagine, it is also the start of the winter sales. The combination of these very different occasions in this particular time in Italy has made me think a lot. Italy is experiencing the most difficult economic and social crisis
The first two articles in this three-part series, ‘Mapping Italian Style,' explored Italy's fashion cities and textile districts. Now it is time to come back home to Florence. Salvatore Ferragamo, Gucci, Roberto Cavalli, Valentino, and Roberto Capucci: these are just a few of the fashion
Is ‘Italian style' a ready-to-wear affair or high fashion? Can Rome reclaim its status as a fashion city? Does money or style rule in Milan? Does the Florentine tradition of excellence of accessories and artisanship represent not only the past but also the future of the Made
Fall brings a new style season, with its latest trends, must-have pieces and hottest looks. But as I follow the continuous race to dominate the global fashion market, one question is on my mind: what is Italian style today? Though Italy is home to big names such as
In June, thanks to the influence of Pitti Immagine Uomo, the international men's fashion trade fair that takes over Florence for one week twice a year, Florence dresses in fancy colours, daring outfits and extravagant accessories. And we're not talking about the women. First, a little history.
Pitti Immagine is back in full swing for the biannual Pitti fashion fair, the event for getting a sneak peek into the trends an entire year before they appear on window mannequins and shop shelves. The event is spectacular: thousands of international designers, trend-setters, and aesthetes are looking
Something very special happened during my last visit to Milan Fashion week: an unexpected sequence of events surprisingly revived my love story with fashion. In returning to Florence on the train, I brought back much more than just my suitcase! I had the unique opportunity to visit the showroom
Is fashion ever new? Or is it, in fact, a reinterpretation of something old? Is this the eternal fashion trick, to make us want brand-new items that are actually inspired by the past? Florence embodies this conundrum like nowhere else, especially at this time of the year, when
Perusing the windows along Florence's cobblestone streets and scavenging for a coveted item of clothing is more passion than a pastime for the devoted shopper, but for the visitor with limited time, navigating the shopping world of Florence can be difficult-and expensive! Luckily, Florence and the surrounding area
There is only one thing more exciting than visiting Florence: shopping in Florence. And the possibilities are even more exciting when you consider the vintage shopping opportunities here. Because navigating ...
These days, ‘Xmas madness' is epidemic, a shopping fever that grips everyone, a buying virus few seem immune to. People under the influence of this very severe illness feel the need to purchase excessive quantities of frivolous and extremely nonsensical-but-so-cute little things for friends and family. &
Visiting the marvelous exhibit entitled Salvador Dalì. Il sogno si avvicina (‘The dream is getting closer') at Milan's palazzo Reale (until January 30, 2011; www.mostradali.it), I found myself reflecting on the essence of personal style and on a time when clothes were vehicles for self
Fall is here: time to forget about summer breezes, tanned legs to show off and flowing white linen dresses. The amazing autumn colors of Tuscany are, however, reason enough to get excited about the new season, as are the warm layers of fabric that cover and embrace our bodies in
Florence, June 15 to 18: traffic is jammed; it's impossible to find a cab, let alone a table in a good restaurant. C'è Pitti! Earlier this month, Pitti Uomo exhibited hundreds of spring/summer 2011 collections, from classic suits to denim, tees and shoes to accessories ranging from
Tired of scratchy clothes that make your skin itch? Sick of garments that use chemicals that damage the environment and your skin? Then it is time for a change in your wardrobe! Eco-fashion means not only preserving the environment with what you wear, but also buying fewer pieces. Eco-
