Italian Fashion & Culture Final

After four months in Italy, I have been pounded with some very prominent aspects of the Italian culture. Whether I am studying architecture, the people, or the history etc; it has been obvious that Italians have a remarkable way of being extremely traditional and extremely successful because of this. Their incomparable motivation towards conserving history and promoting extreme pride creates the strength of its current culture and its ancient history. Though the insurmountable tradition and pride of Italy grants much of its stability and prestige; Italians have an inevitable way of using art and innovation to revive them from hard times. All of these qualities of Italian culture perfectly parallel with the success and business of Italian fashion.



Italy has the unique success and approach of using its ancient background, architecture, fashion, etc. to create contemporary business opportunities, party/ gathering locations, and fashions. When walking through all of the big cities of Italy; Florence, Milan, Rome etc, the most populated and exciting places to go are surrounding the intricate, ancient churches and monuments. These “piazzas,” or traditional squares for gathering from ancient times are still used for entertainment, thrilling shopping, and contemporary restaurants. Everyday I am attracted to another unique piazza due to varieties of markets, concerts, festivals, and even protests!

Piazzas are not the only way Italians utilize their history and tradition to create hip, new hangouts. Italians are epically famous for prestigious restoration of ancient monuments, frescoes , and architecture. This restoration even turns tables into something far more contemporary, such as 14th century churches being turned into nightclubs. Several of the most modern hangouts still maintain frescoes on their ceilings and marble carvings on the building supporting columns and doorways. 


Italian fashion, from the designer shops to the local leathery all share in keeping the Italian tradition and pride by turning it into an exciting, new product. Famous high-end designer Antonio Marras’s collections are nearly always inspired Italian culture and art. This continues with many designers such as Emilio Pucci who designed prints inspired by many Italian churches and other architecture. This is repeated in even less high end brands and throughout the city. Walking along the shop windows I am caught by Michelangelo’s David wearing a spandex, cutout bodysuit. This tactic of using Italian art to sell fashion products is so popular that as there is a Bronzino exhibit recently placed in Florence; there are now handbags designed with inspiration from the current exhibition. These new styles are proudly placed next to the inspirational Bronzino painting, promoting the exhibition and what a fashionista you would be carrying this pride-filled Italian clutch. 
 Italy has found great success in celebrating and making stylish its ancient past.



Beyond the modern approach, the Italian tradition is what truly keeps its stability. One tradition that has kept Italian culture and fashion lastingly successful is the exceptional amount appreciation of quality and detail. This is well-known by all, but the reality of the history of “made-in-Italy” became extremely relevant during my stay here. Not only have I have grown a much greater respect for the quality of Italian fashion, but I have been able to realize the cultural elements that have made this prestigious label.


 The ancient Italian appreciation of intricate, hand-made, high-quality goods is the tradition that makes Italy have such an immaculate, recognized, successful culture. From the start of Italian artwork, overwhelming intricacy and quality has been the bare minimum requirement. This became extremely apparent to me through my travels and museum visits throughout Italy. 
 The Duomo is the perfect representation of the intricacy, time, and efforts that embody Italian art and culture.



The weight of the tradition of high-quality and intricacy is to an unbelievable amount. Walking through Florence you are surrounded by endless pieces of immaculate artworks. Massive, perfectly detailed, emotion-grabbing statues fill the piazzas, churches, and official buildings. Beyond the statues are many churches every several blocks which are carved of marble and metals from the base to far above the door frame, also encompassing these intricate statues. Despite the overwhelming beauty and detail and the outside of these churches; inside are equally outstanding frescoes to fill their high ceilings. From the endless amount of immaculate sculptures and churches to the hundreds of paintings throughout the Uffizi; the Italian tradition of art and quality has engulfed my understanding of the importance of Italian history and appreciating it. 


This same quality and prestige has created the importance of Italian fashion. It is what still continues the styles of Italian fashion and keeps it successful. I have a new appreciation for Italian fashion and the quality of the goods and fashions I purchase. Italian fashion, I thought before coming here to be too uniform and conservative. I have now realized the hidden details, craftsmanship, and reasoning behind Italian dress. 


A large majority of Italians hold great importance into brand name, expensive apparel items. Many Italians wear very similar clothing to each other. They prefer famous brands that can have a very uniform look. It is also common for them to only have a few outfits which they may wear several times a week. I found this to parallel with their appreciation for Italian culture.



Italians through art have traditionally created only the most superior works, no matter the effort, time and money put towards the beauty of the creation. Italians have an extremely genuine appreciation for craftsmanship. This explains their fashion purchases. They spend their money on key, classic pieces of excellence rather than cheap, quick changing fashion. The extreme pride of Italians also plays a role in keeping a uniform style; advertising the Italian way, strength, and look.
 Also, because these garments are to be long, lasting they must look classic to fit in style for many years. Because everyone cannot afford a new leather coat each season, the classic look is essential but with many contemporary varieties and embroidery. Without the majority following this uniformity of expensive, quality classic garments combined with the pride they wear them with, what would create the lifestyle behind the "made-in-Italy" label?



Though Italian style is generally classic and plays a huge role in their culture; they can be incomparably creative. They especially become more creative in times of crisis. Repeatedly throughout Italian history the nation uses their craftsmanship, creativity, and/or a very sly plan to prove their abilities and power. This is seen many times through Italian fashion; such as the works of shoe designer Salvatore Ferragamo. During WWII Italy was unable to reach nearly any resources and its fashion business was dwindling. Ferragamo was one of many Italians using their creativity to fight this business and resource problem. He created the first cork healed shoes from recycled wine corks due to no other supplies. He designed to solve a problem but also invented a creative success for footwear that is still selling.



Many other Italian designers have shocked the world with their extreme originality, colorfulness, and innovation also. These looks may have fought the classical look, but they in no way sufffered from craftsmanship and quality of Italian garments. Italian designers like Capucci, Pucci, and Moshino all somewhat mock the typical classical Italian look but reflect the limit-pushing, fun personality that is also within Italian fashion. This picture from the Capucci Museum in Florence represents the versatility of Italian design without sacrificing intricacy.



Italian fashion and culture walk hand in hand. They both support each other and assist in conserving the prestige, history, quality, and Italian pride which hold the nation together. The strong, historic culture has created a very successful fashion industry, just as the fashion industry has helped bring the emotions and finances of the Italian people out of crisis. As long as these traditions are kept, Italian fashion will everlastingly be successful alongside with the conserving of Italian culture.

Sangria and Bike Rides in Barcelona

So all of this beautiful, outstanding blue is from the seaside of Barcelona, Spain. Everything about Barcelona made you feel great about yourself from the calming sounds of the sea, to the brisk air, to all of its friendly inhabitants.

We had a wonderful entrance into the city. We were wandering around looking lost at the subway station when a Spaniard stops his journey to find us a map, show us how to buy tickets, and what subways to hop on.

After that friendly man showing us our way we started an unsure journey to the street our hostel was on. Happily and carelessly we strolled along trusting we would get there. Then we arrived at a corner finding on the other side the great, crashing, wind-blowing, rewarding ocean. We ran straight for it with such excitement and smiles throwing off our bags and shoes to feel that brisk, liberating feeling that the ocean and sand in your toes gives. After losing our shoes and lying in the sand hoping for no return to the real land I roll over to find that directly behind us, 100 ft away, is the front door to our hostel. What a magical end to a long, long day of travel.

The next morning as Natalie and I were starting our morning moods on the beach, I told her that we can't possibly do anything else but rent bicycles. And that is what and basically all we did the entire weekend. There were bikes paths all along the seaside that were bordered with giant palm trees.

We would ride a little and then see a beautiful scene and lie down in the grass or sand to admire it. We also rode all throughout the city which is completely set up of bike and walking paths, which made our journey even more careless and free of disturbance.

The city of Barcelona has the perfect contrasts. Amongst all the skyscrapers were always palm
trees, parks, gardens, and art structures. Though
it's full of industry, a couple minutes bike ride away you can find the calming beach or the gardens on top of a mountain for an amazing view and getaway.

It was such an anything-goes town. The weather was cool while we were there which advertised the contrasts of lifestyles within the city. Along the beach would be girls in their bikinis, men surfing in the chilly water and right next to them others bundled in coats and scarves. Everyone was living free doing their own thing, whether it be splashing in the cold water or shielding themselves in down-coats.


Barcelona was full of many strange but very pleasing art structures, most of them created
by compiling the same geometrical shape together in a strange way like the box tower on the beach or this incredibly pleasant looking series of circles in the middle of the road. This idea was repeated all throughout the city.

Just beyond this structure was a path to this large garden high up on a hill. It was full of the most beautiful and wide arrangements of flowers and strange trees. Every hill and staircase you had to climb up to reach the top led to more ivy, flowers,
and grand trees. When finally reaching the top
you are greeted with a floral garden and the most fantastic view of the city.


Our trip to Barcelona was more like a peaceful dream than reality. After hours spent each day coasting up and down the seaside and city streets, we had to return our beloved bikes that had given
us so much happiness and freedom. We rode up and down the seaside one last time and were stopped by the color changing sky of the evening over the mass water.



Natalie and I spent our last hour speechless,
sitting on our bicycles, staring at the gorgeous view we were so fortunate to be experiencing.
It was a peaceful end to our little vacation, thinking about what lucky people we are to be
here. Letting the beauty of the massive sea and sky remind us how fortunate we are to see all of these unique, gorgeous views,towns, seas, people, and lifestyles.

Barcelona will always be a warming part of my heart. Awwwww. ;)

Day Visits in Italy!

Over the past few weeks our class was very lucky to go to several day trips around Italy for some great first-person fashion information!

Our first trip we visited a textile mill in Prato. Prato has been historically known for its textile industry, particularly woolen fabrics since the Middle Ages.

We visited this small little town, right outside of Florence to see the process of woolen fabrics being produced in a factory. The factory we visited has been ran be the same family that began the company many generations ago. It supplies all colors and types of woolen fabrics for designer labels and other retailers.

We were given a tour starting with touching some of the fibers that would soon turn into massive sheets of fabric . We were guided around seeing all the processes from the weaving to dying to cleaning and inspecting.

It was such a great experience watching this multi-stepped, perfected process, that normally you don't think about when buying a sweater that it had to go through.

But as we are a group of 50 girls, the fabric was only partially our main interest of the trip. What our real concern was is if this Italian Stallion running the company was wed with children yet. Our handsome tour guide attracted all of us to be in the front to hear his incredibly fascinating story about fabric, not dream of course.


The next trip we visited the Maramotti Museum and the city Bologna. This museum is a collection of modern art pieces collected by the founder of the brand MaxMara. Achille Maramotti, the founder, bought pieces from modern artists in their earliest years of work, before they were famous. He knew the importance and connection between social issues, art, and fashion. This is still an underlying belief of the family business which is why this museum is free entry to share this importance with all the community.

It was an extremely inspiring museum from textures, to illusions, innovations, and emotional attachments. It showed modern artists work from all around the world with famous American artists like Basquiat and Matthew Barney.

After the museum visit we went to Bologna which is particularly known for its delicious tortellini. We didn't do much else besides eat tortellini while we were there too. It lived well up to its fame, maybe being the best meal I have had in Italy so far.


Most recently we visited a leather shoe-making factory. It makes leather shoes from scratch to finish for many high-end labels. We witnessed the pattern-makers, the sewers, those attaching the heels, and even the lady touching up with a marker the dye job.

After seeing all the foot forms, straps, fabrics, etc and how they're put together we hopped down to the shop in which they sells some of these beautiful, well made creations.

Shocking as it may be I did not buy any new shoes, but it was still a great experience seeing the process that allows a piece to have the prestigious tag of "Made in Italy."

Dodgie Times in London

London was by far the funnest visit yet since being in Europe for two months. From our days full of visiting limit-pushing designer shops and sections of town to our nights of witnessed fist fights and party ragers of all ages; it was surely a week load of AWESOME.

The greatness of London came before we even got there. We were fortunate to fly into the city of rain on a gorgeous day with a one hour duration of fantastic views. We flew over the sea reflecting the sky we were in; making the view confusing of which blue was the sky and which was the sea. Then we floated with the clouds above the mountains. They were hiding in their hills little pouches of the bluest water I have ever seen. It was a fantastic, uplifting morning flight into an only slightly dreary London.

It was such an energy boosting flight that led the man at borders to tell me to "sober up." So, don't worry America, I am making a good impression for us at border lines with my intoxicating energy ; ).

We then started our time in London getting our tourist sites checked out of the way first. We all hopped from site to site on a coach from seeing the London Bridge, London Eye, Big Ben to shoving ourselves into a little red telephone booth. AAnnnnd then we were let free to actually do fun things in London ; ).

That night we made our way to around Soho where we stumbled upon a loud chorus of drunk men. We couldn't turn down an opportunity of singing with ecstatic middle-aged Londoners, so then came a night of tributes of Queen to Donna Summer. And who knew they had a whole other, funner part of the hokey pokey!?


I wouldn't have thought everyday following could be even more fun than the one prior. The next day we visited the V&A museum which was absolutely fantastic and inspiring.

We then ate a big cake for lunch and hopped from shop to shop . The shops and merchandising of them were so edgy, innovative and exciting. I want to be in London!

But never more did I want to be exactly where I was than that evening. We went to the theater show Priscilla Queen of the Desert. The most colorful, fabulous, hilarious, and best costume filled anything to ever be created. What could possibly be more fun than three diva drag queens on a bus in the middle of nowhere? My face still hurts from my plastered smile of shock and laughter of what three drags on a road trip means.

Our next day was London designers overload!

We first went to Pinaki Studios which houses workplaces for all types of artists; jewelry, interior, fabric designers etc. We met and heard from fabric designer Arantza. She is extremely innovative, making pieces of 3-dimension, with rust details, etc. She works for many theaters and movies to create original fabric for costumes.

We then visited Zandra Rhodes' studio for some educational awesomeness. And by that I mean we played dress-up after hearing about these dream garments from the co-designer =].

That day ended with a lecture from couture millinery designer Prudence. She had a "lovely" bio full of how lovely everything is, which is quite easy to say when your least expensive hat is a "lovely" 800 lbs. Millinery is a fantastic dying art so it's great someone is making the big bucks with it!

The next day we had a free day to invade London. Natalie and I filled most of it exploring the east end. We hopped from shop to shop around and down Brick Lane. The streets were full of vintage stores and boutiques of young fashion designers, painters, sculptures etc etc etc. It was also flooded with young kids dressed like us . . . but cooler! This was such a refreshing feeling being around people trying to be different and new; Italian style has been making me a bit conservative! uuughhAhhh! ;)

We ended our day in East London too at a 1920's themed club. A live band played that perfectly mocked the twenties! Dancing to them in our fringe, pumps, and new tights completed the dream of wanting to live a night from the twenties.

We spent about 3 hrs hopping buses back to our hotel in West London, but along the way we ran into all sorts of worth while events. We witnessed two fist fights, one being between two girls on the ground beating each other in mini skirts over some Mcdonald's "chips" . . . "I'm loving it."

Sadly our week had come to an end, but beautifully at Windsor's Castle. It was a gorgeous, cool day that was a bit calmer than the rest to help us end our fun in London.

London felt great and oh, one day, I'm going back!

Well, As if I was over posting about France

2day Como/Milan Trip

Day trip to Como, another city in fast-forward but all along great!

We visited the Ratti Factory that makes and prints on silk fabrics for high fashion houses. It was founded in 1945 and is still prestigious and prosperous!

They used to do everything for creating the fabrics, even raising the silk worms. Now they do everything else but that.

It was so amazing seeing fabric being massed produced. There were tons of machine looms, printers, dryers, etc. making all of this beautiful fabric.

We had a tour visiting the many steps and ways the fabric was being made and printed.

There were thousands of print templates displaying brand names like Louis Vuitton and Dolce and Gabanna.

It is wild seeing layers of designer fabric just lying around.

Just a wonderful day of seeing wonderful fabrics. We then visited a massive archive of antique fabrics. It was collection of all the intricate, extraordinary hand woven, embroidered, beaded, and painted fabrics from the most luxuries garments of the past.

Outside of this fantastic museum was Lake Como. It was such a peaceful, beautiful lake to have lunch next to and feel the wind from. We were able to see several hydroplanes land from flying around the amazing mountains surrounding the lake; such a great place. (and I think George Clooney lives there.)

We spent the night in this wonderful little hotel that had us take a bus up the mountains to find. Como is a the most lovely city.

After a great sleep due to our black out electric shutters ;), we went to Milan!

In Milan we went to the Triennale Design Museum. The most fantastic place ever! We had the most perfect tour guide. She was so humble, intelligent, open-minded, and of course cute! She led half the students to tears in her great presentation of the exhibit.

Then we just happened to stumble upon Milan fashion week. Somehow neither I or anyone else from the fashion school knew it was fashion week when we were in Milan.

As we were leaving the museum so were all these models etc. from this fashion show. Everyone was flashing their picture as they made ridiculous serious faces of half opened mouths in their daisy dukes. So of course we had to make some smiling, goofy faces in the background. It was fun seeing that models really do act like that.

We then explored through Milan visiting many designer shops etc. etc. Fun Fun Fun.

I could've layed forever in Monet's Garden

Isn't it just great!

Oh, Beautiful, Wonderful, Fantastic PARIS

Finally!! We made it to the dream land. Its the first day and here Nat, Rita, Molly, Kaitlin and I are just turning the corner and then whoa! There, unexpectedly, it is! The massive, but so gentle, beautiful, symbol of the place we've always longed for, THE EIFFEL TOWER!!


We giggled, skipped, and photographed to and all around the tower in reassurance we were finally there!

Then so innocently we are trying to ride the elevator up to the top when all the sexy, french police officers push us out of the limits of the Eiffel Tower. They knew this love was too unnatural but they told everyone it was a "bomb threat."

But undefeated we were; There were so many other great Parisian symbols we had to tackle our first night.

We went to the Arc de Triomphe and climbed up to the 250 something stairs to the best view in Paris. All of the lit up streets of the city lead to the circle surrounding the Arc; surrounding us. The sparkling city was surrounding us and of course the wonderful view of the glowing Eiffel Tower at night. Here we all called our mom's and teared up out of happiness and thankfulness that we were finally here!!!

We love being tourists, so we couldn't stop there.
We then strolled down the "Ooooh, Chaaammppss Elyseeesss!" to fill up on some crepes.

And just saying, it's no big deal or anything but the waiter told me "You speak very good french."

OOOhhh Yeeaaahhh! Dream Day!!

The rest of the week was full of endless greatness and of course fashion!

We visited all of these wonderful places I never though would be possible at this point in my life.

Our class visited Premier Vision; the world's largest fabric trade show. It was absolutely massive and full of the most outstanding selection of fabrics, trims, and trend forecasting.

We the met the most talented, kind Madame Picot. One of only five women in the world who knows how to create the tedious, beautiful, unique pleating done in the dresses to the left. She is between us.

She gave a wonderful history of the inventor of the technique; Madame Gres. Madame Picot worked for her and learned this fantastic technique and gave a demo to our class. I was very fortunate to put on one of Madame Picot's amazing designs of silk jersey!

We visited endless wonderful shops and fashion forward places while being surrounded by the well-dressed Parisians too.

We also visited Versailles which is alone always wonderful but there was also an exhibit throughout the castle from the Japanese artist Takashi Murakami. He made all these cute, fun, and fantastic manga sculptures that were placed throughout.

From the Louvre to the Parisian gay clubs we did just about everything. Oooh, what a fantastic week of my life long dream of finally going to Paris.

Paris, je t'aime!!

Festa della Rificolona, Festival of the Paper Lantern

On the 7th we went to the Festa della Rificolona. It is a great annual parade around Florence. Everyone carries around decorative lanterns; homemade and store bought.

Throughout the parade there are different bands and musicians walking with everyone playing jolly music with choreographed dancing. Just mini marching bands of tons of fun keeping everyone moving!

The funnest part of this parade is amongst all of the paper lanterns are little boys running around shooting them with spit wads. The lanterns become full of little spit wads and I was hit plenty
of times too!

The walking with the lanterns and the spit wad war are somewhat like a reenactment of a long ago tradition celebrating the birth of the Virgin Mary.

This link has the story behind the festival. Its an odd story creating this fun parade.

http://www.visitflorence.com/florence-events/rificolona-festival.html

It was great following the parade to find out it leads to a party at the the end of my street! The parade marches until the Piazza Santissima Annunziata, a block from my apartment. It is a big square which was filled with candy stands, balloons, and more lanterns. There were several speakers and more performers.

Spit wads in my hair, running around giggling children, floating happy lanterns, and the funnest music I guess sums up the parade. It wasn't anything like the U.S.; an entire town marching, dancing, and laughing together at night to celebrate a long ago tradition. It was so great!

Sienna

Oh, just getting more class credit for visiting amazing places in Italy.

All of the Italian men always want to "take you to Sienna." We were wondering what possibly this place must be like; romance capital of the world? or rape capital? Luckily, I found it to be the most beautiful town, built from the most fantastic morals and beliefs. It is a gorgeous place of sacred background. Perhaps next time I will let the next offering man take me to Sienna ;-).


These first three pictures are of the main Cathedral in Sienna. They don't do a 100th of the justice to the true beauty the building deserves.

From the entrance to the alter on both sides are bust sculptures of all past popes with scorning faces to remind you of your sins and to cleanse yourself as reaching the alter. Every pope extremely intricate and labeled.

The dark marble all inside was unexpected from the sparkling white outside, but it was magnificent. The pillars surely remind me of beetlejuice. Even the floors were intricately decorated of marble designs.

To say the least it was truly the most immaculate place I have ever of visited. The intricacy and beauty of everything was so unreal, so intense that I cried.

The stairs leading to this area are believed to be a sacred ground where a miracle was taken place. There is a small cross on the step believed to be left there after the miracle. People rub it in wishes of their own little miracles to happen. I think its working for me. I have been very fortunate. =)


These are just some other pictures of the glorious Sienna. So when an Italian says "Let me take you to Sienna!" Definitely say yes!

Sienna also has two major horse races every year called the Palio. To be the winner is an extreme honor! The town is separated into many different groups (contradas) who build themselves up all year for this battle. Its an incredibly aggressive, wild race. The racers and viewers become brutal to each other for the sake of winning and supporting their contradas.

One year an opposing team poisoned the winning
teams celebration dinner, sending everyone to the hospital!

After that we went to the Sienna Designer Outlet Stores. Designer clothes at 70% discount but still hitting prices of 800 euro for a skirt. So... I didn't find much. I bought a pair of Alexander Mcqueen tights for 25 euro. I felt a beautiful pair from the magnificent, passed away designer of so much inspiration was allowed.

What a magnificent day!

Next week is Paris for 5 days including trade shows, designer presentations, and everything
else France offers!

Dream Dream Dream Dream Dream Dream!

Last Summer Vacation Weekend

The past couple of days have been full of so much exploring, learning, fun, and as always beauty.

Friday morning we visited the Medici Villa. Its a gorgeous royal summer home and garden. It has an absolutely amazing view of the city. The inside is full of original frescoes, sculptures, and ancient furniture. We weren't aloud to photograph the inside.

It was so fantastic touring the villa. Everything was so elaborate and fine. It had billiard tables, the first pinball games, ancient pianos, and beautiful decorations inspired from Egypt at the time it was built.

Being there really brought you back to the time of it all. Seeing the gardens, wanting to be in a massive elaborate gown with a parasol; then going to a ball at night with renaissance men courting you. Oh totally magical.








The next day Natalie and I went to the Forte Dei Lago Beach in Viareggio. We conquered the train station and bus to get there. We laid on this little sliver of the free beach and napped in the sun all day! The rest of the beach was 20 euro an hour to sit on =O!

It was a fantastic sliver though. The gorgeous ocean was in front of us and then the view of the mountains behind us. It was an absolutely dreamlike view.

The ocean was also giving off the perfect breeze and the water was the perfect temperature. Beyond all of that being great we were surrounded
by gorgeous men in speedos.

We ended our night with a glass of wine and dancing with some great Italian dancers to live Italian music. My date was a 70 year old man who was five inches shorter than me. He could pick me up, spin me around, and twirl himself without ever getting tired. Natalie of course wins again with the gorgeous five inches taller, suave Italian twenty-something. I didn't know a man could move like that ;). It was all so great.

It was a fantastic weekend to end the summer and start off the school year. On Monday classes begin. I can't wait start sewing and drawing regularly again.

Foto! Foto! Foto!

< - - - Outside the window of our school.

< - - - Nice butt.

< - - - View from Ponte Vecchio

Gypsy Natalie. Literal translation of how we were seeing it ;-)

Our dance club outfits and Natalie's flower from the Italian=D