I love my desk:  This week I really enjoyed staying in Milano and working from my desk.  Not only the catching up parts, but the work that makes me really happy.  Embracing this surprising quote of Einstein, “ imagination is more important than knowledge.” This seems so amazing for a man of science to think. He then explains, “For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand”.

Working from my desk this week, I could travel in my mind through different times, to different places; find new dreams and make new discoveries, it was a week to imagine.

Imagination was certainly the driving force of Elsa Schiaparelli’s creativity and art. This week with the exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City so much has been written about her and her work. I think that the road of imagination great artists like Schiaparelli travel has great humour also.

 I wish that I owned these heart soaps she made in the 1950’s. Washing one’s hands with hearts…..what a surrealist vision.

Designed in 1969 by Verner Panton. Here a perfect globe in transparent acrylic and glass reflections. He was the first to create inflatable furniture and pioneered so much in design and materials that I always wondered what a person with that imagination would do to improve the quality of our life and the planet if he were designing today.

Watching nature now and thinking what can make a better world, I am dreaming of the perfect passive energy house I would build on the rocks right by the water. The idea of controlling energy consumption by 90% and helping the climate simply by living in this house is the intention of the Villa Atrium here.  First presented in 2008 in Sweden by Kjellgren Kaminsky Architects, it requires minimal heating.

Round like the globe, and a perfect size, it becomes part of nature with the atrium at the center, the heart of the house.

I am always going to look at objects in black and white, but also coming with circles makes these ceramic globes irresistible to buy on line.

Put a candle inside with the summer approaching, and an evening passes on the terrace at 10 Corso Como with the new skyline now growing up around us.

Reading is like traveling. The Via in latin of course is literally the road we take.

Traveling to other places but also to other’s thoughts. Visiting minds and other ways of thinking is a never ending experience when looking through books. One image leading to another and another until one has wandered far from the original idea;

the eyes always taking the first step on this journey.

The circle, the rectangle, the cube – the geometry of Vasarely’s Alphabet Plastique. Here, getting lost in this sculpture by Victor Vasarely, he provides infinite possibilities for the creative act in so few shapes. Considered the father of Op-art, this is just one example of how a sculptor, a painter, a poet, a writer first travels with their minds.

I never thought before that a two hour holiday could be such a relaxation and sensory stimulation. This week I was able to spend only two hours by the sea at Portofino but it was the ultimate positive mini break. The sound of the sea and the infinity of the horizon made time irrelevant and the mind seemed to travel everywhere the sea went, exploring new ideas.

Whether it is a building, a piece of jewelry or food on a plate, pure

form has an unmistakable attraction, at least to me.  A strong voice and

the focus of the artist, whatever the field, will express the idea in

architecture, design, fashion or music. At the end, it is all about the

shapes and forms and the hand and eye that will bring through their

designs, real beauty. I was wearing these cuffs at a concert in Paris

and everyone has asked to hold and touch them. Today they sit as

sculpture on the desk – to wear or not.

Here a lazy Sunday morning with Blackie playing with Kris’ cuffs.

Kris Ruhs was one of the artists Robert Lee Morris showed for years at

ARTWEAR. Ruhs’ art until he met Morris had been through paper and canvas

works. Morris had a profound influence on his decision to experiment in

this medium

ARTWEAR was on West Broadway and was a first stop for me when in

New York. A place of inspiration, attraction and, hopefully, shopping.

The creation of Robert Lee Morris, this generous vision for a place for

artists to show and sell their work has never existed again. From 1977

to 1994 ARTWEAR was the meeting place, a hub of creativity, for the best

jewelry artists: ­ Ted Muehling, Cara Croninger, Kris Ruhs, Tone Vigeland

and others from all over the world to present cutting edge ideas in

design and craft. Robert Lee Morris is a remarkable jeweler himself

who continues to work from his studio in New York.

Here a drawing of one of his pieces from 1976.

When it comes to sculptured cuffs, my first thought goes to

Tone Vigeland. Her jewellery and art work are so pure and perfectly realized.

Here two cuffs from 1989. Recognized as a leading artist in her native

Norway, she started her workshop there in 1961 as a pioneer in hand

working silver. I discovered her works in ARTWEAR when Robert Lee Morris

was giving to artists this incredibly generous showcase.

A pioneer in the use of resin; Croninger is a painter, a sculptor, and a very creative and innovative jeweler. Since 1972 she has been working with abstract and

sculptural shapes and tonalities of material.

Here on the right, a series of her iconic bracelets.

On the left, a picture by Man Ray, 1932.

Cuffs are an important body decoration. From the time of ancient Greece, Egypt or

in the famous Man Ray picture they are art for the body. And today they

can be sculptural architectural pieces like the ones Frank Gehry has

designed exclusively for Tiffany that recall his architecture, or the

iconic sensual “bone” cuff, 1975, also for Tiffany, by legendary designer Elsa Peretti that molds so beautifully to the shape of the wrist.

Here an unexpected sculptural building designed by Frank Gehry for the

Vitra Design Museum outside of Basel, Switzerland. Completed in 1989, the

Vitra showcases an extensive collection of modern furniture from the

beginning of the 19th Century to the present as well as a campus of

buildings by some of the world’s leading architects. Superbly designed

structures for the world’s most excellent design collections -  which

makes for all the visitors and any student in design Weil Am Rhein

a true destination.

Frank Gehry has envisioned a project as unusual as his amazing sail building,

here, the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.

Always exploring across all boundaries, Gehry has conceived a project of three Mozart operas to be designed by three architects and all directed by Gustavo Dudamel, the Principal Conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Gehry himself does the first, Don Giovanni. This opens on May 18th.

He has chosen Rodarte to create the costumes to complement this unique

visual picture which Dudamel will conduct.

The other two operas are now in development and will also draw as much attention.

The collaboration to make Gehry’s vision even more memorable with his

sets for Don Giovanni will come from the costumes of the Rodarte sisters,

Kate and Laura Mulleavy. Long fantastical gowns but also menswear for

both the master and his ever watchful servant Leporello. Here is one of

their already published creations. I look forward to seeing what are now

very closely guarded costume designs from two of the best fashion

designers with a unique eye and a strong personality.

I am still in the reverie of an evening of music. Thursday in Paris

listening to Gustavo Dudamel conduct the Berliner Philharmonic in the

Salle Pleyel was a rare privilege. One of the most acclaimed conductors

now in the world, the passion of his work and his personal charisma are a

force of energy that still resonates with me. There is nothing quite

like the effect of music on the mind and heart.

The Salle Pleyel and its beautiful Art Deco hall was built by the Pleyel

piano company in Paris in 1927. Since 1827 they had made pianos for the

greatest pianists – Chopin and Debussy up to the modernists Ravel and

Stravinsky, who played here in this perfect acoustically designed space.

Even the applause of the enthusiastic audience was music at the end of

this amazing evening with a master of form and space.

Shiro Kuramata’s suspension of red roses in his “Miss Blanche” plexiglass
chair is legendary of course, and the brilliant abstraction of this
plexiglass cube also by Kuramata has been sitting right here on my desk
for years. I don’t need fresh flowers with the unfolding petals of this
rose held in such suspense, both genius achievements creating new forms
in design. This week I have been seeing roses everywhere as the Galleria
opens an exhibition inspired by the rose. Kuramata’s roses; a Douanier
Rousseau painting translated to a French birthday card, or the one single
rose that has just made its way to sunlight in all of the green in the
garden. I thought I didn’t care about the roses but on the walls, or in
my life, the rose inspires.

For 30 years, Nick Knight has challenged the eye to expand its conventional notion of beauty. He also captures with such purity the relationship between the viewer’s emotions and the photo.

Here in the galleria we have his roses. His book, Flora, a series of flower pictures of just this clarity, calm the eye and sharpen the mind.

“The silhouette is a stem ­ narrow, flexible as a rose”. Here a double
page from Fleur Cowles memorable magazine she published between 1950 and
1951. Flair would go on to set standards for what would happen in
beauty, style and content for decades. It is now very much sought after
for reference and the pleasure of true style.

A magazine that only lasted for one year yet still inspires with its
style, Flair’s cover of roses and leaves like a crown around her head.
And the universe of Claude Lalanne’s organic and surprising jewelry here
inspired by vines and flowers show that always the artist will bring
another powerful dimension into the work. The line between art and
decorative art here has no meaning.
Alexander Calder would draw a special necklace for his hostess when he
would be invited for dinner. No flower bouquet could be as beautiful as

the drawing as a gift.

Venus gave a rose to Eros; Eros gave the rose to the God of Silence. In
ancient Roma, a wild rose placed on a door would signify “secret and
confidential matters were being discussed”. Now to say sub rosa or
“under the rose”  means to keep a secret.  At the opening of the Galleria
the other night, the talk of roses was anything but secret ­ but of
course I won’t tell.

Food is of course as important as Eros. This set of cooking pots called
“Aphrodite” were designed by three women designers from the Istituto
Europeo di Design (IED) ­ Monica Albini, Cara Judd and Benedetta Leonardi.

Years ago on a trip to India, I came back with two suitcases full of red
roses. To go to the rose markets in Bangalore and fill my arms with roses
was irresistible and I thought – I will bring them back for my daughter ­
and I did.  Today maybe security would not allow such fantasy.

All the memories of India are special but the best fantasy in India is the
Wenkataramana Swamy temple and is still for me a memorable dream.

The magazine Bloom is an artistic discovery not only for trends in
flowers, plants and the gardens in which they grow, but also of the young
photographers, artists and designers who contribute. Here, pictures for
the magazine taken by Australian photographer Vee Spears. Now living in
Paris, Spears started taking pictures of her children and has become
recognized worldwide for her portrait work.

When it comes to flowers, nobody could ever take a better picture than
Irving Penn. Penn was so talented that even if he had never wanted fame he
could not keep it away. Penn’s Flowers pictures first appeared in the
Christmas issues of  Vogue from 1967 to 1973. The book, Flowers,
exquisitely printed on heavy glossy Kromekote paper and oversize,

is now a collector’s item.The weight and presence of these amazingly made books,

Flora and Flowers, here on my desk are always a Sunday pleasure for me.

This week here in Milano was the annual Salone del Mobile. It somehow
seems the most international and interesting week of the year.  Buzzing
with so many interesting and knowledgeable people anxious to find new
things, rediscover the old things, enjoy the odd things and appreciate
the many possibilities we Milanese can experience all year long.  They
make me realize that we who live here should do more to enhance and
contribute to our city.  To promote and protect more our treasures for
our own enjoyment and to share with the world.

Here in the picture on my desk today a beautiful Lucio Fontana

ceramics book and a new ceramic by Kris Ruhs.

In reality it would not be too far in time to imagine bringing Milano
back to its spendors. It was, and still is the capital of design

and has a proud tradition of great art, photography and architecture.

Surely we also as Milanese should think on how to bring the interested

and the curious to visit Milano more than once a year. Easy to say, lots of work to do.

But like the egg, once cracked the future comes…like here, in the beautiful
terracotta sculpture of Lucio Fontana, “concept spaziale”, 1957.

For many years now, as a beautiful tradition during Salone del Mobile,
Mr. Fulvio Ferrari has installed a table with his books and other items of
Carlo Mollino in the Bookshop.  Here every year he meets the fans of
Mollino’s wide ranging talents in art and architecture that made Italian
design so vibrant a period in history.  This year we were delighted to
see Mollino’s pharmacy cabinets of wonders and a few amazing enamel
pieces by Ettore Sottsass.  He is always a pleasant presence to look
forward to see again but it is my privilege to look at his rare books,
late at night, in the peace of the evening when no one is left in the
shop but me. In the picture a Ettore Sottsass enamelled copper tondo, 1958

Jun Mitami is a Japanese mathematician who explains complex 3D equations through origami in paper. Issey Miyake was so inspired that he worked with Jun to make 3D clothing grow from a two dimensional piece of cloth. In this case the cloth for Miyake was recycled plastic. A design in five different ways to hang as art.With the Miyake 132 5 pieces next to Kris Ruhs 3D wall of light, the Salone del Mobile week at 10 Corso Como offered an amazing connection between two talents of great diversity – both exciting – both inventive – sharing the Galleria.

Of the many events we have had this week at the Galleria, one of major
beauty is the wall light of Kris Ruhs.  The tri dimensional construction
directs the light from all directions.  Depending on where you stand,the
wall moves across the spectrum from pitch black to white light.
An amazing design achievement.

The Courrèges Green Car has been in the garden at the bottom of the
stairs to the Galleria and my office for the week. So every day I walk by
this little car from Courrèges and each day I appreciate more and more
the great vision Courrèges had of the needs of the future. Only now do
we realize how much we must take care of our resources – something known
when he was designing trends forty years ago.  I truly love Courrèges!

 Today, like most days now, more and more of what I read is from
the computer screen, even when I could be perhaps more quiet and with my
books. Here, just in front of my desk is a present from Silvia,
the Leporello unfolding book by Warja Lavater, a Swiss artist.
She was known for creating classic fairy tales as accordian art books
using images instead of words. Here the story of Don Giovanni’s amorous
conquests (all the kisses!) as they are noted down (and seen by the eye!)
of his faithful servant Leporello in Mozart’s opera. No website will
ever give the emotional feeling that paper – the touch, the smell, the
weight and the color that books can as they involve so much of the
senses. And color is such an important part of our emotions, so many
theories on the compositions of colors. Even today we do not know what
makes color, whether dark or light or psychedelic, only its beauty.

From the penetrating eye of Laveter’s wonderful art book Leporello and
its colors to the circles of Goethe’s masterwork on color theory, here a
page of his book. Goethe considered this theory his biggest achievement.
In contrast to Newton who saw color as formed from splitting white light
through a prism, Goethe considered color to be made from both dark and
light, a very Renaissance approach.

Since the beginning of the bookshop at 10 Corso Como we have carried the
Kandinsky book “Concerning the Spiritual in Art” originally written in 1911
to explain abstract painting. Kandinsky color was a spiritual
and emotional expression. His theory thought that color has its own
expressive value: warm colors create movement forward; cool colors create
movement away. Colors can be pleasing to the eye but also have a deeper
resonance with the spirit and communicate without an object or figure.

Yayoi Kusama and Marc Jacobs are working together on a new series for the
Vuitton line. It is a pleasure just to check the new opening page (right)

of the Vuitton website to see what is coming up. Kusama’s use of
psychedelic colors in her signature patterns has always been fascinating
and an exhibition here at the gallery in 2005 of her furniture and
clothes was delightful to host (left). Can’t wait to see and hopefully own at
least one piece from this new collaboration.

A series of photos of fashion in a suspended bubble were taken in Paris
in 1963 by Melvin Sokolsky while he was at Harper’s Bazaar and became a
sensation. In 1998 we made an exhibition of his work here at the
Gallery, which he attended. Mr. Sokolsky  in 2010  published an archive
of his work, over 400 pages, that simply cannot be appreciated on a
computer.

French designer Pierre Stephane Dumas takes the bubble of Mr. Sokolsky out of Paris and into another dimension into nature. In keeping with the garden follies of the XVIII century, it can be a retreat into fantasy.

Adrian and Azzedine: a friendship that does not need many words. Here in the empty white bubble room, at 6pm, just before the exhibition opened its doors.

Curated by fashion writer Olivier Saillard, Director of the Galliera Museum, this is one of the exhibitions the museum has mounted outside of its own space at La Cité de la Mode et du Design in Paris while it waits for the final renovations to be finished next year. Rei Kawakubo’s white drama collection for Spring Summer 2012 with 33 pieces is shown here. Contained in transparent iridescent bubbles, all white on white as though suspended in the air in dreams.

 The white Comme des Garçons collection for summer 2012 was showing these crochet super delicate tops; museum pieces.

With great regret not for sale.

I guess I am still in the white mood from last week and thinking of the Salon del Mobile arriving in Milano and all of the wonderful pieces presented.

This white crochet chair was designed in 2006 by Marcel Wanders. He produced only 20 and of course it sold out.
As delicate as crochet can be, both hiding and revealing, and usually a technique for clothing, here transformed.

 On Wednesday the great surprise in Paris was the opening of the new exhibition of Cristobal Balenciaga and Comme des Garçons at La Cité de la Mode et du Design in Paris, or the Docks as it is called there, itself an exciting new use of the old warehouses on the Left Bank. Balenciaga’s personal collection of antique clothes and fabrics from the XVIII, XIX and XX centuries were presented  by curator Olivier Saillard who placed these treasures in large museum drawers next to Balenciaga’s own creations showing his ideas and inspirations; another amazing installation.

   In the end, while it is always wonderful to see the world, I am back in Milano for one of the best moments of the year. The weather is wonderful, for now, and the furniture fair arrives next week bringing artists, designers and architects from the best studios around the world to share with us what they have been thinking and working on this year. The Galleries will all be open to the public and professionals and visitors will flow over Milano in patterns seen reflected in the designs.  An endless harmonic flood of people, ideas and beautiful objects to admire and dream to take home. It is a very good time to be home and to have my library to remind me of the endless rhythms of nature and design all great artists use.

Walking in the streets of Shanghai, there is an immediate attraction

to the beautiful wall of the new Balenciaga store.

The façade recalls one of my favorite artists, Erwin Hauer, and his ongoing pursuit of infinite patterns.

Trained in Austria, he moved to US and taught sculpture at Yale for many years.

Always attracted to light and the infinite, he created walls as screens and in concrete. Here is an unusual application of his work in a fashion atelier in New York City, from Design 1, 1950. His new Erwin Hauer Studios are bringing his patterns into the digital world for a new audience.

Since 1991 the Kris Ruhs screens welcome visitors and customers

to 10 Corso Como in Milano.

Since each 10 Corso Como around the world is also a reflection of the patterns of our environment here, Ruhs has designed similar screens and walls in Tokyo and Seoul.

Here the nature of infinity, patterns and identity side by side.

Marc Newson is now living in London via Australia, Tokyo and Paris and is one of the greats of present and future design, here is his alvear marble shelf/ wall, 2007.

On the right, another Hauer wall of great beauty.

In this ceiling of Ruhs  installed in 2008 in Seoul, Korea, infinite patterns

repeat the shades of light and shadow.

Each piece, being created by hand, also adds its unique imprint to the flow of light, giving an immediate flow to the space below.

Each shape is the same and yet not. The flow of light, natural and artificial, is very important to Kris Ruhs who is showing in the Galleria this month.

The movement of light to create patterns for the eye is the focus. On the right, an outstanding ceramic table lamp mounted on steel from 2011.

On the left, a one of a kind hand crafted piece. This example of the work the Markoff Brothers who lived in Los Angeles after WWII

and designed one of a kind lamps for Hollywood.

Their MarBro lights were unique. Here a ceramic mounted on wood.

More patterns! If you start to look you see the harmonics of the infinite all over.

Here from left to right: the Honeycomb restaurant built in Shenzhen, China, by Sako Architects in 2007; and for the College of Design and Communications in London, this  space by the architectural firm Foreign Office Architects, 2005;

and the O House built by Zurich based architect Philippe Stuebi in 2007.

But nothing can beat nature: the walls of wax built by the honey bee in their nests to store honey and pollen is surely the most perfect of all the infinite shapes we see.

For two weeks my desk has been in the middle of the space of the new

10 Corso Como in Seoul at Avenue L. Here my reflection is the reflection of the space around as we finalize the last details for the opening this week end.

And here in Seoul over the last few years, we feel it is another home for us.

We wish we could hang a big thank you banner to all those people who have worked so hard these last few weeks. It would have been impossible without them.

And while I know this list is only part, for all thank you.

There is always a last minute …And Karen is always there!

Kris Ruhs: I have to wonder how many ways can he shape things and how many different expressions can come from his mind! Here two more of his Beings to welcome visitors at the entrance of the new 10 Corso Como home.

  How the smallest becomes the biggest.

This is our little cafe in the corner which on Friday evening was the host to

the opening party. It was wonderful to see so many people

enjoying this small cafe with the light reflecting all through the store.

It is so happy and exuberant to just sit here. And these were the windows that we discovered to open to the sun.

To share space with Comme des Garçons at the new Avenue L;

both have a fondness for black and white combinations and with their black dot
signature blending with the 10 Corso Como circles the two spaces easily
interconnect.

Always it is important to have a garden involved in our houses and here is the fountain that Kris designed for the allee between Avenue L and Lotte.

The store is now open, the garden is here and the water flows, the plants begin to work the magic of nature.

 Here is the banner  announcing 10 Corso Como to our new neighborhood

waving over the streets. We could not have received a more warm welcome from our hosts at Avenue L.

While the events at 10 Corso Como in Cheongdam move along day by day, the work at Avenue L is non stop – right now we all wish that we sold beds!  Here the entire floor is beginning to take shape under the hands and watchful eye of master mind

artist Kris Ruhs. While for us the designs of 10 Corso Como at Avenue L have been in light color, I find myself choosing only black and white, white and black images to illustrate my Seoul week.

Here is the coming together of another project of 10 Corso Como and Comme des Garcons.  We have shared space for ten years in Tokyo;  first in Aoyama and now at our new home in the DSMG Comme des Garcons Ginza that opened just a week ago.  Now here in Seoul we will share the entire fifth floor of Avenue L with our opening parties happening on Friday, March 30^th.

When 10 Corso Como first opened in Milano in 1991 at the same time as the Galleria Carla Sozzani we also created a small café in the courtyard.  Here in Seoul, as strong in design and just as important we opened a Cafe in 10 Corso Como in Cheongdam. Now, a new design, the 10 Corso Como Avenue L’s Café is taking shape.

For me, the idea of 10 Corso Como  being a place to meet, to share  time with friends and slow shop has always been first.

 Koreans love dolce!  So our café will offer these take away – delicious cakes prepared especially for 10 Corso Como at  Avenue L by chef at Mug for Rabbit, a vey popular cafe in Seoul.

President Obama has arrived in Seoul now and will give a speech tomorrow, Monday, at Hankuk University here. It is a fantasy to imagine what  the scholars were wearing in the old times, when everybody had these  noble sublime robes, while they used to “hak” which means to study. 

Many many people are walking through the department stores here looking at  fashions on Sundays, but I am now inspired by nostalgia. Here from the National Folk Museum is a rare ethnic skirt of great beauty.

The beautiful contrasts of Korea – their love for tradition balanced with the avant garde is seen in the Leeum Samsung Museum of Art. Swiss architect Carlo Botta’s masterpiece here to host the incredible ancient and modern korean ceramics. 

  Along with sweets, the Koreans also enjoy garlic. It is healthy, cures illness and naturally increases stamina as every Italian already knows. But here, in homage, is a Garlic Tower – a truly unexpected monument unique to South Korea. And a plate of black garlic a truly delicious meal.

 International design in Seoul is very vibrant today and this iPod Dock by architect

Shi-hyung Jeon,  in black and white caught my eye.  It is made from the new material called HI-MACS but shaped like the tradtional Korean robes called han-bok.

Again the balance here of tradition and innovation is very exciting.

 The process  and the experimental act is something that all designers and artists must go through to achieve the goal. It is a necessity that international designer Kwangho Lee has here turned into the result. Known around the world for his looping pendant lights made of electrical cords, here is his do-it sofa also.

Robert Polidori who is now showing his photos at 10 Corso Como in  Cheongdam and Kris Ruhs, here after dinner in action on the 5th  floor of Avenue L that opens in less than a week.

For our 4th Anniversary of Seoul 10 Corso Como in  Cheongdam  we are celebrating with an exceptional exhibition of the works of Robert Polidori. Polidori’s background is rooted in filmmaking, which builds upon a procession of images over time to create the artist’s image. Now, using a large format camera at slow shutter speeds, Polidori continues to use time to build his image.  This technique allows Polidori to capture the qualities of beauty and stillness that reside as the essence of a space, quite opposite from the fleeting moment that does not endure.

It is the Spring Equinox this week – a time of growth and Summer. And the changes and evolution of 10 Corso Como in Asia are truly a part of this season. With all the time zones we have flown through this week, the days and nights might be

equal but we are never sure which is which. 10 Corso Como has a new home in Tokyo

with Comme des Garçons in the DSMG store in Ginza. We left a great party there to fly to Seoul where it will soon be the fourth anniversary

of 10 Corso Como in downtown Cheongdam. And we begin to work on the opening parties to Avenue L, another home for 10 Corso Como and Comme des Garçons in the historic district of Seoul.

 To celebrate the fourth anniversary of 10 Corso Como in Seoul,  Kris Ruhs is  designing a new arcade of the new iconic circles for the worlds

of 10 Corso Como. Black and white circles welcome the rainbow arrival of a new series seen here just being painted and amazingly bright burst of colors! They share the growing energy of our conversations here with our visitors and customers.

 Home to the new design area is the installation of the red and white

Courrèges Revolution collection. In Seoul too 10 Corso Como

is celebrating its 50 years anniversary.

Our new entrance is now the centerpiece for the installation of the red and white Courrèges Revolution collection so that Seoul, Tokyo and Milano all can present this amazing 50 years anniversary of Courrèges.

In the four years since our opening in Seoul, it is a great pleasure for me to watch the growing interest of visitors and customers who appreciate the choices of lifestyle

we offer at 10 Corso Como.

It is clear that the first thing we must concentrate now, is to make a bigger space here in Seoul to welcome everyone into the world of fashion, design, art and cuisine.

So we made a change around and here is the main entrance now.

We went through two days of up and downs, from order to chaos from chaos to order!

Petros, on the right, started our cobranding 10 Corso Como – Comme des Garçons store  with us in 2002 where he was a buyer with long experience in London for Comme des Garçons.  It has been a nice surprise for me to rejoin with him and work to put our new 10 Corso Como space together.  Yo, on the left, has been with

10 Corso Corso – Comme des Garçons for many years as well and has kept our image with great integrity… many thanks to both of them.

This year we are celebrating this iconic brand, which I have been faithfully following since I was fifteen. 10 Corso Como has joined with Courrèges in celebrating

the 50th anniversary of this label in Milano, Tokyo and Seoul….

The Courrèges Revolution is always in my heart.

A surprise visit from British milliner Stephen Jones to the new 10 Corso Como home in Tokyo for the opening of the new DSMG. He tells me he is working on many projects.

Stephen is a friend since my days as editor at  Vogue, when I would climb up the stairs to visit his tiny atelier.  Today he is a star and we can talk with nostalgia of our old friends, mainly Anna Piaggi and John Galliano.

And with lots of love.

The Alaia collections have been a part of 10 Corso Como  since our opening in 1991.  Alaia came to Tokyo for the 10 Corso Como – Comme des Garçons  store in Aoyama and now we move together to our new home in DSMG Comme des Garçons. Seen here with the amazing escalators in the background.

Tokyo for 10 Corso Como is a new design challenge.

Since the beginning of 10 Corso Como we have wanted people to share in who we are, so being in this  super new avant garde department store DSMG  was a real experiment in building the true atmosphere of 10 Corso Como .

We put our heart into designing a special area with only our 10 Corso Como brand and co branding t-shirts, shopping bags and products in general,

and brought along two of our oldest friends, Azzedine Alaia, and the Courreges, whose 50 years anniversary we introduced in Milano last month.

The biggest hit at DSMG has been the new collaboration between Comme des Garçons Play line and Bathing Ape. Bathing Ape, a Japanese company also called BAPE was started by NIGO, a DJ and super star in Tokyo.

People have been cueing all night waiting for the opening to be able to get one of these 8 limited edition collectible t shirts. BAPE has now a book published by Rizzoli that is also a must have collectible.

The new DSMG store is absolutely amazing.

Seven floors with escalators-like a real department store! of discovery and beauty all glued together by the eye of Rei Kawakubo.
It reminds me of the first Barney’s on Seventh Avenue when a trip to New York always included a visit to SoHo and then up to Barney’s to see their windows,

always such an extraordinary mix of discovery and surprise.

This feels the same to me. Now it is a trip to Tokyo to ride the escalator of DSMG and see the blend of art, creativity and fashion of Comme des Garçons

before anything else.

 Sunday at my desk has been just that ­- only this one day, today – ­to sit and to reflect on the week just past and the Paris fashion shows and where they take us. All the creativity of different cultures and echoes of different times both on the runways and influences felt from off the runways met in Paris to show the fashion markets of the world where the vision will next go. The world of fashion and design is clearly influenced by cultural and social attitudes. It varies over time and place…

This week I spent a good deal of time with Azzedine Alaia at his atelier during Paris fashion week. It is always great excitement and creative chaos leading to the beautiful sculptural clothes he achieves.

Of course, like all the greats, he is never happy and it is never good enough for him. Most other eyes however disagree.

Fashion and sculpture: Madame Grés always claimed she wished to be a sculptor. Here, a dress from her Paris atelier of the 50′s that has influenced in the years so many designers, including this Paris season.

Sculpting shapes in design: this satin white glass lamp designed by Italian artist

Bobo Piccoli for Fontana Arte in 1968, is rare beauty and is called “RE” (King).

Bobo Piccoli was one of the steady figures at the Bar Giamaica in Milano, where all the artists and intellectuals used to meet and talk to change the world.

In the picture photographer Alfa Castaldi and friends at Giamaica

in a picture by Ugo Mulas.

Design and fashion mix again here in the McQueen show, where the amazing ceiling of hundreds of light bulbs illuminated the wonderful fashion of

lightness in these dresses of feathers and fluff.

 The lights of New York: at the Jeu de Paume in Paris the exquisite exhibition of  Berenice Abbott. Best known for her photographs of New York City

in the 30′s, in Paris are her artist’s roots. She came to Paris to study sculpture in 1921 and later became the assistant to Man Ray.

It was in Paris she first took up her camera and opened a portrait studio taking pictures of the bohemians like Jean Cocteau and many others before returning

to New York to become famous.

Last year we were in Holland for the retrospective of Alaia’s work and I saw this piece of sculpture by WeiWei from 1957 in the center of Groninger Museum.

This was made long before his house arrest and is still a very provoking statement. This year, at the Jeu de Paume, until April 29th there is the first comprehensive

exhibition of Ai WeiWei, called “Entrelacs”, including photographs and videos .

Wandering and looking for great design elements in Paris I “met” this beautiful abstract sculpture by Japanese artist Tomiya Matsuda.

Hand molded of clay with an off matt glaze, it was made in 1967 as Japan was stretching through its culture to meet other cultures around the world.

Fashion shows  in Paris this week and many new ideas to think about.  Today  on the wall across from my desk I am looking at this beautiful drawing by illustrator Mats Gustafson. It seems that real creativity really comes from

this – the naked body – no references outside of this one element.  Just a body on which to sculpt.Then a shape is created, and so the image grows from there.

Leading to so many different interpretations.

This was a great moment in fashion. For sure  we have not seen clothes like these before.Working in two dimensions as she did,Rei Kawakubo showed once more she is again opening new paths in fashion. So unique and beautiful and, while the vision was purely visionary, the clothes are also wearable.Welcomed by ten minutes of applause, the immediate emotional reaction was relieved by clapping hands.

Walking into the modern building in a Paris business district Balenciaga chose for the presentation,  and being welcomed by “corporate clothing” dressed stewardesses,

 it was unexpected . So  the technical innovations introduced in the fabrics, and  the conceptual new cuttings,  rounded and voluminous in the clothes. Guesquière at his best, always  keeping in mind his vision of the woman, so precisely his.

Faithful to his graphic and rigorous shapes but this time no choreographed show, which has been his signature since he started.  Today just  brilliant fashion.  Oversized coats and jackets, and beautiful linear dresses opening to reveal another layer beneath all worn on perfectly slimmed pants.

 In the beautiful Salons de L’Hotel de Ville, under the chandeliers of theThird Republic reflections of the past glowed in a great color palette not seen for long time of muted hues and elegant lines.

Oversize, large and exuberant shapes are given an unusual interpretation in the new Alaia collection.Here in his studio at the beginning of this week while he works, reflected in the mirror behind, trying an unfinished flattering new coat.

It is collection week in Milano so lots of fashion to see, and this week The Met Museum in NYC, who has had so many shows these years

of great designers as well as great art has just announced the exhibition of two great italian women designers, both linked to art: Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada. Fashion and art is a centuries old love affair, from the Romans at Pompeii to ancient greek vases; Gold of Byzantines and robes of Orientals.  To Poiret…the influence has flowed both ways – art to fashion – fashion to art. Real artists don’t see the difference between creating an original work of art such as a painting and designing a textile pattern, each is seen as a valid creative act.

The symbol of all that is more daring…shocking has a meaning that goes far beyond the color Schiaparelli loved..shocking pink. As she says in her book “Shocking life” published in 1954 “I stormed the press with my trouser-skirts”- Her love for beauty made her meet Poiret and love his clothes;  her love for art made her say, “even if I were poverty-stricken I wouldn’t take a fortune for my Picasso”. Even 50 years old, her book is a must read; it is a challenge as she switches between first and third person- confusing to the reader- but in keeping with her love for Surrealism!

If Schiaparelli shocks, Miuccia Prada dares. A subtle nod this week seen here to Schiaparelli and her famous trouser-skirts?  Maybe. But for whatever Prada’s inspiration, it was a surprising wonder to see the skirts and dresses over the pants in this great unpredictable show.

Here, hands painted by Picasso to look like gloves and photographed by Man Ray inspired Schiaparelli’s 1936 collection. Fascinated by the Surrealist movement she reversed the “picture”, making gloves looking like hands with red fingernails. The black gloves were worn with a Surrealist suit. The pockets were made to look like drawers she had done in collaboration with Dalì. The shoes of Comme des Garçons again show a bit of inspired surrealism. Walking in art.

Trompe l’oeil was a technique started by Schiaparelli very early in her career, when she created the knitted sweater on the left. Roberta di Camerino became even more famous with this technique.  One of her dresses here on the right, but also the creation of La Bagonghi bag. La Bagonghi is not only the trompe l’oeil most famous bag but its shape is this season the most seen on all the runways. In the center gallery of 10 Corso Como we filled the salon with her tricks of the eye this season.

Looking at the press clippings and newspaper stories about this weeks’ fashion shows, I happily recall this picture of Bill Cunningham. Bill is a living legend although he is modest about his work. He has taken covering street fashion and turned it into a very personal artistic expression unique to him.  For over 50 years he has caught the most important moments in fashion’s shows on the street. Here in front of the panel of the opening of his exhibition and in the street in Paris with master Azzedine Alaia.

Innovative photography and graphic design were natural to Lillian Bassman, when in the 40′s and 50′s she was art director of Bazaar with Alexey Brodovitch. Her long forgotten negatives of beautiful ethereal and elegant women were only found in the early 90′s. We were delighted to have a great exhibition of her work at the Galleria here in 1992.  Art supporting fashion, supporting art.

Beginnings, endings and continuings – all have been a part of this week happening far away and close to home here in 10 Corso Como.  A new installation of Kris Ruhs is being placed outside here in Milano and here, inside Milano

I have been most focused on the continuings of my great friendship with the Newtons.

The show of Alice Springs: these are photos I have wanted to exhibit for a very long time – as long as I have known Helmut and his wife June, “Alice Springs” Newton.

I cannot help but think of the four exhibitions we have had for Helmut at the Galleria.

He and June have been supporters of the Galleria’s vision since started and it is such a delight for me to have this exhibition of June’s work.

She who has urged Helmut along his path. Her path is so clearly exciting. Here two pictures in my office, June with friend and Helmut model Jenny Capitain in 1999 and Helmut in 1996.

Alice Springs first photographs were for Gitanes cigarettes. By coincidence, Helmut was ill and Alice went to do the job.  Her career as a photographer for Depeche Mode blossomed and for years, taking portraits she met and be friended people everywhere she would travel.

Many do not realize that the greatest talents have great humor as well,  as it is not always in front of the camera. Here, humor being a part of their life and work, June, Alice Springs, is doing an advertising campaign for Jean Louis David and the “extra” is Helmut dressed as a nun.

A wonderful present from the Helmut Newton Foundation’s director Matthias Harder was this art book by Berlin based artist Brigitte Waldach.

So many levels of meditation in her works, done with fine line drawings and only a deep red pigment on paper to reinforce symbolically her intentions.

Her references to literature and motion pictures seem only a departing point for deeper considerations of space and how we choose to occupy it.

A most controversial artist because of his direct nude photos, he was one of the sweetest and nicest people to work with.  Still working at Vogue I had the pleasure of spending many days working with him in his NY studio.

Everytime I would visit it was surprising the direction he would take the shoot.

Seeing his retrospective now showing at “Forma” here in Milano one can still sense the surprise his work always generates.  Not to be missed.

One of the best fashion illustrators – Antonio Lopez. He worked both in Paris and New York with the great designers Charles James and Largerfeld and so many others. When I was with Vogue we not only worked with some of the best

photographers, but illustrators like Antonio as well and visiting his studio was always interesting. Jerry Hall, Grace Jones and Jessica Lange would become friends and model for him.

Here Pat and Antonio. Pat was the first of the cult of the super models and appeared on the cover of Antonio’s book shown here and she still is an icon forty years later.

How amazing that here is this photograph of three of the most exceptional of all the designers of this century suspended in the light from the 18th century as in a painting.  Azzedine Alaia, Rudi Gernreich and Thierry Mugler whose influence achieved such a high degree of importance changing fashion in ways we only now see – three together in this installation.
A unique moment caught. How can one not love photography?

In the midst of my work I realized that this week has been one of nostalgia.

Reflecting on the past can bring on a bit of melancholy but it also fires

the re-emergence of aesthetics and this week surely we have seen that.

Introducing here Maison Courreges, the beautiful Whitman poem that Oliviero Toscani read to honor Elio Fiorucci and of course the sad news today

of the legend Whitney Houston.

So many years I have been following his work and his multi-talented skills, but always happy to be surprised by his different inspirations.

Multi-talented artist, a painter and a sculptor, that has worked with

Comme des Garçons to great delight many many seasons, in magazines and for many famous designers. Julien d’Ys is hosted on the Metropolitan Museum site

for his work on The Model As Muse: Embodying Fashion he worked on in 2009.

Having also worked with the Met on Anglomania and Super Hero shows there,

d’Ys amazingly fanciful wigs always draw gasps of wonder.

Kris Ruhs will have another in his series of installation sculptures outside

of the 10 Corso Como Milano building installed next week.

Here in the studio today the seven Totems in process are already

taking wonderful shapes.

Courrèges himself said: “we work for today to create tomorrow’s style”.

He thought the world was aging in 1965 and he sketched a look so radical

that he started a revolution. Spare dresses worn 4 inches above

the knees with flat white boots.

10 Corso Como hosts now a celebration for Courrèges 50th anniversary.

Malcolm Mc Laren was a close friend of Elio Fiorucci. He began many movements in both the music and fashion world in London that started trends for decades on.

Manager of the Sex Pistols and former partner of Vivienne Westwood,

his ideas influenced NY, L.A., Tokyo and Paris.

In 1988 he wrote Deep in Vogue about culture and fashion crossover,

creating the Vogueing dance and song.

“But here I am Vogueing pretty

In some club deep in this city

  Deep in Vogue, Deep in Vogue

                    Imagine runway modelling, in freeze frame

                 At the ball that’s what they call Vogueing“

Elio’s list of best friends now seems important but then

it was as outsiders making waves and having fun.

Here some best friends: Andy Warhol who at the opening of Fiorucci New York

wrote ”I like everything here…it is all plastic”,

Keith Haring who came to Milano to decorate the Fiorucci shop,

Basquiat of whom Fiorucci funded the movie New York Beat

(to become Downtown 81),

Ettore Sottsass, Oliviero Toscani and Malcom McLaren among others.

Oliviero Toscani honored Elio by reading the poem Beginners,  by Walt Whitman,

the visionary American poet.

Maripol worked and traveled as art director for Fiorucci.

Polaroid  is a great invention that she, like Warhol used as “voyeurs” of their times.

They took thousands of portraits of all this world of fashion, music, film and art.

Maripol became the stylist for friend Madonna on the Like a Virgin video

that rocked the music scene.

On Friday evening Elio Fiorucci was honored by the Circolo Filologico of Milano.

For 130 years they have honored those who have brought new ideas

into the culture from language, science and the arts.

In 1967 when Elio opened his Fiorucci store in Galleria Passerella something

changed in the conservative fashion scene here in Milano. At this time in London

Biba was the fresh fashion reference and in Milano there was Gulp -

but nothing existed in Milano or anywhere else like the store that Elio Fiorucci built.

The San Babila store had three floors of novelties

and things you couldn’t find anywhere else.

More importantly, everything was an original. The prize he received on Friday

evening was more than deserved. Grazie Elio for your vision.

This week everything seems white.  Always a fascinating color .

It is both sharp and yet has no edge. From the snows this week in Milano that
added magic to nature, the new designs of Tom Dixon in marble and the
solo exhibit of Paolo Roversi in London , the soft luminescence of
white moves over the days this week carrying us into

the whitest February in 27 years.

After Paolo’s opening Wapping hosted a wonderful dinner in this unusual building in East London.  Built in 1890, this immense hydraulic power station has been converted to galleries and a restaurant the serious “foodies” are now traveling to.

It is a privilege to be near beauty when fashion design and photography meet as they do in Paolo Roversi’s photographs.  Known for working with the “intelligent designers” the strength of style in these portraits of women represent the best beauty and magic of this white season.  Somehow you see the edge but it is also seamless.

Now at Wapping and not to be missed if in London.

Tom Dixon showed his first home accessories line at Maison & Object for everyday wares.  Eclectic, the name of his collection uses many of the same materials he has always favored.  Liking the organic, he blends copper, wood and marble to make bowls, serving trays and candleholders that creates a maze of lights

adding magic to any place.

In Paris we are letting off the pressure of whatever we do and how our lives have taken us to here. I am playing with Azzedine and Grace over cocktail time as only old friends can do. Artists when at the cafes would have sketched this moment,

I have my I PAD.

Every great city has its premiere Café and in Paris it is here, Café Procope.

This restaurant in St. Germain des Prés has had many famous diners like Voltaire, Rousseau and the theatre of the Comedie Française as well as politicians like Napoleon. Named after the historian Procopius who wrote the scandalous

Secret Histories, the Italian Francesco Procopio Dei Coltelli opened this café

in the 17th Century. I like to think that this helped its success.

Here the modular shelving system Pierre Paulin designed for François Mitterand

in the 80’s.  He used to describe himself as “continuing to work for the power”.

This means that art and beauty have always contributed to support the vision

of great leaders.

 While the architecture is unchanged, the Presidents of France, at least in their private apartments have enjoyed the Avant-garde. Pierre Paulin designed the private residence of Claude and Georges Pompidou in the Elysée in the 70’s. The famous pumpkin chair with its pouf was reedited in 2008. This year the other chair and pouf will be reedited. These photographs are original from the Elysée as are the photos from Paulin’s own collection.

With the stairs of Trinità dei Monti at its right, the cafe Greco is THE stop for coffee or just for the experience of being there. For 250 years this cafè founded by a Levantine person – Greco -, artists and writers have had their coffees here, Goethe, Stendhal, Leopardi, D’Annunzio…, so sitting and enjoying the atmosphere of these rooms makes me think of all the great personalities who have been here. I wonder also why it is foreigners who start the cafes? The Greek in Rome; the Italian in Paris? Curious.

 I had never been to the Quirinale before, the amazing house built by

Pope Gregory VIII as his summer residence. This building has so much art, sculpture and tapestries from the Renaissance it is hard to imagine it as a summer house.

And that the Vatican was not enough for the Popes! The mansion sits on the highest hill in Rome and looks out over the city. The Hill of Quirina is one of the seven hills on which Rome was built. It is said that the gardens here have the ruins of temples to the Dioscuri, the twins Castor and Pollux. One mortal, one immortal. Just like Rome.

For six years now, the President has been hosting the Leonardo Awards for the excellence of Italy. The Leonardo Awards were created to honor people and companies whose work has helped to promote Italian products around the world.

This year Piero Antinori received the first for his wines that his family has made for

400 years. His three daughters now also work in the business and I think this is worthy of mentioning. President Giorgio Napolitano hosted a light lunch and all of us were happy to meet a great man working so hard for Italy.

One new year ends in the Occident and another starts in the Orient!  So many new things happening for 2012 in both the east and the west for us.

This month we started CU@10CC in Milano for the new year and starting in March 15th we open our new spaces in Tokyo with CDG at DSMG, then, on March 30th we open at AvenueL in Seoul – So if this is the Dragon year for good luck and fortune, I hope he visits us while we are getting ready.

See you in Asia!

 

The lunar new year starts now and all the celebrations to bring wealth and happiness and longevity are starting all over Asia.  This is a special year 2012, it is the dragon year of luck and good fortune. Dragons are found on many beautiful embroidered silks from China but only the emperor could have a dragon with five toes on his robes.

 This year is also called the water dragon year and the magic is that in this year you get back all that you have given.  And since it is true that it is the giving that is always the gift, I give to you all the best wishes for a wonderful dragon year!

“Today is your birthday! Today is my birthday too!”

…the song of the Beatles is a  perfect interpretation of the meaning

of a birthday party – everyone gets to have a wonderful time.

No matter whose birthday it is!

Dinners at Alaia’s kitchen are always a great moment for me in Paris.

People are always surprising Alaia with visits during the shows

and always a dish is ready for them in the most welcoming atmosphere.

Here my sister Franca and her son Francesco enjoy a moment at Alaia’s table.

Another surprising collection by Rei Kawakubo. This season’s menswear show  really underlines her choice in naming her brand Comme des Garcons at the end of the 70′s.

The “Men’s” Collection was not for men, or women for that matter… just an amazing series of shapes that suit both sexes in striking ways.

A grand moment at Milano men’s fashion week with the theatrical environment at Prada’s show. Each show she does is always presented in a surprisingly new installation, this time on a giant red carpet.

Her “Red Carpet” meaning perhaps the end of the tyranny of the black tuxedo

at Oscar night?

With Adrien Brody, Gary Oldman and other great movies stars showing some really delightful new formal wear en situ.

In time for Paris Men’s Fashion Week, 40 original L’uomo Vogue cover pictures went up for auction at Sothebys to raise money for the United Nations, of which Franca Sozzani is the goodwill ambassador for fashion.

The bidding was lively for this good cause with the Francesco Carrozzini picture of Keith Richards reaching the highest bid of the evening.

I am here in Paris trying to send photos from the I Pad to the office and I find this wonderful app!  All color and shape changing – creating a kaleidoscope effect from the ceilings of the office in Paris.

 It takes my mind into hundreds of different directions like the psychedelic 60’s, only now with a button.

 

 

It is not a Blade Runner panoramic space but

the new 10 Corso Como at Lotte Avenue L in the middle of construction!  In six weeks we will open to welcome visitors to a 10 Corso Como World – maybe with construction hats with the Corso Como logo?  A lot of work to be done!

 

 

It is all in the bag! Not always true, but packaging has such an important meaning.

  At 10 Corso Como, since our package is also our logo and also our name and all designed by Kris Ruhs.

Here is a new interpretation of the 10 Corso Como iconic logo into the packages

for 10 Corso Como at AvenueL opening in Seoul in March 30^th.

This week preparations planned in 2011 are now starting to grow in earnest in 2012 as we see another new fashion season approaching. Milano is hosting Men’s Fashion Week and many visitors are in the city these days. It is always interesting to see Milano with foreign eyes and appreciate this city and its treasures again. I have never understood why because there is great business to do here in Milano, many don’t even try to know or understand the magic of our past and present, so here are some of my favorites.

 The first and sometimes only image people remember is The Duomo. Like a confection rising up from the piazza with a view from its roof across Central Milan, this image is celebrated around the world. And the most celebrated opera house in the world, La Scala, is nearby.

Another architectural masterpiece rarely visited is Giò Ponti’s skyscraper conceived by him for the Pirelli Company as a symbol of the economic miracle Milano went through recovering from the devastation of war. It was this period that reinforced the Milanese sense of business and industry that has been our reputation since the Dukes of Sforza in the Renaissance. A visit to the 31st  floor now open to the public is a great discovery of Giò Ponti’s vision of the Belvedere and his “metaphor for the infinite urban horizon” of civilization.

It is a must to find some time to visit the Biblioteca Ambrosiana. Founded by Cardinal Borromeo in the 17th century, his library has an important collection of manuscripts including a Codex of Leonardo Da Vinci. Borromeo also collected art and started a university for Doctors where study and culture joined. Raphael’s cartoon, and Botticelli as well as Titian are in this collection. Here in the pictures three drawings by Leonardo, articulated wing, inclinometor, parachute.

Milano is the capital of industrial design, true, but continues today to be a leader in fine arts. To balance the beauty of the treasures of Brera with Piero della Francesca and all the Italian masters, the new Museum of Novecento is an impressive witness to the history of Italian art in the 20th Century from the “Futurism” of the past to the art of the present.

Maurizio Cattelan who lives in Milan and New York now has a large retrospective of his work in the Guggenheim in NYC. Last year his sculpture L.O.V.E was installed in front of the Milano Stock Exchange. It caused some comments, as art does. Here his colouring and activity book.

It might sound strange but a visit to Cimitero Monumentale is a real discovery. It is a very large cemetery conceived at the time of unification in the middle of the 19th Century. Since then it has become a who’s who for the architects and sculptors of Italy from modernist to classical with size and composition all demanding attention as you walk around. It even has its own museum and tours. Here in the picture a tomb sculpture by Arnoldo Pomodoro, 1969.

At a walking distance from the Monumentale, at the entrance of the inner city, since 1880. Antica trattoria della Pesa has served Milanese the best risotto “al salto” (fried) in town. The name of La Pesa comes from the weights (pesa) used to calculate the taxes on merchandise being brought to markets, including the salt from the coast, a very expensive commodity traveled on horse carts with armed guards during the Renaissance. Another curiosity at La Pesa is that Ho Chi Minh lived here, after he came from Paris where he was chef patissier with Escoffier.

As winter’s weather brings slow evenings, I am thinking that changes begin with each of us. I wish I could see the changes that will come and what 10 Corso Como will prepare to welcome them. With all the new talents in photography, fashion and design to keep an eye on this year it is a gift to work at what I truly enjoy.

Seeing the eyes on the IT book on my desk reminded me of a classic from the 1970’s, The Eyes of Laura Mars. A thriller with Tommy Lee Jones, Raoul Julia and Faye Dunaway. The movie used the photographs of Rebecca Blake. She did much like Helmut Newton….very erotic slightly dangerous pictures and she could see what was going to happen next!

 This photo of Swedish born American sculptor Claes Oldenburg was taken by Hannah Wilke, a sculptor and artist with whom he traveled and shared studios in New York.

His eyes and words join together.He knew the meaning of changes.In the ’70s he said, “Everything I do is completely original-I made it up when I was a little kid”.

The International Times (IT) was part of the London Revolution. This famous underground newspaper lasted only 205 issues. With writers like Burroughs, Ginsberg, Germaine Greer – and interviews with celebrities like

Pete Townsend and Pink Floyd, it is easy to enjoy. The graphics are so strong that the eyes are captured instantly.

 ”So I think So I paint”. This biography of  Fortunato Depero never leaves the table next to my desk. Writer, sculptor, painter, toy maker and costume designer,

he was above all for me the best graphic designer. This famous book is 234 pages of his manifesto for Futurism for the Universe.

The ideas of Depero became real in every day living.He designed the Campari Soda bottle still used and changed the style of advertising visuals forever.

His work is now in the museum he founded in Rovereto.

This COPPA DI BRIVIDI ad in 1931 is the perfect illustration for cocktails.

CU@10CC will open next week. Already it can be seen as a wonderful addition to the evenings at 10 Corso Como. Cocktails, tapas dining and some warm sounds every Thursday evening with Natasha Slater will chase the chill out of winter.

Perhaps this is the reason I started thinking about eyes this week.

The New Year opened here at 10 Corso Como with this painting of a new smiling face and very bright eyes I have found on my desk as a present.

I think he is looking to a positive optimistic beginning of the year. How lucky we are to be able to see the talent and enjoy these changes.

The best things we do in life are made with love. For the New Year, more love of the challenge to create, to explore, to pioneer and to question. Everything must come from the heart- this love sparks life for me for the New Year.

Photographer Bruce Weber brings so much emotion and thought again in this, his

11^th  book from his All American series he publishes every Christmas season.

The poem by Leonard Cohen inside “There is a war”, and the clarity of his photos,

so truthful, of the homecomings of soldiers is a great beginning of the year. And the book ends with Bruce’s essay on “Remembering Elizabeth Taylor” and is particularly touching as a woman who loved life and helped others also.

An inviting cover for a superb book, made with love by perfumer Frederic Malle.

11 years ago his vision as Editeur de Parfums allowed the artistry of the perfumer the freedom to construct new scents without constraint. Each perfumer became a “fragrance author” and Malle their “publisher”. With a preface by Catherine Deneuve and illustrations by Konstantin Kakanias, this book is different

from all others on the subject of scent.

Francesco & Sara: there is a special bond between these cousins – here looking at presents on Christmas Day. They are closer with each other than any other relationship in or out of the family. Always confiding in the other; care.

Best friends with the same blood; and no conflicts.

In an era where recycle-reuse-reinvent has become finally a conscious problem for the whole world, there is a lot of nostalgic feeling for something we will never see again – the naive paper dresses which were so popular in the 60′s. Invented in 1966 by Scott Paper Company as a marketing idea, the classic A style was as popular as t shirts today. Whether they were really made from paper or nonwoven cellulose and paper, they are great souvenirs of disposable dressing! I couldn’t help but be fascinated by this all over pattern of a cat featuring a giant photograph  on this poster dress,and hang on my wall just  in front of my desk.

Warhol was of course immediately attracted! Paper dresses perfectly embodied the spirit of Pop Art. He hand painted himself only two dresses now in the Brooklyn Museum. Scott Paper and Warhol inspired Campbell Soup Company in 1968 to offer the Souper Dress as a promo. This time it was the soup company that made the spoof of Warhol.

Today the Souper Dresses are very collectable .

It is a tradition to start cleaning drawers at the start of the New Year. These red Kuramata rotating drawers are all empty and ready for some new year’s energy. First thing in…the new red packaging designed for the 10 Corso Como opening in AvenueL in Seoul in March.