I am between desks flying home for Christmas. Feeling like this so high in the sky – on this bridge between the past and future – I cannot help but be grateful for the family and friends I share this magical day with. Christmas is about community, people coming together and helping each other. A special celebration of giving and sharing. A moment when we think and dream all the joy filled wishes for their health, prosperity and safety. Christmas is really a time of wonder. Merry Christmas to you all.
And the best present for Betty on Christmas day – relaxing.
A few years ago Sarah Moon made this picture of twins wearing identical white furs. Both dear friends I think of this holiday. The winter and cold is here.
The coziness and warmth you feel between them is also here. A moment of reflection on how we mirror ourselves in others at this time of year seeing those things
we share together in this dark season.
Many people know there is a forever love and friendship story between Naomi
and her “papa” Azzedine. A special relationship by election between them that
has been family for the other for almost thirty years.
Our family is as big as we choose to make it at this time of year.
In 1958 Warhol made this wonderfully childish Christmas tree pattern. As a paint it yourself coloring pattern, he shares with us his own special tree all colored in his Christmas surprise. Each ornament different as he wanted. Telling us to go and color in our own tree now. Here is the pattern. Such an amazing artist. It makes me think he believed in Christmas!
The Goudemalion: this is the first retrospective of Jean-Paul Goude’s work ever shown in Paris and is now at the Musee des Arts Decoratifs until Spring 2012. Featuring drawings, films and photographs, not to mention the gigantic waltzing ladies that amazed Paris at the Bicentenary, the installations show the most celebrated moments of his life and work, including many photos of Grace Jones, his muse and friend for over his long career. The name Goude- Malion is after Pygmalion,
the mythic sculptor who fell in love with his own statues.
We are listening at Christmas to the amazing voice of Jessye Norman singing Ave Maria and it reminds me of a special moment in 1989. Three artists helping each other. This behind the scenes photo was taken as Jessye Norman was getting ready to sing the Marseillaise at the French Bicentenary. Here she is being final fitted by Azzedine Alaia who designed her dress and helped by Jean-Paul Goude who designed the entire celebration.
I have spent almost the whole week at 10 Corso Como sharing in all the Christmas excitement wrapping all the boxes, tying all the bows, packing all the presents.
The store and bookshop, garden and restaurant humming with activity.
An invitation to spoil ourselves and our loved ones…
As a Christmas tradition I visit the churches where my father would take me to show the link between our rich history and art. This is the church of Santa Maria at
San Satiro, who was San Ambrogio’s brother. Commissioned by the Duke of Milano, it was designed by Bramante who went on to design St. Peter’s in Rome in the renaissance style. But what was interesting to me was the Sacellum, the interior of the church which is much older. Before being consecrated to Santa Maria it had been consecrated to the ancient gods of the Romans for sacrificial purposes.
The most beautiful and unexpected present I have received this year is this BERKEL prosciutto slicer! The company stopped in making them in 1960 and they are quite rare. It was truly a surprise as I rarely eat at home and do not know how to cook but as an object of beauty and utility it is its own work of art. It uses no electricity but is cranked by hand so it is nice and quiet and delicate slices result. So from today I have placed it in the middle of the 10 Corso Como Café to enjoy a slice of
San Daniele prosciutto on a thin carasau bread from Sardinia (carta da musica) and see this legendary beauty in action.
Santa Claus starts arriving here 13 days before Christmas Eve. This week I received my favorite Christmas card. Each year Manolo Blahnik sends a card that is a gift of love and long friendship that I have saved since the first one. It makes me think of Warhol and that he might have loved Santa Claus too. Here is Warhol’s shoe saying Merry Christmas.
Since September when it opened I wanted to see the exhibition of Fra Angelico and
“the painters of light”. These Masters of the Florentine Quattrocento are
at the Musée Jacquemart-André on Blvd Haussmann. The museum and its collections are an amazing small jewel of the 19th century in Paris. Fra Angelico was called also Beato, the blessed one. He painted angels and Madonnas of rare beauty and serenity. Lovely to see at this season.
One quick trip to Paris to see two very different exhibitions I knew would be closing down soon. The German artist Georg Baselitz, known for his neo expressionist style paintings, is exhibiting sculptural works I had not seen before,
at the Musee D’Art Moderne De la Ville de Paris. Baselitz is not only an artist but also a major collector and these monumental sculptures show the influence and inspiration of the tribal and popular art he collects. Working with an axe and chain saw, these 40 primal painted wooden sculptures are not to be missed.
Today we are flying back to Milano over the winter landscapes and my mind goes to one of the old Dutch masters who painted only winter landscapes.
Hendrick Avercamp born in Amersterdam in the XVII century painted so many fairy tale winter scenes with people ice skating on frozen canals as the ones we had just left in Groningen. It has been a week of fairy tales; a feast for the senses.
Saturday evening and I am spending it happily immersed
in the last ten years of Mr. Alaia’s work. A living treasure; a master in cutting and shapes; his vision of beauty and women is ever lasting and striking in this second period of his astonishing creativity. I am delighting as a child in the colors, textures, lines and folds of these wonderful creations. The exhibition reminds me of the other exhibitions in Florence, New York and here at the Groninger in the mid 90′s where the museum hosted a retrospective of Mr. Alaia’s work of the 20′s century.
And now we are getting into the darkest days faster and faster approaching Sinterklaas’ visit here to the Netherlands! We are in Amsterdam and Groningen
for the opening night of Azzedine Alaia’s 21st Century work at the Groningen Museum. While it is wonderful and fascinating to see so many people arriving in Groningen to share this special moment with Azzedine Alaia, a trip around the city at this time of year is a must.
The medieval atmosphere that you feel walking around this city gives way to surprises with the groundbreaking modern architecture scattered throughout.What strikes the most is the young population; a quarter of the city are students and you feel this enthusiasm and energy even in the early dark.
Here the Westpoort brug (bridge) which crosses the Channel and the new 92 meters tall building with undulating curves; it is one of the most environmentally sustainable office projects in Europe.
No trip to rue du Bac is complete without a stop at the Grande Epicerie.
Located one door from the Church, is the most wonderful grocery store in Paris and one of the best in the world. A foodie paradise, it is perfect to shop to please yourself and to find wonderful holiday presents. My favorite the chouquettes, a great viennoiserie made of choux pastry sprinkled with pearl sugar.
The 8th of December is a Holy day to celebrate the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
I was in Paris on Thursday and went to the Rue du Bac, to visit the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal where visitors and pilgrims go to pray to St Catherine Laboure’ who received the vision for its design.
I see more and more people in the world (and some non-catholics) wearing the blu medal around their neck. It is a sign of distinction; people look at each other differently and share in the hope that we can work to make a peaceful world.
On the 7th of December every year Milano celebrates its patron, St. Ambrogio especially here at the church he built in the 4th century named in his honor. While the rest of Italy uses the Roman rite in Milano we use the Ambrosian rite which takes the name from our patron saint with differences in the Mass and the liturgical year.
It has two beautiful bell towers and is one of the most ancient churches in the city.
Sarah Moon gave me this great photo of an elephant as a gift for our 20th anniversary. It is symbol of wisdom and luck. I have him on my desk today while I make future for 10 CC. It seems I am now at my desk working both night and day – even on my most peaceful Sunday. And, since Christmas is always followed by a new year, I am beginning to plan for our next year’s exhibitions, including the 50th anniversary of Courrèges. With more openings, and more travels, it should be a wonderful year. And here at 10CC I have decided to make a new little project in our café this year. It will be called CU@10CC. More to come on that later…
This week I went to Kris’ studio to see his new work. And among the paintings and sculptures, he showed me the first prototype of a fountain he is making for the new Seoul garden opening next March. It is important to us and for 10 Corso Como to have green life and water around.
Tickets were all sold out at Blue Note for the concert of Sarah Jane Morris. Her music has many personal spiritual references and has always been for me an emotional experience to listen to her and see her perform. At the piano the great Danilo Rea. Here is a photo of her last night with her flamed red hair and black dress.
Good memories of a concert at 10 Corso Como
in September to celebrate our twenty years’ anniversary.
Our Christmas Reindeers made the long trip from the North Pole to Italy this year! They will be prancing and dashing all over 10 Corso Como on our Christmas cards and candles and boxes and ribbons and bows. In Mantua where I was born,
Santa Claus comes on Christmas day to bring gifts to the homes of good children, with magical elves and the nine flying reindeers.
Our reindeer in 18 different antlers versions is one only Kris could draw…
Since 1824 Pasticceria Marchesi has been producing the best panettone in town.
The traditional dome shaped cake associated with our city is made with natural yeast and has been attracting generations of Milanesi. It is a Christmas tradition to reserve the panettone weeks in advance and go to pick it up stopping at the nearby
Santa Maria delle Grazie, the church that is the site of Leonardo da Vinci’s fresco,
“The Last Supper”.
This Winter Sunday I made a stop at Sant’Eustorgio, my favorite church in Milano.
This is one of the churches my father would take my sister and me to visit when we were growing up and explain the architecture and the art there.
Sant’Eustorgio dates to the third/fourth century and it was the site of the tomb of the Three Magi whose remains were said to have been removed
from Costantinopoli in 344 and brought here.
The bell tower is still today surmounted by a star to guide the Wise Men.
Next year I am starting with an exhibition in the Galleria Sozzani that I have always wanted to do. I am presenting the work of Mrs. Newton who worked under the name of Alice Springs. One of my first shows at Galleria Sozzani was of Helmut Newton’s work. Since then I have presented three more exhibitions, always with the presence of
Helmut and June, his wife. Over the years I came to know and appreciate her work and to love her as a friend. Here she is performing Salomè in 1951.
This week I am finally sending to print my book on the first
two decades of the Galleria Carla Sozzani. I have changed my mind so many times, traveled back and forth in time through so many lives, events, emotions and all of the people that have been the fabric of this adventure here at 10 Corso Como.
In honor of the book , Kris Ruhs has designed a new eco video you see here.
From the first seed to a full tree with flowers and fruits; it is the expression from the Galleria’s first exhibition to all of the ideas and events we host now. Sustainable growth in our garden and in our business. Thank you Kris for this and all the flowers you make for Corso Como.
Great music, a great crowd and a pair of great new eco synthetic vegan “dancing” shoes from the first Melissa+Gareth Pugh shoe collaboration turned 10 Corso Como into a fantastic Friday evening party!
Pugh- always experimenting with form and volume – took on his first global collaboration with Melissa, the Brazilian company famous for its wonderful synthetic vegan and earth friendly shoes who have caught the eye of Vivienne Westwood, Beyoncé and other trendsetters in the last few years. Pugh’s fans from the many fashion schools of Milano came to listen to DJ’s from Ponystep Magazine.
While in Paris, I went to the Alaia studio and found that the studio was packing up collections, shoes and rtw accessories, to give up for sale in two weeks in Paris.
All of the money raised will go to support research into genetic diseases at the Necker Childrens Hospital and their Imagine Foundation Research Center in Paris.
A child’s game of tombola and an auction led the evening gala dinner at the
Hotel Ritz to raise money for the serious problem of children in danger from the internet. Since 1999 Valérie Wertheimer, Founder and Ceo of Action Innocence, has focused her attention to help protect children dignity and integrity.
Amongst the guests Tatiana Trouvé with Azzedine Alaia.
Monday we are flying over the Alps here at low level. The sky was spectacularly cloudless and you could see every detail of the mountains so clearly,
it was a fantasy Alps panorama made real and the urban life behind in Milano the dream, at least for the hour of the flight.
This Sunday I am sitting at the desk in the Galleria that is right next to my office.
I never grow tired of looking at these amazing photos of Edward Steichen. Last night was the opening of the show that the Galleria will host through the New Year.
Today, the Cultural Counselor Stefano Boeri organized the first “Milano A spasso”.
No cars in Milano and more than 100 events are being hosted to celebrate the cultural treasures of the City for the Milanaise. The bookstore and Galleria are full with walkers, bicycles and good cheer in a very quiet Milano! Milano Green makes me think of this iconic tree taken by Carlo Valsecchi.
The story is Steichen was to shoot Garbo on a Monday morning. Not liking
how her hair looked, she pulled it all back saying, “I do not like!”.
Steichen said, “STOP. Do not move” and took the photo. It is considered one of the best pictures of Garbo ever taken.
Steichen photographed the ballerina Gilda Gray dancing “Medusa” in 1923. Seventy years later Peter Lindbergh photographed Naomi Campbell in Azzedine Alaïa.
First shown at the Jeu de Paume in Paris, Steichen’s work during his years at Vogue and Vanity Fair being installed in Galleria Carla Sozzani. This is a delight. The most exciting moments with an exhibition is always in the installation. Here Bill Ewing who curated the exhibition and the book.
When I go to Florence, I try to go to via Tornabuoni, not so much to see the great fashions, but more for the Salvatore Ferragamo Museum and Procacci – since 1885 a delicatessen famous for its truffles. A truffle panini and a glass of prosecco at the wine bar is a great wayto see the real Florentine life.
Today sunny Sunday, indian summer in Milano with a wonderful full moon of new beginnings this week so today is a good day to start a new jewellery book with Vanni Burkhart working with the natural light coming through my office window.
On Thursday evening the Galleria Bookshop of 10 Corso Como hosted a
booksigning for the comical and graphic artist Lorenzo Mattotti, for
each person who asked, he very generously made a special drawing.What a wonderful gift.
Many fans of his work came to meet with him and see his new book on
Venezia. A work he considers an honest reflection of himself and the
structure of a city he cares deeply about.
It was a very special first day for me to go around the fair with a
photographer I truly admire, Sarah Moon. Sarah is standing here in front
of her new series shown at Paris Photo for the first time exquisite
portraits of flowers.
The African theme resonates with many things in my life. Among them is the wonderful show at Galleria Carla Sozzani in 1991 where we exhibited a series of ritual masques and the new “portrait works” of Kris Ruhs.
Special recognition at Paris Photo was given to Artur Walther who has
been a serious collector of photography for over twenty years. Born in
Germany and now living in New York, his private collection of emerging
African, Chinese and German photographers is breathtaking in its scope
and quality. Here a wall of African heads, looking like sculptures from
his German show: Portraits and Social Identity.
On Wednesday I was in Paris for Paris Photo. A most important annual
exhibition held for the first time at the Grand Palais.Full of events and exhibitions for gallerists and curators from all over the world to
meet and exchange thoughts on photography both vintage and modern as on my wall.
Paris Photo celebrates its 15th anniversary this year with more than100 galleries and publishers joining in. Following its tradition of naming a
special focus, Place of Honour was given to Africa and showcases
photographers from Bamako to Cape Town.All wonderful to look at.
Sitting in Milan now I am watching the rain and I realize
how immediate our own responses are to what is in front of us.
The tragedy in Liguria almost blots out a week of great beauty for me until now.
This is the coast of Liguria where this week strong floods
caused deaths in Genova and Monterosso.
One wonders how such beauty can become so quickly disaster and destruction.
Today we are thinking of the people and children
who still struggle in this week end’s torrential rainfall.
New to my desk this week is this wonderful book from Kris Ruhs.
Each page an original portrait of his interactions with the people and events
he sees where the expressions are as personal and direct as he is.
These faces say more than 1,000 words!
Renovated in the mid 1990’s by Starck and Mendini
on the bend of a canal in northern Netherlands,
The Groninger Museum is hosting for the second time
a major exhibition of Azzedine Alaia.
In December of 1997 the museum inaugurated a retrospective of Mr. Alaia’s work
before its presentation in New York City.
Now, on the 10th of December, but 14 years later, The Groninger will inaugurate
a show again of the last decade of Alaia’s vision.
Here we are behind the scenes in Paris as Mark Wilson,
the curator, prepare the catalogue for the show.
On the last day of October I was invited to a private evening tour
of the Degas Exhibition at the Royal Academy in London
followed by a small dinner party taken in one of the salons that are rarely used or seen.
The silence and peace of the evening visit,
the beauty of the dancers Degas painted countless times
and this thoughtfully curated show made me aware that
even if we think we know an artist, their work is always a discovery.
And of course the opportunity to see the Degas photographs was my best moment.
Emerging from the darkness into the single source light,
a dancer’s perfectly poised moment captured by his eye was simply exquisite.
When I sat at my desk six weeks ago and thought yes, it would be nice to share a bit of this quiet time that I use to think about so many of the wonderful people and events that have been my week, I had not really thought about how much time I spend now being away from this desk and Milano.
So here is another picture of my favorite desk – with some of the favorite things I like to see when I am here at home at 10 Corso Como – pictures of my family and Kuramata’s bright pink lucite vases are a joy to come home to.
I am italian so for me there are no memories of childhood Halloween parties.
When I found out this feast’s origin comes from the Romans, the festival of Pomona,
goddess of fruits and seeds…I liked it better!
It is a night of scary stories and cats play a big role amongst the witches, bats and vampires…here our 10 Corso Como cats are ready to go out on the 31st, like they do every year. Trick or treat.
Blackie, our sweet Bengala cat sits on Kris’ shoulder when we got home. She will stay safe at home on tomorrow night.
The night we leave we meet friends for a drink at Sevva Restaurant overlooking the harbour of Hong Kong. What you cannot see is the amazing sunset that circle us entirely around as we sit and catch up with friends. By the time I stopped listening to take the picture, the colours had faded!
In the most chaotic city I think on the earth, with sounds,smells and activities seeming to take up all the space, the trees make their own space through the cement, and they grow where they can, creating this incredible living sculpture…nothing can beat nature!
Walking along Hong Kong’s elevated streets where you never get wet even when it rains – a great achievement - we watched the workers building the new Giorgio Armani store. Back lighted here against the scaffold and the building reminded me of the black and white photos taken by Franco Grignani in 1927 (left) and the one by Charles C. Ebbets of New York City in the 1930’s when that city was shaping its skyline as Hong Kong does now.
This afternoon in Seoul I have turned a table in the café next to the patio
and the books of 10 Corso Como Cheongdam into my desk. This feels very
natural to do. I am not here often so it is a wonderful feeling to be comfortable
and at home seeing things I know and the many familiar faces.
Since opening 10 Corso Como Cheongdam three years ago, Chef Ahn has created
a stellar ambiance and cuisine for our visitors. Thank you! And thank you also for
the box lunch you prepared for Kris and I on our way to Hong Kong. It was delicious.
It is a Korean tradition at Café Bark to serve Irish whisky on the “rocks”
that have been carved and polished to a thing of beauty.
We had a great reception at 10 Corso Como Cheongdam for the presentation
of Ali Hewson Edun Collection for Spring 2012. The project supports the work Ali
and Bono do in Africa to create economic opportunites through fashion.
Here Kate, Ali, Janice, Vicky…and Kris sharing a moment at the show.
Next year! March 2012 – this will be our sign?
The first issue is light! Department store windows are rare. We are looking
everywhere behind the walls to find windows and bring some light to
10 Corso Como - Avenue L. Milano has light and gardens in the courtyard;
we have a garden with fountains in Cheongdam. How have our eco
friendly feeling on a 5th floor with no natural lights and windows?
For those of you who have not been here, Seoul is very large and 10 Corso Como
has the opportunity to open in another space on the opposite side of town.
It is on the 5th floor of of Avenue L, the exclusive building of Lotte, one of
Korea’s iconic shopping venues, so is quite a challenge to design
in 10 Corso Como style. On the flight from Shanghai to Seoul Kris looking out the
window – maybe this is an omen? We will find windows in our new challenge project?
Before leaving Shanghai we visited this amazing unexpected building in the center of Shanghai. While many of the older buildings are being replaced,
the Sino-Russian Friendship building, a Russian interpretation of classical architecture built in 1954, sits like a wedding cake surrounded by glass skyscrapers!
The new and old side by side in Shanghai.
This week it is really from several desks that I write. I will have
three desks before the week is out! Before leaving Paris this week I saw
the Kusama show. Then a quick trip home to Milano, and shop at Smile
Project, then off Kris and I go to Shanghai.
The Puli is my favorite hotel in Shanghai. It is in the center so easy to find everything with a spectacular city view overlooking Jingan Park.
A light brunch revives as we start the day and a restful balancing white tea massage this afternoon in the hotel’s wonderful Anantara Spa
before a walk in the garden slows down this Sunday almost as much as the garden at 10 Corso Como!
On a quiet street in the still chic French Concession of Shanghai, Chef
and owner Franck Pécol can make me think I had forgotten to leave Paris
last night. Following the seasons and the market, at Franck the menu changes every
day. With regular favorites like the Terrine de Campagne and a
glass of red wine .
Leaving Milano to travel now to Asia with a full moon over 10 Corso Como
saying goodbye. The Native Americans called this the harvest moon as it
is the time of harvesting the seeds we have been planting. So if the
moon is of good omen when I get back I will have
news of future 10 Corso Como plans and happenings around
the world.
Since 1997, smile project in the world – onlus, a non profit
organization has helped children surgically repair facial disfigurements
first in Bangladesh and now around the world. An auction of gifts given
by all the Italian Fashion Industry made us throw our hands and hearts
into the bidding for these beautiful offers. Here Ariela Goggi from
Vogue with several of the gifts and a smile and a smiling Andrea D’Amico
and Sara Maino who helped to organize this successful event.
I was able to see the preview for the first French retrospective of
Yayoi Kusama at the Centre Pompidou. This prolific international
artist’s influence on American abstract minimalism became clear in the
early pieces here. She settled in New York during the crucible of the
late 1950’s 1960’s. Her later works on film, scupture, performance
installations (at several Biennales here in Italy) and fashion
influences are still significant on the contemporary scene and the work
is a happy balance of joy and seriousness.
I have come to realize that my desk is where my heart is.
My heart always is thinking of my family, my friends and
what makes life interesting for me and for them.
So today I share another kind of desk with you.
This is the kitchen of Azzedine Alaia where the best dinners happen.
From serious to singing, from most famous to only the Alaia team,
always the best conversations and the mood is always the same: family.
From here I can think to write about the rest of Paris I have seen this week.
And this week my first thought is for Yohji Yamamoto’s mother, 95,
so proud to see her son being awarded
Commandeur dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture.
To see her next to Yohji made everybody aware of the priority our families mean to us.
At a dinner hosted by the Minister of Culture Frederic Mitterand,
I was able to see a new work by Swiss artist Felice Varini.
Commissioned by the Ministry, the piece was installed
in a hallway of the Ministry of Culture in Paris.
Varini’s projector-stencil technique is striking and uses the corridor
(my photo at the left) to great advantage.
The simple geometric shapes – circles,squares,lines – and in this case the yellow
he employs throughout gives light and life to the space.
It is great. And was a delightful surprise on Wednesday night.
In the Celine showroom Silvia and Elena happily show their slim silhouettes
achieved after following Dr. Dukan’s diet, recipes, menus and tips.
Now they can wear all the clothes they have been dreaming about.
Here photographed by Worth designer Giovanni Bedini.
The historic Palais d’Iena designed between 1937 and 1946
by architect Auguste Perret has been the breathtaking background
of the beautiful Miu Miu show on Wednesday. Brava Miuccia!
Nature reigned in the aquatic themes interpreted magically
by Sarah Burton for the Alexander Mc Queen show.
She has shown once more her talent and
with the introduction of mother of pearl, sea anemones, miles of lace, encrustations
of beading this imaginative show was actually a couture show.
Here an amazing coral dress.
Le Rasputine – evoking the old Paris of Russian émigrés is
the best of the new Paris night clubs.
With the spirits of Gainsbourg, the Aga Khan and
the Comte de Paris lounging on the banquettes
in attendance, Carine Roitfeld presented her book “Irreverent” and among the guests,
Giorgio Guidotti my dear friend who will have a chapter in my life as
“fedele nel tempo”.
I know in Paris I should eat locally and mostly I do of course,
but since 1950 this Neapolitan pizzeria restaurant Da Bartolo
has been one of the best places to find good Italian food in Paris.
My favorite dish endives with melted warm gorgonzola cheese.
And just to give myself a moment of peace I also visit Mr. Ho
who does the best pedicure in Paris.
There I fall asleep in the quiet soft music atmosphere,
an hour of pure spoiling myself. And while I rest, my toes become shining and
a baby rose colour with nothing but his magic hands – no nail polish!
Buongiorno from my favorite “desk” when I am in Paris! This is my favorite restaurant in Paris where I run as soon as I arrive: it is called 21 at 21 rue Mazarine -
the best fish by chef Paul Michelli and a lovely place to be to write to you about what I have seen this week.
Comme des Garcons bridal collection, “white drama” showed Rei Kawakubo’s interpretation of the duality of a bride’s destiny. On one side the perfect couture – satin lace tulle petticoats in volumes representing the perfect joy of the day; and then the cocooned, covered, hidden presence representing the helplessness of this destiny. Always a challenge to fathom, she gave an emotional moment…
Azzedine Alaia was also in a bridal mood with a delicate “python” dress where the front, again demonstrating the mastery of his skill, gives a perfect couturier’s front of sculpted volumes and a reverse – a cutout vertebrae reflecting the strength a woman must hold to flow into her destiny.
Yamamoto’s beautiful collection closed with a bride perhaps attended by?
or married to? a boyishly styled young figure in a remarkable and
delicate show on French Revolutionary Romance.
Thursday morning at the Balenciaga Show – Vogue Italia enjoys the 28 degree weather in Paris and the remarkable work of Nicolas Guesquière.
I think first I must mention the wonderful Suzy Menkes being the most intrepid of all journalists here for seeing every single collection from the smallest to the biggest designers. And always a smile and with great wit. I enjoyed our time together during this interview for The Herald Tribune
This week it seemed many airports. London Fashion Week and 10 CorsoComo
collaboration with Petit Bateau; The amazing Prada show and Thomas Tait;
the 23 year old designer with a clarity of vision that is far ahead of his age.
While Fashion Week goes on here, Bruce Weber will present tonight his
new short-film for Moncler, ‘don’t steal the jacket’.
A mix of musical, thriller and dreams with a special soundtrack
by the American band Radical Something, it is sure to fascinate.
At 10 corso Como we met one of the craftsmen
who came from Florence to show our visitors and customers today
how the legendary Salvatore Ferragamo crafts his unique handmade creations.
10 CorsoComo is hosting a gallery dedicated
to Ferragamo all this month of October.
And I have just come to my desk after Sunday lunch with my mother,
an iron lady 99 years old, a wonderful and spirited woman,
a living treasure.
I wish you could see all the great new talent spotted by Italian Vogue’s
Sara Maino for the annual New Talent show hosted
by Anna Wintour and Franca Sozzani at the Palazzo Morando
here in Milano until tomorrow, September 26th.
This is a new generation of talented designers not to be missed.
On Wednesday evening the Giorgio Marconi Foundation opened
four floors in its historic building on via Tadino 15
with Mr. Marconi¹s personal collection of monumental works that
he has collected for over 50 years.
“I have been collecting out-sized works always
with the idea of hosting a museum”.
This is a real gift to the city of Milano and is wonderful to see.
Giant works by artists from the 1960′s to the 1980′s
Giulio Paolini, Mimmo Rotella, Louise Nevelson, Lucio Fontana, Lucio Del Pezzo,
Joe Tilson, Enrico Castellani, Mario Schifano
and others grace this amazing space.
My first thought of this week is really my best wishes to my sister.
On Monday, September 19th in New York, Franca Sozzani was named
the Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations by Fashion 4 Development.
She has worked very hard and I know will bring great excitement
and enthusiasm to the ideas of supporting local design
and manufacture in developing countries.
Franca’s speech is passionate and worth reading at her blog for 9/20 at Vogue.it.
Starting this Sunday, every Sunday , Carla Sozzani shares…
Returning to my desk this afternoon to sort through the fresh pile of urgencies
I see that the flowers from
last week’s great parties celebrating 10 Corso Como are fading and
taking on the colors of the fall season.
As I sit here thinking on this Sunday afternoon of the many wonderful
things that have happened for me and 10 Corso Como, I have decided to
share with you this pause in my week, my Sunday afternoon.
When I started 10 Corso Como in 1991 I wanted a direct contact with
visitors and customers to share my thoughts with them on art,
photography, fashion and design in this single space, 10 Corso Como.
Now, I have another single space – this page – to share with you.
To reflect on the best of the week that has just passed and to look to the
people and events I and 10 Corso Como will be thinking about as our
future moves forward.
See you next Sunday.
