Dear Filep and iDEALS, I've been in Florence Italy for more than two weeks now working on the costumes of the new production of the historical local Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentina titled “Les Noces” in original musical score by Igor Stravinsky-2013 will be Stravinsky year-in direction and choreography by the contemporary Andonis Foniadakis due to premiere Sep 2012.
Upon research and pure addictive curiosity, I did visit all of the infamous and amazing museums but all the better I also followed the “Fashion week Firenze” mainly powered by the Pitti Imagine Uomo 82 Fair which just wrapped up in great success yesterday and I wanted to share with you images and information as officially Florence is the ultimate menswear style international capital.
At the Pitty enormous fair -and the busy streets too- men wore stylish, thoughtful, elegant styles always in full gear including shirt, tie, scarf, jacket and sometimes lose cardigans on top even with 37C! A gorgeous bunch of styled, handsome gentlemen of all ages on their way to MeMo on Tuesday, were parading in such grace & style excellence in front of Piazza De La republica, that I came up with this new category of men that s beyond Dapper. I call them “Peacks” from Peacocks, as “cocks” might be way to vulgar for such style.
A lot of action during this week among others the fantastic late opening of historical museums such as Galleria Uffici-Eva Cavalli is really and elegant lady even while waiting to get in- and it s dialogue blending history & current Men’s fashion. The impeccably dressed crowd enjoyed among others the fashion show of the Florentine elegant menswear label Stefano Ricci with special guests an amazing group of Masai warriors!
Don’t think Galliano made up models but original, tribesmen looking all surprised earlier in the Piazza Duomo where people were photographing them in cues. Marilyn Monroe at the Salvatore Ferragamo Museum was simply one of the highlights of the week as everybody gasped in delight while looking her original costumes and Salvatore Ferragamo shoes she wore in her movies & not only. As I had come across Madonna earlier shooting her new video clip in St.Regis Hotel , I could not help but compare the irony. There was a woman known for her endless chameleon changes-Madonna- who early on her career had to imitate the original-Marilyn- who was celebrated just few blocks away.
On the other hand while watching the “materials” Marilyn used to become such a legend the allure of the mystery and the legend reached new heights as the guests were trying to “read” more of her by the measurements of her dresses, the shape of her shoes, the elegant Time covers on the wall and the art inspired by Marilyn specially made in marble. Breathtaking is a frequent word to use while in Florence, so no shortage of that on the restored historical villa Favard, which served as the location for the graduates fashion show of the highly acclaimed Florentine Institute of Fashion Design and Marketing, Polimoda.
Apparently the Villa was totally restored in 2011 by Polimoda and is one of the very own four main buildings of the institute were students are trained to learn in detail the creative as well as the business side of fashion. You knew it s high fashion not only from some astonishing styles and ideas that paraded down the catwalk but most importantly because Suzy Menkes was present taking notes opposite me. I could not help but envy the students for having it all big time , for their first ever catwalk show surrounded by so much intense emotion throughout.
Florence
**Tassos Sofroniou is the Company & Design Director of www.conquistador.eu
Comments