Sforza Castle Art vs Fashion: Studded Red Bottoms

Oh the wonderful world of Christian Louboutin, killer stilettos with that fierce red bottom, who would not want a pair?! Like these studded 6 inch heels in his February 2011 line, any girl with these is bound to turn heads. And perhaps the inspiration for this exquisite heels developed from the Crab Sculpture found in the Sforza Castle found in the Ducal courtyard exhibit. Amongst other furniture decor, the Crab has inspired some incredible pieces of fashion!

www.christianlouboutin.com

www.milanocastello.it

Che il Giorno?!

What an adventure today was, part pleasant and part a disaster. We started off so beautifully, arriving at the Sforza Castle with beautiful sculptures created by Michelangelo, and some neat dinner ware. We also checked what some interesting instruments in the castle, instruments that when you see them you ask yourself, "how in the hell did they play that?!" But it was all so beautiful!

The next part of the adventure began at the Il Teatro Alla Moda....one word SBALORDIRE!!!!!! This is a theater costume museum filled with some of the most gorgeous costumes from designers such as Gianni Versace and Giorgio Armani. Looking at the pieces just same so surreal, it's you're in a dream staring at creative beauty. Unfortunately I couldn't take pictures inside the museum but check out the link below to see the creativity.

Il Teatro Alla Moda

So after the ending of the museum my group and I begin to head to our clue for the first culture assignment of the program. And that's where it began to go down hill.....First, after we arrive to where the clue was located we realized that it was right there behind the castle we were at that morning, complete OMG moment. So we take our picture with the mounment, which was the Arco della Pace. Check it out: Arco delle Pace. It was built by Luigi Cagnola in 1806 when Napoleon asked for a celebrative arch, but not completed until 1833 after the death of Cagnola.

After finding the mounment we began to head back home.....well we thought we were. As soon as we started walking the rain started....oh wait, "is that hail," why yes it is. It started to hail the size of pennies. So as we're waiting for it to stop we realize it was going to continue for a while and then booked it to the metro station. And just when we thought everything was good, we run into the Isreal protest in the metro station....and there goes our wth moment. As we're creeping pass the protest to get on the metro everyone is nervous and thinking to worst is going to happen but thank God we made it to our train and arrived to the hotel in one piece!

The Duomo Art vs Fashion: Metallics

Smooth, Sparkle, Shine! Metallic has been a huge hit this season from Jean Paul Gaultier to Marc Jacobs, ladies will be hitting the streets in lamé with a slick and sophisticated look. This Donna Karan evening gown from her Resort/Cruise 2012 line is the perfect example. But where did the inspiration come from, perhaps the Madonnia statue in the picture above. Created by Giuseppe Prego and goldsmith Joseph Bini in 1774, the Madonnia is a copper statue of the Virgin Mary, that gives the fashion industry an insight to shiny looks!

http://www.albumviaggi.it/milano.htm

www.donnakaran.com

Style Sight

Lake Como Art vs. Fashion: Rose Circle

The Como Cathedral, located in Como, Lombardy, Italy, was a cathedral built in dedication to Santa Maria Maggiore dated from the late 14^th century under the construction of Lorenzo delgi Spazzi di Laino. The Gothic style cathedral can be used as inspiration to many designers, but one thing I found to be inspirational is the rose circle that can be found in many lines and collections. Such as Rocco Barocco Fall/Winter 2011 collection featuring a rose circle in his jewelry line. But not only does it take the shape it also take on the goth look that the cathedral presents.

www.roccobarocco.it

http://www.historic-places.com/italy/como-cathedral

Sentire Come a Casa

Salve Tutti!! Have you ever walked into an office and it felt like home?? Well guys let me tell you how AMAZING it felt to walk into the office of Vogue Italia....that's right Vogue Italia!!! Other then the offices walking through the halls felt just like home. The workers were socializing, probably working but they seem of carefree and blissful. There were clear plastic walls covered in writing with different quotes and sayings, it was a thrill to be there. But wait, I haven't told you the best part.....I was in the office of the editor and chief Franca Sozzani, yes I said editor and chief, how awesome is that! We were given a tour by Senior Fashion Editor Sara Maino, which was the second best thing about today. As we were talking with Sara, that's right we're on first name basis, she reassured me that Vogue is where I want to be and I would love to start in Milano. The style of the magazine is for the passionate fashion lover. They reach many demographics by presenting issues such as this month’s plus size issue and an all African American that was done last year. The magazine is presented with an edge but still has the sophistication of Vogue.

That was just the beginning of my day.  After the visit to Vogue we attended a photo shoot that was a real eye-opener to what goes on behind the scenes of the magazine. Students at the Milano Istituto Europeo di Design were given denim as a trend for a photo shoot, in which they had to find a topic and incorporate denim, and some of the shoots they talked about were fascinating, and the one we saw today was really impressive. The topic for the shoot we viewed today was of a pin-up girl, very sexy, right? It was so much fun being on the shoot and seeing the model interact with the photographer and camera; I was truly intrigued. The day didn't end there...nope...after the shoot we headed to the exclusive Tommy Hilfiger Denim Store Premier party! Sexy models, cocktails, being the first to view the collection great way to end the day, right?!

So our day closed with a great party and more incredible food! Well I'm signing off, tomorrow the Duomo, super excited to climb to the top! Vederla domani!! 

P.s. french fries in Milan are the same as those in the states...lol!

Piacere Paolo!

Buonasera! Have you ever been in a place where you felt so welcome and over joyed to be in good company? Today, myself and seven others got that feeling while we were enjoying the BEST lunch EVER on Lake Como! As we walk into the restaurant we were greeted by the chef of the kitchen, whom was extremely thrilled that we chose his restaurant and the waiters was more then generous as they sat us. And while sitting and chatting about the awesome view and how we're all moving to Italy, in come Paolo. Paolo, great friends with the chef instantly comes to our table and begun to talk with us, and as we all butchered the Italian language he continued to talk with us. We all told him why we were in Italy and he begun to give us some great information about where to go for some fashion adventures, offering to take the time and show them to us. And needless to say, one day in the future of the program we will take Paolo up on his offer!

Before I go I want to just share with those that have not yet visited Lake Como in Italy.....BEAUTIFUL, no AMAZING, or maybe EXTRAORDINARY!!!!! I haven't seen a lake so amazing in my life and with so much history around it. As we walked we came across two Duomos (Churches) the were absolutely gorgeous, and we got the chance to enter one. And when I walk in the church I'm pretty sure my eyes popped out for a second, the sight was so heavenly and it's unfortunate that I couldn't take pictures to share. There was also the silk museum, that shares the history of silk production from the silk worm to the printing and dyeing. And the coolest thing about it was seeing the Luigi Cerati exhibit, whom used wood to create a printing method for silk and turned in to art, which is the beginning of we come to Italy to learn, that fashion actually is an art!!

So tomorrow is VOGUE ITALIA!!!!!! You definitely don't want to miss the deats on that!!

Arrivederci!!!

Milano: Fashion City

Salve! So I’m going to start by saying how much I LOVE the city on Milano. I’ve been here for 3 days now and the city has not let me down. Today was our first industry visit to Pink and Chic Communications, which is a PR firm owned by Maria Chiara Arona. Being in her showroom today was so amazing, seeing some of her clients, which include Vladimiro Gioia, Laura Mancini, and H Williams, and also being able to talk with her. Maria is a fireball, full of passion for her company and the brands that she represent. As she was talking with us I was in awe on every sentence that come out her mouth from, us telling her how and why she got started to what she think it takes to run a business. And the awe come from us thinking on similar terms, especially when she mentioned you must have a relationship with your clients to have a successful business. Relationships are key! We got a chance to meet her client Laura Mancini, and she is a designer that I admire, not only because there's so much pride in her work but also because she represent fashion other then tall size two. Her collection is made for the average women, everyday normal women. She don't feed into the tall size zeros and designs for the full figured average women.

 After the visit to Maria's showroom we then got a chance to see more of the Galleria and Duomo, but we also got to attend our first event! And there are no words to descride how awesome this event was. It was hosted by Milano Fashion Aparment, which holds an archive to EVERY published issue of fashion, including Vogue, from every country. so for those of you that would like to take a trip here and love fashion, this is the place to go. Standing in there library of magazines was seriously a lifetime experience.

Also today I met and talked to an Italian for the first time, along with guys from the UK. Interacting with them was really cool, they gave us suggestions on where to go and find some good shopping deals, and also good place just to have fun. But what I got most from talking with them was how welcoming the people are here. And how the love to socialize with others especially those from other countries. I can't wait to talk to others and make a couple of more friends!!!

So guys tomorrow is Lake Como!!!!!! I'm super excited.....Ciao

But before you go check out some of the people I mentioned in today's blog.

http://www.pinkandchic.it/

www.milanofashionapartment.it

www.lauramancini.net

"Apertivo!!!"

Ciao everyone, I really don't know where to start for today, I mean if I could put the entire day in one word it would probably be......."gasp" because every five minutes that's what you would hear. But it was more like "gasp, oh my God, where's my camera?!" From the gorgeous two piece suits, not in a window display, and riding vespas, to the stilettos clacking on the stone roads, to the breath taking view of the Duomo! As we were walking up the steps from the metro we look up and it was like "umm, and which way for Peter's gate?" the sight was like heaven on earth. And as we walked through the Galleria, we were floored by the awesomeness. Today was also the day we got the chance to visit NABA, which is where we will be studying and completing assignments. All the students seem so cool and down to earth and I can't wait to practice my italian with them! So I guess you're wondering why I named this post "Apertivo," well the translation is "happy hour".....need I say more, buy a drink and you get to eat from a free buffett, that's like receiving the golden ticket! And the restaurant (Movido) was so cool, the decor was beautiful, and of course the food was amazing. I could probably go on for days about this one day alone....it's so surreal looking up and seeing the tall beautiful structures and it's still unbelieveable that I'm here with this great opportunity. Tomorrow is our first industry visit with Pink and Chic Communications! Don't miss the deats on that! So until tomorrow enjoy the pics....

Fashion Times

You can also see postings from the program at www.fashiontimes.it!

So check it out!

http://www.fashiontimes.it/2011/06/jwu-fashion-project-web-reality-christopher-sosanya/

Salve Milano!!!!

So after an annoying 7 hour plane ride with not one but 2 crying babies...yeah I know....I finally arrive in Europe landing first in Zurich, with the most beautiful mountian caps I've ever seen, breathtaking! And as I'm walking to my connecting flight what do I find....Bvlgari and Hermes, and you know how I love my accessories, what else do you need?! And then there was the arrival in Milano, even though it was raining I was still excited to be in the city where fashion is number one and everything was just as I imagined, beautiful with great food! We found a pastry shop with AMAZING tarts, and a pizzeria with not only awesome (no sauce) pizza but hilarious and cool workers. Although day one has come to a close, it is a start of the best chapter in my life!!! So stay tuned.......and PS I think I will be flying to Italy to have cappuccino once a week!