INSIDE THE BODY, A HUMAN SOUL: THE NEW MEN’S FASHION EDITORIAL FOR WINTER 2024

«You will learn to your cost that on the long journey of life you will meet many masks and few faces». So said Luigi Pirandello, describing a society based on appearance and fiction. A place where man adopts ways of behaving and thinking that do not really belong to him; a reality where others will never know us for who we really are. After all, what is a body if not a heavy armour we decide to wear to hide our true selves? Undressing is a long and complex process; it is not always easy to open up to others by showing your most intimate side, your empathy. To achieve this, it is necessary to dig deep within oneself; that is, to search for that soul that makes each one an authentic human being.

Through daring juxtapositions, the editorial about men’s fashion for Winter 2024 by MANINTOWN proposes an attempt to really lay bare. An interesting mix and match of styles at opposite ends of the spectrum, from the timeless elegance of a tailored jacket to the relaxed, casual trend of cargo trousers.

Men's fashion Winter 2024
Pullover Antonio Marras, underwear Wayeröb
Men's fashion Winter 2024. Pants Laboratorio Riciclo Pelle, underwear Wayeröb
Pants Laboratorio Riciclo Pelle, underwear Wayeröb
Trench and sweater John Richmond, pants Icon Denim, shoes Giuseppe Zanotti
Trench and sweater John Richmond, pants Icon Denim, shoes Giuseppe Zanotti
Men's fashion Winter 2024
Shirt and blazer Canaku, glasses Moscot
Jacket and pants Levi's, underwear Denobiliaryparticle, earrings Valentina Ferragni, shoes Giuseppe Zanotti
Jacket and pants Levi’s, underwear Denobiliaryparticle, earrings Valentina Ferragni, shoes Giuseppe Zanotti
Men's fashion Winter 2024
Total look Roberto Cavalli, gloves Stetson
Pullover Antonio Marras, underwear Wayeröb, shoes Giuseppe Zanotti
Pullover Antonio Marras, underwear Wayeröb, shoes Giuseppe Zanotti
Men's fashion Winter 2024
Total look by LEONARDO VALENTINI, Bag Santoni

Credits

Photographer Enrico Cencini

Stylist Aurelio Comparelli

Production Jet Set

Grooming Martina Sciarratta

Videomaker Gabriele Compagni

Light assistant Antonio Dajani

Styling assistant Alessandra Garello, Giorgia Chiazzo, Anna Oliva

Production assistant Thoas Wankelmuth

Model Tommaso CataldiIcan Model Management

Studio Moysa

DECLINATION OF A NEW MAN

Gennaro Lillio poses exclusively for this MANINTOWN fashion editorial. The model, who after a stint in the world of reality TV is now embarking on a career as an actor, interprets for us the men’s style for Spring Summer 2024. Elegant tailored looks with a contemporary twist: these are the protagonists destined to dominate the coming summer season, garments that design a new declination of men’s fashion.

Gennaro Lillio. Total look Corneliani, flower brooch Chromosome 6 by Bibi Esposito
Total look Corneliani, flower brooch Chromosome 6 by Bibi Esposito
Total look Manuel Ritz
Total look Manuel Ritz
Shirt and T-shirt Canali
Shirt and T-shirt Canali
Suit and shirt Brunello Cucinelli, foulard Stylist’s own, shoes Green George
Suit and shirt Brunello Cucinelli, foulard Stylist’s own, shoes Green George
Total look Neil Barrett, socks Model’s own, shoes Sapio
Total look Neil Barrett, socks Model’s own, shoes Sapio
Suit Marsem, sweater MTL Studio by Matteo Lamandini, flower brooch Chromosome 6 by Bibi Esposito
Suit Marsem, sweater MTL Studio by Matteo Lamandini, flower brooch Chromosome 6 by Bibi Esposito
Total look Fendi
Total look Fendi
Gennaro Lillio. Total look Sapio
Total look Sapio
Suit Tagliatore, gloves Stylist’s own, shoes Green George
Suit Tagliatore, gloves Stylist’s own, shoes Green George
Gennaro Lillio. Total look Hevo
Total look Hevo

Credits

Photographer Giovanni Peschi

Stylists Stefano Guerrini & Romolo Battista

Assistant Stylists Yacine Lorenzani

Talent Gennaro Lillio – I Love Models Management

THE GENTLEMEN’S PARTY

The meeting point between elegance and modernity. A world where everyone can embrace their individuality in style. The Gentlemen’s Party, MANINTOWN’s new fashion editorial, explores the more sophisticated side of the Fall Winter 23 24 collections. Jackets, shirts, and suits perfectly balance classic and contemporary, where luxury blends with boldness.

The Gentlemen’s Party takes us into the festive season with impeccable suits made even more appealing by modern, genderless cuts. Men’s Fall Winter 23 24 suits, striped or Prince of Wales, embroidered or pleated, reinterpret the best sartorial tradition with lightness and panache.

A timeless journey into modern male elegance as we discover men’s trends Fall Winter 23 24

Total look Canaku, shoes Giuseppe Zanotti 
Total look Homme Plissé Issey Miyake, shoes Clarks
Left: total look Sabato Russo; right: shirt Sabato Russo, trousers Act N°1, shoes Giuseppe Zanotti
Total look Moschino 
Total look Dhruv Kapoor, shoes Giuseppe Zanotti 
Jacket Canaku 
Total look Paul Smith
 
Total look Sabato Russo, shoes Ferragamo
Total look Grifoni, shoes Giuseppe Zanotti 
Total look MTL Studio 

Credits

Photographer Riccardo Lancia

Stylist Alessandro Amoruso

Casting director Manuel Scrima

Mua: Elisa Delfini

Hairstylist Giorgio Aloisio

Photographer assistant Marco Coniglione

Stylist assistants Margherita fracaros, Andrea Meliz

Models Alessandro Petrucci, Damiano Alexander, Davide Battistella, Emanuele Salvagnini, Gian Lorenzo Sbaragli, Tommaso Sanna – Models Milano

IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE

Leather, total denim, fringes. And a touch of unexpected shine. MANINTOWN’s latest fashion editorial explores the latest men’s trends for Winter 2024. The editorial features a construction site as the backdrop where a dialogue between men’s utilitywear – made of boots, gloves and jeans – and an eclectic style featuring shiny fabrics, tartan skirts and Texas-inspired fringed jackets, takes place. The construction site becomes a metaphor for the constantly evolving fashion trends of Fall Winter 2024, which are everywhere and nowhere in particular.

Tendenze uomo inverno 2024: Total look Emporio Armani, earrings Nove25
Total look Emporio Armani, earrings Nove25
Total look Etro, chains Deville, earrings Nove25
Total look Etro, chains Deville, earrings Nove25
Total look Dolce & Gabbana, jacket stylist's archive, earrings Nove25
Total look Dolce & Gabbana, jacket stylist’s archive, earrings Nove25
Jacket and leather pants Gucci, boots Giuseppe Zanotti, earrings Nove25
Jacket and leather pants Gucci, boots Giuseppe Zanotti, earrings Nove25
Total look Valentino, earrings Nove25
Total look Valentino, earrings Nove25

Credits

Photographer Claudio Carpi

Stylist Simone Folli

Make-up Maya Tinti

Stylist assistants Nadia Mistri, Claudia Maria Ialacci, Victoria Brayt

Model Matheus Hava

INTERIOR – NIGHT

Easy Rider, but with the metropolis instead of the American desert. MANINTOWN’s fashion editorial revisits the classics of men’s elegance in a private epic, an intimate dialogue inside an apartment. Among rigorous white shirts, velvet suits – king of Winter 2024 fashion trends – soft knitwear and leather jackets. And of the motorcycle dream, what is left? This time, the same desire for freedom declined through the fashion trends of Fall Winter 2023 2024.

Shirt Dior, trousers Dries Van Noten, gloves Prada
Shirt Dior, trousers Dries Van Noten, gloves Prada
Total look John Varvatos
Total look John Varvatos
total look Dolce & Gabbana
Total look Dolce & Gabbana
Total look John Varvatos boots Hervè
Total look John Varvatos boots Hervè
Shirt Dior, trousers Dries Van Noten, gloves Prada
Shirt Dior, trousers Dries Van Noten, gloves Prada
Coat Balmain, shirt La Vie Est Belle, trousers Marni
Coat Balmain, shirt La Vie Est Belle, trousers Marni
Sweater Grifoni, trousers John Varvatos
Sweater Grifoni, trousers John Varvatos
Swimwear Grifoni
Swimwear Grifoni
Sweater Grifoni, trousers John Varvatos
Sweater Grifoni, trousers John Varvatos

Credits

Photographer Donato Testoni

Art Direction and Styling Fabio Mercurio

Grooming Isabella Sarti 

Photographer Assistant Elia Poletti 

Talent Lorenzo Pozzan

Location Piovan family

SHADES OF THE NIGHT

A sparkle in the dark, a flash of light ignites the night: the trend colors of Fall Winter 2023 2024 illuminate the fashion editorial of MANINTOWN. Shades of ruby, powder pink, bright yellow and neon green enhance a new idea of unconventional beauty. Rich, vibrant and precious colors to warm the grayness of the winter meet the must-have trends of Winter 2024: trench coats, cut-out dresses, gloves and maxi jewelry.

Top Nencioni, skirt Arrabal, collant Wolford, earrings Ysl Vintage
Trench Olivia Nausner, earrings Gucci Vintage
Trench Olivia Nausner, earrings Gucci Vintage
Dress Arrabal, bracelet Saint Laurent Vintage
Dress Arrabal, bracelet Ysl Vintage
Shirt Nanushka, body Wolford, pants Sandro Paris, accessories Ysl Vintage, gloves Sermoneta Gloves, sunglasses Eyepetizer
Shirt Nanushka, body Wolford, pants Sandro Paris, accessories Ysl Vintage, gloves Sermoneta Gloves, sunglasses Eyepetizer

Credits

Photographer Alessandro Russo – One Studio Milano

Art director and stylist Dario Grillo

Make-up artist Francesca Smeraldi

Photographer assistant Salvio Bocchetti

Model Mitchell

Eli Russell Linnetz, multitalented storyteller

To call Eli Russell Linnetz fashion designer (special guest at Pitti Uomo 104 with his ERL) is at least reductive, as this 32-year-old Californian man is a multifaceted creative of many virtues. He also enjoys directing (he directed for Kanye West, Shawn Mendes and Tyga), photography (he shot for brands – Yeezy, Skims – and magazines as Interview, GQ or Vogue), music production and more, collaborating with titans of today’s show business such as the aforesaid Ye, Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian, Kid Cudi.

With the brand that bears his initials, he has conveyed the vibe and laid-back style typical of the city where he was born and raised, Los Angeles, especially Venice Beach neighborhood, with its melting pot of ethnicities, cultures and human types, from graffiti artists to surfers in their sun-faded shorts and skateboarders in their baggy outfits, paving his way into the fashion system (the label is distributed by Dover Street Market, the elite fashion wonderland), until the media explosion thanks to his collaboration with Dior.

Eli Russell Linnetz
Eli Russell Linnetz

Just a year ago, he co-designed the Men Resort 2023 collection California Couture, a short circuit between the extreme sophistication of the Parisian label and the hedonistic imagery of the West Coast, with its upturned suits, sugary tones alternated by flashes of saturated color, rich embroideries of pearls and sequins.
Afterwards, he won the Karl Lagerfeld Prize during the 2022 LVMH Prize and is now joining the international reference event for menswear, where he’s bringing a special installation with a Hollywood taste.

Nothing unusual for someone who always starts “from the story, even before knowing what the collection will look like”.

“ERL is casual, unpretentious and playful”

You are the guest designer of the 104th edition of Pitti Uomo, where you will show your collection on June 14. How  do you feel about starring in the international menswear showcase on the eve of such an important event?

It is a great honor to be showing at Pitti Uomo – to be showing in Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance and magic is something to dream of. 

What can we expect from the spring/summer 2024 collection you will present in Florence? Can you reveal something in advance?

I went to school for screenwriting at University of Southern California (USC) so before I even know what a collection will look like, it always starts with story.  I came up with the theme of make believe – there are so many elements that are tied to cinema which is a world of pure make believe from building of sets to costume design to composing music so incorporating every element of a film you possibly can imagine into a show was super important to me.

ERL Fall/Winter 2023
ERL Fall/Winter 2023

You founded ERL five years ago. What are the most significant milestones for the brand to date and those to be achieved in the future?

A few come to mind – winning the Karl Lagerfeld Prize with LVMH was a great honor.  Collaborating with Kim Jones and guest designing a collection for Dior was really significant to me. Dressing ASAP Rocky for the Met Gala that he attended with Rihanna was also special and opening our first ERL store in Kyoto, Japan. 

How would you describe the ERL aesthetic? What are the peculiarities of the brand that makes it unique?

ERL is casual, unpretentious and playful. There is such a range of products and characters.  It can be worn in so many different types of situations depending on the person and how they wear their clothes.

“All my work always is provocative – but provocative can be used in several ways”

Last year you co-designed the Dior Men Resort 2023 ‘California Couture’ collection, the first ever guest designer in the history of the glorious Parisian fashion house. What are your thoughts about it now, what stood out the most from that experience?

The entire process was completely effortless and guided by intuition and trust.  Kim Jones truly has such an amazing team of people he works with – sometimes we would create in silence – there were no words needed for what we were creating. The work was never forced and we never questioned each other – it was pure joy and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to have worked with him.  

The label of fashion designer definitely fits you since you are also a photographer, director, producer and set designer. All these activities led you to collaborate with show business giants and major brands in the publishing industry. What is the common denominator that holds together all these different facets of your creativity?

All my work always is provocative – but provocative can be used in several ways.  It’s provocative in a playful way that challenges the viewer or makes them see something everyday in a new way.

Eli Russell Linnetz Pitti
ERL Fall/Winter 2023

“ERL is ever growing and evolving as I myself grow and evolve”

Menswear has never been more dynamic. According to recent studies,  it is growing at a greater average annual rate than womenswear, plus the pandemic has further messed up the cards with the casualization dictated by lockdowns, then with the general return to an old-fashioned, rigorous and measured elegance. As the founder and creative director of one of the “hottest” brands, you enjoy a privileged perspective on men’s fashion. What is your opinion about it?

With fashion in general, for me, I don’t look at trends or approach fashion in a traditional way. I approach my collections as a costume designer, playing dress up and exploring new characters, in my imagination. 

How do you see ERL in 10 years?

ERL is ever growing and evolving as I myself grow and evolve.

Eli Russell Linnetz 2023
ERL Fall/Winter 2023

Opening image: Eli Russell Linnetz, ERL founder and creative director

Everlasting

Graphic cut-outs, dark leather, bodycon dresses contrasted with generously shaped garments, and iconic accessories characterize the Spring/Summer 2023 men and women collections from the likes of Chanel, Versace, Valentino, Ferragamo, and Paul Smith.

Everlasting fashion
Total look Versace, gloves stylist’s own (MUA credits: Martina Pugliese, Matteo Bonalumi, Paolo Chiatello, Amanda Santarsia)

Everlasting men
Total look Dsquared2, cowboy hat Bonfilio (MUA credits: Patrycja Koerner, Azadeh Bozorgomid)

Everlasting fashion editorial
Total look Paul Smith, belt Chanel (MUA credits: Alex Mazzeffi, Leonardo Techera)

Everlasting MANINTOWN
Total look Ferragamo (MUA credits: Martina Pugliese, Matteo Bonalumi)

Credits

Credits

Editor in Chief Federico Poletti

Photographer Davide Musto

Production and styling Alessia Caliendo

Hair Daniele Villanueva and assistant Jeune Ange Milano

Make-up and beauty products Chanel

Ph. assistants Valentina Ciampaglia, Davide Simonelli

Post-production Filippo Cavalazzi – Zumstudio

Models Keone Pillay @Independent, Ou @No Logo, Giuseppe Allocca @Crew, Angelica F @Next Models, Tory Favaretto @Tank Agency, Karina Kotlyar @The Lab Models, Yeon Han @The One Models

Opening image: models wear total look Versace, gloves stylist’s own (MUA credits: Martina Pugliese, Matteo Bonalumi, Paolo Chiatello, Amanda Santarsia)

Time & Tide

Striped pullovers and jackets, blousons, white pants and other navy style cornerstones marry the refined essentiality of the warm season’s must-have accessories, watches with sporty appeal and sunglasses.

Time Tide editorial
Total look Ralph Lauren

Tide fashion editorial
Ribbed cotton jersey and trousers North Sails, watch and leather bracelets Tommy Hilfiger

Time men editorial
Total look Zegna, sunglasses Movitra

navy men fashion
Knitted polo shirt Cruciani, jeans Don The Fuller, watch Boss Watches

fashion editorial spring summer 2023 men
Waistcoat and trousers Santaniello, belt Gavazzeni, scarf Piacenza 1733

spring summer editorial men
Prince of Walesdouble-breasted blazer and jeans Boglioli, linen madarin collar shirt MCS, sunglasses Movitra

Manintown fashion editorial 2023
Cotton jersey and jacket North Sails, jeans Don The Fuller, two-tone watch Tommy Hilfiger

Credits

Photographer Federico Ghiani

Fashion Editor Rosamaria Coniglio

Grooming Simone Piacenti

Model Jhonata Meneghini @Elite

Boat sailing Sean provided by Sailsquare

In the opening image, the model is wearing North Sails shirt and pants, Tommy Hilfiger watch and leather bracelets

Unfinished Sympathy

Coordinated movements, statuesque gestures and plastic poses emphasize the details of the seasonal key pieces, suits, outerwear, jumpsuits and sneakers that come from the spring/summer collections of top international brands, from Louis Vuitton to Alexander McQueen, via Givenchy, Moncler, Diesel and Zegna.

Unfinished Sympathy fashion
Gaye (left): coat, pants and hat Moschino, sneakers Moncler; Aslan (right): suit Alexander McQueen, sneakers Zegna

Unfinished Sympathy fashion editorial
Aslan (left): jacket and pants Diesel; Gaye (right) total look Givenchy

Unfinished Sympathy magazine
Gaye (left): bomber and pants Diesel, sneakers Moncler; Aslan (right): jumpsuit, jacket and top Moschino, sneakers Diesel

Unfinished Sympathy fashion men
Jacket Alexander McQueen

Unfinished Sympathy menswear
Trousers Alexander McQueen, top Moschino, shoes Versace Jeans Couture

Unfinished Sympathy art
Drawing by Ohpinhana

Credits

Photographer Domenico Petralia @ProductionLink Agency

Stylist Emily Lee @W-MManagement

Grooming Augusto Picerni @W-MManagement using Armani Beauty

Hair Erisson Musella @Blend Management

Ph. assistants Joseph Perro, Cristina Potocean

Stylist assistant Chiara Senese

Videomaker Gabriele Compagni

Models Gaye @Brave Models and Aslan Tsallati @I Love Models

Drawing by Ohpinhana

Production Passepartout4u by Johannes March

Special thanks to Bar Studios

In the opening image, the models wear (left) Moschino overcoat, pants and hat, Moncler sneakers, (right) Alexander McQueen suit, Zegna sneakers

Nothing but Flowers

Colorful petals, corollas, and floral patterns invade the surfaces of key menswear pieces for spring/summer 2023, including fitted jackets, patterned shirts, and oversized suits by (just to name a few) Louis Vuitton, Dolce&Gabbana, Act N°1, and Pal Zileri.

Flowers fashion editorial
Total look Dolce&Gabbana

fashion editorial men spring summer 2023
Jacket Plus, silk trousers Act N°1, scarf Piacenza 1733, sunglasses Kyme, leather gloves Çanaku, shoes Premiata

fashion editorial men 2023
Blazer Pal Zileri, foulard Piacenza 1733

fashion floral editorial
Total look Louis Vuitton

Credits

Production Fashion Art3.0

Photographer Daniela Rettore

Fashion Editor Rosamaria Coniglio

Grooming Simone Piacenti

Model Javier Darder @Fashion Model

Styling assistants Antonietta Randazzo, Elena Costantino

In the opening image, the model is wearing Pal Zileri blazer and Piacenza 1733 scarf

New Fits Come In…

Revisited tailoring, suits with a workwear flair, precise cuts, bold accessories. These are the cornerstones of the editorial published in issue 13 of MANINTOWN, focusing on garments and accessories by Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Prada, Valentino and Tom Ford, among others.

New Fits MANINTOWN
Total look Zegna, sunglasses Tod’s

New Fits fashion
Total look Etro

New Fits MANINTOWN
Total look Valentino

Credits

Production Fashion Art3.0

Photographer Marco Palumbo

Fashion Editor Rosamaria Coniglio

Stylist Federico Toretti


In the opening image, the model is wearing total look Valentino

Models to follow: Jinwoo

Long dark hair, fine features, a lean, longilinear physique: that of Jinwoo (South Korean model, 25 years old, who has worked for brands such as Moncler, Premiata or Savage) is the classic presence difficult to ignore. In the images made for MANINTOWN by photographer Davide Simonelli (shots with a cinematic flavor, emphasizing gestures, posture and natural elegance of the portrayed subject), we see him wandering around the streets of Milan. Ranging between outfits with a classic flair and more eccentric ones, he wears, with a nonchalant yet refined manner, the evergreens of the pour homme wardrobe, which include wrap-around overcoats, pinstriped suits, dark cabans and turtlenecks, to which animal motifs, slouchy volumes and gritty accessories provide the necessary twist.

models editorial
Coat Songzio, sweater Savage, bootcut jeans Masimo Dutti

Model black white editorial
Coat Songzio, sweater Savage, bootcut jeans Masimo Dutti

fashion brand Corea
Coat Songzio, sweater Savage, bootcut jeans Masimo Dutti

We11done brand
Jacket We11done, sweater Savage, bootcut jeans Masimo Dutti

Savage brand
Jacket We11done, sweater Savage, bootcut jeans Masimo Dutti

Dolce & Gabbana uomo
Jacket Dolce&Gabbana, sweater Savage, bootcut jeans Masimo Dutti

Dolce Gabbana blazer
Jacket Dolce&Gabbana, sweater Savage, bootcut jeans Masimo Dutti

Credits

Model Jinwoo @Boom Models Agency

Photographer Davide Simonelli

Grooming Mattia Pedretti

Opening image: Jinwoo wears coat Songzio, sweater Savage

See Right Through You. Mirroring Identities & The Modern Narcissus

A style dialogue inspired by the myth of Narcissus, where his aesthetics (and wardrobe) mirror hers and vice versa, with suits with slipped shapes, worked denim, shiny or destroyed surfaces, and strong accessories by the courtesy of Celine, Versace, Diesel, Vivienne Westwood and Çanaku, among others. A fashion editorial signed by stylist Jessica Iorio and photographer Alberto Alicata, with art direction by Fabrizio Bezzi, for MANINTOWN.

Celine by Hedi Slimane 2023
Kristyna: total look Celine by Hedi Slimane; Valentyn: total look Celine Homme by Hedi Slimane

JordanLuca brand
Total look JordanLuca, boots Marsèll

Diesel uomo collezioni
Valentyn: total look Diesel; Kristyna: shirt Aniye By, boots Marsèll

Celine Hedi Slimane uomo
Valentyn: jacket Celine by Hedi Slimane; Kristyna: top Grifoni

Vivienne Westwood uomo collezione
Valentyn: jumpsuit Vivienne Westwood; Kristyna: total look Diesel

Çanaku brand
Shirt and gloves Çanaku, pants Grifoni, boots Marsèll

Versace collezione 2023
Valentyn: shirt Grifoni; Kristyna: total look Versace

Manintown fashion editorial
Valentyn: top Versace; Kristyna: dress VI Valentina Ilardi, earrings Adais

Credits

Art direction Fabrizio Bezzi

Photographer Alberto Alicata

Stylist Jessica Iorio

Ph. assistant Filippo Di Pietra

Stylist assistant Benedetta De Martino

Make-up Giuseppe Paladino

Hair Alessia Bonotto @Blend Management

Casting Co,Ma castingMartina Amadori, Costanza Carozzo

Talents Valentyn Boiko @Yu Agency, Kristyna Koshkina @Fabbrica Milano

Opening image: Valentyn wears top Versace, Kristyna wears dress VI Valentina Ilardi, earrings Adais

Tommy Jeans, Spring 2023 Collection celebrates street culture

Today Tommy Hilfiger presents the new stylistic chapter of the Tommy Collection by Tommy Jeans label. The brand, that is part of the PVH Corp. group, has its roots in the hip-hop aesthetics of the ’80s and ’90s and interprets the codes of international street culture for the Spring 2023 collection, filtering them through a distinctly progressive and “local” point of view. The starting reference is the art of so-called Japanese Chicano Lowriding, which is focused on the fanciful customization of cars, with brightly coloured, highly polished car shells and artfully modified suspensions.

Hip-hop reminiscences and Japanese influences in the new collection

The Tommy Collection Spring ’23 is composed of 55 items, a very contemporary upgrade of the brand’s archive. The most representative pieces of the Tommy Jeans style have been reinterpreted for the coming season: from the Chicago Windbreaker jacket, in the brand’s emblematic colours, red and blue, in a removable-sleeves version, to the Aiden trousers, medium-washed jeans with relaxed volumes, as well as the colour block parkas, the sleeveless denim jacket and the preppy items such as the waistcoat and nylon hockey jersey. All the options in the seasonal collection play on proportions and stratifications, freely mixing prep, skate and hip-hop influences. Sportswear cornerstones are particularly reinterpreted through a kaleidoscope of heterogeneous cultures (and subcultures) to infuse a creative boost into classic TOMMY silhouettes.

Spring ’23 campaign exalts Japan’s lowrider scene

The Spring ’23 advertising campaign enhances the multifaceted and versatile dimension of the clothes. It is the result of a mix of snapshots – a work by London-based photographer Theo Cottle – linked by the common thread of action, between out-of-the-box moments and intimate portraits of Japan’s lowrider community.

The cast includes American garage owners, rappers and tattoo artists, a collective that effectively symbolizes the adrenaline-fuelled inspiration of spring ready-to-wear. This community of lowriding enthusiasts is portrayed by the videographer Yohai Haga Peta (@yoheipeta), who sets his frenetic scenes, with a concentration of topoi of Cali-Mexican car and street culture, among motorists bouncing and driving along the streets of Tokyo, specifically in the Shibuya district that is one of the most characteristic of the Japanese capital.

Tommy Collection adv 2023
Un’immagina della campagna Tommy Collection Spring ’23 (ph. courtesy of Tommy Hilfiger)

Tommy Collection campagna
Ph. courtesy of Tommy Hilfiger

The collection will be available from 10 February on the official tommy.com website and in selected Tommy Jeans stores worldwide. For a further, vivid immersion in the atmospheres and references that have inspired the creations for spring 2023, take a look at the social channels @TommyJeans, #TommyJeans and #TommyCollection, and digitally join the brand’s community, a unicum that brings together music, streetwear and culture, in the name of creativity.

Tommy Collection primavera estate
Ph. courtesy of Tommy Hilfiger

Tommy Hilfiger Jeans 2023
Ph. courtesy of Tommy Hilfiger

Opening image: Tommy Collection Spring ’23 ad campaign (ph. courtesy of Tommy Hilfiger)

The new male wardrobe

Essentials that cannot miss in any man’s wardrobe (including blazers, suits, trousers with sartorial aplomb, patterned shirts), garments in bright shades – from teal to mauve to orange – or embellished with elaborate appliqués, which give an unusual twist to the outfits, and whimsical accessories, for example the scarf tied around the neck.
The key pieces of men’s collections of big labels and emerging designers, from Zegna to Emporio Armani, passing through Corneliani, N°21, Antonio Marras, Marsēm, Matteo Lamandini and Giordano Mercante, star in the editorial shot for MANINTOWN by the photographers Giovanni Gori and Andrea Aldrovandi.

Antonio Marras men
Sacha and Bar wear total looks Antonio Marras

Corneliani collezioni
Sacha wears total look Corneliani

Zegna 2023
Alexandre wears total look Zegna

N°21 uomo collezioni
Alexandre wears total look N°21

Hevò brand
Alexandre wears total look Hevò, bandana stylist’s own; Bas wears total look Giordano Mercante, glasses SNOB Milano

Credits

Photographers Giovanni Gori and Andrea Aldrovandi for Total Black (www.total.black)

Stylist Stefano Guerrini

Stylist asssistants Lorenzo Iacobone, Evelyn Fogar

Casting director and producer Laura Stella Motta INSTAGRAM @laura_stella_motta

Make-up artist and hair stylist Rossano Fasano INSTAGRAM @rossanofasano

Models Sacha Benoit @The Lab Models, Alexandre Valotto @United For Models, Bas Laduc @Independent Management

Opening image: Sacha wears total look Marsēm, bandana stylist’s own; Alexandre wears total look MTL Studio by Matteo Lamandini, earrings model’s own

New Visions: Venice Film Festival seen by Jacopo Ascari

On the occasion of the 79th Venice International Film Festival and Next Generation Awards, MANINTOWN commissioned Jacopo Ascari a series of sketches to interpret our Next Generation Awards winners: Nicolas Maupas, Carolina Sala, Matteo Oscar Giuggioli and Amanda Campana. His illustrations combined art, fashion and architecture (one of his great passions) in watercolour drawings, depicting the faces of the award-winners with vividly coloured reproductions of iconic places and symbols of the Venetian city, from the gondolas (dominated by the winged lion) to the Palazzo del Casinò, the basilica and the bell tower of San Marco.

Moreover Jacopo captured some of the most important actors and actresses on the red carpets, creating a unique interpretation of this event so much rooted in the territory. His work menages to reconcile portraiture and representative views of Venice because as he explains “a beautiful article from 1937 states that the vital finding of the Exhibition is the Venetian insularity of the Lido”.

Next Generation Awards 2022 Manintown
Palazzo del Cinema and red carpet – “The Palazzo del Cinema, beautiful 1930s architecture, and the magnificent red carpet overlooking the sea. Here I imagined the legendary Golden Lion arriving, hoisted on an unmistakable Venetian gondola” (artwork by Jacopo Ascari)

Excelsior hotel Venezia
Excelsior Hotel – “From the golden beaches of the Film Festival emerges the mythological Excelsior Venice, a Moorish castle full of charm where everything happens during the festival days” (artwork by Jacopo Ascari)

Luca Guadagnino
“Luca Guadagnino’s bet (won)” (artwork by Jacopo Ascari)

“The vital finding of the Exhibition is the Venetian insularity of the Lido”

Amanda Campana Matteo Giuggioli

Amanda Campana and Matteo Oscar Giuggioli just before the red carpet – “I reached Amanda and Teo’s hotel. The two of them came down at that moment, breathtakingly beautiful and excited about the enchantment that was about to happen” (artwork by Jacopo Ascari)

Carolina Sala Venezia
Carolina Sala just before the red carpet – “Carolina, in Dior, was beaming. Particularly self-confident, she stepped off the speedboat and headed for the red carpet: anyone who passed her along the few metres that separated the dock from the Palazzo del Cinema was breathless: ‘But she’s a Marilyn…’” (artwork by Jacopo Ascari)

Amanda Campana
Amanda Campana just before the red carpet – “Amanda was nervous, perhaps unaware of the glow she emanated. On the red carpet, shortly afterwards, we all fell in love with her” (artwork by Jacopo Ascari)

Nicolas Maupas
Nicolas Maupas just before the red carpet – “Nicolas, handsome and with a more intense look than usual, was nervous and, in his haste, had come within a few centimetres of the red carpet with his bow tie not perfectly fitted. Only the intervention of his agent, in a gesture full of tenderness, allowed the young man to show himself perfectly on the carpet” (artwork by Jacopo Ascari)

Ludovica Francesconi
Ludovica Francesconi just before the red carpet – “I spent some time chatting pleasantly with this delightful young actress: beautiful in her Alberta Ferretti, she enchanted me with tales full of commitment, passion, dedication” (artwork by Jacopo Ascari)

Hollywood stars in the Venetian laguna

Camilla Mangiapelo
Camilla Mangiapelo just before the red carpet – “Beautiful and very sweet, I followed her to the beginning of the carpet: full of light in her Genny, she showered us with beauty” (artwork by Jacopo Ascari)

Giulia Latini influencer
Giulia Latini just before the red carpet – “I had already had the opportunity to meet Giulia in Milan, at some joint events. Seeing her transformed into a queen, wrapped in her Gianluca Saitto, was also an opportunity to get to know this special person better” (artwork by Jacopo Ascari)

Julianne Moore Venice
Julianne Moore, President of the Jury (artwork by Jacopo Ascari)

Monica Bellucci Venice Film
Monica Bellucci, Siccità (artwork by Jacopo Ascari)

Olivia Wilde Don't Worry Darling
Olivia Wilde, Don’t Worry Darling (artwork by Jacopo Ascari)

Catherine Deneuve Golden lion
Catherine Deneuve, Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement (artwork by Jacopo Ascari)

Tilda Swinton Venice Festival
Tilda Swinton, The Eternal Daughter (artwork by Jacopo Ascari)

Timothée Chalamet 2022
Timothée Chalamet, Harry Styles and Brad Pitt, the men of Venice (artwork by Jacopo Ascari)

Penelope Cruz
Penélope Cruz, L’immensità (artwork by Jacopo Ascari)

Ana de Armas Blonde
Ana de Armas, Blonde (artwork by Jacopo Ascari)

Cate Blanchett awards
Cate Blanchett, Tár (artwork by Jacopo Ascari)

Richard Avedon – Relationships

Until 29 January 2023, Palazzo Reale in Milan celebrates Richard Avedon, one of the greats of 20th century photography, with an exhibition entitled Richard Avedon: Relationships, tracing a career that spanned more than sixty years. The show features 106 images from the collection of the Center for Creative Photography (CCP) in Tucson (USA), and from the Richard Avedon Foundation (USA). The works on display enable visitors to explore the innovative aspects of Avedon’s art, which made him one of the most influential creative giants of the 20th century. On the one hand, he revolutionized the way models are photographed, turning them into actresses who were the main focus of a set, instead of static subjects, and showing their human side, while on the other hand his amazing and often large-format, black and white portraits of celebrities reveal the more psychological side of the sitters.

Richard Avedon portrait
Richard Avedon, Self-portrait, Provo, Utah, August 20, 1980 (ph. © The Richard Avedon Foundation)

The collaboration with Versace for the fashion house’s adv campaigns

A whole section is devoted to the collaboration between Richard Avedon and Gianni Versace, which began with the campaign for the 1980 Spring/Summer collection that marked the fashion designer’s debut, and continued right up to the campaign for the 1998 Spring/Summer collection, the first by Donatella Versace. Avedon’s work for Versace shows how the unique relationship that is sometimes created between a designer and a photographer can produce images that occupy a timeless dimension, going way beyond the confines of the specific context linked to the seasonal nature of fashion that they were originally intended for, and revolutionizing its global narration.

Linda Evangelista Versace
Richard Avedon, Linda Evangelista, Versace Spring-Summer 1993 campaign, New York, November 9, 1992 (ph. © The Richard Avedon Foundation)

Richard Avedon Versace campaign
Richard Avedon, Nadja Auermann, Cindy Crawford, Stephanie Seymour, Claudia Schiffer, Christy Turlington, Maximo Morrone, Vladimir McCrary, Eric Etebari, Marcus Schenkenberg Versace (ph. © The Richard Avedon Foundation)

The exhibition is divided into ten sections: The Artist, The Premise of the Show, Early Fashion, Actors and Directors, Visual Artists, Performing Artists / Musicians and Writers / Poets, Avedon’s People, Politics, Late Fashion, Versace. However, it hinges on the two most characteristic aspects of Avedon’s work: fashion photographs and portraits. It also features a large selection of portraits of celebrities from the world of entertainment, actors, dancers, and musicians, as well as civil rights activists, politicians and writers. They include the Beatles (John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr), Bob Dylan, Michelangelo Antonioni, Allen Ginsberg, Sophia Loren, Marilyn Monroe, and the Dalai Lama. There are also two images of Andy Warhol, in which the father of American Pop Art reveals his intimate self to Richard Avedon, displaying his bullet scars, after surviving a murder attempt.

Richard Avedon according to Donatella Versace

Richard Avedon Dovima
Richard AvedonDovima with elephants, evening dress by Dior, Cirque d’Hiver, Paris, August 1955 (ph. © The Richard Avedon Foundation)

Donatella Versace declares about her relationship with Avedon: “Trust. For me that is the foundation of the best relationships. With Avedon there was absolute trust. Trust in his light. Trust in his storytelling. Trust in our shared vision. Trust in our relationship. Avedon and Versace are inseparable. Gianni and I loved working with Avedon. We loved coming up with the story of the campaign together and watching as he and the incredible models brought that story to life. With or without the clothes. Iconic is an overused word but these images are truly iconic”.

Richard Avedon fotografie
 Richard Avedon, Carmen (homage to Munkácsi), coat by Cardin, Place François-Premier, Paris, August 1957 (ph. © The Richard Avedon Foundation)

“Avedon photographed me many times over the years, but my favorite portrait is the one he shot for the ‘Blonde’ fragrance campaign. I remember his direction: ‘Be Blonde. Blonde energy, blonde passion, blonde strength’. His image shows my superpower. Avedon was all about relationships. His relationship with us as colleagues and friends. His relationship with the subject of the shoot and the story we were telling. The relationship with space as he built incredible shapes using clothes and bodies. And most importantly the relationship with the viewer”.

“Avedon’s images capture a moment in time and yet remain timeless” (Donatella Versace)

Richard Avedon Shoe
Richard Avedon, Shoe by Perugia, Place du Trocadéro, Paris, August 1948 (ph. © The Richard Avedon Foundation)

“Just look into the eyes of the sitters in his portraits and lose yourself in an imagined relationship. Avedon’s images tell us their story with no words. They capture a moment in time and yet remain timeless. They continue to inspire all of us. They talk of power, beauty, seduction, and of humanity. I miss him but he is always with me in these extraordinary images and in my heart”.

Richard Avedon fashion Paris
Richard Avedon, Jean Shrimpton, evening dress by Cardin, Paris, January, 1970 (ph. © The Richard Avedon Foundation)

Richard Avedon Nastassja Kinski
Richard Avedon, Nastassja Kinski, Los Angeles, California, June 14, 1981 (ph. © The Richard Avedon Foundation)

Opening image: Nell’immagine in apertura, Richard Avedon, Nastassja Kinski, Los Angeles, California, June 14, 1981 (ph. © The Richard Avedon Foundation)

Ossie Clark & Celia Birtwell

Ossie Clark’s revolutionary designs in the late 1960s garnered him the title ‘King of King’s Road’, but the boundaries of he and his wife Celia Birtwell’s influence stretched far beyond the famous West London street. Not only did ‘Mr. and Mrs. Clark’ define an era in British history, but to this day their works continue to influence women’s fashion worldwide.

The subversive spirit of their works is epitomised by their close friend David Hockney’s infamous portrait of the couple. The living room of the Notting Hill townhouse in which they pose would traditionally have been regally and heavily decorated, instead we are met with the couple casually lounging barefoot with modern furniture and ornaments sparsely dotted across the floor of the room.

Celia Birtwell Ossie Clark
Celia Birtwell and Ossie Clark, ph. by Norman Bain

This daring modern outlook is reflected in the couple’ s designs; Celia’s bold Picasso and Matisse-inspired prints, which were magicked into graceful silhouettes by Ossie, borrowed qualities from the styles of the 30s and 40s, yet the end products were something entirely original.

The presentation of the garments employed a similar strategy. Staging shows in grand old venues such as the Royal Albert Hall or the Royal Court Theatre, Ossie filled these events with celebrities rather than PR or buyers, and let his models dance down the runway to scores composed by Pink Floyd and the like. 

Furthermore, the broader social context of this couple hailing from the north coming down to London and rewriting the rules of fashion embodied the zeitgeist of the times and their rapidly changing social politics. Ultimately, masters of the arts are made when originality and beauty come together, and the iconic designs of Ossie and Celia represented the perfect marriage between these two qualities.

Text by Antonio Moscogiuri

David Hockney Mr and Mrs Clark
David Hockney painting Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy, 1971

Love for nature and art: in conversation with Celia Birtwell

Celia Birtwell‘s education began at the Salford Art School in Manchester, where she earned a degree in Textile Design before moving to London in the early 1960s, where she produced the first fabrics for Op-art style furnishings. She was impressed by the exhibitions and collections of the Victoria & Albert Museum, in particular by Leon Bakst and Sergej Djagilev’s costumes for the Russian Ballets and the art of the historical avant-garde. These designs, together with her love of nature passed down by her father, were fundamental inspirations for her path.

Celia’s style plays on the unpredictability of combinations: a mix of flowers and stylized leaves reminiscent of Botticelli, sometimes combined with geometric elements or references ranging from medieval English tapestries to Cubism and Pointillism. Her fabrics are made with a particular technique called discharge printing: the design is made on already-dyed fabric using a bleaching agent that removes the background color only in the part to be printed, thus creating the design by subtraction. 

Celia Birtwell, Ossie Clark

The starting point for her prints are precisely her illustrations, preserved in the precious sketchbooks on display. As Celia herself recounts: Drawing was natural and I found it almost therapeutic. I started from defining the face that had to have personality, otherwise I wouldn’t continue

After the autumn/winter collection of 1974, Ossie and Celia went down different paths, continuing their work independently. Celia embarked down a path of interior design, developing collections for the home and collaborations with fashion brands thanks to an aesthetic consistency which, looking back, always remains current.

I met Celia at her London home where she also keeps her archive. She told me about the incredible adventure with Ossie Clark, life partner (with whom she had two children) and at work.

“It was the kind of marriage of the two ideas, and it was a great fusion”

How did you first meet Ossie?

I studied at Salford Art School while Ossie was at Manchester College of Art. A great friend of mine, Mo McDermott, introduced me to him. He was quite eccentric with a Beatle haircut and a pullover in brown leather with a V-neck. He was very stylish. And I came down for summer holiday to London, with the intention of going back to Manchester, and I never went back. Ossie said he had a little flat in Lafbrook Road, off Lafbrook Road, above a bicycle shop. So he said why don’t you come and stay with me there and the rest is history.

How was your professional collaboration?

It was curious because I’d only done textile design and he was a mastercutter anyway. My first memories was always keeping my sketchbooks going because I’d always kept the sketchbooks which he would look at and I guess his work was very structural. He was great at making – three-dimensional – shapes, which I’ve never been able to accomplish. I do flat patterns. I can’t draw in three dimensions and so he could make shapes and volume which I think is a talent which I don’t have.

My work was possibly more fantasy-like and will never be constructed because I wouldn’t have been able to make them work. He would look at my drawings and then he would soften up his broader and hard-edged line that he used to have in his drawings even and so he could encapsulate my kind of fantasy drawings and make them real. So that was the kind of marriage of the two ideas, and it was a great fusion.
I didn’t know designers before him but he obviously looked at 1930s V&A and people and looked at people drawing up working on the bias. And he could do all that on his own. 

Ossie Clark dress
Ossie Clark, Parrot, 1968, ph. by Jim Lee (©Jim Lee)

“Ossie’s clothes were beautifully cut and very feminine”

What is your first memory of Alice Pollock?

He met her outside the Albert Hall and told me: I’ve met a woman who shares the same birthday as me, June the 9th 1942, and she wants to do a collection with me. So, I went to a tiny boutique in Chelsea where she’d made clothes out of lace curtains. Ossie went in there and just showed a bit of his magic. She could see immediately that he had a very unusual talent. 

What could be Ossie’s most iconic dress?

There’s so many to choose from but I’m proudest of the ones with my prints on. He could make a plump woman look as well as a slim model shaped person because he knew all about structure. Ossie also knew how to do like a Botticelli dress like the one I wore when we got married. He made me lots of great skirts and little sweet jackets that I could zip myself up into. The shapes were quite controlling but they didn’t feel like corsets, in fact they were very feminine and never vulgar which was a bonus.

“For his fashion shows, Ossie created a vibrant multicultural show and started off a movement”

How did catwalk shows changed in his days?

He was the first person to put music to a fashion show and use people from different backgrounds to perform, including black and oriental models. During the 50s, when I was teenager, catwalk shows were very awkward and proper instead, people would walk on the stage rather correctly. Ossie created a vibrant multicultural show and started off a whole movement. Music was also a big part of that. He was great friends with Rolling Stones, John Lennon and George Harrison as we were all starting off at the same time. People always say “you must have had a great time in the 60s” and it was actually true.

What do you think about Ossie’s muses? 

His choice in models was really inspirational. Gala Mitchell was one of my favorites but I also liked Pattie Boyd and Kari-Ann Jagger. They stayed fairly loyal to him though he was difficult to work with. I think he would have been happier as a pop star because in fashion you have to keep going all the time. So, when he got rather famous, he should have had somebody looking after his business properly but he became very arrogant and nobody could have controlled him. As his caring side diminished, I got fed up with it. I think he was like those stars that shine bright but they never last too long. 

“We might say that Ossie’s Clark were quite classic and timeless in a way, but they were never vulgar”

How did you start creating a new collection?

He’d let me use whichever print I wanted. I’d go to the printers and choose an assortment of different fabrics, then I’d drive back and take them to his studio. Sometimes he’d phoned me or sent me a telegram to tell me they were beautiful and he would start working. He’d be so excited about a new sleeve or a new way of cutting a top. I really liked that part of the process because that’s when he was the most creative. He also worked with this wonderful person called Kathleen Coleman who would stand by him like a saint to develop the collection.

Which is the feature that made Ossie’s fashion unique?

Ossie’s clothes were beautifully cut and very feminine. We might say that they were quite classic and timeless in a way, but they were never vulgar, which means that they used to produce photographs of his transparent clothes with slight bosom showing. This is true for The Sun newspaper. The press was very enthusiastic and jumped on slightly bosomy girls who wore transparent blouses.

“I loved printed because I could experiment with color”

How did you work on prints? Why are they still modern today?

All the chiffons were printed at a place called Ivo prints and that’s where I worked all of my career.The technique I used was called pigment printing. Pigment printing means printing on the table and, if it’s chiffon, you have to pull it off because it sticks to the table. We wouldn’t be allowed to do it now because the inks and everything we use would dye. It might be used for furnishing fabrics but not for dress fabrics since techniques have changed so much.

When I printed at this place called Ivo Prints in South Wall, which is in London. I loved that part of the process because I could experiment with color. I had a sample table where I could try all the colors and that was a very creative period. I take credit for being modern because my prints have got an innocence that is also part of me. Mystic daisy was created in five minutes and Al Radley used to say “just bake more mystic daisies”. 

Jim Lee Ossie Clark
Ossie Clark, Plane Crash, ph. by Jim Lee (©Jim Lee)

How did you start working with Alfred Radley?

When Ossie had a studio in Burnsall Street in Chelsea, Alice Pollock met Alfred Radley – he was known as Al Radley – and immediately realized his talent. I suppose he was from the rag trade and had a big soft spot for Ossie. He thought he could do a diffusion line under his name and they both could benefit from it but Ossie never really liked him. When Al Radley took him to Japan, Ossie stayed in bed at the hotel the whole time. However, Al Radley had great respect for Ossie and would have done anything to make him work.

“Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy was such a big part of my life and I think it was marvelous to be the muse”

What about your friendship with David Hockney?

Moe McDermott, my darling friend from Salford, introduced me to David Hockney when he was doing his final year degree show at the Royal College of Art but I just said hello at that time. David had to take another look at me because I was friend with Peter Schlesinger, who came over to England to live with him, and he found me amusing. That was the start of our friendship. He took me to New York, Los Angeles, and later on we spent three months in a rented house in Malibu. Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy was such a big part of my life and I think it was marvelous to be the muse. We borrowed the painting when I did a show with Ossie in Warrington, which is where he comes from. It was memorable.

Tell us about The Biggest Splash.

It started off as a documentary about David Hockney’s career when he was breaking up with Peter Schlesinger. When I had to read the lines, it was quite intrusive for me because Jack, his director, turned it into an unhappy love story. I remember saying to David “this film might be a big movie” but he thought he wouldn’t be going anywhere. The rest is history.

Ossie Clark Celia Birtwell exhibition
Ossie Clark and Celia Birtwell, exhibition at Prato Textile Museum

What is your opinion about Ossie’s diaries?

When I went to Bloomsbury, where the diaries were produced, I was very poor. I looked at them and I thought they were so personal that I would never have let them be released. A great friend of Ossie’s called Henrietta Rouse edited them. I never agreed to them being released because it was a private part of Ossie and I felt that she didn’t read through them. I’ve always thought they were a big mistake because I want him to be remembered for his wonderful talent as a fashion designer.

“I’ve always thought Ossie’s diaries were a big mistake because I want him to be remembered for his wonderful talent as a fashion designer”

How was life after the divorce? 

After I finished with Ossie in the late middle 70s, I did part-time teaching but, unless I’d had wonderful students who would have benefited from my knowledge, I wanted to do my own thing. So, I managed to save enough money and opened a little shop in Westbourne Park Road in Notting Hill where I worked for 25 years.

At the very beginning, I thought I’d do fabrics both for fashion and home. Then, I realized that I’d have a lot more time for my sons if I focused on home because fashion is a full-time energy engaging career. When my daughter in law Bella took over the shop, we started working with big companies like Millet or Boots and eventually the shop became a studio. In my life I had a few boyfriends before I met Andy. He’s not in fashion at all, which is probably quite refreshing. Now I’ve got gorgeous grandchildren that I adore and I can say that I’ve been a very lucky person.

What are your happiest memories of Ossie?

I’ve got quite a few happy memories of him. We had a lot of fun when we were younger: we’d go to parties together, we’d go to antique markets and buy ridiculous things, we even bought a house we couldn’t afford. Actually, I never lived in that house because he told my mother it had to be in his way, so I didn’t move in. Once we went off to Granada in a silver Buick car and we drove through the mountains at night playing music as loud as you can imagine. There were many happy times but then, alas, there were a lot of unhappy ones.

Text by Federico Poletti

Ossie Clark mostra

Ossie Clark collezioni

Ossie Clark abiti

Opening image: Ossie Clark, Plane Crash, ph. by Jim Lee (©Jim Lee)

Downtown

Déshabillé and rhinestone-encrusted shorts, underwear and texan boots, perforated lace and denim, dark leather garments and high-end home décor collections. These are the stylistic coordinates of the fashion story Downtown, created – exclusively for Manintown – by Giuseppe Attanasio.

Manintown editorial
Total look Gucci, jewelry Vincent Vintage Bijoux

Garcon de Famille
Total look N°21, hand jewelry Garçon de Famille, necklaces Vincent Vintage Bijoux

Vincent Vintage Bijoux
Total look N°21, hand jewelry Garçon de Famille, necklaces Vincent Vintage Bijoux

Marsèll brand
Total look Wayerob, shoes Marsèll, earrings & hand jewelry Garçon de Famille

Givenchy uomo collezioni

loungewear trend 2022
Total look Wayerob, shoes Marsèll, earrings & hand jewelry Garçon de Famille

Antonio Marras uomo
Total looks Antonio Marras, boots Marsèll

Gucci camicia uomo 2022

Dolce&Gabbana Casa
Total looks Dolce&Gabbana Casa

Credits

Photography Giuseppe Attanasio 

Art Direction Fabrizio Bezzi

Stylist Jessica Iorio

Stylist assistants Benedetta De Martino, Ilinca Iulia Rosu, Dario Pasqualini

Video Raffaele Depergola 

Grooming Manuel Ian Farro 

Talents Umberto Manca e Unai Nartra @Independent MGMT

Opening image: Umberto Manca wears total look Valentino, gioielli Vincent Vintage Bijoux

Defait

Monogram backpacks, bomber jackets with a collegiate attire, must-have urban pieces (caps, sweatshirts, chest bags…), men’s wardrobe staples enlivened by bright colours, and lots of denim, reinterpreted in the most diverse ways, including jackets, five-pocket pants and trousers with logos. These are the essential ingredients of the “Defait” fashion story, which entrusts Roberto Autuori’s images to tell the tale of the best men fashion for autumn/winter 2022/23.

Moschino fall 2022
Total looks Moschino

Ferragamo men 2022
Total look Ferragamo

Ferragamo men fashion
Total look Ferragamo

Avant Toi uomo
Shirt and jeans Levi’s, sweater Avant Toi, shoes Roberto Cavalli, cap Diesel

Diesel collezione 2022
Total look Diesel

Zegnafall winter
Sweater and leather trousers Zegna, boots Moschino

Diesel brand 2022
Total look Diesel

Boss collezioni 2022
Total looks Boss

Levi's men 2022
Coat Avant Toi, shirt and jeans Levi’s

Valentino sneakers 2022
Total look Valentino

Valentino men 2022
Total look Valentino

Credits

Photographer Roberto Autuori

Fashion editor and stylist Muccino Amatulli

Ph. assistant Cristina Proietti Panatta

Stylist assistant Giulia Palmisciano

Make-up artist Azzurra Cogotti

Hair stylist Francesco Termine

Set assistant Isabella Giustiniani, Giorgia Riva

Videomaker Luca Matteucci

Video editor Gloria D’Ascanio

Model Federico M. and Francesco @Zoe Factory

Opening image: total look Ferragamo

Giberne

A fashion story (shot for Manintown by photographer Giovanni Peschi, with styling by Giorgio Ammirabile) in which the creations of the Giberne brand take centre stage. To design the label’s bags, the creative director, Amis Garrigue, looks to the bullet bags that used to accessorise the uniforms of historical figures such as Napoleon and King Gustav II of Sweden, proposing itself as a lifestyle brand in balance between art and fashion, aimed at brilliant, self-confident men and women.

Giberne fashion
Blazer POAN, leather pants Gemini, bag Giberne

The feathers, Giberne’s logo, represent the values dear to the brand, which are freedom, unity, strength, individuality and quality craftsmanship, sublimated in bags designed as collector’s pieces, to be handed down from generation to generation.

Manintown fashion man
Bag with shoulder metal mesh Giberne

Gemini fashion brand
Strap with shoulder metal mesh Giberne, leather shorts Gemini

Akoni sunglasses
Trench and bag Giberne, sunglasses Akoni

Vivienne Westwood collezioni 2022
Velvet blazer Erdem, shirt Blouseworks, pants Vivienne Westwood, bag Giberne

Credits

Photographer Giovanni Peschi

Stylist Giorgio Ammirabile

Model Georgi Nikolov @Ivet Fashion Model Management

Photographed at Giberne Studio, Florence

Giuseppe Allocca #2

Photographer Davide Musto creates a series of intimate, steady shots where the expressivity of the protagonist, the model Giuseppe Allocca, make a real difference. He moves nonchalantly in front of his lens, interchanging  bright velvet clothes and sharp blue suits.

Manintown model
Total look Antony Morato

Giuseppe Allocca model
Top photographer’s archive

Antony Morato uomo 2022
Antony Morato uomo 2022

 Avant Toi brand
Total look Avant Toi

Credits

Model Giuseppe Allocca @Crew Model Management

Photographer Davide Musto

Fashion Editor Rosamaria Coniglio

Opening image: total look Avant Toi

Daniil K

The absolute protagonist of Igor Vavilov‘s retro-flavoured , analogue fashion story is Daniil Kudryavtsev aka Daniil K, who combines his work as a model with that of photographer, art director and stylist. Here we see him roaming the streets of Istanbul and posing in elegant interiors in the Turkish city, drawing on a selection of big and new names for his outfits, both renowned labels (like Miu Miu, Dries Van Noten and Yohji Yamamoto) and prominent Turkish brands (Emre Erdemoğlu, For Fun), with artsy hats, slouchy blazers, printed shirts and loose-fitting denim pants.

fashion story Manintown
Jacket Dries Van Noten, tank top For Fun, trousers Emre Erdemoğlu, sandals Vagabond

Dries Van Noten men 2022
Jacket Dries Van Noten, tank top For Fun

Emre Erdemoğlu brand
Jacket Emre Erdemoğlu

Vagabond shoes men 2022
Shirt Emre Erdemoğlu, jeans Miu Miu, sandals Vagabond

hats fashion men 2022
Hat Daniel Nyström, vest Hockerty

Hockerty brand uomo
Vest Hockerty, shorts Degrave Paris

Manintown black white

Degrave Paris men
Vest Hockerty, shorts Degrave Paris

Manintown Youth Babilonia 2022

Credits

Photographer Igor Vavilov

Model and stylist Daniil K

Brais Albor, the young Spanish designer who challenges the definition of manhood

The 28-year-old designer Brais Albor, who has just graduated from Central Saint Martins College, presented his first menswear collection in March, during the prestigious London School MA in Fashion Show, which returned to the live format after the stop caused by the pandemic. The collective fashion show was held during the London Fashion Week and it allowed 32 students to show their respective collections. Among them we have Albor, with his mix of sartorial codes, womenswear elements, shapes and suggestions taken from the animal world and a great use of irony (aimed at breaking down the stereotypes traditionally associated with the idea of manhood), to define the identity of a “Powerful and Revolutionary Human”, as he said. This first show earned him entry to the shortlist of finalists for the 2022 edition of ITS – International Talent Support, committed to scouting and supporting emerging fashion talents.

Brais Albor
Brais Albor wears clothes and accessories of his eponymous brand

We asked him a few questions in order to get to know better a creative man that is set to make his way in the menswear industry.

Interview with Brais Albor

What are your background and professional experiences?

I did my BA courses in Santiago de Compostela at EASD Mestre Mateo and with this I came to Milan to do my Erasmus course the last year of the BA at Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera. This is when I met Milan and I really enjoy the city. I have been doing this Erasmus Course, a Erasmus Internship at Casa D’Arte Fiore, where I have been working for 3 years and a half. Here I was a menswear pattern maker for cinema and theatre and I learned a lot about historical costume, fashion and structures. I tried to work in fashion in Milan but after been rejected a lot of times I decided to study more, so I applied (twice) to Central Saint Martins and I went to London to do my MA in Fashion. I have been one of the student who did the catwalk during LFW to show my collection. The final collection of the MA is the same one that I used to apply to ITS. After the show Marc Goehring (Fashion Director at “032c magazine”, author’s note) meets my collection and after chats with him, he comes over London to support me with his experience and talent styling my collection for the campaign and look book pictures.

“I want to make the wearer feel powerful and strong”

Brais Albor brand collezione
Brais Albor Fall/Winter 2022 collection

Tell us about the concept of your brand, your first collection and your idea of masculinity.

About my collection: I want to shift non-standard sized bodies from being concealed and buried into the spotlight. I emphasise their bodies in tailored constructions, hugging and elevating their physique. Using sartorial fashion, I want to make the wearer feel powerful and strong. It is almost like the gentleman wearing a suit as strong as a chainsaw whilst being as sweet as poetry on the inside.

My debut collection “Descent of Human, and natural Selection in Relation to Love” is based on the reality of toxic masculinity, the Dandy figure of the 20th century and animal instincts. Combined, they create the uniform of the character I created- the “Powerful and Revolutionary Human”, capable and determined to be a part of the change. Therefore, the casting was very important to me. I wanted to use real humans, with traditional non-runway sizes. They contrast with the garments and break the traditional stereotypes of men in fashion. Essentially, it is a masculine menswear collection created in the most un-masculine way in order to create a new identity. I worked with sustainable textures and materials, by using deadstock fabric. This allowed me to create high-quality garments whilst being environmentally conscious. Additionally, the shoes have been made in collaboration with Atelier Vania, an Italian family business. In the beginning, Atelier Vania made shoes for transgender women, and after this collaboration, they decided to make high heels for everyone. This added heritage to the value of my collection. All of these elements give my characters, the models, the tools to fight for the revolution of love.

Brais Albor ITS Trieste
Brais Albor Fall/Winter 2022 collection

Brais Albor ITS Trieste

“My Spanish blood and hometown culture make me create the garments on that way”

Where is the Spanish influence in your work?

The Spanish influence is probably reflected everywhere. I mean, my Spanish blood and hometown culture make me create the garments on that way, criticizing in a ironic way that we understand as “Macho Iberico”. This toxic traditional stereotype of man which I would break and use it to create something new who represent better my culture and ideas.

Why did you choose to move to Italy?

I’m choosing Italy at the moment as I think it is very similar to the Spanish culture but bigger in terms of fashion. In my opinion, people here enjoy life more than other countries, and the mix between work and enjoy here is perfect. So, my next project is the one to stay here, working for some fashion company to get the experience and try to understand if I am able to produce and launch my own brand in the future. Nowadays I just do custom pieces of my collection and new creations. I would love to launch a new collection but after all the expenses of the MA it is not easy to have the support to create at the moment.

Brais Albor Instagram
Brais Albor

“I criticize in a ironic way that we understand as Macho Iberico”

Your signature piece and favourite textile.

My favourite piece from my collection is the coat I wore during the show. It is made in mohair wool fur that I dyed by hand as was yellow (this was stock from a London based brand) and I get this texture and colour during the process. I really like it for this reason I will wear it during the winter. I even love the trousers of the LOOK 3  (was my first trouser idea and development and from this one the others was born) and the good thing of that collection as I did all the sizes as me or bigger, I can wear the garments. This was made in rat grey wool with contrast pieces made in cream wool trying to imitate the calico which we use in fashion for prototypes.

Brais Albor designer
Brais Albor

Opening image: the first Brais Albor men’s collection

Gianluca Saitto closes the Méditerranée – Taranto and la Dolce Vita event with the fashion show ‘Couture in fieri’

Méditerranée – Taranto and the Dolce Vita, a two-day event dedicated to art, fashion, history, culture and traditions, has just come to an end. The special guest of the first edition was Gianluca Saitto. He’s an eclectic designer whose made-to-measure creations, balanced between sophistication and flawless tailoring, have seduced fans of the likes of Loredana Bertè, Patty Pravo, Renato Zero and Gianna Nannini.

Taranto fashion show
The Gianluca Saitto fashion show in Taranto

The couturier brought to Piazza Castello, in the heart of the city, 30 looks from his latest collection, “Couture in fieri”, that is a summa of the cornerstones of the eponymous label,beginning with embroderies and appliqués (executed strictly by hand) on long dresses, sharp blazers, minidresses and soft skirts. The enhancement of the silhouette through very accurate cuts, see-through effects, refined textures, shiny and metallic-looking fabric (a reference to the shiny outfits – literally – of the 70s rock icons, an eternal source of inspiration for Saitto) is an other atout of the brand. Moreover, some outfits were completed for the occasion by haute couture headwear by Pasquale Bonfilio, an authentic artist of handcrafted millinery.

30 outfits that sum up Saitto’s creative journey

On the sidelines of the fashion show, Gianluca Saitto said: “I accepted with great enthusiasm the invitation of Mario Rigo and Angelo Labriola, creators of the “Méditerranée” format, who want to actively contribute to the rebirth of the city. I was immediately fascinated by the hidden beauty of the city, a cradle of the Magna Graecia,as it looks to the challenges of the future from a glorious past. Similarly, I draw inspiration from the best craft traditions, such as embroidery, to transform them into something contemporary. In the heart of the ancient city, I presented 30 garments that summarize the journey of these 10 years of activity, whose protagonists are the dresses in shades of gold and silver, as they play on an exceptional brightness stressed by the precious broderies and hand-applied crystals. A true tribute to Italian savoir-faire”.

Gianluca Saitto
Gianluca Saitto

According to Mario Rigo, this collection “represents a compendium of Gianluca Saitto’s most spectacular creations and his vision of fashion constantly evolving (in fieri), in which the traditions of embroidery are newly interpreted from a contemporary perspective, enhancing evening gowns and suits with structured jackets. It is precisely the kind of sartorial workmanship that could be realized in our Taranto”.

An outstanding fashion show closes an event that promotes the excellences of Taranto

With Saitto’s fashion show, the first edition of the kermesse “Méditerranée – Taranto and the Dolce Vita” came to a close, transforming Taranto’s old city into a laboratory of solutions to make the ancient part of the city, a treasure chest of ancient history, with a project that involved institution and local entrepreneurs. Mario Rigo and Angelo Labriola stated: “It was important to organize a major haute couture event in Taranto, the first in a long series of events created to enhance our city and the handmade.

Taranto shows 2022
“Couture in fieri” fashion show

Our goal is to make people discover the values of our territory, its roots, its art and culture with a constructive attitude. That is why we have discussed the event dedicated to Saitto to recover ancient crafts and artisan workshops in the noble palaces under restoration. We want to bring out the local tradition of byssus, a technique used by high fashion which can be revived thanks to young people. To create a bridge with Milan, since Puglia is an important production hub for fashion. Taranto could train new generations by recovering these dying crafts. Together with the city administration and entrepreneurs, we will bring out the often hidden Beauty of this territory. We thank Gianluca Saitto, who was the first one to give his art to uncover the ancient city in a new way”.

Taranto
Taranto

Opening image: the finale of the Gianluca Saitto fashion show in Taranto

Giuseppe Allocca

Model Giuseppe Allocca, who has a penetrating gaze and flowing dark hair, wears for Manintown outfits that anticipate some of next season’s menswear biggest trends, from oversize to a reinterpretation of the classic two-piece suit.

Manintown editoriale black white

In Davide Musto’s shots we see him sporting garments and accessories that express the unique vision of brands such as Dsquared2, MSGM, JordanLuca, Giuseppe Zanotti, Davii, Yezael by Angelo Cruciani, switching between low-cut jumpsuits, lime-coloured suits with flared trousers, grunge-style checked blazers and satin-finish suits.

male models editorial 2022
Jumpsuit Davii

Jordanluca collezione uomo 2022
Total look JordanLuca, shoes Giuseppe Zanotti, necklaces stylist’s archive

Dsquared2 jacket men 2022
Total look Dsquared2, boots Karl Lagerfeld

model man new faces

jumpsuit men fashion 2022
Jumpsuit Davii

Angelo Cruciani
Shirt Yezael by Angelo Cruciani, pants Simon Cracker

Manintown editorial moda
Total look Yezael by Angelo Cruciani

Model Giuseppe Allocca @CmodelsCrew

Photographer Davide Musto

Ph. assistant Valentina Ciampaglia

Stylist Federica Mele

Grooming Maria Livia Igliozzi @Making Beauty Management

Opening image: shirt Yezael by Angelo Cruciani, trousers Simon Cracker

In the mood for Milan

The photos by Davide Simonelli that you can see on this page, exclusively for Manintown, are inspired by the films from the golden decades of auteur cinema, from the 1960s to the 1990s. The work, as the author explains, is also a personal homage to the flawless style of the director Wong Kar-Wai, who is praised for the emotional strength of his films, also conveyed – and perhaps above all – by their visual elegance, with colour palettes designed in every detail and a masterful use of lights.

Milano fashion shooting

The Chinese model Jun Lai, one of the most interesting new talents in modelling, poses before the photographer’s lens. Dressed from head to toe in black, with figure-hugging jackets, skinny jeans and tartan skirts, he moves from sunny exteriors to the interiors of a vintage building in Milan, where his total black outfits clash with the light pink shade of the walls, instilling some charisma and charm into every shot.

male Brave Models 2022

Milano editoriale moda

Milano moda shooting

cinematographic editorial fashion

Manintown fashion editorial

Manintown model editorial

Credits

Model Jun Lai @Brave Models

Photographer Davide Simonelli

Make-up and hair Rachele Faggian

Manintown returns to the Venice Film Festival with the Next Generation Awards

Between the end of August and the beginning of September, the who’s who of the seventh art lands in the Laguna for the Venice Film Festival, an highlight, together with Cannes, of the international cinematographic festivals circuit. There will be premieres, awards ceremonies, red carpets full of stars and, along with them, the Next Generation Awards powered by Manintown, organised by the magazine and MI HUB Agency, a project that seals the magazine’s ongoing commitment to promoting the rising stars of Italian film and, more generally, creative scene. The initiative was created to concretely support the new talents of Italian cinema, as in the case for Giancarlo Commare and Ludovica Francesconi, who were awarded in 2021 and quickly established themselves as two leading names of the new generation of Italian actors, collecting roles in first-rate works and authoritative awards.

The four award-winners of the 2nd edition of the Next Generation Awards powered by Manintown

The second edition of the awards will take place on Thursday 8 September in an exceptional location, the Campari Lounge | Terrazza Biennale at the Venice Lido, on the rooftop of the Palazzo del Cinema, the kermesse’s main venue. Of course, the protagonists will be the four award-winners, namely Nicolas Maupas (best revelation actor), Carolina Sala (best revelation actress), Matteo Oscar Giuggioli and Amanda Campana, who will be there for two special prizes.

They are all emerging talents, in their twenties or early twenties, who have, however, already demonstrated their ability to juggle different genres and contexts, moving with ease from the big to the small screen, from plays to cult series among the younger and youngest people.

Nicolas Maupas, known for the role of Alessandro Gassmann/Dario Balestra’s son in “Un professore”, was among the protagonists of the emotional series “Mare fuori”, while Carolina Sala made her theatre debut and then went from psychological thrillers (“Vetro”) to Netflix (“Fedeltà”) and Rai (“La guerra è finita”, “Pezzi unici”) productions. Amanda Campana and Matteo Giuggioli are versatile and successful performers too, appearing in successful films and series such as “Summertime” and “Bastardi a mano armata” (in Campana’s case) and “Buongiorno mamma!”, “Vostro onore”, “Sotto il sole di Riccione”, “Il filo invisibile” (in Giuggioli’s).They also starred together in “Suspicious Minds”, which will be released soon.

Amanda Campana e Matteo Oscar Giuggioli, two successful performers, starred together in “Suspicious Minds”

The actress says in this regard that she’s “truly honoured and happy about this recognition from Manintown, especially to receive it at the Venice Film Festival. My grandfather had been asking me for a while when I would go, and seeing him touched and full of pride was a huge satisfaction for the work during these years, which began with ‘Summertime’, my stepping stone to Netflix, and then went on to other films and other wonderful people I have worked with, up to the latest project in which I took part together with Matteo Oscar, directed by the flawless Emiliano Corapi”.

Her set colleague, who shares the same enthusiasm, states: “My first Festival is also my first real time in Venice. I had bet that it would be at the Festival. Until last night it was something to watch every now and then. I’m one of those who grew up with the balcony chats with grandpa and all the biggest dreams. We will see each other soon in Emilia Mazzacurati’s ‘Billy’, a film by a lovely girl who made me realise that we are not alone in the world. Then, with ‘Suspicious Minds’ by Emiliano Corapi and ‘My Soul Summer’ by Fabio Mollo”.

The four winners in Jacopo Ascari’s artworks

To underline the project’s creative thread, MI HUB Agency and Manintown commissioned the artwork portraying the four actors by Jacopo Ascari. The illustrator combined art, fashion and architecture (one of his great passions) in watercolour drawings, depicting the faces of the award-winners with vividly coloured reproductions of iconic places and symbols of the Venetian city, from the gondolas (dominated by the winged lion) to the Palazzo del Casinò, the basilica and the bell tower of San Marco. He wanted to reconcile portraiture and representative views of Venice because as he explains “a beautiful article from 1937 states that the vital finding of the Exhibition is the Venetian insularity of the Lido”.

A project that seals the scouting activity by Manintown

Federico Poletti, founder and Editor-in-chief of Manintown, notes how “today talking about new generations and young talents has become a real trend. It is a panorama that years ago was unimaginable, but today it has exploded and is growing thanks to new platforms. This only confirms our vocation for scouting, a path that began several years ago and whose importance we were among the first ones to grasp. The Next Generation Award allows us to make it more concrete, identifying the talents we want to bet on and offering them great visibility in the context of one of the most recognised and important events in the sector, the Venice International Film Festival“.

Carolina Sala Instagram
Carolina Sala photographed by Filippo Thiella for Manintown

These words are echoed by the magazine’s photographer and head of scouting, Davide Musto: “Bringing these young people to Venice, accompanying them on their first red carpets and shooting them for the cover stories (the cover stories of the next issue of Manintown, to be published for the Rome Film Festival, will be dedicated to Maupas, Sala, Campana and Giuggioli. We expect great results from the four award-winners of this edition, you will see them in films and productions that will represent an important stage in their careers. We often have the privilege, but also the courage, to stand by these authentic talents from the very beginning of their journey, supporting them through editorial projects and initiatives such as the Next Generation Award”.

“Manintown has the privilege, but also the courage, to stand by these authentic talents from the very beginning of their journey”

Massimo Pozzi Chiesa, General Manager of MI HUB Agency, explains that “MI HUB, an agency born thanks to the partnership between Supernova Hub and Manintown, has consolidated in recent months its vocation in the search for talent and in the organisation of events, from Pitti Uomo to abroad with American Dream. Thanks to the synergy with Supernova, we are developing services and tools dedicated to enhancing talent and their creative potential, in connection with brands that need to speak to the new generations through digital languages. This award shows the consistency with which this scouting activity is carried out, and represents an important and propaedeutic project for future developments”.

The appointment with the Next Generation Awards is on Thursday 8 September, at the Campari Lounge | Terrazza Biennale in Venice Lido. For accreditations and info [email protected]

Halite

Two photographers with a sleek authorial flair, specialized in portraits of great intensity, join forces for an editorial exclusively published by Manintown.
For “Halite” (this is the title of the four-handed shoot by Anthony Pomes and Sébastien Marchand), both artists pictured Amaury, and the images are showed side by side in a specular way, as in the diptychs of classical painting.

The sporty clothes chosen for the shooting, designed by Marine Serre, Solid Homme, Rufskin and Ouest Paris, emphasize the sculptural physique of the model, focusing on stretched shapes, transparencies and perforated knit textures, thus enhancing the expressive allure of pictures that are the (marvellous) backdrop for the waves and rocks of a cliff overlooking the deep blue French sea.

Credits

Photographers Anthony Pomes & Sébastien Marchand

Model Amaury Bent @Bananas Models

Opening image: parka Solid Homme

Summer in the City

Model and professional skater Aaron Douglas Nielsen “performs” clothes and accessories from the Ten Minutes To Moon latest collection, a street-oriented label that combines accuracy and sustainability.

Manintown Youth Babilonia fashion
Total look Ten Minutes To Moon, shoes Nike, socks and jewels model’s archive

Using the skateboard for his tricks or as a simple support to relax during summertime, in the Manintown shoot the model naturally emphasises the utilitarian (but always refined) essence of the garments of a brand projected, as its name suggests, towards the greatness of the universe.

Manintown fashion 2022
Total look Ten Minutes To Moon, shoes Nike, socks and jewels model’s archive

Manintown shooting summer 2022
Total look Ten Minutes To Moon, shoes Nike, socks and jewels model’s archive

Ten minutes to moon brand
Total look Ten Minutes To Moon, jewels model’s archive

Manintown editorial fashion 2022
Total look Ten Minutes To Moon, shoes Nike, socks and jewels model’s archive

Manintown shooting fashion 2022
Total look Ten Minutes To Moon, shoes Nike, socks and jewels model’s archive

Ten minutes to moon 2022
Total look Ten Minutes To Moon, shoes Nike, socks and jewels model’s archive

Credits

Model Aaron Douglas Nielsen

Photographer Davide Musto

Ph. assistant Valentina Ciampaglia

Opening image: total look Ten Minutes To Moon, shoes Nike

Jozef Gjura

Among the most promising names of the new generation of Italian actors, Jozef Gjura owns an impressive CV. He made his film debut in Mario Martone’s multi-award-winning “Capri-Revolution”, then he participated in the popular teen dramedy “Sul più bello” and its two sequels, “Ancora più bello” and “Sempre più bello”.

Jozef Gjura
Total look and shoes Çanaku, necklace and earring Ilenia Corti Vernissage, rings stylist’s archive

For Youth Babilonia editorial, the 28-year-old actor shows the same dynamism and versatility that he displayed on screen, interpreting the most disparate fashion moods through the fancy combinations chosen for him by the stylist, with the key pieces of renowned labels and talented designers (e.g. Salvatore Ferragamo, Dolce&Gabbana, Paul Smith, Çanaku, Vìen, Ilenia Corti Vernissage). We see him first wrapped in a total leather in a rock look or dressed in velvet jackets completed with eye-catching jeweller. Then, he interprets a vintage elegance (with spotless trousers and neck scarf) or wears checked kilts, lurex pullovers with shiny details, bandana print blouses worn with dark trousers and studded trainers.

men fashion trends 2022 leather
Total look Desa 1972, jewels stylist’s archive

Jozef Gjura film
Jacket and shoes Salvatore Ferragamo, trousers Grifoni, foulard Antonio Marras, earring Ilenia Corti Vernissage, rings and socks stylist’s archive

Manintown editorial black white
Total look Dolce&Gabbana

lurex moda uomo 2022
Sweater Çanaku, trousers Paul Smith, boots Salvatore Ferragamo, earring Ilenia Corti Vernissage, rings stylist’s archive

Jozef Gjura actor
Total look Çanaku, necklace and earring Ilenia Corti Vernissage, rings stylist’s archive

Antonio Marras fashion men 2022
Kilt Antonio Marras, necklace Ilenia Corti Vernissage, rings and socks stylist’s archive

Dolce Gabbana sneakers men 2022
Total look Dolce&Gabbana

Credits

Talent Jozef Gjura

Photographer Davide Musto

Stylist Alfredo Fabrizio

Photographer assistant Valentina Ciampaglia

Stylist assistant Federica Mele

Make-up Annagioia Catone

Location Studio Photografia

Opening image: total look Çanaku, necklace and earring Ilenia Corti Vernissage, rings stylist archive

Nordic Sun – Uncensored Bodies

The latest chapter of the “Uncensored Bodies” project bears the signature of Arnoldas Kubilius. The photographer (he is of Lithuanian origin, though he lives and works in Luxembourg) has made the body the subject of his pictures, investigating it through close-ups that linger on anatomical details or eye-catching plastic poses.

Uncensored Bodies magazine
Ph. by Arnoldas Kubilius

The “Nordic Sun” series – exclusively on Manintown – was shot in Oslo. Lights and shadows chasing each other over the powerful physique of the model, concealing some details and giving emphasis on others, celebrate the expressive power of the male nude once again.

nude photography fashion
Ph. by Arnoldas Kubilius

magazine moda uomo nudo
Ph. by Arnoldas Kubilius

magazine moda uomo bianco nero
Ph. by Arnoldas Kubilius

Manintown black white photo
Ph. by Arnoldas Kubilius

Manintown photography
Ph. by Arnoldas Kubilius

Manintown nude photos
Ph. by Arnoldas Kubilius

Manintown magazine editorial
Ph. by Arnoldas Kubilius

Credits

Photographer Arnoldas Kubilius

Model Håvard Grastveit

Haroun Fall

Haroun Fall (26 years old actor of Senegalese origin, known for his roles in successful films and series such as ‘Zero’, ‘Cobra non è’, ‘Arrivano i prof’, ‘L’amore strappato’) poses for Manintown magazine, nonchalantly making his own the must-haves of the dégagé style, with casual and street accents, that go for the most today.

Haroun Fall actor
Total look Louis Vuitton

In these pictures taken by Davide Musto, we see him dressed in over suits and monogrammed bucket hats by Louis Vuitton, knitted waistcoats, tailored pants and checked jumpers by Moschino, denim dungarees and chunky trainers by Dolce&Gabbana. Haroun shows a remarkable eclecticism, which allows him to dive – and stand out – into any situation.

Haroun Fall interview
Total look Moschino

Haroun Fall serie
Vest and pants Missoni, shoes Doucal’s

Haroun Fall shooting
Denim dungarees and sneakers Dolce&Gabbana

Haroun Fall Netflix
Total look Louis Vuitton

Manintown cover
Vest and pants Missoni, shoes Doucal’s

Haroun Fall fashion
Vest and pants Missoni, shoes Doucal’s

Talent Haroun Fall

Photographer Davide Musto

Stylist Stefania Sciortino

Ph. assistant Valentina Ciampaglia

Make-up Iman El Feshawy @makingbeautymanagement

Location TH Roma – Carpegna Palace Hotel

Opening image: total look Louis Vuitton

Italian cinema has never been so cool: Giancarlo Commare

Photographer and Talent Director Davide Musto

Production and styling Alessia Caliendo

Grooming Kemon

Location Teatro Brancaccio Roma

Special thanks to Romeow cat bistrot

Photographer’s assistants Dario Tucci, Riccardo Albanese and Valentina Ciampaglia

Stilyst’s assistant Andrea Seghesio

COVER total look COVER – Valentino

Giancarlo Commare was recently awarded at Venice 78′ with the Next Generation Awards of MANINTOWN; we can say that it wasn’t difficult to choose him, in fact, his own path revealed him as the best actor of the new generation of talents of Italian cinema. In recent years he has entered Italian homes with TV series such as “SKAM”, which have left a breach in the audience. He started as a dancer and then became an actor with a thousand facets as we can appreciate now in the cinema.

His performance in “Masculine Singular”, with the role of a gay guy who undertook in such a natural way that he could approach the user without superstructures, for this reason he was welcomed by the LGBT public with open arms.



I would call him a free actor, as he grows up with the roles he chooses to live, and this is the magic of cinema and for an interpreter it is the magic of life. Now we found him at the cinema with “Ancora più bello”, the sequel of “Sul più bello” alongside Ludovica Francesconi.

How do you feel in arriving in Venice, fare il red carpet, and be rewarded?

What do you ask me? How can I describe such a great emotion in two words. I had always told myself that I would never do the red carpet in Venice for no reason, just for the ambition to be there, and I waited for it to happen, and that’s all.

The only thing was that when I end up on the red carpet it all seemed absurd with amplified emotions. Now, however, I must say that just before lengthening the first step in front of the photographers, also because in doing the second step I was about to stumble, I felt a bit like what happens in movies when your whole life passes in front of you, this is what happened to me at that moment.

And what did you see?

Everything from the beginning, like an unfolded coil, from when I was a waiter, to when I cleaned the toilet of the restaurant at the end of the night, my childhood, the sacrifices, there were moments where I really had nothing inside the refrigerator and when I opened it it echoed.

I also thought of my father, with whom I don’t have a tie. I must say that were the worst things that surfaced in those moments, fortunately it lasted a moment, also because then I realized that it was my turn and it was my turn to smile at the photographers.

For the first time in my life I said to myself: Giancarlo, Giancarlo, you deserve it, go!



Why did you say only then such a phrase, you’ve already achieved several goals…

That’s just me, I’m really pretentious to me and everything I did was never enough, inside me I always heard the voice that said, you need to do more, it isn’t enough, and for this reason I’ve never enjoyed the merits I’ve been given or that I’ve taken.

Even during this last year, where many things happened, it’s like I didn’t have full consciousness.

I’ve experienced Venice as a light on all my work in recent years.



We can say that you have been a privileged, ‘cause between a lockdown and the other you have never stopped

I am surprised too, but apart from the first two months where we all stopped, then I resumed immediately, and before the pandemic it was exactly twenty-five months that I worked non-stop.

In some moments I acted on four different sets at the same time without even realizing it.

And now you also enter the sequel of “Sul più bello”.

That’s right, in three months we shot both sequels “Ancora più bello” and “Sempre più bello”.

I must admit that it was a complex for me on a personal level, I was going through a difficult time e and shooting two films together I think it is never easy, in addition, I had to complete other works and, at the end, I always found myself on the train commuting between Turin and Rome.

Call me by your name – Editorial

Layering, wraparound coats, loose-fitting jackets, trench coats with contrasting details. These are the stylistic ingredients of the “Call me by your name” fashion editorial, shooted for Manintown by Davide Musto.

Manintown magazine fashion
Trench and body Vìen, boots RBRSL

Manintown magazine
Trench and body Vìen, boots RBRSL

Manintown magazine fashion editorial
Denim jacket, shorts and knit leggings Andrea Pompilio, shoes Green George, denim hat Borsalino

Etro mens knitwear
Knit top Etro, hat Bonfilio

Brioni total look
Total look Brioni

men hats luxury
Hat Bonfilio

Credits

Model Jason Chuck @boommodels

Photographer Davide Musto

Stylist Davide Pizzotti

Ph. assistant Davide Simonelli

Grooming Maura Eleonora Vanja Corbetta @theagencyaldocoppola

Opening image: trench and body Vìen, boots RBRSL

Dodge Dunlap

A creature with an otherworldly yet carnal attitude, with the features and manners of those “mischievous fairies” Shakespeare spoke of in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. The model Dodge Dunlap takes the role of a seditious, decidedly cheeky little spirit, who wanders around the garden of Palazzo San Niccolò in Florence for Manintown. He’s (un)dressed in skimpy lurex ensembles, 3D wing-effect jackets, tissue paper-thin bustiers, generously unbuttoned blazers and shirts, completing the outfits with fetish-flavoured accessories such as metal harnesses, chain necklaces and shiny black leather gloves.

Manintown black & white editorial
Crop top and underwear Wayeröb, boots Çanaku, earring, lace at the waist cristallonero, shibari leather wire Sirainer

John Richmond men
Total look John Richmond, earring cristallonero, shibari leather wire Sirainer

gilet fashion men
Patch overlay jacket Di Liborio, boots Bruno Bordese, leather leggings stylist archive

Bruno Bordese sneakers
Total look John Richmond, boots Bruno Bordese, earring cristallonero, shibari leather wire Sirainer

men's style editorial 2022
Patch overlay jacket Di Liborio, boots Bruno Bordese, leather leggings stylist archive

elegant look men
Cropped shirt and bustier Leonardo Valentini, papillon Mani del Sud, boots Çanaku

Manintown editorial men
Total look John Richmond, earring cristallonero, shibari leather wire Sirainer

harness men fashion
Total look John Richmond, chain harness Sirainer

John Richmond men shirt
Total look John Richmond, earring cristallonero, shibari leather wire Sirainer

men fashion shoot Manintown
Cropped shirt and bustier Leonardo Valentini, papillon Mani del Sud, boots Çanaku

Credits

Model Dodge Dunlap @Independent

Photographer Davide Musto

Stylist Alfredo Fabrizio

Producer Alessandra Gubinelli

Photographer assistant Valentina Ciampaglia

Stylist assistant Federica Mele

Make-up Giada Pinferi

Location Palazzo San Niccolò, Florence


Opening image: total look John Richmond, chain harness Sirainer

In my intimacy – Editorial

A well-known TV personality (he has taken part in several programs, including the 16th edition of “Big Brother”), 36 years old, a love for fitness spoiled by his imposing physique, with muscles sculpted by hours spent in the gym (he’s a personal trainer as well as a model), Michael Terlizzi literally gets naked for Manintown, posing for intense black and white portraits that convey strength and delicacy in equal measure.

Michael Terlizzi

naked men fashion editorial

Michael Terlizzi fashion

Michael Terlizzi model

Michael Terlizzi social

In these images Michael Terlizzi wears underwear, clothes and accessories Emporio Armani

Credits

Model Michael Terlizzi

Photographer Davide Musto

Stylist Alfredo Fabrizio

Photographer assistant Davide Simonelli

Grooming Claudia Blengio @simonebellimakeup

Opening image: tank top Emporio Armani

Picturesque – Editorial

A contemporary adonis with a statuesque physique, barely veiled by ethereal fabrics, mesh tops and see-through shirts, is the dominus of this Davide Musto shoot, published on the “Youth Babilonia” issue.

fashion editorial Antonio Marras
hood Antonio Marras, ring Albert M., underwear and top strass stylist’s archive

men fashion shoot sexy
hood Antonio Marras, ring Albert M., underwear and top strass stylist’s archive

fashion editorial Manintown
Headpieces and top Efek, pants Antonio Marras, bracelets Albert M., boots Bruno Bordese, underwear stylist’s archive

fashion shoot Manintown
Total look Di Liborio, boots Collini Milano, belt Efek

fashion shoot artist
Total look Collini Milano, headpieces Efek

fashion shooting pictorial
Total look Di Liborio, bracelet and rings Albert M., necklace stylist’s archive

Credits

Model Sager Kurusinkal

Photographer Davide Musto

Stylist Alfredo Fabrizio

Photographer assistant Valentina Ciampaglia

Hair&make-up Eleonora Mantovani @simonebelliamakeup

Opening image: hood Antonio Marras, ring Albert M., underwear and top strass stylist’s archive

Nowhere to run – editorial

Models Giacomo Affede and Nacho Penin play two super stylish skaters in Davide Musto’s black & white shots for Manintown, wearing tailored suits, printed shirts, checked blazers and zipped jumpers.

skate fashion photography
Giacomo (left): jacket, shirt and pants Dior Men, shoes Zegna; Nacho (right): total look Givenchy

skate style mens 2022
Giacomo (right): jacket, shirt and pants Dior Men, shoes Zegna; Nacho (up): total look Givenchy

skater fashion 2022
Left: shirt and pants Hermès; right total look Gucci

Manintown fashion Youth Babilonia
Nacho (right): total look Louis Vuitton; Giacomo (right, on skateboard): top, pants and belts Salvatore Ferragamo, sneakers Givenchy, sunglasses Zegna

Credits

Photographer Davide Musto

Stylist Emily Lee @W-MManagement

Photographer assistant Davide Simonelli

Stylist assistant Francesca Minardi

Grooming Chiara Bussei @W-MManagement

Models Giacomo Affede, Nacho Penin @IMG

Opening image: Giacomo (right) wears jacket, shirt and pants Dior Men, shoes Zegna, Nacho (right) wears total look Givenchy

Dive into the rap scene, the success of Highsnob

Michele Matera, aka Highsnob, is age 37 and was born in Avellino and raised in La Spezia. He is one of the most successful artists in the Italian rap scene. With a turbulent past, he founded the duo Bushwaka together with Italian rapper Samuel Heron in 2013 and released “Pandamonium”, an album published by the Newtopia label. After this experiment, he embarked on a solo career and in June 2015 released his first single “Harley Quinn”, a gold record in which he fused trap with the sounds of classic rap.

Highsnob rap
Suit Vivienne Westwood, T-shirt Kangra, shoes Salvatore Ferragamo, sunglasses Tom Ford

Anticipated by the single “Wannabe” featuring Junior Cally, his first studio album “Bipopular” was released in summer 2018. In 2019 “23 coltellate” was awarded gold status by FIMI and in 2020 the singles “Wannabe vol. 3” and “Per odiarti non ho tempo” were released.
In 2022, Highsnob debuted at the Sanremo Festival in a duo with singer-songwriter Hu with “Abbi cura di te”, a song dedicated to the end of a love story, in which pop, rap and electronic genres are mixed.

Highsnob rapper
Total look Hermès

Highsnob songs
Jacket Diesel, T-shirt Kangra

Credits

Talent Highsnob

Editor in Chief Federico Poletti

Photographer Filippo Thiella

Stylist Davide Pizzotti

Photographer assistant Andrea Lenzi

Stylist assistant Gianluca Sacchetti

Grooming: Ricky Morandin/W-MManagement

Opening image: suit Vivienne Westwood, T-shirt Kangra, shoes Salvatore Ferragamo, sunglasses Tom Ford

A multifaceted & unconventional artist: Hu

Born Federica Ferracuti, in Fermo (Marche) in 1994, Hu is a multifaceted artist: a singer songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and sound technician, passionate about music from an early age, with a degree from the Rossini Conservatory in Pesaro. Her stage name, taken from the Egyptian divinity who is neither man nor woman, reflects her individual style, fluid and free from boundaries. Through her melodious voice, Hu combines urban tracks with electronic and pop contaminations.

Hu music
Suit Emporio Armani, vintage shirt and tie

She first rose to prominence in 2020 by taking part in the AmaSanremo show, where she performed her song “Occhi Niagara”, and standing out for her talent. After taking an increasingly experimental direction, she then released the singles “End” and “Millemila”.
Together with Highsnob, she took part in the 2022 edition of the Sanremo Festival with “Abbi cura di te”, a song that combines rock, electronic and ambient music. Her first official album, “Numeri primi” was released in March and features collaborations with the La Spezia rapper Highsnob and Francesca Michielin.

Hu songs
Jacket and pants Fendi, sunglasses Tom Ford, brogues Marsèll, vintage shirt and tie

Hu Sanremo
Jacket and pants Alexander McQueen, vintage shirt and tie

Hu abbi cura di te
Jacket, dress and pants Thom Browne, rings Nove25

Credits

Talent Hu

Editor in Chief Federico Poletti

Photographer Antonino Cafiero

Stylist Sabrina Mellace

Photographer assistant Filippo Ragone

Stylist assistant Elisabetta Catalano

Make-up Greta Agazzi

Special thanks to Patrizia Ferro

Opening image: suit Emporio Armani, vintage shirt and tie

Dare to be yourself, the different shades of Gianluca Ginoble

Gianluca Ginoble singer
Vintage suit stylist’s archive

Gianluca Ginoble is a child prodigy from Abruzzo: an opera singer best known as being one of three members of the trio Il Volo. He began singing at the age of three and had already participated in a talent show at the age of fourteen, where he met Pietro Barone and Ignazio Boschetto, with whom he founded the group Il Volo shortly thereafter.

Gianluca Ginoble il volo
Jacket The Nick, pants FBMT, hat Lorenzo Seghezzi, jewelry Vitaly

Il volo Gianluca Ginoble
Shirt Saint Laurent from Antonioli.eu, jewelry Vitaly

Gianluca is a baritone whose deep, soft voice immediately stood out, earning him a large following of fans on social media with whom he shares moments of his everyday life as a singer. He is still part of the group today, which is currently preparing for a world tour in the US and Canada.

Gianluca Ginoble songs
Total look Saint Laurent from Antonioli.eu, jewelry Vitaly, shoes Sonora

Gianluca Ginoble interview
Jacket Alessandro Vigilante, jewelry Vitaly

Gianluca Ginoble cantante
Vintage suit stylist’s archive

Il Volo baritono
Total look Ardusse

Gianluca Ginoble fashion
Shirt Saint Laurent from Antonioli.eu, jewelry Vitaly

Credits

Talent Gianluca Ginoble

Photographer Leandro Manuel Emede

Styling Nick Cerioni

Stylist assistants Michele Potenza, Salvatore Pezzella, Noemi Managò

Make-up & hair Mara De Marco

MANINTOWN editorial – One Man Show

men's key pieces 2022
Total look Simon Cracker, boots John Richmond, hat Bonfilio

As the headline suggests, model Rocco Serio is the protagonist of the photos by Davide Musto for the shooting published in the “Youth Babilonia” issue of MANINTOWN. He interprets some key pieces from the collections of brands such as Acne Studios, Dsquared2, Giuseppe Zanotti, Annakiki and John Richmond, beetween sculptural puffy capes, embroidered balaclava, fancy hats and printed dresses.

fashion editorial menswear
Coat John Richmond, shirt Dsquared2, shorts stylist archive, boots Giuseppe Zanotti, hat Bonfilio

men's fashion capes
Hood Christopher Raxxy

Credits

Model Rocco Serio @FashionArtWise

Photographer Davide Musto

Stylist Alessandra Gubinelli

Photographer assistant Valentina Ciampaglia

Stylist assistant Federica Mele

Hair Sara Petrucci @makingbeautymanagement

Make-up Eleonora Mantovani @simonebelliagency

Opening image: total look Simon Cracker, boots John Richmond, hat Bonfilio

YOUTH BABILONIA: Giuseppe De Domenico

TWICE A YEAR (January and June), YOUTH BABILONIA will explore the young international creative scene with more than 100 pages of Fashion and new models who, we are sure, will rock the scenes of Fashion.
Created thanks to an idea of Davide Musto, the print&digital project aims to explore and experiment with different cultures, capturing the new generations in fashion.

Total Look Trussardi

Photographer: DAVIDE MUSTO

stylist: OTHER AGENCY

photographer assistant: VALENTINA CIAMPAGLIA

mua: FLAVIO SANTILLO

Oh so pretty

Model Luigi Bruno, in front of Davide Musto’s lens, plays with the cult pieces of the new season and shows off a naturally fluid attitude, fitting with ease lace micro tops, sleeveless pleated blouses, studded blazers and leather accessories with a BDSM flair.

Luigi Bruno model
Shirt Youwei, pants Roberto Cavalli
Fashion editorial fluidity
Shirt Youwei, pants Roberto Cavalli
Luigi Bruno Instagram
Total look and shoes John Richmond, choker Vanesi, socks stylist’s archive

Credits

Talent Luigi Bruno @Elite Milano, CmodelsCrew

Editor in Chief Federico Poletti

Photographer Davide Musto

Stylist Alessandra Gubinelli

Photographer assistant Valentina Ciampaglia

Stylist assistant Federica Mele

Make-up Alessandro Joubert @simonebelliagency

Hair Sara Petrucci @makingbeautymanagement

Songs must have a touch of restlessness: the secret according to D.whale 

I’ve been writing songs my whole life, ever since I was a child. It has always been the only way to understand myself and to exorcise the pain.
I was born as a songwriter and only later became a producer. I’ve always produced the songs I write, so this transition was quite natural. My approach always begins with the song, as I hardly ever work on things I don’t write myself.

That’s how it goes: we meet in the studio, have a coffee, talk about ourselves and just start writing. But only when I think a song is good do I move to the second step, which is the arrangement. I still have a sense of ancient respect for music. I never make fun of it, and I never do something just because it’s work.

d.whale music

Music has literally saved my life, and every time I walk into the studio it’s like entering a temple.
I’ve got my work team there and it’s been the same for ages. Here is Paolo Antonacci, with whom I’ve written many radio hits in recent years, and Stefano Clessi, my lifelong friend. We started together in an independent reality, inventing ourselves every day. He was the one who introduced me to songwriting, I never thought that an artist would sing songs written by someone else until ten years ago. Now I find myself working with many different artists from different genres and music worlds.

All my work definitely shares a veil of melancholy and emotion that I’ve always carried deep within. I’ve never believed in packaged music, just to be clear, that’s made of “plastic”.

To vibrate my deepest strings, songs must have some sort of restlessness.

In the same way, every production preserves my taste and training from the golden age of hip hop in Berlin to 80s electronic music. I’m truly in love with pop and everything that makes you hum a song from the very first time you hear it.

d.whale producer

The Italian music scene changes from month to month and I find it very inspiring right now: there are no clear distinctions anymore, all the rules have been broken. This keeps me awakeand inspires me so much. Take for example Mahmood and Blanco: only two years ago, these two artists would have been defined as “urban” and yet they won Sanremo with an exquisitely Italian pop song, a beautiful melody in the best Italian traditions. This is the triumph of pop. The metrics change a little, of course, but urban is now mixed up with pop, there are no rules anymore.

Our country celebrates melody, and a lovely melody always wins over everything else. It wins over repeated attempts to be cool at the expense of the song, and it also wins over useless attempts to make a production forcibly lavish, which only weakens the songwriting.

In the end, only the songs win. This is so simple that is only understood by a few.

Text by Davide Simonetta

David LaChapelle. I Believe in Miracles

The large-scale solo exhibition ‘David LaChapelle. I Believe in Miracles, at the MUDEC in Milan, produced by 24 ORE Cultura – Gruppo 24 ORE and promoted by the Comune di Milano-Cultura, is the result of a journey of artistic research lasting a lifetime which presents a previously unseen and, to some extent, surprising David LaChapelle. Over 90 works are displayed – including large formats, site-specific installations and new productions – directly from the artist’s studio, to present his vision of a new world and a potential new humanity.

David Lachapelle celebrities
David LaChapelle, ‘Mary Magdalene: Abiding Lamentation’, 2019 (©David LaChapelle, courtesy of Reflex Amsterdam)

A series of works that are part of the new, visionary phase of LaChapelle

Starting with his early works, the eyes of the public are opened for the first time at the Museum of Cultures to a previously unseen series of works that are part of the new and visionary phase of his output – the last, dated 2022 – the result of the powerful legacy of his lengthy artistic and human experience. With an unprecedented project curated by Reiner Opoku and Denis Curti in partnership with LaChapelle studio, the Museum of Cultures hosts an exhibition itinerary that critically examines the human soul, investigating its various facets of joy, pain, solitude and passion, insecurities  and  ideals. Humankind and its relationship with itself, human beings in the surrounding environment and in society, humankind in nature. A very personal vision that the Mudec has chosen to present by staging this retrospective of the artist, furthering anthropological reflection on the present.

David Lachapelle art photography
The Holy Family with S. Francis‘, 2019, Hawaii (©David LaChapelle)
David Lachapelle religion
‘Annunciation’, 2019 (©David LaChapelle)

The exhibition includes over 90 works which unfold in a flowing and captivating narrative, through the artist’s very personal vision of a “gestural” kind of photography; that is, a snapshot of the present while “alert” for the future ahead.

Images that reveal LaChapelle’s vision for a new world

David Lachapelle new world
Landscape: King’s Dominion‘, 2013, Los Angeles (©David LaChapelle)
David Lachapelle Lil Kim
Lil Kim: Luxury Item‘, 1999, New York (©David LaChapelle)

Starting with works that portray the vulnerability of the planet and the fragility of humankind, together with a repertoire that looks at pop culture and the stars of cinema, music and art, the exhibition winds its way through images that reveal the artist’s vision for a new world. A world that seeks an uncontaminated and luxurious nature where everyone can experience spirituality, love and beauty and where men and women can finally live liberated from alienation and in unity with the natural context.
The exhibition itinerary is a personal journey steeped in memories and sentiment that purposely mixes a non- chronological order with the experiences of a professional and private life which, in the end, prove to be on the same level. New photos have been exhibited for the first time following the challenging experience of the two-year pandemic. They have been conceived in the natural surroundings of Hawaiian forests, where LaChapelle has made his home.

David Lachapelle flowers
Heliconia No. 1‘, 2020 (©David LaChapelle)
David Lachapelle nativity
Our Lady of the Flowers‘, 2019, Hawaii (©David LaChapelle)

The photos interpret certain passages from the Bible and seem to signify a “change of pace”. His style gradually becomes more intimate and pensive. The settings relinquish, at least partially, the surreal dimension to descend into a more realistic atmosphere.
Less saturated compared to his previous works, the colours invite us to go back in time to reflect on our values and on the need to see also ourselves in a miraculous new world.

David Lachapelle world
Spree‘, 2020, Los Angeles (©David LaChapelle)

Opening image: David LaChapelle, ‘Gas: Shell’, 2012, Hawaii (©David LaChapelle)

Napapijri x Moreno Ferrari

Napapijri x Moreno Ferrari is the capsule collection created thanks to the collaboration between the outerwear brand Napapijri and the famous Italian designer and artist Moreno Ferrari. The inspiration for the concept came from the ‘NO Project’, an installation created by the artist in 2018 when he revisited one of Napapijri’s icons, the Skidoo jacket, transforming it into a work of art. Ferrari’s vision turned the Skidoo into an armour with traces of urban material in contrast with nature: a symbolic encounter between the artist and the brand to reflect on the boundary between commitment and civic responsibility towards the environment, especially for fashion. The desire to develop projects with this philosophy, where negative becomes positive, translates into a Circular Capsule Collection that combines design, sustainability and an innovative and ethical approach to the environment.

Napapijri Moreno Ferrari
Alan Cappelli Goetz wears Napapijri x Moreno Ferrari

Each garment is 100% recyclable

The capsule features a range of sustainable and fully recyclable urban looks. The five styles draw on elements borrowed from the urban landscape – such as bubble wrap and plastic safety nets – and focus on the need to reuse and recycle as much as possible. Each garment is 100% recyclable, made of ECONYL® regenerated nylon: an innovative fibre created from plastic waste such as old fishing nets, rugs and industrial waste. It has the same quality as virgin nylon, but unlike the latter, is infinitely recyclable.

Napapijri capsule Moreno Ferrari
Alan Cappelli Goetz wears Napapijri x Moreno Ferrari

Objects that have heart, an ethic” (Moreno Ferrari)

Moreno Ferrari comments: “My design approach and this work in particular always takes society into account, it is a declaration of courage. Starting from the concept of beyond, crossing that ideal threshold beyond which one cannot go. Using recycled materials creates endless products and the result are objects that have heart, an ethic. There is no aesthetics without ethics nowadays”.

Strengthening Napapijri’s commitment to designing a circular future for fashion, the brand’s online take-back program allows all capsule products to be returned two years after purchase so that they can be transformed into new yarn and new products. Martino Scabbia Guerrini, executive vice president & group president of Vf Emea said: “This work is a perfect synthesis of what the market is today, where consumers are aware of sustainability but attentive to design. On the company side, we must look at the meeting points between communities, culture and our vision of design and aesthetics, always maintaining the strong commitment to sustainability that has distinguished us for many years”.

Napapijri sustainable
Alan Cappelli Goetz wears Napapijri x Moreno Ferrari

Alan Cappelli Goetz was called on to interpret this capsule collection, as an actor who’s always attentive to green issues and responsible fashion. He is featured in an editorial set along the naviglio della Martesana, a crossroads between nature and urban culture, a place that has been redeveloped today and full of surprising stories.

Napapijri eco collection
Alan Cappelli Goetz wears Napapijri x Moreno Ferrari

In the opening image, Alan Cappelli Goetz wears Napapijri x Moreno Ferrari

Creative by Nature: brands with an artisan, contemporary and sustainable DNA.

On the occasion of Pitti Uomo, from 10th to 12th, the exhibition “CREATIVE BY NATURE” opens the doors, a project curated by Federico Poletti showcasing 13 brands with an artisan, contemporary and sustainable DNA. A tribute to both established and independent labels that have put know-how and Made in Italy at the center of their philosophy and their products. An exhibition that takes place in a unique location: the “Serra fredda of the Orto Botanico Giardino dei Semplici”, created by the Medici as a garden of medicinal plants (the Semplici) in 1545,is one of the most ancient Garden in the world. A real gem in the heart of Florence near Piazza San Marco. A journey into the beauty of Nature, the exhibition presents a new generation of fashion makers capable of combining the traditions of Italian manufacturing with new technologies and a fashion twist that includes sustainability. Many of the realities are focused on the concept of creative reuse or upcycling, starting from the most varied materials such as abandoned furs, denim and vintage clothes up to the fabrics of sails or sports materials such as footballs, new products are developed and reborn.

From 10th to 12th January 202 the brands on show are: Artichoke Bags, BGBL Bouncing Bags, De Marquet, Je Suis Vintage, Mani del Sud, Sabelle Atelier, The Scius Concept,  Yekaterina Ivankova and Xacus.

Federico Poletti, curator of the project and editor in chief of MANINTOWN comments: “With the Creative by Nature show we want to give visibility both to more well known companies and to research brands, all united by an artisan DNA in which tradition is revisited in a contemporary way and with an eye on sustainability issues. A project that fits perfectly with the spirit and respect for Nature that visitors can discover by visiting the Botanical Garden and its wonders. A sign of encouragement in a complex moment worldwide. A warning not to lose the pillars values ​​of our Made in Italy, supporting the new generation of talents who are investing in their start-ups and responsible companies with great efforts and new ideas“.

On 11 and 12 January it will also be possible to book a free guided tour of the Orto Botanico Giardino dei Semplici, at approximately 12 pm or 2 pm by calling 055 – 2756444 or by writing to [email protected]

FASHION MAKERS ON SHOW

Artichoke was born in 2017 from an idea of Lorenzo Scotto as a brand of travel backpack produced in recycled materials.

BGBL is the Made in Italy bags brand born at the end of 2018 that bounces between sport and style, between the past and the contemporary.

De Marquet is a project launched from the desire to mix design, fashion and functionality in a strong way. The bag has become a best-seller in Switzerland thanks to its functional design and refined aesthetics.

Je Suis Vintage  is a project conceived by the two young Neapolitan entrepreneurs Antonio Pignatiello and Giuseppe D’Urso that focuses on an eco-sustainable and ethical fashion concept.

Mani del Sud – accessories project founded by Raffaele Stella Brienza – combines the highest conception of craftsmanship with modern design, a visionary research with melancholy memories from Basilicata, an enchanted region of southern Italy.

Sabelle Atelier was born from the passion and friendship of Sabina Giangreco and Letizia Tomacelli, two entrepreneurs who have chosen to join professionally to give life to the brand, under the sign of ethics, creativity and reuse.

The Scius Concept  is a project launched in 2020 by Nicolò Biagini di Casaletto, founder and creative director of the brand. After some important experiences as buyers for stores such as 10 Corso Como, Sugar and Franz Kraler, Nicoló decided to create a project that could make known Tuscan craftsmanship by renewing it. The brand produces Furlanes (slippers) completely made in Italy, in particular “made in Tuscany”, completely handmade and with eco-sustainable materials that take into account the environment and the future of the planet.

Yekaterina Ivankova, launched in 2017 from the eponymous designer of Kazakh roots who moved to Italy in 2000. Since she was a child she has nurtured a great passion for fashion and contemporary art.

Xacus has always been synonymous with shirts for men and women, a company that has managed to combine technology and style, functionality and aesthetics, automation and tailoring, performance and sustainability.

VISITING HOURS CREATIVE BY NATURE

Orto Botanico – Giardino dei Semplici 

Via Giorgio La Pira 10 – Florence – free admission 

Mandatory Super green pass + FFP2 mask

10 January 2022, from 4 pm to 10 pm 

Opening cocktail, by invitation only

Italy shines in the 2021 World’s 50 Best Bars ranking

The awards ceremony of the World’s 50 Best Bars 2021 was held on the 7th of December in London. The 13th edition of the event, which it classifies and rewards the best cocktail bars in the world, voted by a jury made up of over 600 professionals including journalists, bartenders and leading figures in the food and beverage industry, was particularly significant, as it came at the end of a critical period for the world of catering and hospitality in general, including closures, limitations to international travels and a drastic decline in customers arrival. The Content Editor of The World’s 50 Best Bars, Mark Sansom, was therefore keen to underline the “resilience and sense of communion” shown by the locals, while Elisa Gregori, International Business Unit Director of Perrier – main sponsor of the event – placed the emphasis on the  fact that the sector “has shown incredible resilience and has learned to adapt to local restrictions”.



Italy has excellently defended its illustrious tradition in the field of signature drinks and mixology, placing itself after Singapore, China (the Asian city-state and the former celestial empire both six addresses on the list), USA, Australia , Mexico (four each) and Spain (first nation in Europe with four venues, including the third classified, the Paradise of Barcelona) thanks to its three cocktail bars, the same number as the United Kingdom, the true triumph of this’ year with the London Connaught Bar repeating the first place of 2020, also winning the title of best bar in the old continent, and the Tayēr + Elementary, also in London, in second position.


London Connaught Bar Team : Giorgio Bargiani, Ago Perrone, Maura Milia

Specifically, it is the Drink Kong of Rome (creature of the king of the Capitoline bartenders Patrick Pistolesi, with an atmosphere between 80s sci-fi and a refined nightclub, with lighting with neon tubes and the oriental appeal of the Japanese room), from the Milanese 1930 (speakeasy of the duo Flavio Angiolillo-Marco Russo, inspired in all respects by the clandestine haunts where, in the United States, people gathered to drink in the times of prohibitionism, the address is secret, hidden by an anonymous door, and to find it you have to rely only on the word of mouth of the “initiates”) and about Camparino, the historic sign of social and cultural gathering of Milan, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II; if the first one has dropped from 45th place in 2020 to the current 19th, the latter has gained five positions compared to the past year and is now 20th, while the 3rd one, new entry in the list, is on the 27th position.


Drink Kong, 1930, Camparino in Galleria


Actually, we also find a bit of Belpaese on the top of the podium, the Connaught team, the bar of the homonymous five-star luxury hotel in Mayfair, is led by Agostino Perrone, Giorgio Bargiani and Maura Milia, respectively Director of Mixology, Head Mixologist and Bar Manager, architects of a success that it has its flagship in the modern reinterpretation of the classic Martini cocktail, prepared by expert bartenders using a trolley that it moves from table to table. Ad hoc awards then it has assigned , among others, to the Attaboy of New York, winner of the Rémy Martin Legend of The List (a special prize that can be obtained only once, awarded to the venue that showed greater consistency in the “performances” in the ‘span of the 13 editions of the World’s 50 Best Bars), the President of Buenos Aires (Nikka Highest Climber), the Re di Sydney (Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award), the Cardiff Lab 22 (Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu) and the Hanky ​​Panky of Mexico City, whose debut in the ranking at 12th position earned him the Disaronno Highest New Entry.




THE EXCLUSIVE GIORGIO ARMANI X 10 CORSO COMO COLLECTION

Giorgio Armani presents an exclusive preview of the Giorgio Armani – 10 Corso Como collection. A synthesis of unique style, in iconic black and white, the unprecedented collaboration with 10 Corso Como has created a timeless collection, embodying the consistent and constantly renewed lexicon of Armani’s storytelling.

Blazers with accurately defined shapes, single or double-breasted, long coats and cabans, flowing trousers, soft pullovers accessorized with low lace-ups or pumps, and two bags, one large and enveloping, and La Prima in its classic version. The opposition between masculine and feminine is resolved in a light and impactful sign, and the choice of black and white conveys a graphic vision, highlighted by patterns of jacquard stripes. The materials are natural and precious: wool, silk, velvet, cashmere, and a sweatshirt that ironically plays with the stylised face of Giorgio Armani.

The collection, with dedicated packaging, is available from 18 November at 10 Corso Como in Milan and online, and then also in Giorgio Armani shops in Milan, New York Madison Avenue, Tokyo Ginza Tower and Shanghai.

Translation by Zoran Trevisan

Pietro Lucerni: my body, my planet

From fashion and advertising, the work of Pietro Lucerni moved to explore a more artistic side of nature and body, like in the fine-artwork “Naked Moon” series of black&white images with the famous international ballet star and First Dancer at La Scala Theatre, Virna Toppi as the protagonist. Exclusively for MANINTOWN the latest editorial “My Body, My Planet” where Lucerni wants to emphasize the relationship between man and the natural elements. And more particularly it celebrates that intimate and ancestral relationship between woman and nature. “Mother Earth who, like a woman, welcomes, generates, guards life and transforms it into an explosion of beauty that seduces and makes us evolve. We live in an era that has a deep need for beauty, not just aesthetics. Nature optimizes the evolution of species in a continuous relationship with the four elements: earth, air, water, and fire. Beauty is the engine of real cultural progress made of balance, respect, freedom, and love. These are the four elements that I would like to tell because they are the four elements that can guarantee a better future for our planet and for us who inhabit it.





“My Body, My Planet: my body is my planet.
Through my work, I would like to make a small contribution in spreading a positive message through beauty in a difficult period, which however can also represent rebirth and an extraordinary opportunity for a new awareness. Respect for our planet passes through respect for ourselves and others. And, today more than ever, I think that a cultural revolution of this magnitude is possible only through a female vision.
Beauty, and women, can save the world” declared Pietro Lucerni.





New cinema purgatory

Once upon a time, there was Italian cinema, that mix of art, commitment, technology, business: a melting pot of writers, intellectuals, enlightened financiers, directors who risked, workers of great ingenuity, who nourished with its works the universal imagination for almost a whole century: the twentieth century.

It is to Italian cinema that we owe the codification of the classic film form with Cabiria in 1914; it’s with Neorealism that the way of telling the reality that Gilles Deleuze called “cinematographic modernity” is born and continues inspiring directors from all over the world; in Italy that we can trace the only example of comedy – “all’ italiana” (Italian Style), precisely – where in the end we cry and die; it’s only in Italian films that such organic research is developed to think about the political character of reality and the images that represent it. It’s here, ultimately, that the reflection on the specific characteristics of a filmic and a national thought is found on their intertwining and their reciprocal influences, along that rippling ridge that defines a cultural system both in its relations with the outside and in its internal components, to the most coherent and continuous extent. And now? Threatened by global streaming platforms, little or nothing helped by the political system, it’s distributed little abroad except in the case of rare, big names that ensure a safe economic return – Nanni Moretti, Paolo Sorrentino, Matteo Garrone, Giuseppe Tornatore, Mario Martone, Paolo Virzì and very few others – which make us fear for its incisive capacity on contemporaneity as instead had happened for the authors’ generation of the last century (a Millennium has also passed).



The point is that complaining does not make sense, or even basking in nostalgia for smoky rooms where the light’s beam made fantastic or hyperreal stories live on the screen, according to the usual narration of “it was better before” while the Nuovo Cinema Paradiso has also aged. Punctually, every five

years or so, some critics recover the idea that Italian cinema is experiencing a nouvelle vague: there is talk of a particular Italian and international visibility of the new authors’ generations, of shares’ recovery of receipts of Italian cinema compared to the foreign one, of sudden notoriety of the local stars, etc. The last of these flare-ups of enthusiasm occurred in 2013 with the success of Sorrentino’s The Great Beauty and the appearance of new films by Ozpetek, Bellocchio, and Muccino. Unfortunately, just as punctually, in a season Italian cinema returns to be little visible and unattractive, with an increasingly wide gap between small half-clandestine authorial productions, on the one hand, large distribution circuits on the other.

However it’s interesting, talking to very young actors with a solid professional preparation such as Jozef Gjura, who arrived in Piedmont at the age of six – now he’s 26 and is one of the protagonists of the trilogy “On the most beautiful”, Even more beautiful and More and more beautiful ,the first directed by Alice Filippi, the second and third directed by Claudio Norza –«having grown up with the Italian cinema of the three decades Fifty-Seventy years is a duty, as well as a privilege, to be not actors, but artists who must enter their truth in the part that is assigned to them.

If I hadn’t looked for Antonio’s first films, fallen in love with Gian Maria Volonté, loved Mario Monicelli and many other directors then considered pure entertainment, I probably wouldn’t have taken this path». The myth of Italian cinema resists as a great training ground for unforgettable actors and visionary authors, actors, and directors, now all deceased, while the contribution of values – aesthetic, ethical, narrative – of contemporary Italian cinema is struggling to become significant, though it can also count on new names both for the screenplays and for the direction: I think of the twins Damiano and Fabio D’Innocenzo, Alice Rohrwacher, Giorgio Diritti, Alessandro Aronadio, Michelangelo Frammartino, Valeria Golino, Sergio Rubini, or Valeria Bruni Tedeschi, actors who have passed on the other side of the camera. It’s they who, in recent years, are somehow redesigning the cartography of national but not local cinematography, able

to support even plots that are not only and simple references to local issues but have a breath and an international creative quality.

The problem is that, as noted by the writer and essayist Gianfranco Marrone on Doppiozero, profoundly changing cinema as the dominant production machine of the media imagination, the theories that try to explain reasons and mechanisms, qualitative paths, and operating systems have also changed. Once there were the big and the small screen whose dimensions distinguished two different media – cinema and television – with different languages, audiences, and contents. Today, everything is intertwined, with extraordinary design and ideational refinements, and every new platform that lends itself to conveying moving images, videos, and audiovisuals must reinvent itself almost from scratch a poetic and an aesthetic, not to mention the forms of narration and figuration. The condition is such that the advent of digital has upset the cards, so that the computer’s funnel constantly redistributes not only what was once the system of fine arts, but also media themselves, led to hybridize euphorically with each other.

But then, does this decadence last or not?

But it isn’t only this, even we no longer have the brave and billionaire producers who bet on “dangerous” directors like Pasolini or Ferreri, but also the matrix that characterizes the history of Italian cinema that has seen four production, linguistic, and consumer models at work: realism, apology, the consumer product, and the “artistic” product. In the perimeter defined by the four poles, two types of movements are played: a vital overlap and contamination between the four models of cinema; an equally vital reworking of models taken from the outside. First, it’s necessary to recall the basic coordinates of the current Italian film system. Starting from the Seventies, the consumption of cinema enters crisis in favor of the television medium; from this crisis, the cinema comes out at the end of the Eighties with a completely renewed scenario: the small local cinemas have now been replaced by multiplexes; the system of first, second and third visions has been replaced by a system in which the success of a film is played out all in the first days of programming.



This opens a gap between produced Italian films and successful Italian films (or simply seen and visible in normal circuits). The production system confirms its fragmented nature: for films production, the help from the State or from the two television giants, Rai and Mediaset, becomes indispensable.

However, it would be wrong to argue that the new scenario implies a break with tradition or a “refoundation” of Italian cinema. On the contrary: precisely this condition of constant uncertainty and vulnerability, stimulates Italian cinema to seek its own identity and specific visibility; hence a firm intention to recover and manage the symbolic resources of one’s past, resources precisely represented by that matrix of characters outlined in the two previous paragraphs.

The result is a cinema that is both modern and ‘ancient’, aware of its late modernity and rooted in its past. The continuous rebirths of Italian cinema confirm that cinema represents one of the main institutions for the construction and reconstruction of our identity.

Perhaps through new languages, stratification of readings, ways of overlapping that reject genres: after all, how much more bitter is there in some films of Italian comedy and even in cinepanettoni and how much, instead, of a fairytale in denunciation films such as “Favolacce dei gemelli D’Innocenzo’’ or “Lazzaro felice” by Rohrwacher?

Text by Antonio Mancinelli

Highlights From Venice Film Festival

A special portfolio from the 78th annual Venice International Film Festival was captured by Riccardo Ghilardi. A selection of the most recognized and popular actors, actresses, film directors, and new up&coming talents during the days of the last Venice Film Festival. Riccardo Ghilardi is a photographer specialized in celebrities’ portraits and with a strong passion for reportage and social environment projects. His works have been featured in many exhibitions at MAXXI – Museo delle Arti del XXI secolo and Cinecittà.

His last exhibition “Prove di libertà”, about the lockdown of Italian cinema was held at the last Venice Film Festival.

Cover: Milena Smit – Film Madre Paralesas of Pedro Almodovar












Actress Anamaria Vartolomei – Film “ L’Evenement” by Audrey Diwan, film winner of the Golden Lion Venice 78

The stars of the first Manintown Next Generation Awards

MANINTOWN NEXT GENERATION AWARDS

A project conceived by Federico Poletti and Davide Musto

#VENEZIA78 marked the first brick in the great work done by MANINTOWN MAGAZINE over the years with the aim of supporting and promoting cinema and its new talents. Italy has been such a rich and free country in the expression of audiovisuals like never before. Starting from an intuition of Federico Poletti, director of the magazine MANINTOWN, who has been able to combine the two cinema and fashion in such a way that they can draw from each other in a virtuous way in the common sign of communicating the new phenomena in creativity. Assisted by Fabrizio Imas (journalist) and Davide Musto (photographer and talent scout for the new generation), the Manintown Next Generation Awards” took place at the Venice Biennale in the beautiful setting of the Campari terrace on the Lido. The two winners in the cinema section of this first edition were Ludovica Francesconi and Giancarlo Commare. Elisa Maino, an Italian web talent who is also coming out with a new book, was awarded as a web phenomenon.


Ph Camillo Carobi


Federico Poletti, founder & Editor in chief of MANINTOWN: “Between the web and paper, we have always reported everything that is innovative, and over time we have given voice to numerous performers, who we have seen grow thanks to new platforms such as Netflix and social media. I am particularly happy with this first edition of the Next Generation Awards, which bet on Giancarlo Commare and Ludovica Francesconi, who had their first red carpet with us in Venice and are out with many new productions. Now the appointment with cinema will continue with the Rome Film Festival where we will present the special dedicated to the award and the new collector’s paper issue”.


Ryan Prevedel


Davide Musto, photographer & head of scouting at MANINTOWN: “I have the good fortune to follow with a keen eye the evolution of new talents and socio-cultural changes that the world of cinema and its young actors give us on a daily basis. I am constantly searching for and discovering new faces, which I accompany with fashion stories. The choice of the two finalists came naturally. I have been following Commare since he appeared in the Skam series and since then I have always wanted to capture his face with my camera. Over the years, Giancarlo Commare has been able to portray different roles with that fine truth that belongs only to great actors, and he has been able to modernise the ability to be a person as well as a character. I also had the honour of having already worked with Ludovica Francesconi and from the very first shot her gaze penetrated so deeply into my lens that it was natural to think about the future of this young actress, which I believe will be marked by great performances”.

Fabrizio Imas, Entertainment Editor of MANINTOWN, concludes: “Sometimes betting on a talent can be very complex, as a project may go well or very well and then the opportunities may be missed. As fate would have it, the two winners were two actors whose destinies have just artistically crossed. In fact, from 16 September we will see them in the cinema together in the film “Ancora più bello”, the eagerly awaited sequel to “Sul più bello”.



Special thanks for Hair&makeup of the talents Kemon

Production and coordination @Alessia Caliendo

Hair @kemonofficial @kemoncrew

Make up @ArmaniBeauty #ArmaniBeautyStars

Photos Camillo Carobi @itm.srl

Next Generation Awards: Manintown’s award to support new talents

VENICE, Friday 11 September, MAINTOWN presents the first edition of the NEXT GENERATION AWARDS, a new project that underlines the magazine’s further commitment to scouting new talent in the world of cinema and creativity. The link with cinema and the performing arts has become stronger and stronger over the last year to the point of becoming a real editorial focus of MANINTOWN, intended as a platform to discover the most promising names in cinema, music and communication field (including photographers, directors and digital artists).

Hence the need to give greater substance to this passion with the NEXT GENERATION AWARDS initiative, which finds its ideal and natural setting in Venice during the International Film Festival.

Federico Poletti, founder & Editor in chief of MANINTOWN, comments: “Since its inception in 2013, the magazine’s vocation has been oriented towards researching all that is innovative and reporting on emerging phenomena in fashion and the arts, from cinema to music, from art to design. Over time we have given voice to numerous performers, who we have seen grow up, also thanks to new platforms such as Netflix and social networks. Therefore, in addition to the two awards for new faces in cinema, it seemed interesting to me to give space to a phenomenon that comes from the web as well”.

The award winning of this first edition of the NEXT GENERATION AWARDS are:

– Best actor revelation: GIANCARLO COMMARE

– Best actress revelation: LUDOVICA FRANCESCONI

– Web talent of the Year: ELISA MAINO

Giancarlo Commare (born in 1991) has made his mark in series such as Netflix’s “Skam Italia“, and in the recent “Maschile Singolare“, a homosexual-themed film with a realistic narrative that has made a difference in filmmaking. A face that is growing with quality productions between cinema and theatre. We are going to see him shortly in cinemas from 16 September with “Ancora più bello” alongside Ludovica Francesconi. Therefore, we want to recognise his talent with the MANINTOWN New Generation Awards. Giancarlo Commare himself comments: “I like surprises, and the communication of this award was a surprise from every point of view. We all go through times that are a little down, and especially in those moments, good news helps and is more appreciated. We should always be surprised by life and be grateful for everything we are given.



Ludovica Francesconi (born in 1999), very young, with a face that you can’t help but fall in love with for its freshness and spontaneity. Also she is back from the great success of “Sul più bello” that we have seen on Amazon Prime Video, and now we will see her always at the side of Giancarlo in: “Ancora Più Bello”. She has always wanted to be an actress since she was a child when she could smell the popcorn. We are sure that her path will be full of awards and we want to be the first to award her with the MANINTOWN New Generation Awards as Best Revelation Actress.



Elisa Maino, born in 2003, with over 5 million followers on Tik Tok and almost 3 million on Instagram, is one of the most successful Italian web talents of her generation at an international level. Since opening her YouTube channel in 2014, Elisa has never stopped talking about herself and her passions on social media, becoming the inspirational muse of a generation. Passionate about writing, she has published two novels with Rizzoli: the first, “OPS”, has sold more than 100 thousand copies throughout Italy. The second, “OPS2 – Non ti scordar di me”, is a publishing success. Her third novel, “Con amore”, is due out on 20 September 2021.



Davide Musto, photographer & head of scouting at MANINTOWN: “I have the good fortune of following with a keen eye the evolution of new talents and socio-cultural changes that the world of cinema and its young actors give us every day. I am constantly searching for new faces and discovering them, which I accompany with fashion stories.  The choice of the two finalists came naturally. I have been following Commare since he appeared in the Skam series and from that moment on I have always wanted to capture his face with my camera. Over the years, Giancarlo Commare has been able to portray different roles with that fine truth that belongs only to great actors, and he has been able to modernise the ability to be a person as well as a character. I also had the honour of having already worked with Ludovica Francesconi and from the very first shot her gaze penetrated so deeply into my lens that it was natural to think about the future of this young actress, which I believe will be marked by great performances”.

The award ceremony will take place on Friday, September 10, from 6:30 p.m. in the Campari Lounge | Terrazza Biennale and the winners will be the subject of a special report in the next issue of MANINTOWN to be published during the Rome Film Festival. In order to reaffirm the link with young creatives, MANINTOWN has chosen to have the NEXT GENERATIONS AWARD made by the Italian-Colombian artist Rosana Auqué, who created 3 works for the 3 winners to bear witness to the magic of the Venetian landscape and the art of cinema. Rosana herself says: “I wanted to convey the enchanting atmosphere of Venice, its infinite beauty and its great history. The magic of the landscape that mixes the sky with the city’s most characteristic element, the water, creating inexhaustible shades loved by so many artists. It is no coincidence that a King of France said “If I were not King of France, I would choose to be a citizen of Venice.”

The professional team of Kemon, visionary international leader in the world of hairstyling, will take care of the image of the two winners Giancarlo Commare and Ludovica Francesconi and the special guests of the event, as well as a series of talents that will be revealed in the next issue of MANINTOWN.

“Cinema has changed with the pandemic, but not in all ways for the worse, as the success of digital platforms such as Netflix or Amazon Prime has shown. Today we have the awareness that we obviously need to get people back into cinemas and back to safety, but we also have a flood of extra productions that can give work to actors, actresses and workers. Italian cinema was at a standstill for a moment, and it seemed that it could not evolve, but now we have a new generation of amazing and skilled actors. This is precisely why at MANINTOWN we wanted to give young talents a lot of space right from the start, especially looking at the publishing industry, which perhaps continued to talk about young talents through the same people, who were no longer so young. The cinema must be a safe home for experimentation, and only those who have the freshness and talent with a touch of irony will be able to carry the flag of Italian cinema around the world, just as Italy has always done. We must work so that those who deserve it can emerge, have fun and entertain audiences at home, because, let’s always remember it, cinema is entertainment,” concludes Fabrizio Imas, Entertainment Editor of MANINTOWN.

WHERE AND WHEN

Campari Lounge | Terrazza Biennale – Venezia Lido (in front of the Palazzo del Casinò) Friday 10 September, from 6.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.

To register for the event: [email protected]

Faces: in conversation with Natasha Slater

We met Natasha Slater, pr and entrepreneur from London who has been living in Milan for years and is considered a reference point in the creative environment of the city. In addition to working as a consultant for famous fashion brands, she is also the owner and founder of her public relations agency “Natasha Slater Studio” since 2009. Among her latest projects is her new Dinner Conversations, the members club to help men and women networking and building economic independence, but also a new lifestyle club based in Milan to create relationships and exchange opportunities among members, as well as to propose activities and experiences with an international and multi-cultural feel.

With the vacations approaching, we find out another of her passions, surfing, and in our conversation, she tells us how she approached this discipline, leaving us some advice on where to practice and how to start. Ready to go?



How did your passion for surfing start? 

My journey with surfing started 3 years ago, and it wasn’t what I had imagined, as much as I had fantasized about riding big waves, on exotic beaches with cute surfer boys, my first experience was just the opposite! I could barely get my board into the water and once inside, knee-high, I was fighting with the ocean to hold it, getting hit by wave after wave, in short, my hopes of becoming a cool surfer were low. I didn’t give up though! 3 years later, here I am, surfing, loving it more every day. Surfing is more than a sport, it’s a lifestyle, a state of mind, a religion, riding waves is a breathless experience. It makes you feel alive, it connects you with nature and asks you to be in the present moment, in the flow of life, out there on the lineup you are alone with everyone, looking at the waves, learning to read the ocean, in a state of meditation, you forget your daily problems and become one with yourself. Surfing has taught me so much about what it really means to let go, once you’re in the ocean, nothing else matters except being there.

What are the best places to practice it?

My favorite places are Baleal in Portugal, Santa Teresa in Costa Rica and Bali in Indonesia. The beauty of surfing is being able to travel and discover new places both to visit and to surf.

Where are you going to spend your vacation? Are you going to take your board with you?

I’m planning to go to Baleal in Portugal to practice a bit and relax by the ocean. I would have loved to organize a retreat for Dinner Conversations members, as I did with 18 people last October, but unfortunately due to the situation we are experiencing I had to postpone this surf & yoga retreat with the certainty of being able to organize it as soon as possible! 

What are your plans for the next season?

I’m working on a new calendar of unique events and experiences starting in September for members of my Dinner Conversations club. The dcClub – open to successful men and women – aims to establish real relationships between people and is distinguished by the innovative concept of involving its members in various lifestyle areas. The concept reflects the idea of a club without a physical location that creates important connections through itinerant experiences: we organize pop-up events for dinners, mixology/wine tasting evenings, private visits to art galleries, yoga retreats, workouts, and wellness appointments.

Unconventional hospitality in the sign of artistic valorization – Miramare Hotel Museum

Miramare Hotel Museum in Cagliari is an innovative concept that captures the heart of all guests who stay at least once in their life. 



The small and extravagant hotel de Charme is located on the noble floor of Palazzo Marini Devoto, a majestic building built between 1870 and the end of the 19th century in the main street in Cagliari. The 24 rooms are actually ateliers where several artists created their works, getting in touch with the hotel, its builders, and guests. 

“Art as an investment for the future” are the words of the visionary host Giuliano Guida Bardi, already well-known by the public for his activism in the revolutionary hotel industry. 



It was Miramare Hotel that designed and created the Playable in art, a formula that allows artists around the world to stay in Cagliari and discover its culture and passion and pay the hotel bill with their artworks: a return to barter and patronage that enhance the humanity of artists and hosts, which is often depressed by the money value of their passions. This process led to designing an Arcimboldian and multiform hotel: a melting-pot of styles and cultures, chronicles and stories that give it a unique charm.



The staff of young and enthusiastic collaborators, who animate the reception, the bar, the kitchen, and the dining rooms, is the icing on the cake. They are all very young and cheerful and help provide a pleasant stay. They organize tours by tuk-tuk around the Marina and Castello alleys in the historic center, amazing boat trips in Golfo degli Angeli , or rides on the Piper PA28 to admire the pearls of South Sardinia from above. A unique experience, in front of the tourist port in the suggestive neighborhood of LapPola (or Martina), a kind of souk with an extraordinary gastronomic offer, from starred restaurant to taverns with charm. 



Miramare Hotel Museum

Via Roma, 59, 09124 Cagliari

Website 

Instagram page

Travel with Manintown curated by Francesca Riggio

Horoscope for June 2021: Stars & Styles

Curated by Francesca Romana Riggio

Text by Astro Coach Massimo Giannone

Illustrations by Maria Lombardi



ARIES

“Passion is everything. I desire the smallest things so madly, as well as the biggest ones. I have no peace” – Gabriele D’Annunzio

In a song by Domenico Modugno “Nel blu dipinto di blu”, the singer wants to convey energies and lightness through colors and notes. All dreams disappear at dawn and lead to look at the stars and fly. In a part of the song, he describes his enthusiasm like this: “I flew happily higher than the sun and even more, while the world was slowly disappearing over there, a sweet song was playing only for me…”. This song was probably written by the singer with Franco Migliacci on one of the saddest days of his life. That indicates that from a drastic event and pain, authentic marvel can rise. 

Dear Aries friends, when situations around us tend to afflict us or prevent us from looking at the future, we need to be overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and desire to do. It is in the difficult phases that we can implement our winning ideas and great projects. 

Love: by removing negative thoughts and believe that you can improve your condition. It is necessary to find a way to discuss and have dialogues being willing and avoiding closing yourself off. 

Career: Saturn in Aquarius will give you a sort of wisdom dictated by experiences of sacrifices that you have made over the last few years. Ongoing changes require high focus and desire of stimuli. An amazing path is taking place.

Your Path is: ENTHUSIASM

In Greek culture, the word enthusiasm expressed physical or mental excitement. You were pervaded by a deity that made you crazy somehow. Platon distinguished the enthusiasm associating it to divinities: Apollo led to prophetic delirium, Dionysus led to mystic delirium, the Muses led to poetic delirium, and Afrodite to love delirium. A sort of disconnection from reality, the divinity led the individual to a non-rational dimension where the reason does not act and superior energy took over. Actually, through a flow of energies, what is incomprehensible can turn into reality. 



TAURUS

“Understanding human beings is intelligence, understanding oneself is wisdom” – Lao Tse.

A sentence in Matthew’s Gospel impressed me: “Those who want to save their life will lose it, those who will lose their life for my sake will find it again”. This leads to me a reflection: one can rise from its ashes only through sacrifices and pain. This is the path needed to purify the soul and lead it to a gradual evolution until it reaches an immense light made of beauty and purity. 

Even Dante Alighieri, in his works, tells us about a similar journey: the human being must know the hell to reach heaven. Only through the knowledge of evil, he/she can reach goodness. Jung, a famous psychologist, states that it is not enough to know many books to become a psychologist, but it is necessary to observe with your own eyes the dynamics around us, from the most hideous to the most beautiful ones. I remember my father’s quote: “The path will give you the right experience.”

Dear Taurus friends, with wisdom and depth of soul, you will be able to change yourself drastically. It will be a difficult path. Through the pain, the experiences will lead you to personal growth and empathy towards others. Only those who have crossed such routes can understand and donate with their essence. 

 Love: you will experience a phase of self-criticism and search in your soul for the reasons why things happen in your daily sentimental life. You will be sympathetic towards those who love you, even if they are in the wrong. Like a wise old man, you will listen to them and with a smile, you will demonstrate your closeness. 

Career: with Jupiter and Neptune in Pisces, you will be able to have the right vision to act and understand your colleagues’ needs. You will adopt a far-sighted vision and you will support people in need. 

Your Path is: EMPATHY

With empathy, the ability to pick up the deepest values, and the right attitude towards yourself and others, you will balance your daily tensions. Through a deep reflection, you will reach a state of mind that enables you to connect with other people recognizing their emotions and accepting their points of view. In this way, you will understand the meaning of everything.



GEMINI

“Each man confuses the limits of his sight with the limits of the world” – Arthur Schopenhauer. 

In a poem by Gerald Parks, an American poet and writer, he wishes to overcome the obstacles, and he writes: “People are provincial: their province is the world[…] and the sea and the sky are the only borders.”People often adjust to their environment and establish borders conventionally. However, they should change their point of view. 

Dear Gemini friends, an important phase has started. Astral energies, the node in the sign, and Mercury, the supporter of your communication, will stimulate your mind and lead you to the essence of things. A new vision, a path of purification, a light that will make you grow, dream and build destinations rich in harmonies.

Love: you will have a deep vision of the behavioral dynamics around you. You will try to get rid of tensions and attitudes of addiction to the people you love. Through such awareness, you will make steady and constructive your relationship. 

Career: You will set limits and with assertiveness, you will manage your professional relationships and won’t allow your colleagues or bosses to take over. You will somehow impose your rights. With kindness, you will make other people respect you. “Each man confuses the limits of his sight with the limits of the world”, claimed Arthur Schopenhauer, a German philosopher. 

Your Path is: ESTABLISHING PRECISE BOUNDARIES

During this phase, you need to get rid of what you don’t need. Don’t allow others to bring their burdens into your soul. To do so, you need to set limits that don’t have to be overcome by others’ needs. 



CANCER 

“The most powerful factors of distraction are emotions: everything that arouses strong feelings catches our attention” – Davide Goleman

Daniel Goleman, an American psychologist, stated: “Be careful and you will be happy”. Carefulness leads the individual to find solutions and the keys to success. Focusing, we train our minds like athletes do when they challenge their potentialities going beyond the limits to achieve their goals. Focusing on goals helps find solutions and makes our life easier. Listening to our senses and our creativity, our abilities will increase, letting go of negative thoughts that limit our potentialities. With gratefulness, values, and virtue, individuals will find a way to solve and raise their spirit to personal growth. 

Dear Cancer friends, with Venus and Mars in the sign, you will have the chance to make significant changes in your life. Intense energies, taste for beauty, and right emotions will lead you to long-desired dreams. It will be necessary to have a clear vision of what you want and focus on your goal.

Love: by removing usual schemes and useless attitudes and forgiving past events, you will be able to identify the repetitive aspects of your relationship. Meditation is a good path. 

Career: Mars will give you energies. Make the best use of this phase. Through high concentration and a far-sighted vision, you will develop paths of great professional satisfaction. A new successful stage is starting. 

Your Path is: FOCUS 

Staying focus on your goals helps you understand the dynamics to follow in every aspect of your life. Not only does an unclear vision waste our time but it also makes us live situations that could be avoided. It is important to have clear ideas ut don’t get distracted by immediate needs. Through calm and focusing on your goal, you will head in the right direction and achieve the best results. 



LEO 

“When you wake up in the morning, remember that being alive is a privilege: breathing, thinking, loving” – Marco Aurelio.

Through a positive mind, it is possible to turn negative events into opportunities. According to Louise Hay, all our thoughts create reality. So, we need to reschedule our thoughts to have a more harmonic manifestation of reality closer to what we desire and in line with the energies around us. Have you ever heard about the law of attraction? We emanate thousands of thoughts during the day, and the negative ones often take over. It is necessary to believe firmly in what we desire to change the dynamics of what is wrong in our existence. In this way, cosmic energies will help us fulfill our dreams. 

Dear Leo friends, Saturn in Aquarius will put you in front of choices. Willpower will be necessary to achieve your goals. 

Love:  your partner needs a clear vision of what you desire. You have to satisfy the desires of those who love you to evolve your relationship. You will experience emotional growth. 

Career: you will be able to make your thoughts change course. You will be altruistic and understand others’ limits. Be essential and your autonomy will grow.

Your Path is: IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF YOUR THOUGHTS

 Feeling nervous about the problems to face won’t help you find the right solutions. A positive and proactive attitude is necessary to improve your life’s quality, firmly believing that there is a solution to everything. It is essential to observe everything from an optimistic point of view, trying to remove negative thoughts. 



VIRGO

“I consider those who overcome their desires braver than those who conquer their enemies because the hardest victory is the one against yourself” – Aristotle.

Observing things with the eyes of the soul puts us in contact with the world of energies that lead human beings to a reawakening, peace, serenity, and above all, a clear vision of the self.

In Greek culture, Dionysus is a divinity, the son of Zeus, Bacco for the Romans, connected with the plants’ lifeblood. This divinity is also connected to flourishing, abundance, vineyards, and wine. It is told that he fell for a young human boy. After a vision of the boy’s death, he decided to protect him from his mortal condition. But, for every human being, death comes. His vision became the truth: Dionysus found the boy’s corpse in a field. He started crying and leaned on his stick. From his tears, a plant grew, it started twisting around the plant, and fruit with the shape of his tears grew, the grape, symbol of hope and prosperity. This legend teaches us that from pain, a possibility can emerge. 

Dear Virgo friends, Neptune opposing your sign indicates a difficult path that will lead you to growth and a new dimension of life. Taking painful routes, you will reach your destinations and the fruits of what you desire. 

Love: through understanding and higher awareness, you will be able to give the right advice to those who love you. Instead of judgment, you will be sympathetic.

Career: you will be tired, you will have to manage people and complex situations. However, you will have the right boost to help and convey values to people you collaborate with. 

Your Path is: ELEVATION  

It is time to make a deeper evolution. Physical and material understanding is not enough. You need to go back to the essence of everything. In this way, you will have the chance to overcome your negative aspects and fulfill your reality properly and harmoniously. You will have new lifeblood to face every field of your existence in a new way, deeper, without fears, but with great understanding and awareness.



LIBRA 

“Those who teach their children respect for the environment and love for animals are building a better future” – Rinaldo Sidoli. 

In a song by Michael Jackson, “Earth song”, the singer explains that we have to understand the injuries we have caused to the Earth, listen to the screams in pain and do something to respect the environment, the seas we are destroying. It is necessary to understand that the Earth gives us its fruits, but we have to preserve and respect it. We have to turn our mistakes into quality. 

Dear Libra friends, you have to respect yourselves and understand that if you hurt yourself, you hurt the environment around you. The mind tricks you, intelligence and kindness will help you. 

Love: you can be live happily, removing negative thoughts that afflict you. Try to transform them through new awareness. Do not create a reality based on self-punishment. By changing energies, your daily life will bloom again. 

Career: with Saturn in Aquarius, excessive reasoning might prevent you from picking up the best fruits of this phase. Anticipating too much to avoid dangers might actually make you live pessimistically and it might block your professional initiatives. Face your daily life positively and try not to put off too much.

Your Path is: PRESERVING

It is often to find signs that say: “Do not pick up flowers, leave this place clean” If we create a harmonious relationship with our surroundings and respect the environment, we create harmony and feel in tune with universal energies. 



SCORPIO 

“It is the repetition of statements that leads the other to believe. And when belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen” – Muhammad Ali. 

According to Aristotle, persuasion is the art of leading people to take actions they usually would not take. In this way, society leads us to an idea, an opinion, a purchase. Those who are thirsty for knowledge, resist more to persuasive stimuli. 

Dear Scorpio friends, Uranus in Taurus will push you to make some changes. Be sweet and quiet when imposing your will, try to give as many explanations as possible. 

Love: strategies will not bring many results, but if you adopt an empathic attitude towards your partners, you can persuade them. Repete them that you need their support.

Career: you have to express your intentions clearly with your colleagues to persuade them, using a persuasive and sweet tone of voice. With Pluto in Capricorn, you will be able to handle any difficulty and turn the tables in your favor. 

Your Path is: PERSUADING

You need to lead others to reflect if they do not want to take part in unknown initiatives. Through convincing and sincere communication, you will be able to conquer sympathies. 



SAGITTARIUS 

“A heart that searches, feels that something was missing; a heart that lost, knows what it was deprived of ” – Goethe.

Concerning research, Plato states: “Those who love philosophy live pursuing their occupations, but always staying true to the philosophy that makes them intelligent”. A journey to seek the truth in our daily life to reach a destination that, like Aristotle said, has to be the greater good, not only for ourselves but also for the community. 

Dear Sagittarius friends, With Mercury and Gemini, your words will have much weight. It will be necessary to dose them with intelligence and search for the right ways to follow, being transparent with the other. In this way, you will avoid criticism and tensions.

Love:  the need to find new balances in your relationship will encourage you. You will be able to open yourself clearly and gently to those who love you. You will foster harmony, enhancing understanding and sharing. 

Career: your need for growth will be satisfied by the hunger for knowledge and your innate curiosity about following dangerous paths, but they will lead you to success. Reward other people’s ideas as well. 

Your Path is: SEARCHING 

It is in curiosity and research that people follow paths to find explanations and answers. We have discovered and understood the world since we were children. Don’t stop being curious, even though obstacles distract you, because life is a constant discovery. The impossible can become possible. 



CAPRICORN

“Everyone is looking for someone to blame,”- Tom Waits. 

Assign to everyone what he/she deserves wisely means recognizing the merit. Socrates was one of the first martyrs because of his ethics and morality. He was sentenced to death owing to his belief, but he conveyed many teachings that are still modern today for their depth. His works are unique. Nowadays, those who create content, a song, or whatever, are protected by law, through copyright, a necessary regulation due to the new technologies, the Internet, and social media. It clarifies someone’s property and is a form of respect for those who produce, create, write something. 

Dear Capricorn friends, Venus in opposition might increase your ego and lead you to boast too much about things that do not belong to you. A form of sadness and melancholy might lead you to make mistakes. To avoid it, the path is sincerity and clarity by giving everything the right value. 

Love: excessive confidence in yourself might lead you to unfair attitudes towards your partner. Always wonder yourself before acting: is it right? In this way, you will be aware of the fairness of your actions and you will be honest with yourself and others. 

Career: you have to understand what the priorities are and identify your limits. If you cannot fulfill a project, accept your limits. Give the right value to what you have to do. Maybe delegate your tasks to other people. 

Your Path is: ASSIGNING

Each person is unique. By respecting the individuals and the community we create a harmony that gives an interpretative vision of who created something. In short, recognize your problems and do not blame others. 



AQUARIUS 

“Purity and simplicity are the two wings with which the human being rises over earthly things” – Tommaso da Kempis.

Catharsis is a Greek word that describes the action of getting rid of conflicts and suffering through the re-elaboration of experienced traumas, like purification. Only through an understanding of the reasons why we suffer. A journey to our past can untie the knots and we can free ourselves from burdens that prevent us from being serene. Even contact with nature can help in this terms, being surrounded by the beauty of nature. If it is not possible, it is recommended to have plants in the environment where you live, they help focus, alleviate stress, and purify the air. 

Dear Aquarius friends, Saturn in the sign, will lead you to responsibility and practicality. You will need something new, a spiritual rebirth. You will be very careful about your choices and select people with who you share your daily life. 

Love: you will need to rebuild relationships. Some cycles ended, but the path is slow. The stars are on your side. If you are single, you will experience a phase rich in bright spots. Couples will find harmony.

Career: you will know what to do, but there will be challenges to face. You will be able to handle any situation with your innate sensitivity and grace. There will be pleasant news for the young people of the sign.

Your Path is: PURIFYING 

A path of mental cleansing is necessary. You accumulated heavy energies and thoughts, you faced situations without any help: that has not made your path easy. You should try techniques of breathing or meditation to enjoy positive energies. 



PISCES

“Intuition is the voice of angels and it should not be ignored. Listen to your intuitions, pay attention to your instinct, inspirations, ideas” – Neale Donald Walsh. 

According to Plato, intuition was the immediate knowledge and it allows to reach supreme truths. In a song by John Lennon, “Intuition”, the singer describes how it is possible to travel through intuition. The lyrics say: “Intuition takes me there/ Intuition takes me everywhere/ Well, my instincts are fine/ I had to learn to use them in order to survive”.It is an innate sense in human beings through which it is possible to predict and prevent events.

Dear Pisces friends, with Jupiter and Neptune in the sign, your skills will increase thanks to the stars. Jupiter, the planet of luck and success, will bring serenity and satisfaction, and Neptune will lead you to change your reality through imagination and creativity. 

Love: you will overcome your anxieties through instinct and curiosity that will protect you by anticipating events. Some doubts might delay this process, but you will set out for an amazing period of inspiration. 

Career: a sort of geniality will inspire you, you will intuit how to relate with your colleagues, you will influence professional events. However, emotions will prevail over rationality. This is a great phase for investments.

Your Path is: INTUITION 

Understanding in advance how to move is a priority of this phase. A unique instinct will accompany you. Use the first instinct, without thinking too much, otherwise, you will risk making mistakes. 

Chef in Town: The recipe of the original American cheesecake

The New York cheesecake is one of the most loved cold desserts. It is made with a base of butter biscuits and a filling of cream with fresh cheese. It can be decorated and embellished with different ingredients such as berries – for the classic version – but also chocolate, caramel, grain, coconut flour, and much more. 

How to make the original American cheesecake: the recipe 

Ingredients: 

  • 300g of Digestive biscuits
  • 150g of melted butter
  • 500g of cream cheese 
  • 100g of sugar
  • one egg
  • 150g of low-fat yogurt without sugar
  • 150g of fresh cream 
  • one spoon of lemon juice
  • vanilla extract

For the frosting: 

  • 180g of fresh berries
  • 3 spoons of sugar

Making the American cheesecake

Firstly, you have to make the base of the cheesecake. All you need are Digestive biscuits and melted butter. Optionally, you can even use shortbread biscuits. The procedure to follow is very simple: after crumbling the biscuits, mix them with melted butter in a bowl. The mixture obtained must be soft and compact. Once it reaches the right consistency, you can proceed and spread it over a springform tin, covering both the bottom and the edge. 

How to make the cream 

To make the sour cream, pour fresh cream, yogurt, and well-filtered lemon juice into another bowl and mix everything. 

In another container, mix cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla with an electric mixer. Then, add one egg and mix again. When the mixture gets creamy, add 170g of sour cream (keep aside the rest). After mixing the two creams, spread them with a paddle over the base of crumbled biscuits. 

How to cook the cake

Place the cake in a static and preheated oven at 165 degrees and cook it for one hour. Once you take it out of the oven, pour 3 spoons of leftover sour cream on the surface and put the cake in the fridge. After about 3 hours, do that procedure again and pour the rest of the sour cream on the cooled layer. At this point, the cake needs to cool for 10 hours in the fridge. 

How to decorate 

If you want to follow the traditional recipe to the letter, decorate the cake with berries frosting. To make it, you have to put berries with sugar on the fire and heat them for about 5 minutes. Then, blend them and sift the frosting to separate the seeds from the mixture. When the frosting gets cold in the fridge, you can spread it on the surface of the cheesecake and decorate it with fresh wild berries and strawberries. 

However, the decoration is the most creative part, so you can go wild with your favorite tastes and personalize your cheesecake. 

How to keep it

Keep the American cheesecake in the fridge for 3-5 days, but you can also freeze it. In this case, avoid putting the frosting and decorate the cake only when you serve it: in this way, you will keep its freshness. 



Chef in Town- a food and beverage column curated by

Intl Editor Francesca Romana Riggio

Chef in Town: how to make the true Italian bruschetta

Bruschetta is a typical Italian food to serve as an aperitif or a “meal-on-a-plate”, made with different condiments. Even though it is simple and everyone can make it, there are rules to follow even in its preparation. It is a simple but delicious dish that can adapt to any taste and need.



To make the true Italian bruschetta worthy of a starred chef, follow these three basic rules and then unleash your imagination and creativity. 

1 Choose the right bread

The choice of bread for bruschetta is not to underestimate. It is better not to use sandwich bread or pre-packed sliced bread made of different types of flour. Pita bread, panini made with milk, “rosette” and “michette” are also not suitable for bruschetta. A loaf of bread with a compact and spongy crumb and a fragrant crust, like the homemade one, is perfect for your bruschetta. 

2 The perfect toasting

Bruschetta bread is usually toasted on the grill, but you can also toast it in the oven or in a non-stick pan. The secret lies in the thickness of the bread slices. They don’t have to be too thin to prevent the crumb from falling because of the condiment above. Heat the bread for about 2 minutes on each side so that the crust gets golden brown. 

3 The seasoning 

The cook’s creativity comes here into play. With only a little olive oil, salt, and garlic, you can taste delicious bruschettas, but the seasonings can find endless combinations. They vary from traditional bruschettas with cherry tomatoes and basil to bruschettas with olive pate, mushrooms, artichokes. If you love spicy cold cuts, a very tasty alternative is the Calabrese ‘nduja, whose consistency fits perfectly with toasted bread. However, you can even move from the local tradition and season your bruschetta with hummus or baba ganoush for an unusual but winning mix of flavors.



The advice is to eat warm bruschettas. A good option is to prepare the condiments earlier so that your guests can choose how to enrich their slices. Success is guaranteed! 

Chef in Town- a food and beverage column curated by

Intl Editor Francesca Romana Riggio

Horoscope for May 2021: Stars & Styles

Welcome to Stars and Styles, our monthly horoscope appointment, with the guidance of Astro-coach Massimo Giannone, renowned astrologer. Gifted with exceptional sensitivity, he reads with a methodical eye and interprets with the gift of intuition. Giannone has literally conquered the heart of Italy, starting from Milan, the capital of fashion and publishing, with his fixed appointments on Il Sole 24 Ore and Gioia.

His method has also conquered the high-end fashion industry, which has led him to be the protagonist of fashion events and promotional tours throughout Italy for brands such as Maliparmi and Prairie. His approach, far from generic, enters the psychological and soul aspect of the personalities linked to the zodiacal sign, with a perceptive interpretative key that is aimed at providing advice for rebirth, rebuilding.

Experiences are teachings, if you learn to grasp their directives, your life can change completely” says Massimo Giannone.

Curated by Francesca Romana Riggio

Text by Astro Coach Massimo Giannone

Illustrations by Maria Lombardi



Aries – During childhood, curiosity gives children a chance to joy and be surprised in front of any new opportunity in their daily life. They are free from social restrictions and fears that prevent people from facing new situations. To overcome events that afflict us, we should look at reality with children’s eyes, which turn a problem into an opportunity through their purity of soul. 

Dear Aries, your emotional state is not fulfilling. Many external events and your state of mind not willing to share might increase stress. Be proactive and try not to fill your mind with negative thoughts. 

Love: some family situations make your soul nervous and they might lead you to arguments or misunderstanding with your partner. The time has come to overcome this feeling and win over tensions through lightness. 

Career: you need more stability and the current situation is not giving you balances but a pessimistic view that could affect your fixed professional results. Try to communicate without getting angry. 

“True peace is not merely the absence of tension: it the presence of justice”, claimed Martin Luther King. 

Your Path: constantly living under mental pressure prevents us from helping each other and finding the necessary ways to rebalance our daily life. We should behave freely and without the logic that forces us to face things immediately: we should wait for better times. Rigour increases tensions. We have to imagine evolving in other situations, thus crossing the threshold of a new becoming, more harmonious and proper for us. 



Taurus – Romanticism was an artistic and cultural movement in the 18th century, but it is also an emotional, passionate, and dreamy state of mind that can arouse emotions and create unforgettable atmospheres through gestures and self-manifestation. Observing reality with such a feeling turns every situation into an emotional vibration. 

Dear Taurus, with Mercury, Venus, and Uranus in the sign, you will convey emotions and strong feelings through your sweet and sensitive words in every aspect of your daily life. Focusing on giving and understanding, you will attract positive energies that will make you happy.

Love: your words to the people you love will vibrate with emotional and intense vibrations that will arouse strong feelings in your partner. You will create a dreamy and romantic environment full of passions and moments to share. Your desires will be satisfied and you will receive valuable attention. 

Career: with Jupiter in Pisces from mid-month, your need for something new will be satisfied by glad and unexpected news. You will overcome obstacles thanks to your instinct, letting you jump at any opportunity. 

“To say the word Romanticism is to say modern art – that is, intimacy, spirituality, color, aspiration towards the infinite, expressed by every means available to the arts”, claimed Charles Baudelaire, a French poet. 

Your Path: You have to look at your daily life without any filter and live it as if it were a fairy tale that teaches that everything can be turned into an occasion to challenge yourselves. With a romantic and dreamy attitude, you can turn everything into a new wonderful reality. 



Gemini Many Greek gods’ personalities can be used as metaphors to explain how we can face situations in our daily life. An interpretation to overcome rooted convictions and improve ourselves, thus beginning a new path that can give us new tools and goals. 

Dear Gemini, with Mercury and Venus in the sign, you will have the right way to communicate and convey your emotions, ideas, and the beauty in you through the comprehension of others’ needs. 

Love: the dialogue will be your trump card. You will be able to convey lightness and the right emotions to your beloved ones, you will face misunderstandings with your partner with closeness and a strong sense of protection. Young people and single ones will experience maturity in the soul and will have the enthusiasm and desire to act. 

Career: it is time to look at the future with more trust and responsibility. Nothing has to be casual, your objectives have to be clear. Evaluate everything before giving consent, dedicating yourselves to your necessities, and giving more value to your time. Neptune in Pisces might distract you. Avoid vices and any excess. 

“If understanding is impossible, knowing is necessary”, claimed Primo Levi, a writer. 

Your Path: we try every day to understand the daily experiences that improve us. The universe is loving and it gives us the right way through experiences. Don’t persist in going your way and accept that everything has its solving time. 



Cancer When dealing with a challenge, finding the right energetic strength means understanding and adapting to universal laws. 

The lyrics of the song “Viva la Vida” by Coldplay are inspired by a famous painting by Frida, a Mexican paintress, appreciated for her optimism. The song talks about kings, knights, and missionaries, it has many religious references and a tendency to give an optimistic vision of life, even when facing cruel events.

Dear Cancer, with Mars in the sign, you will have great energies to face your daily life, but you will need a balance and you will have to overcome those feelings that might not make you take opportunities when they come. 

Love: a depth of soul, a tendency to intense passions, and the right way to relate to those you love will make this phase great. Try to give them trust and transparency and reassure them. 

Career: you will be able to manage any obstacle with determination and there will be a lot of them. The stars suggest joining rigor and emotions. 

Your Path: energy is responsible for animating the material. To do any task, it is necessary to dose the energies, make them in tune with what we want to do. Avoid excesses and wastes. Our reality is energy and it is the basic element of everything in the universe. Dosing it means using it in the right way. 



Leo – Some mythological figures indicate a path in front of risks. Cyclops, for example, had reduced vision because they had only one eye in the middle of the forehead. They suggest that risk cannot be calculated: you cannot know how it will happen, but only the damage that it might cause. For example, we do know the disruptive power of catastrophic natural events such as earthquakes, but we do not know how and when they occur. The only way is the prevention to cushion the potential problem. So, it is no point feeling bad before the events, it is necessary to deepen your knowledge and try to do your best to avoid being caught unprepared. 

Dear Leo, there will be many difficulties and problems to face. Opposing Jupiter and Saturn are indicators of challenges, but with the right vision and good prevention, you will find a way to soften the obstacles and find good solutions. Don’t be anxious and nervous, concentration and an optimistic spirit will help you. 

Love:  it will be necessary to tolerate some annoying attitudes of your partner. Instead of reacting impulsively, try to explain your hard moments and your need for harmony and serenity to handle this phase. 

Career: you don’t have to make the mistake of overlooking difficult situations, but you need a long-term vision, avoiding causing further tensions and disappointments in your professional field. 

“The best ideas do not come from the reason, but a lucid, visionary madness”, claimed Erasmo of Rotterdam, a Dutch theologist and philosopher. 

Your Path: The right vision in every aspect of our daily life makes us open towards others and leads us to clear and friendly dialogue and the right way to face obstacles and difficulties. Finding the right vision also means solving everything that afflicts us, the path to our peace. 



Virgo – St Augustine teaches that patience is when we tolerate every evil and through which we can reach benevolent paths for us and the environment around us. Those who are not patient have energy that prevents them from improving and they often suffer. Being patient leads the soul to a more light future, understanding the temporary nature of events and that time will reorder things. 

Dear Virgo, fear and impatience might lead you to make mistakes that are hard to solve. Peace and calm are the most appropriate ways. Tolerating and waiting will lead you to serene in front of future situations. 

Love: opposing Venus, Neptune and the Sun will lead you to a dark spirit. You will struggle to understand your partner and you will be afraid of making mistakes that you won’t be able to solve. You need to trust your partner and avoid problems and concerns. 

Career: there will be a lot of occasions to take. Don’t let emotions take over you, take control and try to distinguish and separate your mind from your heart. Confirmations will come and you will find a way to work at your best. Breath deeply and wait for the right moments. 

“Don’t do good to others if you don’t have the strength to handle ungratefulness”, claimed Confucius, a Chinese philosopher. 

Your Path: patience is one of the greatest virtues. It makes us act at the best moments. It gives people the maturity to face any aspect of life. Moreover, caution reduces risk factors. In this way, you can overcome anxieties and disappointments caused by what you do not know, thus reinforcing willingness. 



Libra – In Greek mythology, the myth of Aracne is popular. Aracne was a young lady who had the art of weaving. She competed against the goddess Atena, known as a great weaver, to weave the best fabric. Aracne won the competition and the goddess herself had to admit the beauty of Aracne’s fabric. However, she got angry about losing and punished the young lady: she had to hang on a tree forever and could not weave with her hands anymore, but with her mouth. She turned her into a spider. Aracne was condemned because she was better at weaving than the goddess Atena. Anger and lack of sensitivity blind people. Despite your major position in something, there is no need to be presumptuous, just be grateful for your talents.  

Dear Libra, benevolent Mercury will lead you to deep dialogue and high intellectual stimuli. You will have the chance to attract the desired opportunities, but great humility is necessary.

Love: with sweet and comprehensive words, you will encourage your partner and the people you love, you will lead them to serenity and the solution for their fragilities. In this way, you will improve the couple’s intimacy and your family relationships. 

Career: at work, you need to be sensitive to your professional partners and colleagues. Avoid tensions and arguments. By expressing your necessities clearly and gently you will create relationships based on fairness and transparency. 

“Sensitivity is the most elegant and precious dress intelligence could wear”, claimed Osho, a spiritual mentor. 

Your Path:  Being sensitive to those we love leads us to control our instincts and a different way of reacting, because, through understanding, the ability to judge is higher and closer to others. Don’t be indifferent but sympathetic so that you will be appreciated for this behavior. 



Scorpio – Perceiving without rationalizing is a heart’s quality. It allows people to pick up early the events, waking up from an illusory reality. In a song by The Sun, “The opportunities I missed”, the lyrics invite us to understand that it is always possible to choose, the essence of everything is LOVE, with which we face every aspect of our life. An invitation to believe in our strengths and understand that negative events can turn into an opportunity for personal growth. 

Dear Scorpio, Mercury in Taurus in the first days of the month and Uranus in the sign suggest acting with a depth of heart in every field of your daily life. A word uttered with your heart cheers up others’ souls and will make you avoid deterrent impulses. 

Love: to keep serenity in your couple, the stars suggest listening to your emotions but also being careful not to let them take over. Prevent instincts from taking control with complicity and kindness.

Career: Jupiter will stimulate your creativity. Thanks to a far-sighted vision, you will enjoy stability and a deep critical sense. In this way, you will avoid pitfalls. Moreover, if you add your heart to your initiatives you will get respect and gratifications. 

“The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides”, claimed Audrey Hepburn, a British actress. 

Your Path: expressing ourselves through our heart and not our mind leads us to a wonderful path, making us realize if a person or a situation is right for us. Our heart knows already the future helping us take the right way. 



Sagittarius –  In a song by Fabrizio de Andrè “Fragile friend”, the songwriter describes the defeat of those who chose the role of judge, moralist, and libertarian. A part of the song says:” I could cross liters and liters of coral to reach a place called Bye-bye”. A reflection of the artist, dictated by his pain of not understanding his limits. 

Dear Sagittarius, with opposing Mercury and Venus, your words and feelings will experience a sort of fragility because of great sensitivity and achieved maturity.

Love: dialogues will be a bit lively and confrontation will not be easy. Others will not understand you easily and you will receive criticisms or unfair attitudes. Be kind and maybe postpone the dialogue when the phase is more harmonious. 

Career: you might receive annoying news that will make you anxious. You should listen and be accomodating. Young people of the sign will have to accept criticism. 

“The strongest love is the love that can demonstrate its fragility”, claimed Paulo Coelho. 

Your Path: go beyond your limits, overcome your necessities to be closer to the people we care about. It is a great act of love that purifies your soul and gives valid tools to build harmonies. 



Capricorn – There are different ways to approach demons inside of us. They have a powerful impact on us, so it is necessary to recognize them to face them in the best possible way. Each of us experiences emotions differently from others. A positive and intense way is to overcome fears and guilt. Then it is necessary to remove negative emotions gradually, trying to overcome waves of anger. 

Dear Capricorn, with opposing Mars, you will have an energy drain, a sort of dissatisfaction that might cause negative emotions and extreme attitudes towards those who love you. You have to change your way of acting to avoid situations of instability. 

Love: sadness and misunderstandings are too painful for you, you will feel misunderstood and ignored. You might no longer handle the environment around you. The solution to these situations is self-control. 

Career: at workyou will be a bit tired and demotivated because situations struggle to take off and also because you thought you would achieve some rewards earlier. Rather than grieving, try to make the best use of your chances and time, maybe by investing in training. 

“First of all, the emotion! Only after understanding”, claimed Paul Gauguin, a French painter. 

Your Path: to overcome your emotions and avoid making mistakes, you need to stop a moment to reflect and find control of the situation through techniques such as meditation. You have to consider what is useful and positive for you, learning to recognize events before they happen. 



Aquarius – In Greek mythology, the myth of Apollo and Daphne is well known. Daphne was Gea and Peneo’s daughter, she was a nymph who decided to give up on love. Apollo fell in love with her, but she asked for help from her father to escape from the temptation of love and she turned into a laurel tree: a transformation to overcome human limits and ascend to win pain. 

Dear Aquarius, with Jupiter until mid-month and Saturn in the sign, you will overcome your fragility through a process of sublimation. It is necessary to evolve from caterpillar to butterfly, even though it will imply some sacrifices. 

Love: some news will come, but you will not get things easily. You need to overcome anxieties and accept Saturn’s teachings. Through coherence and strong will, you will be able to manage your fragility. 

Career: you need to have a lot of grit. You have to win apprehension with a lucid vision and determination. Avoid being influenced by others’ limits and try to move on confidently. Your ability to reason will help you. 

“Pain has some limits, but apprehension doesn’t, because we grieve for what we know has happened, but we fear everything that can happen”, claimed Plinius the Elder, a philosopher. 

Your Path:  when we feel troubled, we need to put aside painful thoughts and turn our minds to positive memories. It is necessary to avoid unclear situations, otherwise, concerns and fears increase. Being calm and peaceful helps find serenity. You will grow to achieve maturity that will lead you to clear skies by overcoming your barriers. 



Pisces – A song by Achille Lauro, “Rolls Royce”, talks about an unquiet life, where it is difficult to be carefree. It talks about people dealing with excesses, drugs, overcoming human limits, people who did not manage to handle their success and have chosen a path of no return to a lack of respect towards themselves. Fragility and fear lead human beings to self-destruction or self-punishment. 

Dear Pisces, Neptune is the planet that in astrology represents dreams and fantasy, but it also indicates vices and extremes such as drugs and addictions. In your sign, it can indicate a brilliant vision out of traditional canons. However, you do not have to go beyond the extremes, it is necessary to have control. Love and respect yourselves and others.

Love: excessive sentimentality can lead to dissatisfaction if you do not have that love returned. Rather than hurting yourself with negative thoughts, play with your imagination and avoid imposing your will. 

Career: intuition will be high during this phase. You will be able to reason and have a great future vision. Stay away from prejudice and if events are too repetitive, avoid excesses of judgment. 

“If all the year were playing holidays, to sport would be as tedious as to work”, claimed William Shakespear. 

Your Path: self-doubt and fear of risks can lead to excesses. A middle course is preferred. Create harmonious connections with self-respect and respect for others. 

5 charming hotels where we can’t wait to check-in

Our wishlists have got longer over these months, from Italian destinations to exotic paradises. The choice of the hotel will play a fundamental role in the organization of the perfect post-pandemic escape. 

These are the proposals of the 5 new Marriott International Hotels, where to spend at least one day. From retreats of charm in Italy and Europe to Oriental resorts from the Arabian Nights: destinations that will surprise you! 

Grand Universe Lucca, Autograph Collection



Located in the heart of Tuscany, on the foothills of the Alps and built inside a 16th-century palace, Grand Universe Lucca, Autograph Collection overlooks the two most iconic squares of the city: Piazza del Giglio and Piazza Napoleone. Thanks to its central position, the boutique hotel with 55 rooms, inaugurated last November, represents a perfect starting point to discover the splendid Tuscan city, also known as “the city of one hundred and one churches”. Within walking distance of the hotel, there are masterpieces of medieval and Renaissance architecture, including the Church of Santi Giovanni and Reparata and the historical Teatro del Giglio.

Music, one of the pillars of the hotel’s philosophy, is reflected in the name of every room, from the “Sala Piccolo” to the “Suite Puccini”, dedicated to the homonymous composer who was born in Lucca and was a regular visitor to the property. Tuscany’s land and cultural heritage are recalled in red, green and yellow silk and velvet fabrics that celebrate the renowned silk production in the city, and they are matched with modern wooden floors and golden details. 

The peculiarity of the building is the precious souvenir created purposely for every guest who, visiting the Symphony Lounge, can choose to listen to a personalized musical prelude composed by the pianist and inspired by his/her personality and taste.

W Ibiza



W Ibiza dominates the scene on the boho-chic seafront of Santa Eulalia, combining the multiple nuances of Isla Blanca’s two souls: the contemporary and the rural one. The hotel, inaugurated in July 2020, is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the brand’s mood: here you can breathe a holiday atmosphere made of relax, Mediterranean sounds and scents, chill music, and bright colors. The interior design reflects the hotel’s character: curated by the study of Baranowitz and Kroneberg from the Netherlands, the furniture in eclectic style reflects the contemporary travelers’ tastes, they recall the colors of the island and embody local materials. The 162 rooms and suites and all the environments have been designed so that the light is ever-present and an integral part of the building, from the sunrise to the sunset. The Chiringuito Blue is a restaurant on the beach where the Israeli chef Haim Cohen proposes his best Mediterranean dishes. A visit to the beautiful AWAY Spa is a must for a relaxing holiday. 

Thanks to the W insider, an expert on the island and surroundings, it will be fantastic to organize activities around Isla Blanca or trips to discover the city with its art galleries and boutiques. Moreover, thanks to whatever/whenever® program, which allows you to ask any questions at any time, travelers can see all their desires satisfied, from a piece of cake at night in their room to a sailboat ride. 

The St. Regis Cairo 



St. Regis Cairo, on the banks of the Nile, is the new landmark of the city thanks to its architecture. It was inaugurated in January 2021 and it is located at the northeastern end of the Corniche, in the heart of the lively Egyptian metropolis. The hotel offers easy access to the beautiful monuments of the city, which is rich in history. The suggestive architecture, designed by the famous architect Michael Graves, is characterized by geometric lines, whereas dark wood and elaborated textures combine with intricate embroidery, jeweled woodwork, bronze and wooden sculptures embellished with gold, mother-of-pearl inlays, and majestic crystal chandeliers that create a modern Egyptian aesthetic. It is a symbol of modern Egyptian glamour. The guests are surrounded by a refined design and can enjoy high-quality service, excellent culinary proposals, and a selection of bars and lounges. The building, with 39 floors, has 286 rooms, which are sumptuously furnished, three Royal Suites with a panoramic view on the Nile, and 80 luxury apartments for a unique experience in the Egyptian capital. 

Here, guests can pamper themselves surrounded by the opulence of the marvelous rooms inspired by the ancient Egyptian heritage. The polite and personalized service culminates with the signature St. Regis Butler service, to anticipate any customer’s need and satisfy their preferences thanks to exclusive attention for the entire stay. 

Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Resort, Abu Dhabi



The building, which last August 2020 marked the debut of the Luxury Collection in the capital of the Emirates, is located in the heart of Abu Dhabi. Inspired by local architecture and the rich history of the country, the resort has 103 rooms and villas decorated with traditional Arabian patterns, the mashrabiya (ventilation elements, typical of Arabian architecture), and accessories in typical bedouin style. Sober interiors and neutral tones are in harmony with the landscape surrounding this extraordinary retreat in the desert. In this far-off paradise, you can also enjoy some culinary pleasures: from the Lebanese menu proposed by the restaurant Bait Al Hanine to the elegant rooftop bar Al Mesayan, guests will not be spoiled for choice. The hotel offers many activities such as trips to the desert, encounters with local tribes to discover the medicinal uses of local plants, and tours to discover the beautiful natural landscape, for example, the sabkhas – large expanses of salt – and ponds with flamingos. 

This intimate and elegant shelter allows guests to enjoy the beauty of nature in peace. The Spa is the distinctive sign of the experience in this hotel, where guests can find their interior balances and go on a journey to individual wellness. The gastronomic proposals are interesting with restaurants that offer a majestic view of the desert dunes. 

Matild Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Budapest



 Built during the Belle Époque in 1902, the Matild Palace was erected under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Maria Clotilde of Sassonia-Coburgo and it boasts the premises to become the social hub of the capital.

The iconic palace, UNESCO World Heritage Site, is preparing to host a new hotel of the Luxury Collection, whose opening is expected in the second quarter of 2021. The design, curated by the English study MKV Design, combines the historical heritage and the liveliness of the modern city, which is constantly evolving. Located in the heart of the city and close to the Danube, the hotel is a spectacular starting point to discover the magic of Budapest or to simply taste the atmosphere staying inside the hotel, thanks to its restaurants and bars, such as the terrace with garden The Duchess, which hosts a liquor library, and the Matild Cafe and Cabaret, which brings you virtually to the beginning of 1900. Finally, the heart of the hotel: a luxury Spa inspired by the Hungarian thermal baths and decorated with marble elements and design furniture. 

The building combines a modern and sophisticated design and sumptuous elements of the Belle Époque. It is easy to travel with your imagination to that period thanks to the history of the building, conceived by Her Highness to welcome in the city those who enter from the Elisabeth Bridge. 

Travel with Manintown curated by Francesca Riggio

Lockdown Voices – a project to give voice to people

The pandemic has changed our life completely. We had to get used to staying at home all day, going out as little as possible, only for emergencies. Children and students have to follow lessons from their bedrooms. People, who used to take the train every day to go to work, now have to work from home in their living room: this is a new reality that we couldn’t even imagine. 

The lockdown has affected everyone’s life and has led to serious consequences, not only in economic terms but also in people’s health and psychology. 


During the UK’s first lockdown, University of East Anglia researchers launched a project to track the nation’s health through the lockdown. Their goal was to understand how it would impact people’s physical and mental health. 

They asked the participants to keep daily records on their lifestyle behavior such as diet, sleep, smoking, physical activity, drinking. The results revealed that people were eating less fruit and veg, getting less physical exercise, and drinking more alcohol.  

Then, many participants were interviewed about their lockdown experiences, giving life to Lockdown Voices, an oral histories project that tells people’s stories through recordings from their interviews. Listening to those recordings, everyone can identify and feel the same emotions because we all have experienced the same situation, for better or worse: Julie “lost all sense of purpose”; retired Geoff took up new hobbies; for Lauren, a university student, life “slowed down”; mum Gemma had to “fight a battle” each day working from home and taking care of her children. 

Here you can hear their full stories:  https://stories.uea.ac.uk/lockdown-voices/.

However, these are not just their stories. These are everyone’s stories. Every person has felt this way at least once during this difficult time since the pandemic and the lockdown have inevitably influenced people’s mental and physical state.

Brasserie in Paris: 3 famous and historical Parisian bistros

Paris is a charming city that deserves to be visited at least once in life. Everyone is entranced by the romantic and retro atmosphere of this city and by its beautiful districts such as Montmartre. If you go on a trip to the French capital, you cannot miss out to sit in a traditional Parisian brasserie. 

Here are three historical and famous Brasserie where to taste local dishes and experience the Parisian atmosphere:

Au Pied de Cochon  



Near the old Parisian market Les Halles, we can find Au Pied de Cochon, which holds the record of having never closed since the Liberation Day after the war. This brasserie was originally opened for those who worked at the market, that’s why it is still open 24 hours a day. It is the ideal place to eat a good meal late at night. Even at night, you will find tourists and celebrities keeping its atmosphere warm and cozy at any time. 

Brasserie Flo




This place is in a hidden courtyard that in the past hosted the stables of the adjoining palace. It is the perfect place for a romantic dinner. Known as the actress Sarah Bernhardt’s favorite restaurant, Brasserie Flo was initially called Chez Hans. It kept that name until, shortly before the First World War, it was plundered by the crowd of Parisians who were protesting against the Germans. Then, Monsieur Floderer furnished the place in Liberty style and gave it the splendor and finery of a real Parisian tavern. The menù is never the same, it changes every day and offers one of the 500 dishes that Flo proposes every year in rotation. The most popular dishes are the tartare steak, oysters in champagne sauce, and salty pork with lentils. 

Bofinger


It seems this is the oldest brasserie in Paris. True or not, the atmosphere of this place evokes the Belle Époque, with its wonderful glass vault. While tasting excellent seafood, you will enjoy interludes with waiters bumping into each other and making the dishes fall, or with femme fatale who seem to be right out of the Opéra Bastille. These funny scenes will make you feel like you were in a Disney cartoon set in the Ville Lumiere. 

Travel with Manintown curated by Francesca Riggio

Chef in Town: International food – traveling through flavors

We live in a globalized world where goods and people move freely on the whole Earth’s surface and make countries’ economies and cultures travel.

In a country like Italy that cares about food and is naturally exposed to cultural influences from different parts of the world, it is natural that the most compelling aspect about other cultures is their food and cuisine. We have to admit that some traditional dishes of various countries have stood out globally owing to factors such as the great representation of their nations and the high quality that they embody. 

It is no coincidence that Italians – especially young people interested in broadening their cultural horizons – have gradually turned to cuisines from the rest of the world. Trying their hand at cooking some specialties has become a fashion, particularly for dinners with friends. Moreover, the distribution network has boosted this wave of culinary adventures: given this growing interest in foreign countries, supermarkets have been equipped with specific products to cook international food. 

But which are the cultures that we love most? Let’s see two of them. 

JAPAN 


It was pretty obvious that Japan would be the first to be mentioned. Nowadays, Japanese cuisine is the most widespread in the world. The extraordinary variety of dishes, the incredible quality of products – mainly fishery products owing to the waters surrounding the country, rich in marvelous species of shellfish, and innumerable species of fish- have made Japanese cuisine the most appreciated worldwide (even more than the Italian one). Over time, restaurants that offer the best food of this tradition have been opened, where sushi reigns supreme. 

As a matter of fact, in Europe and the USA, people don’t often distinguish sushi from sashimi. The first one consists of rice balls with raw fish, avocado, and other variable ingredients. On the contrary, sashimi is the typical raw fish slice to eat without other condiments (except the soy sauce and, for the bravest, wasabi, a typical Japanese plant whose chopped root tastes extremely spicy). 

Besides the well-known sushi and sashimi, Japanese cuisine offers a series of soups such as Ramen, and many meat cuts, also appreciated by our supermarkets. 




INDIA 



The Indian tradition took more time than the Japanese one to establish itself in our market, probably because of widespread skepticism about the quality and hygiene of those parts of the world. However, a series of restaurants have led the way to this cuisine for a few years, making us realize that it is actually very good. 

What reigns in Indian culinary culture are spices, which give a unique touch to every dish. The most popular is curry, used in many ways but made famous by the typical curry chicken with Basmati rice. These exotic flavors and scents inevitably make your mind travel to those typical Indian landscapes and magical atmosphere emphasized by the beauty and peculiarity of the Mughal architecture, thus making Indian cuisine fascinating and increasingly widespread. 



Chef in Town- a food and beverage column curated by

Intl Editor Francesca Romana Riggio

CDLP: male underwear made in Sweden

Created in 2016 by ​​Christian Larson and Andreas Palm, CDLP is a Swedish male underwear brand. Its story begins after several trips of the founders, where the two designers discover how similar their taste in underwear was. Hence the idea of ​​creating a new solution for men’s underwear, a combination of sustainable fabrics and sewing techniques used for tailored trousers.



Today, the collection entirely represents men everyday life: from underwear to t-shirts but also leisure and sports opportunities such as swimwear, homewear and finally sports underwear. Breathability, comfort and silk-like softness distinguish underwear, such as lyocell, a future-oriented fiber that is naturally breathable and moisture wicking, as well as being wrinkle-resistant, durable and quick-drying.



In addition to lyocell, future-oriented materials in underwear can be found in bamboo socks, in tops with a blend of pima cotton and lyocell, performance clothing in rPET and swimwear in Econyl. Also suppliers are small-scale European, to breathe new life into obsolete products that mass production inevitably produces. Partners are carefully selected based on mutual values ​​to foster long-term and sustainable collaboration.



Discovering Florence through the senses: 5 things to see.

The Tuscan capital, the cradle of culture, history, and art, is the emblem of the perfect Italian city to go on a pleasant trip. The pleasure itself is the common thread of these five beautiful experiences taken into consideration. Florence is a place where the harmony between man and landscape finds its maximum expression, but it is also a lively and pleasurable city. Finding tours that allow discovering the city through the five senses is a great way to perceive its most authentic nature. 


Ponte Vecchio on the Arno river

5 things to do and see in Florence

Let’s see what to visit in Florence, taking into account tours of appreciated sites such as destinationflorence.com, an official website addressed to tourists, but also residents, about everything you can do in Florence to live an original experience in the Tuscan city. 

  1. Florence to see: walking tour
  2. Sensuality in Florence, a city to love
  3. The cradle of handcraft, explore Florence with touch
  4. Florence to taste: a triumph of flavors
  5. The harmony of nature: the fragrant gardens in Florence

Florence to see: walking tour

When visiting Florence, the most stimulated sense is the sight because you are immersed in the beauty wherever you look. The cheapest options, but no less interesting to discover Florence, are the walking tours that lead to the various pearls of Renaissance Florence. Rather than venturing alone, relying on certified tour guides explaining in your language enables you to concentrate exclusively on the city’s most fascinating places. The guides will tell all the most interesting anecdotes related to the well-known monuments from a local perspective. 


Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore

Sensuality in Florence, a city to love

One of the most particular tours in Florence is the one that makes you discover a forbidden city. The former brothels in Florence tell stories about licit and illicit love, romantic attachments, but also fatal betrayals. An expert guide will lead you to the lesser-known side of Florence, starting from the Colonna dell’Abbondanza (Column of Abundance) in Piazza della Repubblica. This tour develops abstractly through the various love affairs of one of the most romantic cities in the world and allows you to learn some curiosities about the “Florentine Madonne”. As benefits tours like these, the conclusion leads to the discovery of a sensual cocktail, born in Florence, which still pays tribute to its inventor, Count Camillo Negroni


Negroni cocktail

The cradle of handcraft, explore Florence with touch

The handcraft represents one of the excellence of the Tuscan capital, especially in sectors related to the production of accessories and jewelry. The tour ” explore Oltrarno” is the best option to discover an amazing area of Florence where it is possible to walk around craft shops and artistic masterpieces. With the tour offered by Destination Florence, one of the most valuable operators in the city, you can put yourself in the artisans’ shoes. Starting from the beautiful Piazza de’ Pitti, you can visit some still up and running laboratories where expert artisans produce gold and silver jewels and engravings. Then the tour reaches another site of interest, often underestimated by usual tourist itineraries, the marvelous Piazza Santo Spirito where you can find boutiques and studies of art. Seeing first-hand the artisan skills has never been so simple and fun. 

Florence to taste: a triumph of flavors

A cooking course in Florence is one of the most popular experiences. Led by a chef, you will discover the Tuscan gastronomic heritage, choosing only the best ingredients to cook traditional dishes. The course will take place in a cozy place where you can feel at ease and, before starting it, you can taste some food. You will learn how to cook delicious traditional dishes, such as bruschetta, handmade pasta, sauces, and dessert so that you can have dinner and know the ingredients of the meal. Everything, of course, will be accompanied by a good glass of Tuscan wine


Bruschetta

The harmony of nature: the fragrant gardens in Florence. 

As shown by the Officina Santa Maria Novella and the tradition of Florentine perfumers, the city gardens are a natural research laboratory. Those who have a refined olfactory sense can smell the scents from which they get the best perfumes. Six gardens in Florence, hidden behind majestic palaces, are green and botanic places waiting to be explored. The best known, including Bardini, Boboli, and the Garden of Roses, happen places where art, architecture, and nature harmoniously. Destination Florence’s tour gives the chance to use a luxury Mercedes minivan and, with an expert guide, let yourself be pampered by these natural lookouts in the city center. 

Besides being a stunning art city, Florence can be explored through a different lens, more immediate and sensual. All these tours are the perfect starting points for all those who want to be led by smell, touch, sight, and taste to discover Florence. 

Travel with Manintown curated by Francesca Riggio

3 Destinations for a weekend in South Tyrol

The Dolomites are the mountains that everyone in the world admires. They offer breathtaking skylines and atmospheres in every season. Over the years, they become increasingly a trendy destination that should not be missing from our summer plans. In South Tyrol, the famous names and the new Alpine hotels have every comfort. They are close to the ski lifts for an immediate start to the day of exploration, or far away from it all to hear only the silence of the trees: they have sensational spas and pools with forest views, and finally they certainly feature gourmet or starred restaurants. Here are three addresses for a weekend dedicated to nature and Bien Vivre.


Hotel Tyrol

Selva di Valgardena, a refined summer and winter resort, is famous for being part of the <<Sellaronda ski area>>, in the largest Dolomites.

The uniqueness of this “house” (the typical and most suitable term to define the place) lies in making guests feel at “home,” in a familiar place with an alpine mood where there are touches of contemporaneity, such as the refined gourmet cuisine and the latest generation spa, followed by the staff always ready to pamper.

After all, tradition is a timeless strength, according to the owners Bibiana Dirler, and Maurizio Micheli, who have managed to keep it alive, enriching and improving it with contemporary comforts. There is a spa made with typical materials of the territory. At the gourmet restaurant Suinsom (a typical South Tyrolean stube), which is also open to the public, you can enjoy traditional dishes reinterpreted in a modern way by chef Alessandro Martellini in a romantic yet convivial atmosphere.



Hotel Lamm

The Hotel Lamm in Castelrotto has returned to its former glory after a careful restyling that has managed to combine the charm of tradition, slightly revised, with a modern and elegant design. It locates on the slopes of the Alpe di Siusi, in the center of a medieval village. The restaurant Zum Lampl is the temple of chef Marc Oberhofer, who every day offers traditional South Tyrolean specialties reinterpreted and created using only local, seasonal, high-quality ingredients from South Tyrol. The adjoining bar, on the other hand, is the focal point for guests and locals alike. With its large windows looking out onto Castelrotto’s main square, it is a vantage point for observing village life. The spa on the top floor of the hotel is spectacular: a spacious and elegant wellness area.


Alpina Dolomites Health Lodge & Spa

Buildings made of wood, stone, and glass, perfectly integrated into the environment, combine attractive design and eco vocation of the Alpina Dolomites Health Lodge & Spa, a 5-star hotel of the Leading Hotels of the World chain, whose structure is all-around sustainable. The Lodge locates in Compatsch (1860 m), at the western end of the plateau. It is near the mountain station of the gondola from Siusi to Alpe di Siusi. If, in addition to hiking, you are looking for wellness, this is the right choice, thanks to the holistic Alpina SPA, the hotel’s flagship, which was awarded at the Spa Traveller Awards as Best Spa Hotel / Resort and for the best Detox Program.

Cover: Hotel Tyrol

Travel with Manintown curated by Francesca Riggio

Text by: Massimiliano Benetazzo

Horoscope for March 2021: Stars & Styles

Welcome to Stars and Styles, our NEW monthly horoscope appointment, with the guidance of Astro-coach Massimo Giannone, renowned astrologer. Gifted with exceptional sensitivity, he reads with a methodical eye and interprets with the gift of intuition. Giannone has literally conquered the heart of Italy, starting from Milan, the capital of fashion and publishing, with his fixed appointments on Il Sole 24 Ore and Gioia.

His method has also conquered the high-end fashion industry, which has led him to be the protagonist of fashion events and promotional tours throughout Italy for brands such as Maliparmi and Prairie. His approach, far from generic, enters the psychological and soul aspect of the personalities linked to the zodiacal sign, with a perceptive interpretative key that is aimed at providing advice for rebirth, rebuilding.

Experiences are teachings, if you learn to grasp their directives, your life can change completely” says Massimo Giannone.

Curated by Francesca Romana Riggio

Text by Astro Coach Massimo Giannone

Illustrations by Maria Lombardi


Aries – Everything in our existence seems to come from Chaos. In ancient Greek mythology, it is said that in the beginning was only Chaos, a powerful and malevolent divinity that generated Fate. Erebus was the dark and the Parcae determined the destiny of men from the disorder of these deities. Then, more positive figures were created such as Venus, the goddess of love, Gea, and many others who restored the order. 

Dear Aries friends, to sort out your daily life, you need a path of sharing and union with others, you cannot always do everything yourself. It is necessary to join others to better find solutions, as they say: “unity is strength.”

Love: with the moon in the sign on the 14th of March, you will be able to take the right initiatives and, your spirit, close to the needs of your partner, will help you remedy some situations that do not work in your relationship. Young people will have to avoid isolating themselves to steal someone’s heart, preferring affinity to irony. 

Career: to increase revenue, it will be necessary to create a team. If not possible, try to relate to your loved ones and ask them for advice. Go through with what you start and keep you updated with your job, maybe by attending a specialization course or reading articles about your field.” It is necessary to unite, not to stand together, but to do something together” claimed Goethe, a German writer and playwright.

Your Path: Collaborating with others to pursue an idea, a project, and to achieve a goal helps overcome obstacles. An exchange of opinions with other people allows you to broaden your mind; a sane confrontation simplifies your own path. This is a way to implement your resources through the viewpoint of several people who analyze together the situation by monitoring positive and negative feedback dictated by past experience, thus satisfying not only the personal interest but also the collective one.


Taurus – Dissatisfaction is a useful emotion for people to report something wrong in their paths. It is a warning that suggests changing direction so that you can improve aspects of your daily life.

In the song by Fiorella Mannoia “Fighter”, a part of the melody says:” It’s a rule to be applied in the whole universe/Those who do not fight for something have already lost/ And even though fear makes you tremble/ I have never given up fighting.”This song talks about the positive and negative events that happen to all of us over time; we fight every day to make sense of our life that flows through joy and sorrow while time is rushing by. It is an invitation to look at the future with wisdom and without illusion, and especially an invitation to fight.

Dear Taurus friends, Jupiter and Saturn will bring you some dissatisfaction, not to punish you but to give you new opportunities.

Love: it will be necessary to mitigate your vision and look for new stimuli in your relationship. Try to surprise your partner with an unusual attitude or with a simple smile. This will lead to new situations of harmony and understanding in your relationship. 

Career: don’t let pessimistic thoughts bring you down if work is not going as you’d like. Instead, look for new incentives, try to set your limits, and react by questioning yourself and asking for help from someone who has a clearer view.” Those who are not satisfied with what they have would not be satisfied even if they had what they desire,” said Socrates, a Greek philosopher. 

Your Path: you need to avoid dissatisfaction becoming permanent in your soul, otherwise you will have difficulty in finding new stimuli. If you look into the causes of your disappointment, you can create reactive and benevolent energies, you can eliminate frustration and realize that every obstacle is a means to change and improve yourself. Avoid extreme self-criticism and look at the future that always gives new and positive expectations.


Gemini – A genuine authenticity leads the human being to the truth, in a path where there is no misunderstanding. The truth cannot be the non-truth. 

Oscar Wilde claimed:” Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” However, it is not always easy to be ourselves; in a certain way, our societies impose on us a role that does not allow us to reveal ourselves, so wearing a mask is more convenient.

We should behave as children do: they express their feelings with authentic spontaneity, naivety and curiosity. Authentic individuals let go of negative people, they express what they think clearly and they don’t care if others disagree. They overcome anxiety through their self-confidence and stay true to what they think. 

Dear Gemini friends, your path is not easy, but this is necessary to solve some problems. With the help of Saturn, you will have to let go of what it’s not good for you to become more genuine. 

Love: you will give more space to your partner’s needs, with an attitude based on trust and respect for others’ necessities, discerning good and evil in everything with great authenticity.

Career: a great liveliness, together with your friendly and communicative nature, will help you overcome obstacles, establishing clear boundaries between what you desire and what you can actually achieve. Rewards and earnings are coming. “You will learn at your expense that in life’s long journey you will meet many masks and few true faces,” said Luigi Pirandello, an Italian playwright and writer.

Your Path: a frank attitude leads to paths of evolution, which others might not fully understand, but it will be necessary to obtain a deeper spirit and get rid of what you won’t need anymore, as well. You will replace your old identity with a new one that relies on truth and profundity. Frivolity and negligence will become part of your past. 


Cancer – Being rational means having a logical approach and behaving in a balanced manner to reach specific goals. 

In his studies on cognitive psychology, Herbert Alexander Simon, economist and psychologist, deals with the so-called “Olympic rationality” describing it as if it was made of two contracts, one of which is completed and the other one is not. He uses an image to illustrate the effects: one hand grabbing an object firmly and the other one trembling. If you are determined and have a clear vision, you will grab the object with confidence and determination. 

Dear Cancer friends, this is the path to follow this month. With a great sense of reasoning, it will be necessary to pursue your set goals with determination, being aware of your own means. 

Love: resentment might be a deterrent and spoil the serenity of your evenings. Non-benevolent Pluto does not bring out the best of you. A non-contradictory attitude, together with self-esteem might be the right key to giving balance to your relationship. Be clear and show your interest to those you love. 

Career: You need to be more cooperative and avoid closing yourself off to others’ opinions and views. Try to be generous and unselfish towards your partners and colleagues. You have excellent opportunities to make a profitable investment. “A mind is like a parachute. It doesn’t work if it is not open,” claimed Albert Einstein, a German physicist. 

Your Path: If you are determined and have a clear vision, you will grab the object with confidence and determination. Never lose your temper when you do not accept things. Instead, act rationally, maybe not immediately, but with clarity of purpose and determination at the right moment.


Leo – According to Tommaso D’Aquino, it is allowed to tolerate religious diversity because faith is the work of the Divine Grace and, consequently, it’s not up to man to judge. 

Voltaire, a French philosopher and historian, in his treatise on tolerance, describes his vision about freedom of religion, which must be based on respect for others’ ideas and opinions in order to build a civil society.

This is still a current issue. Nowadays, in many parts of the world, “the different one” is being persecuted instead of being integrated into society as an opportunity for dialogue. 

Dear Leo friends, during this difficult phase, owing to Saturn’s opposition and Uranus challenging your tolerance, you will need to revise your attitude. Be leaders, but also humble and, above all, tolerant. 

Love: you will have the chance to restore your relationship with a romantic and selfless attitude. In this way, you will overcome recent misunderstandings, you will find happiness and intimacy with your partner. 

Career: At work, someone or something will get on your nerves. Be tolerant and discuss without judgment, accepting different opinions. In this way, you will be appreciated and obstacles will turn into new beneficial opportunities for you, too. “The golden rule of conduct is mutual toleration, seeing that we will never all think alike and we shall see Truth in fragment and from different angles of vision,” claimed Mahatma Gandhi, an Indian politician, philosopher and lawyer. 

Your Path: It is possible to create a balanced and harmonious environment through respectful behavior towards others’ ideas, even though they are not in tune with yours. Respect and tolerance towards what is different lead to dialogues that can improve our society. 


Virgo – Everyone often faces unclear situations. Emotions can be a strong deterrent to your behavior; doubts and perplexities push you to react impulsively when instead you should meditate wisely and let time give you a chance to get back to certainty and clarity. 

In a song by Carmen Consoli, “A plastic love”, she talks about the renunciation of an inconsistent love. A part of the melody says:” I wanted to be stronger than all your doubts, but I can’t settle for it if all you can give me is a plastic love“. Let’s not settle, let’s overcome our uncertainties even though they might lead to a loss. 

Dear Virgo friends, this phase will be characterized by great fragility and a sense of helplessness that could make you react unproperly. 

Love: excessive stress can lead you to isolate yourself from your partner. This might be useful, but only if it is without anger and silence. Instead, explain your needs. Be patient and sympathetic. 

Career: you need to lighten the load. It is okay to have your own responsibilities, but you need to give yourself time and focus on your needs. Thanks to your tenacity, you will achieve excellent results.” The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent full of doubt“, said Bertrand Russel, a philosopher. 

Your Path: Everyone often faces unclear situations. Emotions can be a strong deterrent to your behavior; doubts and concerns push you to react impulsively when instead you should meditate wisely and let time give you a chance to get back to certainty and clarity. I think that true love is the solution to many afflictions. Donating gives comfort to the soul even more than receiving. 


Libra – Myth and philosophy tend to explain what surrounds us through observation and reasoning. While the first one sticks to a description, an association with a deity, philosophy tries to go deeply into the truth and understand it through critical analysis.

In a song by Louis Armstrong “What a Wonderful World”, the singer observes the beauty that surrounds us, reflects on the meaning of life and the diversity of humankind and tries to give hope to the future. In a part of the song he describes the world like this: ” I see skies so blue and clouds so white. The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night. And I think to myself: what a wonderful world.” These beautiful lyrics convey the beauty of everything and give a little hope at this time of great social difficulties. 

Dear Libra friends, with favorable Jupiter and Mercury, your phase turns out to be full of opportunities. However, you have to think carefully about the best way to go. 

Love: This moment turns out to be very positive to clear away the cobwebs and the bad mental intentions of your recent past. Through a lightness of mind and attention to the needs of those who love you, you can reach peaks of harmony and stability.

Career:  youwill be able to dose clearly between personal and business needs. A careful vision of what you really need will definitely lead to rewards and earnings. Perhaps review your work several times so every detail will be successful. “Learning without reflection is a waste. Reflection without learning is dangerous“, said Confucius, a Chinese philosopher. 

Your Path: being conscious leads to a high level of maturity in dealing with any daily occurrence. Pondering and reflecting helps you have the right view by adopting the best behavior. Like a wave propagating through different means, reflecting helps you change direction towards more appropriate destinations. A soul lights up through the understanding of the dynamics that surround us. 


Scorpio – Who among us does not have vices? It is easy to look at those of others and judge. Sometimes a simple word can hurt the other person. It is always necessary to weigh your words before you speak to avoid harming yourself and others, understanding that words are powerful, for better or worse. Understanding what we do educates us to respect, not to want to do to others what we do not want to be done to us. This is a pearl of fundamental wisdom because it lays the foundations for a better world. 

In the myth, Mercury, the messenger of gods, was willing to lie in order to get anything. But it is also said that he separated two snakes that were fighting, making peace between them. There is a double aspect of the same myth, sometimes the wise prevailed, other times the scoundrel like it is in each of us: a struggle between a positive polarity and a negative one. Only through the right word that is said to the soul, you choose the best way.

Dear Scorpio friends, saying the right word to your soul will be the way to follow. This time turns out to be favorable, but you need to control everything you do and analyze it carefully before making any decision. 

Love: with favorable Pluto and Neptune, you can enjoy pleasant news, but you need to put an end to your past that still afflicts you, because you think you did not deserve such a treatment. Live for today and tomorrow and forget any rivalry that might make you miss the opportunity to experience something new. 

Career: at work, with a clear vision of your task management, you will be able to share and give advice to people around you with the right word at the right time. This will lead you to receive support from your colleagues. This is a great time to make investments. “We are the masters of our silence, we are slaves of our words” claimed Sigmund Freud.

Your Path: Who among us does not have vices? It is easy to look at those of others and judge them. Sometimes a simple word can hurt the other person. It is always necessary to weigh your words before you speak to avoid harming yourself and others, understanding that words are powerful, for better or worse. Understanding what we do educates us to respect, not to want to do to others what we do not want to be done to us. This is a pearl of fundamental wisdom because it lays the foundations for a better world.


Sagittarius – The young Hemingway describes Milan as the romantic city par excellence. As a matter of fact, when he was still unknown, he had joined the army, but having had eyesight problems, he was recruited as a driver of the Red Cross. On one occasion, he was injured and had to recover at the hospital, where he fell in love with a nurse. He had such feelings for her that when he wrote to his parents to tell them about Milan, he also talked about Agnes, his great love, which remained only platonic.

Every feeling remains engraved in our soul and, even though we do not experience it, it leads us to a dream state that leaves important marks in our life’s story. 

Dear Sagittarius friends, despite Mars’ opposition, you will be highly prone to romanticism, an emotional force that will make you feel alive. You will have to capture the intensity of these moments, without wondering what happens next.

Love: You will escape conventional limits to experience something rousing out of the traditional standards of living. Aside from overwhelming passions, you will also find some obstacles. 

Career: At work, having this romantic side will help you look at things from a different angle. You can also turn difficulties into challenges to overcome. With such feelings, everything becomes possible. It is a state of grace that makes every chance achievable. How wonderful to live with romantic feelings! The reason is contrasted with an emotion that stimulates new professional paths. Be strategic but also passionate and romantic. 

“Romanticism is what touches sensitivity and invites her to emotion,” said Atsuro Tayama, a Japanese designer. 

Your path: a sentimental world, where the soul is dreamy, arouses an enchanted reality in people. You observe the details and the beauty of nature; you look forward to reliving your encounters that have evoked this state of mind. Live every single moment without wondering why. 


Capricorn – In mathematics, a surface is a geometric shape that has only two dimensions, without thickness, it can be limited or unlimited. In law, those who own a piece of land also own what is on it unless they make concessions creating two estates. In life, it is important to go beyond the surface: you have the chance to face problems and, through a good analysis, you see the pros and cons of everything. 

Dear Capricorn friends, it’s time to go beyond the surface. You already have a profound spirit; your seed symbolizes a seed in the ice, an apparent death that is full of life. You will find a way to overcome fears and perplexities through a clear dialogue. 

Love: Uranus stimulates your inner self; passions will be more intense if you open the door of your heart. Your originality will help you, but you need to make an effort and accept others’ limits.

Career: at work, you will be talented and quick to take the opportunities given to you. Instead of making too many commitments, you should undertake tasks you enjoy so that every challenge will spur your creative flair.  “When I got to this place, the land was shapeless and empty; the darkness covered the seabed, the spirit of God rose to the surface,” said Khalil Gibran, a Lebanese philosopher.

Your Path: Going deep is a journey that many people fear. However, it is an attitude that helps you deal with life differently, beyond your scars. It connects you with others and gives you the chance to understand them and yourself because the path that provides the answers is in the dialogue with others and not in a self-closure. Trusting others opens a new dimension where perceptions are better and allow you to find new harmonies. 


Aquarius – In the song “Heroes” David Bowie describes how everyone can be a hero, even just for one day. “I will be king/ And you will be queen/ Though nothing will drive them away/ We can beat them, just for one day/ We can be heroes, just for one day.” A story of an impossible love during the Berlin Wall’s existence, two lovers separated by the wall challenging two conflicting powers and risking their lives for love.

Dear Aquarius friends, with Mercury, Jupiter and Saturn in the sign, you will have the right motivation to follow new paths in your life. The cycles that conclude are not always easy and they seem to have no end but thanks to your determination, bravery and the right motivation you will set out to a renewal, which will lead you to overcome the loneliness of your soul. 

Love: many people of the sign have ended an important relationship or have experienced tensions that are not easy to deal with. At last, the stars will be favorable to the birth of a new love or to the overcoming of misunderstandings between the couple. Even your friendships will be renewed with great and new people you will meet.

Career: with unfavorable Uranus during this phase, avoid being impulsive. You can put an end to your dissatisfactions through a new motivation, which will lead you to make the most of your resources. “We do not know a truth without knowing its cause,” claimed Aristotle, a Greek philosopher. 

Your Path: many factors push people towards goals in different spheres of everyday life. However, if you do not have the right motivation you risk taking the wrong path. Obstacles, pain and stress often take your motivation away and you will feel apathetic, unable to act on yourself. What to do? First and foremost, you need to avoid pleasing others and analyze in depth what makes you feel good. Try to do what you like with high control of yourself, thus overcoming fears that do not allow you to believe in your success. 


Pisces – Anxieties and worries change our behavior, they lead us to restlessness and prevent us from being objective. 

Alda Merini, an Italian poetess, said:” I am very unquiet when I am tied to space“, this is the suffering caused by a reality with boundaries and limits that can not be crossed. 

The challenges in life are never easy to face. For each of us, our own problem is the biggest to solve, we no longer sleep peacefully, we are upset about it, and bad thoughts often invade and fill us with negative energies. 

Dear Pisces friends, with Mercury and Saturn in the sign, you will have enough energies to deal with an anxious state of mind caused by your tendency to take too many responsibilities, even not yours. 

Love: Uranus will help you unblock the situation of instability with your partner or your differences of opinion. Don’t feel overwhelmed and try to make the qualitative leap you need, maybe by giving each other your own responsibilities. This is a happy phase for the young people of the sign: exciting meetings are coming. 

Career: at work, you will have to go beyond your usual attitude. Avoid accumulating tensions and say what you think but with great understanding. New professional experiences are coming, don’t hold back. “Restlessness and impatience are two diseases and both of them shorten life“, said Mahatma Gandhi, an Indian philosopher. 

Your Path: First, you need to understand precisely what is bad for you and find a new inner attitude. There is a remedy for everything. You can achieve peace also with the help of breathing techniques, meditation, yoga. But if you are highly stressed you need to ask for help, without hesitation. 

C.L.A.S.S. the Manifesto for Responsible Fashion

It is an annual competition that rewards a creative visionary who combines design, responsible innovation, and communication. It is the Call to Action launched to find the C.L.A.S.S. ICON 2021 by Giusy Bettoni of C.L.A.S.S. in the Smart Voices panel <<C.L.A.S.S. ICON: Award and Manifesto for a responsible fashion>> directed by the green journalist Diana de Marsanich.

On February 10, the event featured fashion designer Gilberto Calzolari, the beneficiary of the international award for visionary creatives in the fashion world C.L.A.S.S. ICON Award 2020, and Federico Poletti, Marketing and Communication Director of WHITE SHOW.

The Smart Voice presented the C.L.A.S.S. Manifesto for Responsible Fashion, the 2021 edition of the C.L.A.S.S. ICON competition and the Sustainability Formula.

The international award is for visionary creatives in the fashion world who can convey the values of sustainability. “We created C.L.A.S.S. ICON rewards visionary designers who create their collections by combining design, innovation responsibility and who can authentically and effectively communicate to consumers the values behind their garments. It’s time to align story making and storytelling, otherwise, it’s just greenwashing,” says Giusy Bettoni.

From February 15 to April 15, it will be possible to apply by sending an e-mail to [email protected]. We ask for a description and objectives of the brand, the values of sustainability adopted and the strategy, the designer’s profile, a photo-video story of the last collection, any previous awards won (all info on the site www.classecohub.org).

During the panel, designer Gilberto Calzolari, the first C.L.A.S.S. ICON Award winner shared his vision for responsible fashion and current projects. “My brand is a laboratory of experimentation. I create fashion to open conversations and change the way people behave and think. My creativity, from the choice of fabrics and processes to the image I decide to communicate, are the weapons at my disposal.  From the very first moment, I was really excited to team up with C.L.A.S.S. to share a stimulating common path, with a view to becoming part of a network in continuous growth and mutual support. I have always conceived my collections as a call to action for a better future and now more than ever, my mission as C.L.A.S.S. ICON is to make people understand that sustainability can and should go hand in hand with beauty and elegance. The adage “kalòs kai agathòs” is one of the classical teachings that should never be forgotten: aesthetics in my opinion is inseparable from ethics. That’s why I don’t just target professionals in the sector, but also the end consumer, fashion enthusiasts, and beyond,” says Gilberto.

Giusy Bettoni concludes: “A Manifesto for fashion with the lowest possible impact on the planet and on the health of people and animals thanks to responsible innovation, perfectly suited to the challenges of contemporary lifestyle. That’s why I created the Sustainability Formula, which exists only when we combine design, responsible innovation and are able to track and measure the impact of products and processes and communicate their values in an appropriate way. In a word, when there is knowledge“.

Horoscope for February 2021: Stars & Styles

Welcome to Stars and Styles, our NEW monthly horoscope appointment, with the guidance of Astro-coach Massimo Giannone, renowned astrologer. Gifted with exceptional sensitivity, he reads with a methodical eye and interprets with the gift of intuition. Giannone has literally conquered the heart of Italy, starting from Milan, the capital of fashion and publishing, with his fixed appointments on Il Sole 24 Ore and Gioia.

His method has also conquered the high-end fashion industry, which has led him to be the protagonist of fashion events and promotional tours throughout Italy for brands such as Maliparmi and Prairie. His approach, far from generic, enters the psychological and soul aspect of the personalities linked to the zodiacal sign, with a perceptive interpretative key that is aimed at providing advice for rebirth, rebuilding.

Experiences are teachings, if you learn to grasp their directives, your life can change completely” says Massimo Giannone.

Curated by Francesca Romana Riggio

Text by Astro Coach Massimo Giannone

Illustrations by Maria Lombardi



Aries“Personality is like a charioteer with two headstrong horses, each wanting to go in different directions.”, Martin Luther King.

Consistency and personality will be the motto for this month as you share your plans balancing in every area of daily life.

In The Great Gatsby, directed by Baz Luhrmann, tells the story of an aspiring writer named Nick, who is in a psychiatric hospital to treat alcohol addiction. During a visit, Nick recounts with difficulty his arrival in New York and a man who fascinated him with his qualities, but he struggles to express himself. The doctor advises him to write this story with characters of dubious morality that somehow give him lessons. Here he meets Gatsby.

Gatsby is a business tycoon who holds beautiful parties at his estate every weekend, and Nick is invited to one of these parties the two become friends and live many gimmicks together. The film ends with Gatsby’s death and realizes that he is his only true friend and that he was the only one who knew his truths. Nick stands in the deserted house and thinks about his predisposition to Hope, rowing his thoughts toward a present that no longer leads to the past.

Dear Aries friends, a great lesson has been learned by you, and that is: we are today and tomorrow and not yesterday.

Love:  you will have a new style in expressing your feelings, with more depth, and with beneficial Saturn, you will reach unexpected goals and high balances in your relationship.

Career: excellent organizational skills and good vision will make this phase exceptional, both in earnings and in relationships with others.

Your Path: a profound transformation is taking place in your soul and personality. You will refine your ability to perceive. You will control your instincts and know how to act sparingly and powerfully. However, do not look back and rejoice in the future. If you cannot express yourself, write what you think.



Taurus“Passions are not virtues, but natural impetuses: they are not acquired by free acts but precede human speech. They do not perfect the soul, but perturb the heart and alter the semblance”, Salvator Rosa.

“Impetus” is a bursting force, an uncontainable determination that affects people in front of it. In contrast, there is “caution”: the control to better manage this force aroused by Mars and Uranus.

Angela Hewitt, one of the most famous pianists, begins every performance with an extraordinary impetus, virtuosity, and high control of her instrument. She suggests to the audience enthusiasm, a great desire to wait for the silence to manifest with the applause the joy and the passion transmitted. A journey through the notes emanated with a mastery that creates a fantastic dimension, unique, indescribable.

Harmonies that lead to freedom, to not thinking in immersing oneself in vibrations that, despite the rigor and coldness of the execution, leave room only for astonishment and wonder.

Everything, even impetus and, rigor can, if managed well, create perfect harmonies. The secret is to dose and not be won by extremes, by passion.

Dear Taurus friends, with Mars and Uranus in the sign receiving antagonistic energies from Venus and Mercury, the control to be adopted will be on the verbal and emanation of your feelings.

Love: some aspects are emerging, and they do not work in your relationship. This does not mean that it will be necessary to make impulsive and drastic decisions. You can overcome crises if you control your emotions and manage your nervousness.

Career:  in work, Uranus gives you creative skills that will allow you to win colleagues’ trust and implement solutions to obstacles with grit and determination.

Your path: every experience comes in our lives to teach us something. An obstacle can turn into an opportunity if you choose the best reaction. The most appropriate path for you is the reliability that your sign represents: but also the wait, give time to those who love you to get in tune with you.



Gemini“In all affairs it’s a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted.”, Bertrand Russell.

In a song by a famous Italian group formed in 2002, Modà, “If you could not die,” part of the melody talks about certainties. “If you could keep more promises. And in return, have the certainty, the roses will bloom without thorns. If you could not die…”

It’s a beautiful meditation of a vision of a different world, an imagination of a world where we give more sense of beauty to what surrounds us. Nothing is for granted, not even the sun’s warmth, and in this understanding have in return the certainties, which we often lack in our existence.

In an imaginary world where we understand everything that surrounds us, we can create a new vision. A world with a new idea allows us to realize what was wrong and what was not letting us enjoy the beauties that are already a reality but that our needs had obscured through our limitations.

Dear Gemini, with benevolent Jupiter from May, you are moving towards new visions, new perspectives, solid points, and certainties that will be part of your daily life.

Love: with the node in the sign for the whole year, you will emanate great depth in the relationship, you will observe every aspect of your relationship, and you will know how to act decisively towards those who love you, evolving the ties in a more intense level.

Career: you will have an evolutionary path: the futile will be opposed to the essence, the necessary things, no impulses, and a lot of consistency, affirmation, and professional solidity will be the natural consequence of this growth.

Your path: you gain high growth, through understanding past mistakes, you move toward an era of certainty and solidity. However, the goals achieved are also the results of our history. Nothing is lost, not even the negative experiences, because it is through their understanding that we advance towards more beautiful, more pure shores.



Cancer“The gifts, believe me, captivate both men and Gods,” Ovid.

Buddha taught that generosity is a practice that not only benefited others but gave joy to the souls who practiced it. Through this path, you can offer material goods, teachings, help in difficulties and advise a pathway suitable for others. It is a discipline that allows you with reasonableness to understand what is acceptable and not. It also lets you comprehend patience and concentration because, through this discipline, a positive force-feeds and grows within us. 

It is a journey for the soul, through which you will understand that vibrations make us and, if we are not in the right frequencies, we transmit things that then cause discomfort, tension, unhappiness. 

Dear Cancer friends, astral aspects give positive indications. Still, they need some help: it is necessary to seek the right harmonies and to understand that improving ourselves will improve the world around us. 

Love: you will be able to unite in one body with your loved one. Transmit the right values and eliminate bad habits. These are the causes that have made for a long time your history fluctuating and without solidity.

Career: gifts that you never thought you had will emerge, a renewal with the help of Neptune in Pisces, which will stimulate your creativity. Efforts will be necessary, never lose heart and continue in the struggles. Practices will not be lacking.

Your path: giving to oneself is one of the most complex experiences because the thought of not deserving afflicts many souls. Deep awareness is needed to reach the dimension of gratification, then everything that seemed impossible becomes a reality because we create events and give them a volume. 



Leo“We have not journeyed across the centuries, across the oceans, across the mountains, across the prairies, because we are made of sugar candy.”, Winston Churchill

The work of the shepherd is one of the most ancient in the world.

In ancient tales and paintings, they are a symbol of serenity and peace.

Even in mythology, we speak of them as loved by gods for their strength and beauty; one of these Aci, a Sicilian shepherd, even made a nymph refuse the love of a Cyclops. Neptune admiring the young man, turned him into a mountain that flowed a stream to rejoin his beloved water nymph.

In reality, however, this profession is very hard, filled with many privations, difficulties, and much commitment to face the daily hostilities.

Dear Leo friends, there are many hostilities to face with Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus in opposition. But with commitment and willpower, you will be able to get the better of obstacles.

Love: there will be no lack of solidity in the couple. You will have to help those who love you with tolerance: however, eros will be high. Try to be hostile or to manifest dissent. It would only feed the tensions.

Career: alas, a lot of pitfalls. Colleagues and unexpected situations can put a strain on your serenity. With commitment and dedication, especially without being pervaded by fears, you will find a way to overcome everything.

Your path: through one’s determination, it is possible to reach unbelievable achievements by holding firmly to one’s principles and attitude: each individual can overcome himself and get to unimaginable goals. Everything is possible with commitment, like a good shepherd who observes nature’s cycles and harmonizes with it.



VirgoLove should dare everything when it has everything to fear. Bernard-Joseph Saurin.

A song by Malika Ayane opens with: “You can go where you want, against the tide or never risk following footprints if you lack air.” 

And ends with: “There’s no laughing however I go The veracious friendliness how hard is it to think about it never dare is to ask you how are you.”

We can build a whole life out of habit, and it eventually manages to take possession of us. It is necessary to give depth to the things we live; otherwise, life itself loses meaning.

Daring and endangering are a content of our life that gives depth, in love but also our every moment, daring to go beyond the void or non-action, makes us friendly and maybe ask “how are you?

Dear Virgo friends, with Neptune in opposition, a sort of spiritual goodness could pervade you. A lack of creative vision and an emptiness built up with habits should be fought with daring, avoiding useless escapes.

Love: it will be necessary to understand how to relate to the loved one: avoiding putting them in difficulty with an attitude lacking understanding. It would be better to comfort them with kindness and support. 

Career: your perseverance will reward you, pay attention to oversights, and maybe check your work several times. It would help if you also prepared the ground for the following months: the stars recommend further training.

Your path: overcoming one’s fears leads to unexpected victories, overcoming events, and situations that are not easy to resolve. Finding the strength to dare gives opportunities, new paths that lead to overcoming risks, a stubbornness that often has a constructive ending.



Libra“Take life lightly, for lightness is not superficial, but gliding above things, not having weights on your heart.”, Italo Calvino.

Grasping what happens with lightness and a positive spirit helps us to go beyond that veil that is always present before us, the uncertain and unknown future.

Through great determination, every expedient can be faced with depth. This way, we also understand what superficiality is, and we can be more careful without leaving anything out.

We struggle between the superfluous and what is truly useful for us. We can drive away negative thoughts to build a reality devoid of judgment and aware of our infinite possibilities.

Dear Libra friends, after so many unpleasant events, the stars will be benevolent with you. Tension and worries will ease with favorable Saturn and Jupiter, but you will have to give your inner self lightness and choose paths free of judgment and unnecessary ballast.

Love: many of the signs will live a phase of intense emotions. The clouds experienced will be driven away by unanimous bursting and joy, through which you will involve your affections. There is great news for singles around mid-month.

Career: you will have a profound vision of what to do and manage with a good dose of ingenuity the tasks that will be entrusted to you. Even in relationships, you will be able to advise colleagues and acquaintances who will appreciate your help.

Your path: carry in the soul the difficulties with a positive attitude gives the opportunity to acquire a more harmonious vision of events, observe them from a different plane, and find a light that leads towards the solution. Seize opportunities.



Scorpio“Your confidence in the people, and your doubt about them, are closely related to your self-confidence and your self-doubt.”, Kahlil Gibran.

The writer Sibilla Aleramo, in her book “Una donna” (A woman), tells how difficult it is for women of her time to assert themselves in a male chauvinist world. An awareness of how the traditions, the roots, prevent the equality of rights, the traditionalist man wants his partner dedicated to taking care of household chores, children of the kitchen, thus depriving her of alternatives, of her realization in the social contest, to follow their passions.

An autobiographical book where she decides to leave her husband and her son to follow her path and fight the relationship’s constraints. 

Ideals of affirmation and dignity give her the strength to fight traditions through awareness: an initiative that brings suffering and the freedom to manage her inclinations.

Dear Scorpio friends, settling down to situations will not help: it’s all very well to accept, but you must also have the strength to emerge from the doldrums in which you live. The accumulation is never positive. From time to time, it is necessary to assert your needs, perhaps gradually and not as an impetus, to avoid the risk of being extreme.

Love: you have accepted something that was not right in the relationship for a long time: many of the signs have come to limits that were no longer able to withstand, up to the point of breaking or cold and detachment. In this new path, the energies are favorable: you must not give way to the others’ bad habits to take over in your daily life.

Career: Uranus in Taurus is not favorable. Many difficulties to face but innovating you will overcome any problem.

Your path: the inability to react to events gives a kind of fatigue, a desire not to act, an apathetic attitude because tired of living the same dynamics. It is necessary to change course, find new stimuli, revive the inner strength to drive away from the pessimism that could pervade you. There is a solution to everything. Just trigger the right mechanisms. Start from power and will, which you do not lack, Scorpio.



Sagittarius“The future is a door, the past is the key.”, Victor Hugo.

In the Zibaldone, a manuscript of thoughts and philological questions, a sort of diary of his ideas written for fifteen years, Leopardi tells of his reflections far back in time. Studies he had previously made and then modified and corrected in the following time even many years later, with a new lucidity, new experiences.

“Reason is the enemy of every greatness: Reason is the enemy of nature: nature is excellent, Reason is small”…(Zibaldone).

In short, a man will be great if illusions can not win him. In nature, there are no contradictions; everything is natural, and so should be the great man.

Dear friends of Sagittarius, it is useless to rehash past stories. It is necessary to turn your gaze to the future, drawing inspiration from past teachings and winning the soul’s contradictions through the experience gained.

Love: with the Favors of Venus, you will give liveliness and warmth to your relationship. Your needs will be reciprocated by those who love you, and the chemistry will be high, syntony, and omens of a unique path, with some boredom in the family. 

Career: ideas will lead you to achieve rewarding goals, talent is not lacking, and you will conquer partners and colleagues with enthusiasm and vision as a leader; tendency to new professions in contact with nature.

Your path: past events are in some way the history of our lives: they must cease to exist in our daily lives and must be taken as teaching. We are today and tomorrow.

To implement our needs, we need to shed our old clothes and sew new ones, suitable for the situations experienced at the time, perhaps using the same clothes and making them liveable in the present day.



Capricorn

“One never reaches home, but wherever friendly paths intersect the whole world looks like home for a time.”, Hermann Hesse.

Songs often talk about feelings and emotions, give us a thrill and the notes, and make us reflect in front of care of kindness. 

Among these, one has particularly struck me, as I think it has struck many hearts, That’s What Friends Are For, a song revisited by Dionne Warwick, the famous soul singer, and other famous singers for a very important humanitarian cause, the fight against AIDS. The song won two Grammys, and the proceeds were entirely donated to research on this unknown disease. An act of love that touched my soul, the union for a shared feeling, gives rise to an immense strength.

Dear friends of Capricorn, a high ability will flow in your Ego and help you express your depth and enlighten you, rediscovering new and valid feelings.

Love: your insecurities will be alleviated, you will discuss and find the past’s determination, no longer chase what you do not need but give value to what is required. Joy and happiness of the couple are also coming for singles.

Career: great originality and an excellent practical sense seasoned with common sense will bring you to the realization of dreams long pursued. Fortunes and unexpected earnings will make this phase even more magical.

Your path: courtesy and kindness are very intense emotional tools. They trigger pleasant vibrations towards those around us. A magical dimension is created, in harmony with every element around us, and like a cheerful dance, it infuses joy.

Being amiable conquers, gives comfort and security, leads to serene shores of our existence, discharges non-beneficial energies, and gives hope. Every action is not done for oneself but others, with generosity, help find new paths for those who do not have the vision.



Acquarius“The good opinion others have of us is never as good as the one we have of ourselves.”, Roberto Gervaso.

Heraclitus, a Greek philosopher, said that we must use Reason and not trust the senses that deceive with a false view of reality.

In his poem “Parmenides,” he tells of the physical world’s multiplicities that are illusory.

The poem describes his encounter with the goddess of Justice when she shows him the way of opinion that leads to appearance and verification that leads to wisdom. None of us ultimately, if not a deity, an enlightened being, possesses the truth. Evaluations, given the many possibilities, turn out to be questionable.

Dear friends of Aquarius, with Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn in your sign, you will have the opportunity to live an unforgettable month, but beware of your judgments. The tendency to isolate yourself from those who do not have a vision similar to yours, the experience of diversity, is an excellent opportunity for comparison and not negative energy.

Love: the complications recede, but you will need to fill an emptiness that has taken over in you. You will have an excellent vision of the situation. It is necessary, however, to allow others to explain their motivations. It is a beautiful phase for those who are looking for a new relationship.

Career: you will know how to manage the tasks entrusted to you with harmony, but you will have to do well and avoid imposing your will. Same luck bestowed to those looking for new occupations, with excellent chances.

Your path: opinions are the subjective interpretation of a fact. In the absence of absolute certainty, they can be true or false or even absurd, and they often have to do with beliefs rooted in us.

It is important to have opinions, but it is also necessary to carefully evaluate the situations in which you express an opinion. Even if you are in good faith, you should never act with impulse because it clouds the truth



Pisces“The great revolutions in human history can be identified in the discovery of fire and that of the wheel. The next one will be when he learns to use logic.” Antonino Zichichi

Palamedes, a Greek mythology character, is remembered for his extraordinary intelligence and his inventions: the concept of the year, seasons, months, and even military tactics. 

His inspiration led him to extraordinary events, where intelligence had the upper hand over cunning, a struggle between two thoughts, the traditionalist one and the creative and inventive one.

Dear friends of Pisces, with Neptune in the sign and Uranus in benevolent Taurus, you will be able to show your creativity. With resourcefulness and depth, you will face the daily dynamics thanks to an eye towards the future accompanied by a great desire to change course through the intelligence that distinguishes you.

Love: this phase turns out to be harmonious, joyful, and full of satisfaction, the only drawback being some tension with family members. Evolution in your relationship takes place more and more and will lead you to unthinkable emotions.

Career: at work, you will need to deepen relationships, the situation is not understandable, which could disturb your organization. Just do things gradually, and everything will be fine.

Avoid excessive spending, and avoid taking away security.

Your path: inventiveness is the ability to configure situations and solutions with ease and a sense of opportunity.

An ingenious stunt can lead people to something that does not exist and can result in various areas of everyday life. Reflect, after a while, act.

December 1st, 2020 – World AIDS Day

On the occasion of December 1st, World AIDS Day, Asa Milano and Milano Check Point, collaborating with CIG – Arcigay Milano, create a special photo and video campaign to raise awareness on HIV, in this very special moment in which the Covid-19 emergency has focused all the media attention on the pandemic. Despite this, HIV continues to spread silently and, unfortunately, people talk less and less about this issue. For this reason, the goal of the campaign – created by Federico Poletti and Daniele Calzavara – is to explain to as many people as possible what HIV is and what is the current situation in order to communicate the message that if HIV is not detectable, it cannot be transmitted: a message that is summarized in the U = U (Undetectable = Untrasmittable) campaign. A manifesto that wants to break down the prejudices against people living with HIV. This is why ASA and Milano Check Point have chosen the slogan #STOPHIVSTIGMA COMBATTI IL PREGIUDIZIO CON L’INFORMAZIONE, which can be found in the photographic campaign spread through the social media accounts of all the people involved. Many well-known faces have joined the campaign on social media, from Sandra Milo to Ferzan Ozpetek up to M ¥ SS KETA, as well as many young actors and actresses and people who have decided to spread the meaning of this equation, scientifically proven for years: U = U Undetactable = Untrasmittable (a HIV – positive person in therapy and with an undetectable viral load cannot transmit the HIV virus).



Over 30 personalities from the world of cinema, music and entertainment participated in the video directed by Manuel Scrima and Giovanni Conte. A beautiful and important signal came from Rome, the symbolic city of cinema, which, thanks to the involvement of Sonia Rondini and Fabrizio Imas, has mobilized with various personalities from the Italian entertainment world. The video, which will be available on December 1st, was shot between Milan and Rome, thanks to the support of the Hotel Valadier, the Mediterranean Restaurant, Giardino del MAXXI and Angelo Cruciani.


“This year, since the pandemic prevents us from organizing events, we have created a video and photo campaign, which involves both well-known faces and ordinary people, that will be spread on social networks to underline that HIV is still spreading and that it’s always subjected to prejudices” – said Massimo Cernuschi, President of ASA and Milan Check Point.

“In a historical moment in which all our resources and energy are invested in the fight against Covid-19, HIV continues inexorably to run its course. There are about 130 thousand HIV-positive people In Italy and 39 million in the world. We always have to remember these data for ourselves and for others, not only on December 1st! – adds Sandra Milo on her Instagram account.

“A video about this topic is essential – comments Manuel Scrima, the director – because many people are still victims of prejudices or simply poorly informed. We wanted the characters to look their audience into the eyes and honestly explain that we shouldn’t be frighten by HIV because, through the correct therapies, HIV positive person cannot be contagious.”


Finally, BURRO STUDIO – a communication agency mainly focused on branding and graphic design, founded by Federica Caserio and Giovanni Manzini – has developed graphics about the U = U Undetectable = Untrasmittable topic, which will be used both for the web campaign and for a t – shirt limited edition, available from mid-December. For the “I Can Give You” campaign, developed by Burro Studio, ASA Milano decided to relaunch Randy Davis’ social project, which focuses on the H I V letters, associating them to some words with a positive connotation such as Hope, Inclusion and Vision. It is another way to underline that HIV-positive people in therapy can only transmit these values ​​and not HIV.

Sporty & Rich: Good Health Starts Here

Sporty & Rich is a unisex streetwear and lifestyle brand, founded by Emily Oberg in 2014. It began as a mood board for life: a collection of images from past and present that represent a life surrounded by beauty.


Emily Oberg


Grown up in Canada, Emily Oberg got connected with the Complex team before moving to New York in 2014. She began her career as an Editorial Producer and towards the end of 2016, she started to work alongside streetwear mogul Ronnie Fieg at KITH, taking on the role as the Creative Lead of KITH Women. Originally launched as an online magazine, Emily founded Sporty & Rich in 2014. After some initial success, Emily decided to leave KITH and to move to Los Angeles. Her move to the West Coast influenced her desire to promote positive lifestyle choices in herself and others and helped her to explore her passions through a variety of projects and collaborations.



Conscious of the effect that clothing brands have on the environment, Emily wanted to build a company where they could offset their impact on the planet as much as possible. That is why she decided to produce garments in small batches on a pre-order basis, achieving Climate Neutral Certified status, as well as partnering with environmentally focused organizations.



Today, the brand offers a collection of thoughtfully designed products that emphasize longevity by placing health, fitness and the wellbeing of ourselves and our planet in the forefront. The ethos is, ‘Be nice, drink water, be good to the planet, take care of yourself and live a life of pleasure.’ Her brand is still growing, with notable fans such as Elsa Hosk, Rosie Huntington-Whitely, Chiara Ferragni and Dwight Howard as well as wholesale distribution through Moda Operandi, Selfridges, The Webster, Ssense and others.

Rome, an extraordinary Maison: the archives and creations of its costume studios

23rd October is the opening day of ROMAISON 2020, the first edition of a project that has the support of the Mayor, Virginia Raggi. The project sees Rome become part of fashion’s modern history, revealing itself as an extraordinary design laboratory where high artisanship lives alongside historical archive. This is a new opportunity for the city, which is opening its historical locations to projects dedicated to fashion research, concentrating on the area’s artisanal roots, and how they are being translated into digital and technological modernity.

The initiative comes in two parts: an exhibition from 23rd October until 29th November at the Ara Pacis Museum and an event scheduled to be held at the Mattatoio di Testaccio, both of which promote this creative DNA as a source of eternal inspiration, which gave birth to a spectacular style where high fashion and theatrical costume combine.

The Ara Pacis Museum is to host a major exhibition showcasing Rome’s most prestigious costume studios curated by fashion historian and critic, Clara Tosi Pamphili, which evokes the studios where visitors can observe the creativity, the techniques and the Italian savoir faire, and engage with the costume studios’ private archives and collections.

Annamode, Costumi d’Arte – Peruzzi, Farani, Pieroni, Tirelli will take centre stage in an exhibition rich in outfits and accessories from various eras. For the first time, this event will showcase the rich heritage of authentic pieces from the end of the 18th century up to today. Among the iconic pieces there are also designs from the personal archive of Gabriele Mayer, including photos and videos. One section is dedicated to Mensura, which has produced mannequins for more than a century, highlighting the relationship between art and artisanship.

This contemporary and experimental narrative includes an extraordinary performance, Embodying Pasolini, which will be streamed live and available worldwide. TILDA SWINTON, the multi-award-winning Scottish actress, will take centre stage at the Mattatoio di Testaccio. The event, curated by Olivier Saillard, fashion historian, world-renowned fashion curator and ex-director of the Palais Galliera fashion museum of the city of Paris, reflects on the evocative power of the costumes created by Rome’s artisans for the films of Pier Paolo Pasolini.

The initiative is promoted by Rome City Council. Organised by Zètema Progetto Cultura with technical assistance from Rinascente. We would also like to thank Fondazione Cineteca di Bologna and Istituto Luce – Cinecittà and Fondazione Cinema per Roma.

Design & innovation at the 2020 Genoa Boat Show

It is considered the most representative event of a sector that represents the excellence of Made in Italy, with more than 200,000 square meters entirely outdoors, between land and water and 5 different exhibition areas: TechTrade area, the section dedicated to components and accessories, Sailing World, the area of sailing, Boat Discovery for outboard motors, Yacht and Superyacht and Living the Sea area. This edition was very special, not only is it the first physical event of this sector in the post-pandemic period, but also because the Boat Show celebrated its 60th birthday. The event – organized by Confindustria Nautica, the trade association belonging to Confindustria that has had the institutional representation of the entire marine industry since 1967 – hosted some of the most important names of the nautical world: for motorboats, there were Amer Yachts, Arcadia, AzimutBenetti, Ferretti Group with the FSD – Ferretti Security Division, FIPA Group, Pardo, Princess, Sanlorenzo, Sunseeker, VanDutch; for sailing, Beneteau, Dufour, Hanse, Jeanneau, Nautor’s Swan, Mylius Yachts, Solaris e Vismara. A new area will be dedicated to Superboat.


They presented a lot of novelties, focused on innovation technology, design and sustainability. Azimut Yachts presented one of its most desired yachts: Magellano 25 Metri, a project born from the collaboration with the world-renowned artist and architect Vincenzo De Cotiis, who designed the interiors of the boat, perfectly in line with his unmistakable style. One of its features is the use of carbon and of the latest technologies, such as the air sanitization system based on a NASA patent and the Hotel Mode functionality that guarantees long-lasting stops with zero emissions. The collaboration with Vincenzo De Cotiis was born from a common bond with fiberglass: essential construction material for Azimut Yachts and one of the artist’s favourite materials. In this yacht, the fiberglass has a completely new life, becoming a design element. 

Another Bonetti/Kozerski Architecture’s interior design project for the new Oasis 40 M model. The Oasis 40M superyacht is the new flagship of the Boat Show and the most photographed boat, thanks to its incredible beach area situated at its stern, which becomes an elegant lounge with infinity pool. The yacht has 4 decks with 5 cabins for 10 guests and 4 cabins for 7 crew members.   

Moreover, the convertible boats of Evo Yachts could not miss. Evo Yachts presented its new project: Evo R6 Open. 18 meters long, this model has wide areas, suitable to enjoy the sea view. Compared to the classic version, this new Open model has a steel roll-bar, with a suspended wing that connects two uprights: the result is a sportier boat that communicates an idea of lightness. Its most important feature is the beach lounge area, with its ‘XTension’ side banks that increase the available space by 40 percent, allow you to create new life scenarios and realize a space that can host a 2.85 meter long tender.

There were also some important debuts such as Antonini Navi, which was born from a shipyard that, at the beginning, produced oil platforms and soon specialized in carpentry and aluminium manufacturing. Finally, 10 years ago, the new Antonini family’s generation set up the real company. This fact also led to the transformation of the Muggiano shipyard in La Spezia – one of the largest with a sea view in the area – to start the production of customizable superyachts. During this event, they presented the scale models of UP40 Crossover and U4P0 Explorer, two concept that will be realized thanks to a modular steel platform that allows us to choose the type of yacht during the construction process. Both concepts are characterized by a harmonious and innovative design, designed by Fulvio De Simoni, award-winning architect who plays a leading role in his team. “The boat show, which hosts the most important players in the nautical sector, represents for us the perfect location to illustrate our project. Starting from a great team, with an important background of technical and business knowledge, and from the strategic position of the Gulf of La Spezia, our shipyard aims to conquer this sector thanks to an offer based on reliability, experience and competence. Thanks to metals flexibility, a 100% customizable material, we start from a blank sheet and thanks to our technicians and interior designers we can fulfil all shipowners’ desires” said Aldo Manna, Partner and Sales Director of Antonini Navi.



Even Amer Yachts pays attention to sustainability: last year, they began their journey in order to reduce the use of fiberglass by introducing a mixture with a sustainable and recyclable fiber, Filava, and implementing a new material in the onboard components of Amer 120. Covid-19 has slowed down the certification tests, still in progress in ENEA in collaboration of RINA, to insert FILAVA in the standard construction specifications of the composite, but this lockdown hasn’t stopped Amer Yachts; they are continuing the experimentation with some historical printers, by creating a stern section of the hull project, designed by Massimo Verme, that will be entirely realized in Filava. It will take part in the Solar and Energy Challenge of Yacht Club of Monaco in 2021. Thanks to the collaboration with SEALENCE, this new Amer Yacht’s proposal will be also enriched with DeepSpeed electric jets, presented at the 2019 Genoa Boat Show; they represent one of the most advanced devices on the market, capable of achieving a very high level of energy efficiency, unthinkable until now.

Another green innovation is h2boat, the first hydrogen powered boat, that has called public attention, as the marine world has a great impact on the environment. Thanks to an Italian patent, developed by the University of Genoa, they have created a system that is able to accumulate energy for on-board services and propulsion via a hydrogen powered system. It’s a very ambitious project, still in development, that could make the entire sector less polluting.

Thanks to @gonuts_communication @salonenauticogenova

Open Invitation

To all who have expressed outrage, disgust, anxiety, empathy, or bewilderment at how this crisis in social justice can be our reality in 2020, I ask you to take some time and call a friend, colleague, a mixed race relative—someone who is black or looks black—and have a real conversation with them. 

During this conversation, ask them what it is like for them day to day as a citizen in American society, what their experiences have been as it pertains to racism.

This is not likely to be a five-minute conversation. But if you really care to understand, if you really want to fix this problem, if you really want the protests to bring sweeping change, if you really want to make a change in society for the better, you need to start with an understanding of what it is like to be black in America.



Racism in America permeates all aspects of life: from the first time your teacher embarrasses you in front of your entire school class, the shop owner that follows you in a magazine store and tells you that you need to leave the store when, momentarily, you have been separated from your parents, to the joyous experience of receiving your first driver’s license that is quickly being intruded on by “the conversation”. 

This is when your parents sit you down to discuss what you must and must not do if you are ever pulled over by the police. This is our reality as young people, as adults and as parents. 

Resources (mappingpoliceviolence.orgkilledbypolice.netfatalencounters.org and the U.S. Police Shootings Database) suggests that since 2015, unarmed black people in America have been killed by police at a rate of between a low of 1 every 3.5 days to a high of 3 a day.

The risks and disadvantage continue throughout life, regardless of education or economic status: in corporate America, in the jobs you were overlooked for or never promoted to, despite being overqualified and performing at a level that is multiples above your counterparts’ performance. That’s another conversation black parents have with their children, in order to compete, you have to be at least twice as good

That is the requirement when you are black in America.



Many of you reading this will ask why black professionals in any field have a difficult time showcasing these racism issues, and the reason is not because we have not pointed them out, it is because white people are looking for a plausible answer such as “there must have been something wrong with the business model.” 

The problem is exacerbated when agencies and corporations look to remove individuals who have been uncovered as racially biased and have become an embarrassment and liability to the company, but the lack the courage or will to fire them for fear of being brought into a wrongful termination suit. Instead, racist elements are “failed up” the corporate/municipal ladder because it is easier to promote someone up and out of the way than to terminate them. So, the racists win by garnering additional power to stop progress on other transactions, and potentially becoming a hindrance in the same transaction again at some point in the future.

What is needed at this time is white American to stop running from this issue, and stop running from your privilege because it what we need from our allies and counterparts that will help us deal with racism. White America’s incredulous, and historic knee-jerk response has become cliché among African Americans: “How do you know it is racism?” “Come on, there has to be a reason besides that.” “There has to be a fundamental underwriting issue.” Actually, there are no problems with our projects, our deals pencil out with great returns so your credit committee needs to be questioned, we solve problems when other falter, we must not fail because we are not given a second chance, so how do we know it is racism. It is racism because our white counterparts that have the same issues are able to finance their transactions, are held in the highest esteem, and revered as hero’s while we are not treated the same. Racism hides inherently in the shadows of this very line of questioning and is exactly what those in deep denial would want you to embark on, a line of questioning because there is no definitive answer that will satisfy them, and this is how the racists win their position: They make it incumbent upon logical people to question the experience, and to look for logical responses within illogical patterns of facts that do not constitute an answer as it pertains to a particular situation. Again, the reason for this is right in front of you. It always has been. It’s racism

If we are serious about our intentions and truly want social change for the better, know that it will only come when our white counterparts resolve to stand beside us, fighting to root out racism across the spectrum. The change will not be complete or permanent or totally secure if we only address this cancer in isolated sectors while allowing it to incubate and spread from others. The net positive effect of real change will be the overturning of hundreds of year of the norm in our society and supplanted by a new, inclusive societal norm that works toward the betterment of all.



It is frustrating to hear intelligent people say to me, “You didn’t experience racism,” or “You have been successful,” with judgment in the unstated but implied question, why haven’t others? Success and money do not thwart the experience driven by the racists. But it is not obvious to those on the outside that success for black Americans is achieved despite and in the face of racism; it comes by having successfully jumped every hurdle put in your path and the ability to still kept pace with your white counterparts who have no such hurdles because of a skin color. Our successes have come with unnecessary interference, additional tests and obstructions that limit, delay which diminish those successes. However the silver lining is these successes also come from assistance from the white allies that have been quiet fans of our work, our insight and tenacity that together we have pushed to make our projects work.

Racism is increasingly blatantly obvious and on public display in the killings George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Oscar Grant, Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, Michael Brown, far too many to name more than a few; in the sodomizing and dehumanization of Abner Louima with a policeman’s nightstick; in the railroading and incarceration of The Central Park 5; in the tens if not hundreds of thousands killed before cell phones were available to tell a story. But it also resides in voter suppression redlining, housing discrimination, healthcare disparities, job-application codes, property tax-based education, food deserts, predatory lending, corporate diversity, access to capital, the judicial system, government hoops that only black people have to jump through—every aspect and facet of life in which black people’s existence is challenge, where the same existence for white people is not. The effect of financially killing black business leaves not just families impoverished, but whole communities exiled from opportunity, initiative, with hope diminished, examples of community success exterminated and dreams and prayers left as a vague reminder of what used to be generations ago. Ultimately leaving those individuals trapped in those communities with little chance to financially excel or ability to grow within the communities. The black people you now see marching, protesting, venting their collective frustration, crying out for a little room to breathe in nation that is suffocating us all with its unrelenting racism are not just asking you to stop killing us physically in the street, they are also looking for relief from the choking off of access and opportunity across all platforms within the corporate and finance markets. 

Economic opportunity and access are as important and necessary to life as freedom from threat of physical harm. Stop it. Stop killing us quickly with bullets and chokeholds and stop choking us slowly with systemic biases baring us from full participation on an equal footing. This is the fix society must strive for. This is my answer to all those who out of ignorance ask why back Americas aren’t more successful, why aren’t we producing more? Get you knee off our necks—physically, financially and metaphorically in every way. Make the playing field level and you would see a thriving and exciting segment of society that looks nothing like the derivations of poverty in the images popularly circulated to illustrate a particular narrative. 



Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to my world, the world of 40 million black people in the United States and hundreds of millions more over the last 400 years now gone. Enough is enough. The time has come, is long overdue in fact, for a real conversation and an overhaul. Pick up the phone and ask us about our experience, what the world of tens of millions of us is like, what it is like to be in our shoes. This is a unique time in American history, affording an opportunity and maybe even a desire to finally fix what has been plaguing our society since its founding. The fix will require us to work together to create a protocol across industry, (Policing, Banking, Industrial, etc) that removes racism from our day to day lives.

To those young people in the streets, thank you for standing up. I am one with you in this pain. I am proud and inspired by your courage and your example. For the allies we have built and understand our call to you for a real partner in the repositioning and changing of the status quo of racism within society, thank you for your courage and disgust with the norms so that we can collectively make this a society we are all proud to be a part of. Let’s fix this together once and for all.

Text by Dan Bythewood

Artist Eben Haines Builds “Shelter In Place” Gallery Space In Boston

As the world keeps rolling in the calamity of the pandemic, the creative sphere might face serious repercussions in showcasing work as serious social distancing measures have been put into place.

On that note, for artists hoping to exhibit their craft during lockdown, Boston’s Shelter In Place gallery has been mounting exhibitions of brand-new work over the past month. Built by artist Eben Haines, the miniature 20 by 30-inch gallery showcases scaled-down works in a model structure that encompasses foam, mat board, balsa wood and plexiglass.

The condensed space is extremely realistic, with high ceilings and skylights that allow light to enter the space and radiate the works.

Artists can submit works at a one-inch scale, which allows them to create and show seemingly[co1]  impressive pieces while traditional exhibition spaces remain close. Each exhibition at Shelter In Place is based on submissions selected by Haines, his painter and gallery assistant, Delaney Dameron.

Haines and Dameron then capture the installation views and share them on the gallery’s Instagram. To avoid possible contamination during shipping, Shelter In Place has only been able to show works in the local Boston area. Haines hopes to eventually extend the opportunity to a larger group of artists.

Local artists who can easily transport their work can review submission guidelines on Shelter In Place’s Instagram.

“I’m hoping that artists are able to get more eyes on their work and even sell some work during the pandemic and beyond,” said Haines.

“One of my ambitions for this project, besides urging people to step outside of their crisis mode for a little bit, is for artists to be able to use their submission proposals and photographs of their installed work to send to galleries, residencies, or grant programs, and have some momentum when the country opens back up.”

The quarantine according to influencers

After the decree of the 8th of March issued by the Italian government, in Italy there is a limitation of movements. In fact, Italians have to stay home and go out only for close needs or emergencies. 

For this reason, a lot of Italian people in these days are spending their time cooking, doing workout and working from home. 

However, social networks and especially Instagram, are one of their favourite pastimes and Influencers are trying to entertain people as much as possible. 

Here a small list of Influencers to follow during the quarantine.

Paolo Stella (@paolostella

Influencer and writer, in these days he has decided to collect some proposals day-by-day on how to spend time during the quarantine and he uses the hashtag #Mysweetquarantine. His motto is: “We are in a new time, find a new way to spend it”. 

Giulia Valentina (@giuliavalentina)

In addition to taking part in the initiative of Paolo Stella #Mysweetquarantine, during these days she has interviewed Claudio Vicini, an Italian doctor, to ask him some recurring questions about Covid19 to give her Instagram followers some useful information. Moreover, in her Ig Stories she plays with her chihuahuas and teaches English to her followers. 

Luca Vezil (@lucavezil)

Fitness lover and boyfriend of Valentina Ferragni (@valentinaferragni), during these days he makes videos and Instagram lives to give his followers some tips about homemade workouts only using a mat, a gym elastic and a lot of willpower. In this way, he encourages his followers to look always fit. 

Paola Turani (@paolaturani)

Model and fashion influencer, during these days, in addition to showing her everyday life with her dogs and her husband Riccardo Serpellini (@rickyserpella), she shares nice Tik Tok to entertain her followers and give them some carefree moments. 

Marco Cartasegna (@marcocartasegna)

Influencer and Italian-Spanish model, on Instagram he talks about politics and in these days of quarantine he makes some IGTV videos expressing his point of view about the moves of the Italian government giving his followers some information. 

Veronica Ferraro (@veronicaferraro)

Fashion influencer, during these days she has taken part in the initiative of Paolo Stella #Mysweetquarantine and every morning at 10.00 am she shares an IGTV video of a homemade workout taking inspiration from his husband and personal trainer Giorgio Merlino (@giorgiomerlino). 

Leo Gassman (leogass.official)

Singer and winner of Sanremo young 2020, he invites his followers to stay home and he makes Instagram lives in which he sings and plays the guitar to keep company to his audience. 

Camilla Boniardi (@camihawke)

During these days, Camihawke shares on her Instagram profile some nice Tik Tok in which she gives her followers some advice on tv series to watch during the quarantine.  

Marco Fantini (marcofantini_mf

Influencer, model and boyfriend of Beatrice Valli (@beatricevalli), in addition to inviting his followers to stay home and to thanking the doctors who are dealing with this emergency, he shares Ig Stories about his everyday life and he also shows some cooking recipes. 

Frank Gallucci (@frankgallucci)

Frank daily updates his followers about the Covid19 situation in Italy and all around the world. Moreover, he tries to entertain them with tik tok and hilarious videos. 

Filippo Cirulli (@filippocirulli)

Trendsetter, art and antique lovers, during this quarantine, Filippo teaches us how to polish silver, how to clean glasses in an optimum way and how to create cocktails for aperitifs. 

Alessandro Magni (@ale_magni)

Alessandro is a globetrotter and so for him is difficult to stay home. Despite this, he always respects the rules and invites his followers to do the same. In this period of forced confinement, he tidies up his wardrobe and he shows us his amazing clothes. 

Elisa Taviti (@elisataviti)

Tuscan influencer, in these days, Elisa looks after the house and the kitchen and gives her followers some advice on how to prepare desserts and traditional dishes. She also gives them some beauty tips! 

Roberto Valbuzzi (@notordinarychef)

Roberto is a chef of the Italian Tv program “Cortesie per gli ospiti” (channel 31 Real Time). He cooks special dishes and recipes to make during this period. He also makes Instagram lives with friends and well-known people in the world of food. 

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Milan goes sustainable with WSM Fashionreboot

On occasion of the menswear fashion week, on 11th and 12th January 2020 at BASE Milano (partner of WSM Fashion Reboot), WHITE relies on sustainability with WSM Fashion Reboot, an event organized thanks to the support offered by MISE and ICE – Agenzia, the part- nership with Confartigianato Imprese, and the aegis of the Municipality of Milan.

The first event dedicated to sustainable innovation and fashion design, aiming to act as a bridge connecting the different forms and cultures of sustainability with the market as well as the endusers.

The project tackles the theme in a systemic, holistic and propositioning way, so as to give a voice to the several stakeholders that have long been working to transform the current environmental and social crisis into our best opportunity for progress.

Synergy and interaction are the keys to understanding WSM Fashion Reboot, a project including installations, displays, happenings and a rich calendar of activities and workshops to engage both the insiders and the citizenries of Milan.

The goal is to promote real change, thanks to a factual collaboration, resulting from a collective effort. The project stems from the synergy between Camera Nazionale della Moda, WHITE, CBI Camera Buyer Italia, which, with Confartigianato Imprese aim to launch a new fashion paradigm in Milan.

An important initiative spearheaded by WHITE to enhance the role of Milan on the worldwide scene through a clearcut goal: becoming the first and foremost unmissable appointment dedicated to circular and sustainable fashion.

Innovation and research, aiming to sustainable development in the fashion system, are the elements connecting a variety of projects. 

“The support to WSM Fashion Reboot – underlines ICE’s President, Carlo Ferro – is in keeping with Agenzia ICE’s consideration for small and medium-sized businesses, their ability for innovation, their workmanship and their commitment in terms of sustainability. On these topics, with WHITE, we have drawn up a specific plan consisting of transversal initia- tives to back growth and promote innovative start-ups interna- tionally. Thanks to a targeted scouting of brands and designers, whose main objective are circularity and sustainability, innova- tive collections dedicated to the new technologies in the textile industry and sustainable fashion will be premiered in Milan.”

This edition of WSM Fashion Reboot has involved some of the most authoritative names in terms of sustainability: the main partners are Fashion Revolution, Cittadellarte Fondation Pistoletto, Milan’s Polytechnic, the Municipality of Milan, which has always and actively supported WHITE’s projects.

WSM Fashion Reboot, in partnership with Cittadellarte Fondation Pistoletto, support the Sustainable Development Goals approved by the United Nations’ leaders in 2015.

Among the other institutions involved, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, which, for the project Make Fashion Circular, gathers the leaders of the whole sector to further circular economy in fashion. WSM Fashion Reboot is curated by Matteo Ward, co-founder of the brand Wråd and artistic director of GIVE A FOKus, WHITE’s sustainable hub that goes on to develop this asset also in the womenswear edition, from 20th to 23rd February 2020.

So Matteo Ward, creative director of the project: “This edition of WSM Fashion Reboot goes to show that we are ready for the activation of multi-stakeholder partnerships, which are necessary to trigger a real process of sustainable development and systemic revolution. An event illustrating how design can and must become a tool to meet society’s real needs”.

The format of the event is structured in such a way as to be inclusive and accessible, starting from a deep
dive into the culture of sustainability.

A pioneering example was Salvatore Ferragamo, who, when he had no access to new raw materials, came up with an innovative way to make use of the scraps from his territory (fishing nets or cork).

This should be the bedrock of circular economy. Today, also thanks to this example, we can look to 47 the future, moving ahead with innovative start-ups, brands or small or medium-sized businesses that are radically rethinking their business model and generating functional products, so that their output is in keeping with the needs of the planet.

Salvatore Ferragamo Museum and Fondazione Ferragamo are going to partake in WSM Fashion Reboot, for the first time in Milan, with a section of the show Sustainable Thinking currently staged in the museum Florence, with a display on the ground floor of BASE Milano (Ex Ansaldo) of a selection of exclusive models by Salvatore Ferragamo illustrating his innate passion for experimentation with the poorest materials, materials that had never been used before to make footwear: paper, the bark of the tree, raffia, fish skin, cellophane.

From the show curated by Fondazione Ferraga- mo on the ground floor, to the first floor of BASE Milano, where an eclectic scenario awaits the visitors: 48 textile businesses like Candiani Denim, Canepa, Albini Group, Orange Fiber, to mention just a few, fashion labels and leading-edge designers like Vivienne Westwood, Bethany Williams, Boyish Jeans, Gilberto Calzolari, Selfi, Aagè, brands like Paul&Shark, Neubau Eyewear, Regenesi (one of the first agencies to regenerate recycled materials to give them a second chance), down to a selection of innovative start-ups.

Vivienne Westwood, one of the last independent brands worldwide, will be present at WSM to promote their cultural message for the sake of ethical and sustainable fashion.

The active involvement of different individuals, all authoritative in terms of sustainability, has allowed to gather a unique selection of designers and consolidat- ed brands, ranging from apparel to accessories, down to beauty.

Cittadellarte Fondazione Pistoletto is furthering its collaboration with WHITE by bringing to WSM Fashion Reboot a remarkable selection of creatives: Tiziano Guardini, Flavia La Rocca, Bav Tailor, Silvia Giovanardi, Blue of a Kind, Yekaterina Yvankova, ACBC (innovative footwear), Officina 39, Juan Carlos Gordillo Arana and Laura Meijering.

Thanks to the presence of A New Awareness, non-profit collaboration project that involves universities, media, non-government organizations, industry and the civil society, three international talents, Helen Kirkum, Awareness Infinitum and Corrina Goutos, will partake too.

From Peru, for the first time in Italy, the two excellences AYNI and Sophia Lerner, while Fashion Revolution promotes the open studio workshop/ format with Abitario, Larissa Von Planta and Patrick McDowell, which are going to showcase a special embroidery technique on cloth.

Among the other workshops that deserve a mention, Corrina Goutos will show how she creates jewels and accessories from recycled headsets. 

The Royal Embassy of Denmark is glad to collaborate with WSM Fashion Reboot for the first event fully dedicated to sustainability at the next edition of Milan’s Fashion Week in January 2020, showcasing a selected collective of Danish designers, who have decided to harness their creativity to generate sustainable fashion, in line with the current priorities of the newly elected Danish Government.

WSM Fashion Reboot will also stage an important focus on innovative start-ups, ranging from fashion to services, like Lablaco, which promotes circu- lar fashion shopping, ArchiLab dedicated to beauty and 1TrueId app, which focuses on traceability.

On top of that, the space dedicated to WSM SMART Contest “Sustainable Manufacturing and Responsible Innovation Technologies”, an initiative organized by WHITE and coordinated by Francesca Romana Rinaldi to enhance the start-ups that offer sustainable products and services to revolutionize the fashion system by implementing responsible innovation.

WSM Fashion Reboot rather than a display of products, aims to be a manifesto to explore projects that will be enhanced through a bespoke setup – the white brick – a true blank page, the expression within a space of the ideas, values, creativity and goals 49 of all the partners of WSM Fashion Reboot, sharing a common goal: triggering positive change with a focus on transparency, innovation and social design.

A rich calendar of activities with talks and workshops held by key opinion leaders on the topic of global sustainability.

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10 Tips for a trendy weekend in Lisbon

A cosmopolitan and vibrant city, in the last years it was considered one of the coolest places in Europe. In fact, everyone wants to go to Lisbon. 

Not only azulejos with cobalt tones, melancholy of fado, breathtaking views and great food, but the capital of Portugal is a fascinating city where fashion, lifestyle and nightlife never cease to surprise us. 

Our weekend in Lisbon, in the raises and falls of Chiado, and Barrio Alto, among exclusive experiences, trendy places and addresses not to be missed. 

CONFEITARIA NACIONAL

Praça da Figueira, Praça Dom Pedro IV 18B, 1100-24

One of the places which makes it possible to travel back in time to 1829, date in which it was founded.
It’s one of the oldest bakeries in Europe and once it was the official supplier of the Portuguese Royal House. The Confeitaria Nacional has lovely interior in which it is impossible to resist its selection of pastries.

A VIDA PORTUGUESA

Rua Anchieta 11, 1200-023

A Vida Portuguesa was born from the idea of the journalist Catarina Portas of giving prestige to the old products made in Portugal. 
Here you can find: perfumes, soaps, teas, species, postcards and preserves, cult objects and typical products packaged with a retro taste, a nostalgic triumph with a Portuguese heart. 

LUVARIA ULISSES

R. do Carmo 87 A, 1200-093 

A few square meters of timeless charm and on sale, only gloves, available in many models, colours and materials.
The ritual of the “proof of fit”, with talcum powder and elbow support cushion will make you want to buy them all. 

EMBAIXADA

Praça do Príncipe Real 26, 1250-184

A beautiful old building of the 19th century, has kept intact the interior to host a dynamic and creative project. 
Restaurant, art gallery and small pop-up shops: here you’ll find design pieces projected by Portuguese emerging brands. 
The result is a meeting point of people and experiences, traditions and contemporaneity. 

JNcQUOI 

Av. da Liberdade 182 184, 1250-146

JNcQUOI is a luxury restaurant, a café, a gourmet gastronomy, a cellar, a menswear shop with a tailor-made service and a selection of the most prestigious names of fashion and accessories, but also a library and a bakery. 
Does it exist a better meeting place to go shopping without time limits?

CASA PAU-BRASIL

Rua da Escola Politécnica, 42-46

Pau-Brasil was a manifesto and a Brazilian modernist movement that, in the 20th century, invented a new style. 
This philosophy lives in the Pau-Brasil House, a concept store with a curatorship of products and brands which interpret the Brazil in an international key. 
From fashion cartoons to books, to contemporary galleries, here you’ll find the best of a Brazilian design. 

LX FACTORY

R. Rodrigues de Faria 103, 1300-501

For several years, new generations of artist and designer of Lisbon began to occupy the industrial zone of the city to convert it into a creative hub. 
A real village made of red bricks and containers covered by street art acts as a stage for fashion events, art, architecture and music. 

PARK

Calcada do Combro 58, 1200-115 Lisbon 

The Park is a panoramic fashion café with a urban style, located on the sixth floor of a decommissioned parking in the Barrio Alto in Lisbon. 
Here you can see a spectacular view of the city and of the Tagus River and enjoy a cocktail listening to good music from the afternoon until late at night. 

PALACIO CHIADO 

R. do Alecrim 70, 1200-018, Lisboa

Once upon a time there was an exquisite palace, built in 1781, where the aristocracy of Lisbon danced gathered in banquets and enjoying unprecedent works of art.
Now, after a careful restoration, you will be welcomed by a huge hanging lion which will guide you in the decorated and baroque rooms where you can dine choosing the best courses of the menu by the Chef Manuel Bòia. 

PENSÃO AMOR 

R. do Alecrim 19, 1200-292

It was born as a guesthouse with rooms rented by the hours to prostitutes and their clients to enjoy a short moment of love, Pensão Amor brings the atmosphere of an old brothel to the present.
No more sailors or prostitutes but people who wants to dance and have fun. 

Text by Maurizio Bruno

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Could Serie A Become the Best League in Europe Again One day?

The domination that Serie A had over every other league in Europe in the 80s and early 90s seems as far away as ever these days. Long gone are the days that Serie A had the pull and the financial power to bring the world’s best players to Italy, but could that change in the future?

Where did it all go wrong for Serie A?

There’s no doubt about it that, during the 80s and 90s, Serie A was on to a good thing. So much so that the likes of the Brazilian Ronaldo made the league his home with Inter Milan, but the stars didn’t stop there. Maradona became an adopted son of Naples as he seduced the locals of Italy’s third-largest city. In fact, Maradona’s time was so much of a success that a documentary-cross-film has been made of the Argentine’s seven years and 188 appearances for Napoli.

These days, this Napoli side is unrecognizable compared to the team that Maradona once played in, and that isn’t because of their new head-turning kit from Kappa, but more the fact the global stars don’t end up in the South of Italy anymore.

Carrying on with more stories of the Serie A football stars from yesteryear, and who can forget Paul Gascoigne’s time at Lazio from 1992-1995? The Englishman became a cult hero for the Italian outfit and enjoyed an emotional return to the club in 2012. Gascoigne, though, was one of the last great exports that Serie A was able to bring in during the prime of their careers.

Slowly but surely the infrastructure of the Italian game was left behind as clubs around the continent, especially in England, began to modernize which made these leagues more marketable. Now, the more marketable a league is, the more commercial value it is likely to have.

Serie A’s refusal to move with the times would be the beginning of the league’s downfall and, if you think back, it’s crazy that the powers that be in Italy thought that stadiums built in the 50s, 60s, and 70s would be enough to sustain them heading into the new millennium. But it wasn’t just infrastructure that led to sponsors turning away from Serie A, it was also the style of football.

Fans want goals and not a technical masterclass

There was recently an extremely interesting, as well as revealing, interview with three West Ham players about the difference between Serie A and the Premier League. The players questioned, who had obviously played in both leagues, were Felipe Anderson, Angelo Ogbonna, and Carlos Sanchez.

The common theme that kept recurring was that the most significant difference was that Serie A was a lot more technical, with the Premier League far more frantic and end-to-end. These three players, who all currently play for West Ham, insisted that you get far less time on the ball in England whereas, in Italy, the option is there to take your time. Another interesting point is that it is acceptable to pass backwards a lot more in Italy but, in England, there will be a groan around the stadium with the fans demanding the ball is moved forward at every opportunity.

Now, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out which brand of football would do more to capture the imagination of not only the next generation, but also fans from abroad. It’s no wonder that people say Serie A is not a league for young players.

Can Serie A regain its prestige and become the best in the world again?

There has been the odd sign or two that suggests change is coming, which gives you the lasting impression that Serie A is a league on the up. On the commercial front, the fact that Italian Information and Communications giants TIM have become the lead sponsor of the league, suggests that the big boys are once again prepared to invest in Italian football.

As far as infrastructure goes, the news that the San Siro is set to be demolished is both upsetting but also promising in equal measure. Of course, football lovers the world over would prefer that the cathedrals of European football be left alone but, in the San Siro’s case, it is a sign that there is a change in mindset in Italy. For instance, the San Siro was built in 1926 but only ever renovated once in 1990; you simply can’t make money without corporate hospitality, which in turn pays for great players to play in your stadium.

On the playing front, more and more big names are relocating to the Serie A, and there is no bigger name than Ronaldo in world football. The 35-year-old’s move to Juventus was another indication that the league is becoming relevant again.

This transfer has also done wonders for Juventus’ chances of winning nine league titles in a row when you consider that Betway has the Old Lady at odds of ½ to win Serie A, as of the 24th of February. Indeed, owners are becoming more ambitious, which can only be good news for the long-term future of the league.

There’s no doubt that this league is once again on the up and up, but how long it will take to get back to former glories is another matter.

Whilst the decision to improve is an admirable one, the other leagues around Europe (that haven’t been standing still for 25 years) will also be looking for ways to improve their own products. This gives you more of an accurate description of how big the task is; to not only move Italian football into the modern age, but to also see it overtake its competitors.

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Editorial: a good boy

Ph : Davide Carson @davidecarson

Stylist: Thibaud Romain @thibaud.romain

MakeUp-Hair : Eloise Bourges @eloisebourges_

Casting: Giulia Masini @giuliamasinimortani

Model: Tristan Zanchi @Metropolitan_mmanagement @tristanzanchi

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Venice – chronicles from a submerged city

Chronicles from a submerged city was born in favor of the Fallani Venice screen printing to support the restarting of activities following the high water that hit the lagoon city on 12 November 2019 reaching 187 cm.

After this exceptional event, the desire is to look ahead and start again, resuming daily activities, this spirit gave life to this project thanks to a series of friends close to the screen printing workshops who involved a series of illustrators, new and old acquaintances by Fallani, asking them to create a graphic linked to the city of Venice.

Bruno Bozzetto, Ale Giorgini, Riccardo Guasco, Franco Matticchio, Andy Rementer, Jacopo Rosati, Guido Scarabottolo, Lucio Schiavon and Olimpia Zagnoli have decided to donate their own work to screen printing so as to allow Gianpaolo, deus ex-machina of this reality, to resume printing with new editions and replace damaged materials.

The illustrations are available in pre-order on https://fallanivenezia.bigcartel.com/, in a limited edition of 50 numbered and signed by the artists, which can be purchased individually or in the folder.

If you are in Venice you can also go to discover the artisanal silk-screen laboratory, active since 1968, and discover the printing process of the project. Nearby you can take advantage of it for a stop in one of these places: 

Alla vedova 
Ramo Ca’ d’Oro, 3912 

Bar/Hostel Combo 
Campo dei Gesuiti, 4878 

Rosa Salva pastry shop 
Calle Giazzo, 6779 

Osteria Del Ricio Peoco 
Strada Nova, Campo S.S. Apostles, 4462

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Ermenegildo Zegna XXX – Don’t worry guys, Eco-tailoring is coming back!

The vision of men’s fashion through the eye of women with attention to the environment that surrounds us outlines the perfect mindset of the Ermenegildo Zegna XXX autumn/winter 2020/2021 collection designed by Alessandro Sartori.

If the goal is to make the new generations wear tailoring, the first step is certainly to integrate it with elements similar to their culture, through the experimentation of technical fabrics mixed with recycled wool and cashmere capable of creating new modern and cutting-edge tailoring silhouettes.

A cube suspended in the center of a former Milanese foundry created by the New York artist Anne Patterson with ribbons made from Zegna fabric scraps, recreates an illusion of color and movement to accentuate Alessandro Sartori’s philosophy on the real use of recycled materials, this which could be thrown away, therefore, becomes pure art.

From a dreamlike scenario, the young Zegna men appear with a determined step, reinventing tailoring with the return of the Vest used even only with a shirt, overshirt with zip, a cross-body bag inspired by the world of contemporary photography and the collaboration with Leica, historian German brand manufacturer of cameras and optics, gives life to bags, accessories and shoulder straps for the camera, the beginning of a project between the two brands that will lead to the development of a photographic exhibition entitled “modern masculinity”.

At the center of this collection, we find Alessandro Sartori’s experimentation in multiple forms from the special selection of hand-woven materials developed with the community of San Patrignano to the play of metamorphosis of textures and shapes enhanced by a palette of neutral shades.

The look at the young cultures close to him and their attention to eco-friendly makes the iconic Biella brand a mix of simplicity and functionality that reminds us that fashion has to respect our planet.

Text by Francesco Vavallo – @francesco_vavallo

Film by Simone Santus – @simomlcrw

Powered by LOOK MI – @ lookmi.it

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Around Pitti Uomo 97: 10 brands to remember

Each season Pitti Uomo brings over 1,200 exhibitors to Florence, which becomes the showcase and seismograph of men’s and global lifestyle trends. We have chosen 10 brands that have particularly impressed us for the impact of their events, planning and collection.

Karl Lagerfeld

For the second time, after edition of last June, the brand is present at the Fortezza da Basso with its new collection of rtw, accessories and a special project entitled “A tribute to Karl: the white shirt project ”, Edited by Carine Roitfeld.

These are various white shirts, rethought and reworked by historical friends of the Kaiser, such as Kate Moss, Cara Delevigne or Lewis Hamilton. The textured skins of trousers and jackets are splendid, which will be all the rage for next winter.

A tribute to Karl: the white shirt project

Herno

Herno presents its new “Globe” project, synonymous with sustainability and craftsmanship: the utmost importance for the origin of the raw materials, the development of new production techniques and respect for the environment.

In a green and very relaxing location, duvets, bomber jackets and biodegradable jackets are born, which decompose after 5 years if thrown into landfills, or those obtained with regenerated materials derived from waste material.

Herno Globe project

Borsalino

Borsalino’s challenge is to update an accessory such as the hat, considered retro and obsolete. It does it very well, offering the classic “Bogart” in a modern key or merging the world of fashion with the artistic world of the Renaissance or the English movement of “Arts and crafts”.

The result is a very interesting search for shapes and materials, in which the classic English Scottish blend with animal print velvet, paint and fake fur. Funny is the tribute to Raphael, five hundred years after his death.

Borsalino hat

Tagliatore

Refinement is one of Tagliatore’s trademarks: starting from a warm and spicy palette, which then turns to gray and black, the silhouette plays on the harmony between the oversized coats and the tightest jackets and pants.

Particular attention to the chamber jacket, treated and built as if it were a couture coat, with sophisticated details and enveloping shapes.

Tagliatore coat

Lardini

Lardini relaunches the formal and the classic with a special collaboration with the designer Yosuke Aizawa, founder of Mountaneering.

Wrapped in a Nordic and glacial atmosphere, the new fashion is the result of innovative contamination between practicality and innovation, between classicism and dynamism.

Lardini

Brioni

A Visconti atmosphere in Palazzo Gerini, one of the few seventeenth-eighteenth-century buildings located in Florence: thanks to Olivier Saillard, who was able to translate the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of the Roman brand into a real path in culture, between fashion and classic music.

The preciousness of the finest velvets, leathers and wools, declined in classic shapes and with a romantic flavor, designed by the Austrian Norbert Stumpfl, perfectly match the models-musicians who accompany us in the six rooms of the building, among the notes of Debussy, Satie and Monteverdi. A delicate, cultured and not rowdy masculine elegance concept, in total contrast with what we have seen elsewhere.

Brioni

K way

At the historic Stock Exchange, the apothesis of outerwear is staged: colorful, practical, fun, pop, technological. Starting from the historic slogan “Let it rain”, the brand celebrates its 55th year of activity by showing off a myriad of proposals for all needs, from basic (not surprisingly it is owned by the Basicnet group) to proposals rich in technical details.

K-way

Jil Sander

In the cloister of Santa Maria Novella, a new chapter is inaugurated by a stylistic couple of the Meier spouses, who studied and met in Florence. A bright and monastic atmosphere at the same time, where the simplicity of the lines, the amplitude of the volumes, the neutrality of the palette are the masters.

Everything is whispered, hinted at: the rigor of austere coats refined by subtle embroideries and applications, the most refined fabrics combined with the most natural ones, a royal eagle that rests on pins and necklaces.

Jil Sander

Telfar

The brand founded by Telfar Clemens speaks of melting between cultures, genres and styles: the Tuscan Renaissance, so well embodied by the splendid Palazzo Corsini. The female merges with the male, the 400 with the street culture of African Americans, the pirate style (so dear to Vivienne) with the biker look.

A somewhat confused and chaotic fashion, where however the beauty of the skin reigns, which is found in biker jackets and especially in tight and seductive pants.

Telfar

Random Identities

On the notes of a cover of “I’m every woman” by Whitney Houston, the fashion of the ex creative director of Yves Saint Laurent, a real and proper rtw conceived for the digital era, takes the stage. A fluid, radical fashion that annihilates the barriers between male and female, between ephebic physicists and curvy beauties, between youth and maturity.

Freedom and inclusion are the keywords of this lexicon, where men wear knee-length skirts, lace bras over English shirts, oversized sweaters put upside down. The catwalk is closed by Pilati himself, in a beautiful camel coat, white pants and riding boots. The constant provocation is tempered by the choice of clean lines, the dominant monochromatism and the sparse and industrial location of Stazione Leopolda.

Random Identities

By Alessandro Martinelli

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PETINTOWN: gift ideas for your pet

Christmas is coming and it means only one thing: it’s time to amaze those we love with wonderful gifts. And for whom do we feel more, if not for our faithful four-legged roommates? It is a good thing that they find a little present under the tree to be discarded “on six legs” and spend a special moment with us.

Here, you can find some ideas, suitable for every budget, that will allow you to make happy those who share time and emotions with us, our dogs and cats. From the most traditional and useful gifts to the most curious ones. Let yourself be inspired and then run to buy and pack for your favorite paw, in return you will receive even more affection!

To enchant our dogs we relied on Toonpet, a stylish e-commerce boutique, founded a year ago and curated by real dog enthusiasts and fashion lovers, who select objects and create collections to make our puppies feel more and more special and fashion.
https://toonpet.com

donut bed toonpet

DONUT BED

This hairy and comfortable kennel is designed to wrap your puppy during his numerous and extreme naps and prevents the deterioration of his coat. Thanks to its round shape, this high-quality kennel is ideal for animals that love to curl up! The raised edge creates a sense of security and provides support for the head and neck, while the super-soft padding offers relief from joint and muscle pain. Cozy, flexible, finished with synthetic fur and self-heating, reminiscent of a mother’s fur! Toonpet has selected for us two models and a range of colors, making it a perfect addition to the decor of each room. Finished with funds resistant to water and dirt, it helps prevent accidental discomfort from reaching your floors.
https://toonpet.com/product/shag-fauxfur-donutbed/
https://toonpet.com/product/donut-the-soft-bed/

LARRY- THE WINTER PARKA

Larry – The Winter Parka

Dress your furry little friend and make him feel protected from the cold. Larry – the Winter parka, is a stylish, warm and comfortable accessory, equipped with a back pocket that allows you to bring with you some crunchy or walkies bags to picks up after him. Available in blue and suitable for small and medium-sized dogs. Easy to wear and clean!
https://toonpet.com/product/larry-the-winter-parka/

PET-A-PORTER

From a day in the outdoors together, to the journeys and trips typical of the holidays, Pet-a-porter, the collection of luxury bags made by hand, is a must-have to transport your four-legged friend comfortably and safely: lets you take it wherever you need to go and let it discover new places with you. Click on the link to discover the different seasonal models available in more colors, from pastel for the summer, or polka throughout the year, to Herringbone fabric for a winter mood. They are all customizable with the name of your pet!
https://toonpet.com/product-category/pet-a-porter/

POSHY ME BATHROBE

poshy me bathrobe

Winter brings rain, snow and cold and every time you and your dog come home from the walk, he deserves to come back clean with a nice bath. In the Toon Spa category, you will find a selection of bathrobes to make your puppy feel just like in a wellness center. The band to be tied at the waist still needs the help of mom or dad to be tied. It is made of sponge fabric specially designed to absorb water.
https://toonpet.com/product/2019-soft-bathrobe-cashmerefeel/

Eat your Veggies PAJAMA

Carrot Pajama

A comfortable and warm dog is a happy dog. Toonpet has created Snoozy Pup, a capsule collection of pajamas that will wrap your puppies in total comfort. Designed for puppies, it is also suitable for small and medium-sized breeds.
https://toonpet.com/product/carrot-pet-pajama/

Don’t tell cat if you have not bought him a Christmas gift yet! For those who are lovers of felines, we have selected some objects from the web to fascinate them

TIGRITO

Tigrito Alessi

Tigrito is the bowl that ALESSI has created for your kitty. Available in three colors and consisting of two bowls, it brings joy to the home. Do you think your cat can recognize himself in it?
https://www.alessi.com/it_it/catalogsearch/result/?q=tigrito&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2Nf3-Pue5gIVCIjVCh1ivQV9EAAYASAAEgIVT_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

SCRATCHING TREE

SCRATCHING TREE

With this scratching tree, your cat will have so much to scratch, hide and jump from side to side during the day that it will no longer haunt you every 5 minutes, making you the sweet eyes to get yet another bowl of dry food
https://www.miciogatto.it/shop/happypet-tiragraffi-albero-per-gatti-palestra-graffiatoio-sisal-grande-130-x-72-x-200-cm/

KONG SCRATTLES

KONG SCRATTLES

Cats have always enjoyed running after anything they roll or have a tail. For Christmas, give him this game with an irresistible consistency and a clink that stimulates the desire to play. Inside it also contains catnip. He’s already licking his mustache, what are you waiting for to buy it?
https://www.robinsonpetshop.it/giochi-e-/6062-kong-gioco-di-natale-scrattles-per-gatti/kong/kong-gioco-natale-scrattles-per-gatti.html

WINDOW HAMMOCK

window hammock

If you have a cat you can’t help but notice how immensely you love to squat in front of the window and lookout. With this hammock, you can afford to do it with maximum comfort.
https://www.zoologos.net/cuccia-amaca-letto-da-finestra-per-gatti-colore-kaki.html

HANGING BRUSH

hanging brush

And have you ever caught your cat scratching its nose against the door jambs? With these innovative hanging brushes, you will allow them to scratch themselves by feeling relief and you will prevent them from hurting themselves against the hard edges of walls and doors.
https://www.modamemorizzare.com/content?c=accessori%20per%20gatti&id=20

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Elbio Bonsaglio

He is one of the founders of the Letasca brand, an international success, which in just a few seasons has managed to enter the most important multi-brand stores in the world. Elbio Bonsaglio is, however, also one of the best-known Italian models, which has been shown for the most important brands and shot with famous names in photography. Followed on social networks, he tells us more about his world between Instagram and travel.

How did you come to the model profession?
In reality, it was a rather unusual journey. I studied at Bocconi, Business Administration, I graduated and started working in a communication studio as an account and in six months, the time of an internship, I realized that I would not have endured living my life behind a computer and that I wanted to travel. During a fashion week, just towards the end of this work, I was stopped several times by people asking me if I wanted to be a model, for the third time, frustrated by my work situation, I agreed to go for an interview and from there it all started.

Now no longer a model, but an influencer thanks to social media, and other activities. How did this step happen and when did you also become a designer?
The change to an influencer was unconscious. I have never had a blog and I never thought that I could influence someone, I always tried to be myself on social media, posting on Instagram what I was doing, my passions, such as boxing, or my travels. Perhaps, because I was a model first and now I also have my brand, people became curious and started following me. Then, I want to clarify that of Letasca I am not the designer, that part is followed by my partner, I deal with public relations, sales, relations with stakeholders, aspects that I feel most mine and are closer to my studies. Even the adventure of the brand began a bit for fun, I approached the thirty, and the role of the only model was a bit tight, my partner had just finished his studies in architecture, we had an idea, we carried on with enthusiasm, but I did not expect Letasca to end up at Harrods, Selfridges and Saks in a short time.

Speaking of your world on social media, how many of your suggestions and images are sincere and not sponsored?
My Instagram tells a lot about me, even through stories. There is so much of what my humor is, my way of joking, what I do every day. The sponsorships are not many, most of my time and my attention are dedicated to Letasca, but even in this case, I am always very sincere. How do you see the evolution of the social world and the role of the influencer? What do you think is the social network of the future? Does the influencer profession have an expiration date? Consider that many of the contemporary brands, which you now find in a large department store, would not exist, or would not have had the great success they had if there had been no Instagram. And thanks to this social, in a very democratic way, anyone could become an influencer. This is positive, but also negative, because those who have become qualitatively influencers are not always at high levels. Once you had to do a certain path to become a fashion guru, have studies behind you, a certain kind of taste. Now no more and this is the reason why many criticize the apps and the world they helped to form. The future is difficult to predict, the present of fashion is certainly in the hands of those who manage to create interest around a brand. At the moment I don’t see the expiry date as an influencer.

The negative side of your profession, if there is one.
It’s a profession for a long time. We are very pampered, we are considered cool, we sometimes do things that others would pay to do. In all this, there is a negative side, that is, that you completely greet your privacy. Sometimes I envy those who can stay a whole week on vacation without ever touching the phone.

Do you have a style tip to share with our readers?
Always expressing their facets and tastes. Try not to be approved, but to show what characterizes you. Here too, social media are democratic, because you can stand out and be honest. I think the best way to show off is not to be obsessed with the desire for pleasure, but to be lighter and not built.

Which city has remained in your heart? Do you have a favorite place that advises us?
I travel a lot for work, so there are so many places I love, like New York, which has a unique energy, and Ibiza. The latter because I love electronic music, of which Ibiza is a bit of a nerve center. And it is also a great compromise for me because there are also fantastic restaurants, if you go out on the boat you can easily reach Formentera and beautiful beaches. Then I remember being very well in Sydney, perhaps because it is a type of city that I was not used to, with its beaches and the heat all year round.

Milan: where to eat, where to have an aperitif, the place you like best?
Milan is my city, the one where I was born and raised, so it is not the place where I exceed or do any madness, I know it too well and I lived it so much in the past, I see it with a different eye than those who arrives to study or attracted by the many possibilities. I no longer have the spirit to live the nightlife, which I can do when I’m on vacation. I love the aperitif time, a winter red wine and a summer beer, but even more so to eat. And there are some typical Milanese places that I recommend, like Al Matarel, where they make the best hole in the world. One of the places I frequent is the Volt, where I go to greet my friend Claudio Antonioli, who is one of the founders.

Who are you beyond your profession, what other loves do you have?
I have already told you about my love for electronic music and then when I can, I try to see contemporary art exhibitions, I recently loved Basquiat’s. The fact that a part of Letasca is particularly linked to travel is because I love traveling a lot, I love the idea of ​​adventure and discovery that travel takes with it. Comparing oneself with different cultures is very stimulating. I like everything about boxing, the training, the confrontation with the adversary, the fact that it is a tough sport for men. If done respecting the rules and the opponent is a wonderful sport discipline.

Photo: Ryan Simo 
Styling: 3 
Grooming: Susanna Mazzola 
Photo assistant: Alessandro Chiorri 
Stylist assistants: Verena Kohl, Paula Anuska, Cristina Florence Galati

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MANINTOWN MEETS BREITLING: WATCH THE PROTAGONISTS OF THE EVENING

Breitling celebrates with the presentation of the latest news with Breitling Brand Day #SQUADONAMISSION which saw the participation of numerous sportsmen and friends of the brand founded in 1884. Great product innovations and rebranding presented during a workshop that later turned into a cocktail party event evocative location of the Flight Office. The evening also saw the participation of MANINTOWN, which involved some of the talents of its network, engaged in a live report of the evening that wanted to pay homage to the iconic models of the brand. Selected by MANINTOWN, lifestyle influencers such as Roberto De Rosa, Frank Gallucci and Giulia Gaudino participated, as well as eclectic talents such as Marco Castelli and micro-influencers such as Nicola Surbera, Yossy Fisher, Samuele Zuccarello and Simone Pollastri.

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A day with Your Gentleman

A day as a true gentleman with Marco Cartasegna

Do gentlemen still exist today? Or are they a past thing? We asked Marco Cartasegna, founder of YourGentleman blog, that after a successful career as a model and having studied International Management, returns to his first passion: fashion. In 2015 he opened his blog, where he tells his style, elegance and original creations.
“The gentleman today – Marco tells us – no longer exists as in the last century. The society has evolved if for better or worse I do not know, but it certainly has changed. In this context, the new gentleman must try to maintain as much as possible the links with past values ​​both in the most important aspects of life and in everyday gestures: always keeping his word, having no debts, respecting women, even with small gestures how to open the door of my sweetheart…”
What are the passions and style of the modern gentleman?
“The passions of the gentleman can be varied, the important thing is to do what you love with elegance. You can be elegant even playing rugby. The Gentleman style is personal in everyday life, but it is essential to respect the labels when required. Unbearable, for example, those who come to a black-tie event with “alternative” looks.
In thinking about different situations of the day, Marco interpreted three looks from the Herno Fall/Winter 2016-2017 Collection for MANINTOWN. As Marco himself states: “The contemporary gentleman must adapt to the challenges of modern society, maintaining his essence in the deep roots of the past, which inspire every daily gesture”. A philosophy that meets that of Herno, a company that was founded in 1948 on the shores of Lake Maggiore. In each garment, the brand cleverly combines tradition and innovation, intuition and creativity to accompany the chameleon-like man of today in every moment of the day.

For a walk in the park in the company of his dachshund, Marco chose the classic lightweight 7 denier nylon bomber jacket. A down jacket that combines functionality and aesthetic taste: the padding is half made up of very fine goose feathers and half of the technical feather, which adds waterproof protection to the garment, essential to face the harsh winter. The injection of the feathers in the individual cells avoids the clumsiness effect, ensuring a slim fit, enhancing the figure without weighing it down. The collection is available in a varied range of energetic colors, among which Marco has chosen the bright ocher yellow. A perfect garment for those who love sports and life in the open air.

photo credit ©Annalisa Flori

The trend of the moment: wool is renewed and becomes the protagonist again

Wool is a protagonist again in the wardrobe both for him and for her, but in a renewed look that takes into account the performance of metropolitan life and the contamination between fashion and sportswear. Precisely in looking at the active world, where performance is fundamental, wool fabrics and yarns are born with the most innovative performances, in pure wool or mixed with other technical fibers, which ensure the best results during physical activity and daily life. The fiber is renewed and takes on technological aspects, thanks to the most advanced treatments and finishes, ideal for any climate and discipline, indoor and outdoor. In this direction a new definition of sportswear is being imposed: fashion is enriched with timeless garments in fabrics designed to guarantee comfort, protection and style for the globetrotter 2.0, in the gym, on the road, at home or on the street. Now wool combines design, tech and comfort for all wardrobe items, from daywear to leisure time.

For a lunch meeting, Marco wears a pure cashmere Herno signed cardigan with cashmere silk details, while the interior is quilted nylon and padded with thermal wadding. A casual garment that maintains a decisive and energetic character thanks to the sporty details, such as the cuffs, the collar and the bottom in elasticated knit and the detachable hood. The excellence of the materials and the refined manufacture make the cardigan a unique item for refined simplicity. Moreover, as Marco maintains, the passions of the gentleman can be varied, the important thing is to do what one loves with elegance and naturalness. You can be stylish, even playing rugby. Not only an expression of comfort and softness, the cashmere down jacket also features an anti-drop and waterproof treatment to overcome the elements. A model that embodies a perfect compromise between practicality and timeless class.

When style meets performance: urban elegance attitude

As the blogger points out, the gentleman’s style is totally personal in everyday life, but it is essential to respect the labels when required. For this reason, in view of a more formal occasion like a business meeting, Marco has selected City Coat, the elegant coat in boiled wool with raw cuts. The classic look is accompanied by the research and innovation of the material that characterizes the latest generation of eco-friendly HERNO IN-TECH padding, technical material with the same characteristics and structure as the feather, but also waterproof and eco-friendly. An exclusive patent for the brand. Tradition and modernity meet to give life to a unique garment, more breathable and waterproof than the classic down coats, but equally efficient in terms of shelter from the winter cold.

This is how a series of timeless items in exclusive fabrics are created for the new generation businessman, designed to guarantee comfort, protection and style for the globetrotter 2.0, in the gym, on the road, at home or on the street. A trend destined to spread that launches a new interpretation of the concept of sportswear and leisurewear. Herno best interprets this concept thanks to continuous experimentation on technical materials combined with the most precious and natural fibers. Among the latest novelties of the brand presented at Pitti Uomo in Florence, a true observatory for menswear trends, is Ultrasonic Thermal Fusion, the new technique for processing Herno quilts. Like inside a volcano, shapes and masses merge thanks to the heat, becoming elastic, shapeless and malleable. Herno Magma is born from a vulcanization process through which the contemporary lines of the fabric come together, blend and reinforce. Two models: a bomber jacket and a parka, made of technical “chalk” fabric with an anti-drop treatment and iperlight goose down padding. A wardrobe in perfect urban elegance style that ensures maximum comfort, performance and attention to style. Word of a true gentleman.

www.herno.it

yourgentleman.com

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The New Gentleman

The new masculine classic renews itself through a mix of prints that tells a journey over centuries of history into the textile field. From baroque jacquards silks to floral patchworks and psychedelic digital prints, passing through the finest made in Italy high-quality wools.

On the cover: Gabriel on the left wearing jacket, vest, shirt, trousers and bow tie by Caporiccio, Fratelli Rossetti moccasins. On the right Lorenzo with Cividini polo, Sartoria Latorre jacket and Pence pinstriped trousers, Fiorio clutch.

Fashion Editor: Rosamaria Coniglio 

Photo: Federico Ghiani 

Hair: Angelo Rosa Uliana 

Make up: Dilys White 

Models: Lorenzo Cartacci @elite Gabriel Demaj @elite 

Thanks to Raw & Co. Rawmilano.it for rooms and furnishing

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AM318 launches his first collaboration with Efisio Rocco Marras

The first collaboration between AM318 and Efisio Rocco Marras is created as a genderless collection, designed for the upcoming spring season. The inspiration is the one of the 90’s street world where the typical taste of the metropolis, crossroads of punk and trash references, meets the clean mood of the marine world.

model-am318-white-tshirt-pink-trousers

The garments take their cue from heritage without giving up a more contemporary taste with a study of volumes that expanded themselves on pop proposals with bright colors. From sweatshirts with contrasting stripes to t-shirts with three-dimensional patchwork, from bulky cargo pants to denim in all palette colors and joggers to complete the proposal. Colors are well defined for each total look: coral red blends with baby pink, navy with melange gray with contrasts defined by white and blue color blocking bands.

am318-x-efisio-rocco-marras-male-model-red

The offer is completed by two new fashion sneaker models flanked by Arrow and Dart models, proposed in the previous collections. Rookies in perfect skater style and the most chunky and gritty Wave. Rubber patches and two-tone applications are the main details that define the collection, highlighting the ornament of the logo in relief. The international distribution of the capsule is entrusted to Spazio38 Showroom in the Milan office and in their Paris showroom during Fashion Week.

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A model’s talk: Radu Ionut

First of all you’re very young and you’re very strong on social media, especially on Instagram. Do you prefer social networks or your model activities?

Yes I’m 19 and I think a bit of both is necessary, Instagram is a very good platfom for promoting and being seen by clients, big clients.

Where are you from?

Romenia

Do you go home often or you’re busy traveling all the time?

Well I’m based in Bucarest, the capitol, but yeah I’ve been traveling a lot. I’ve signed my modeling contract ony 6 months ago so I didn’t have that much time to travel all over the world, but still I’m moving all around.

Can you tell me some cool places in Bucarest?

Yeah sure, the old center, it’s very nice it has a lot of history and many clubs. The streets are the same as 50 years ago so it’s a really nice place to go. 

Your favorite place in the world?

I think that would be New York, I was there for 2 weeks modeling. People were nice I had many projects going on there. 

Style suggetions?

My favourite brand is Armani, something classic not too much colour, like black and white. 

Tell me something about your hair, are you a natural blonde?

I’m actually a darker blonde, I use conditioner and I love the brand L’Oreal, it’s great for blonde hair

I saw you worked with Bruce Weber, can you tell me something about him?

It was just before nyc, I went to Miami for a week and a half, it was a great experience cause we shot almost everywhere: his house, in the ocean or at the beach, so mostly swimwear and underwear. We also did change many outfits, he is great to work with, he’s such a good photographer. 

Your dreams?

I’m not so sure but it’s definitely gonna be something related to modeling and i’d love to try acting, maybe in New York. 

Ph: Antonio Avolio 
Stylist: Stefano Guerrini 
Stylist’s assistants: Fabiana Guigli, Davide Spinella 
Grooming: Matteo Bartolini @Freelancer Agency using R+CO 
Model: Radu Ionut @Independent Models MGMT
Interview: Massimiliano Benetazzo

®All rights reserved

A model’s Talk: Andrea Manzoni

What pushed you to undertake a modeling carreer?

I was still attending high school and I was out with my parents on a Sunday, a booker named Massimo Curella stopped me and gave his business card to my parents. It all started gradually, since I was a football player I would’ve never imagined to become a model, but then I started traveling a lot. I lived for many years in Asia, I visited many cities like Shanghai, Singapore, Hong Kong and Beijing. I came back to Italy to work with clients like Dolce & Gabbana, and now I’m living between Paris and Milan.

What can you tell us about Paris?

I simply love it, I live on my own even though it wasn’t easy for me to find an apartment alone. I live near Notre Dame, in Saint Poumpidou. I find it extremely nice, it represents the old Paris, with its alleys. Working it’s wuite different from here, the model’s expression is more cherished. 

Could you tell us a place you would recommend?

Definitely Shanghai, where I lived for five years. I even stopped modeling for a year, since the city totally captivated me, and I worked as a club manager. I find Shanghai more open and international than Beijing. A restaurant I would recommend is The Fellas, a rooftop with a view on the Bund, owned by Italians. There are many things to do there, but even by talking a walk in the old town or in People’s square you could totally fall in love with it. I can also say it’s the perfect city for modeling, the work is tough but worth it.

Talking about yourself, do you train constantly?

I train at home, I’m not really used to the gym, coming from football and swimming. I train an hour every day and it’s been two years and a half since I last skipped a training day. Being 30 years old, I need to be more careful about what I eat then when I was younger, our body is constantly changing. 

What do you think about social network?

It’s for sure a part of my job, I think it’s very useful. It often gets confused how modeling, being an influencer and sponsor a brand are three completely different things. Social network allow us to be seen from everyone and being scouted easily. I love being in contact with the world, especially because I travel a lot, even though it was difficult in China, since most of the websites are blocked by the Government.

What do you always bring with you when you travel?

A book that my father gave me, it’s called the Alchemist by Coelho. I feel like it represents some parts of my life everytime I read it.

A piece of clothing that should always be in a man’s closet?

Elegant trousers, I never wear jeans.

What is your biggest dream?

I’d love to buy a house for my grandparents to give back everything they gave to me.

Any future plan?

I want to continue working in this field, become a booker or a casting director, and maybe fund my own agency, with the right balance between client’s satisfaction and model’s needs. 

Ph: Antonio Avolio
Style: Stefano Guerrini
Stylist’s assistants: Fabiana Guigli, Davide Spinella
Grooming: Matteo Bartolini @Freelancer Agency using R+CO
Model: Andrea Manzoni @Independent MGMT
Interview: Martina Belluschi

Cover: Total look Dondup, scarpe Baldinini 

®Riproduzione riservata

AJ BUCKLEY

Manintown exclusively interviewed CBS’ hit military drama “SEAM Team” Actor, who has also launched  Paperclip, an innovative line of high-end diaper bags designed for modern parenthood.

IF YOU SHOULD DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY WITH THREE ADJECTIVES, WHICH WOULD YOU CHOOSE AND WHY?
Dreamer – I’ve lived my life by following my dreams no matter how big they’ve been or what obstacles have stood in the way.
Resilient – In this business I have heard “No” way more than “Yes,” but I never give up and it does nothing but fuel my work ethic.
Family Man –  there is nothing more important in life.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST GIFT AND LESSON ABOUT BEING A PARENT?
I think the biggest gift is being able to see the world again through your child’s eyes and the biggest lesson learned is you have to have patience. Also Santa Claus is real.

COULD YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT PAPERCLIP PROJECT, DESIGNED FOR PARENTHOOD?
My business partner and I were frustrated with the lack of changing tables in men’s bathrooms. I once had to take off my t-shirt and lay my daughter on it to change her diaper on a bathroom floor. So we designed a bag with a fold out changing mat, allowing you to change your kid anywhere, anytime. We wanted to design a bag that parents would buy and make it unisex so everyone would feel cool carrying it. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be selling diaper bags that I can’t keep on the shelf.

IF YOU COULD LIVE IN A BOOK, WHICH ONE WOULD YOU CHOOSE AND WHY?
The Never Ending Story because it never ends.

YOU ARE A TRULY SUCCESSFUL PERSON BUT IS THERE STILL ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO ACHIEVE IN THE NEAR FUTURE?
I’m never complacent and I feel like I’m just beginning. I would love to take on a role behind the camera and direct one day.

WHAT ARE YOUR MAIN THOUGHTS DURING THE DAY?
Family.
Train.
Work.
Sleep.
Repeat.

WHAT YOUR IRISH ROOTS THAUGHT YOU?
To never take yourself too seriously.

IS THERE A THOUGHT YOU WOULD LOVE TO SHARE WITH MANINTOWN’S READERS THAT IS CURRENTLY NOURISHING YOUR SOUL?
Be fearless.

____

Manintown ha intervistato in esclusiva la star della serie di successo “SEAM Team”, che ha anche lanciato Paperclip, una linea innovativa di borse per pannolini di fascia alta pensata per i papà dei giorni d’oggi.

 
SE POTESSI DESCRIVERE LA TUA PERSONALITÀ CON TRE AGGETTIVI, QUALI SCEGLIERESTI E PERCHÉ?
Sognatore – Ho vissuto la mia vita seguendo i miei sogni, non importa quanto siano stati grandi o quali ostacoli io abbia incontrato.
Resiliente – In questo business ho sentito “No” molto più di “Sì”, ma non mi arrendo mai e non fa altro che alimentare la mia etica del lavoro.
Family Man – non c’è niente di più importante nella vita.

QUAL È IL REGALO PIÙ GRANDE E LA LEZIONE DI ESSERE UN GENITORE?
Penso che il regalo più grande sia riuscire a vedere il mondo attraverso gli occhi di tuo figlio e la più grande lezione imparata è che devi avere pazienza. Anche Babbo Natale è reale.

POTREBBE RACCONTARCI DI PIÙ SUL PROGETTO PAPERCLIP, PROGETTATO PER I GENITORI?
Il mio socio in affari ed io eravamo frustrati per la mancanza di attrezzatura per il cambio dei bambini nei bagni degli uomini. Una volta dovevo togliermi la maglietta e posare mia figlia per cambiare il pannolino sul pavimento del bagno. Così abbiamo progettato una borsa con un tappetino pieghevole, che consente di cambiare il tuo bambino ovunque, in qualsiasi momento. Volevamo disegnare una borsa che i genitori avrebbero comprato e renderla unisex, così tutti si sarebbero sentiti a proprio agio nel trasportarlo. Mai avrei pensato di vendere borse per pannolini, e invece.

SE POTESSI VIVERE IN UN LIBRO, QUALE SCEGLIERESTI E PERCHÉ?
La storia infinita perché non finisce mai.

SEI UNA PERSONA DAVVERO DI SUCCESSO, MA C’È ANCORA QUALCHE COSA CHE VORRESTI RAGGIUNGERE NEL PROSSIMO FUTURO?
Non sono mai compiacente e sento che sto solo iniziando. Mi piacerebbe avere un ruolo dietro la macchina da presa e dirigere un giorno.

QUALI SONO I TUOI PENSIERI PRINCIPALI DURANTE IL GIORNO?
Famiglia.
Allenamento.
Lavoro.
Dormire.
Ripetere.

COSA TI HANNO INSEGNATO LE TUE RADICI IRLANDESI?
Non prenderti mai troppo sul serio.

C’È UN PENSIERO CHE VORRESTI CONDIVIDERE CON I LETTORI DI MANINTOWN CHE STA NUTRENDO ATTUALMENTE LA TUA ANIMA?
Non aver paura.

®Riproduzione riservata

BE READY FOR FASHION WEEK

Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana and the Milanese Creativity Factory The Blink Fish have partnered once again for their latest fashion film: Be Ready. Celebrating the chaos, excitement and shenanigans taking place during fashion week, we follow model Nastya Timos determined to be in top shape for the upcoming Milanese fashion season.

“You  are not  walking. You  are catwalking. Walk  like everybody is envying  you.”

Frantically trying on outfits, rehearsing for selfies and relentlessly working out, the result is humorous and light-hearted interpretation of the excitement taking place during fashion week and the preparation involved.

“You  are the  new black.”

The Blink Fish and the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana have been collaborating since 2016, developing an increasingly strong online presence while supporting local design. For instance in Be Ready stylist Georgia Tal has worked with ten brands based in Italy, from emerging to more established, namely Arthur Arbesser, Gabriele Colangelo, GCDS, Giannico, Lucio Vanotti, Marco de Vincenzo, Paula Cademartori, Sara Battaglia, Stella Jean and Vivetta.

®Riproduzione riservata

 

ROBERTO DE ROSA NEAPOLITAN SOUL, INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS

 

Roberto De Rosa (@robertoderosa), stayed true to his Neapolitan soul during his journey on the Orient Express that brought him to Hong Kong, and allowed him to become a ( ) ‘yǐngxiǎng zhě’ that is, a person capable of influencing tastes and dictating trends. Having also achieved success in Italy, Roberto dreams of breaking into film and proves what they say: that Neapolitans are a cut above the rest.in no time.

Your journey started in Asia, in China- in Hong Kong, precisely. What fascinated you about the Orient so much that you became a heavily followed influencer?
My success as an influencer was born in Asia, in China to be exact. It was a different time- we’re talking about four years ago- and I reflected the images of the classic Western boy next door in the aesthetic imagination of Asians.

Without your success in China, do you think you would be where you are now?
My luck happened in Hong Kong. Before arriving there, I was already present online in Italy and had had great experiences here too: I wasn’t coming from a completely unknown place. Surely the East gave me the push that would have been difficult to get here, and allowed me to return to Italy stronger than before and with skills that others didn’t have. I believe that anyone who looking to enter this sector now will not find the same opportunities: it is much more difficult now.

How do you think the figure of the influencer will evolve?
It changes from day to day, if not from hour to hour- it’s a super fast world. Just think that less than seven months ago I received a proposal from the Fox Network for a television program, I still don’t believe it!

What will be the social media of the future?
It doesn’t exist yet; I don’t think it will be any of the current ones. Instagram will be over soon, as has already happened for MSN and MySpace.

Of your posts on Instagram, how many are sponsored by brands and how many are spontaneous?
My Instagram is certainly not a shopping centre. I try to inspire the people who follow me, also addressing different topics, like gluten-free foods and lifestyle. On my page, apart from sponsorship, you can see my real life- that of the boy next door.

Photo Ryan Simo
Styling Stefano Guerrini
Grooming Susanna Mazzola
Photo assistant Alessandro Chiorri
Stylist assistants: Cristina Florence Galati, Paula Anuskha, Verena Kohl

®All Rights Reserved

 

The brilliant hues of Corentin Fila

Mr. Corentin Fila is a young Parisian actor on the verge of greatness. His work with André Techiné brought him a succès d’estime that focused the gaze of the Parisian cinema world on his considerable talent and promise. French cinema insiders are already buzzing about how his upcoming role in the bigger-budget French army flick “Volontaire” (opening 6th June in France) will cement his status as a valuable new star of the French big screen. He sat down to talk with us about, among other things, television, typecasting, and Téchiné.

 

You have worked on television and in movies with considerable critical success. What advice would you give to a young actor about the differences and benefits of working in these two artistic fields?
I guess it depends on the projects but in general the difficulty with television is that there is a time-consuming search for results. Whereas with “auteur” cinema it’s to do fifteen or twenty takes to get a scene right, with television the same scene will be afforded a maximum of five takes. So it’s better to be good right off the bat. In the cinema you can sometimes allow yourself to experiment, to fumble on several shots, and to feel your way along by trying different things: in the cinema you are a bit more of a “researcher.”

Every actor fears the possibility of being typecast. In your own career, have you ever felt this pressure to conform to a certain kind of role? How do you avoid this possibility?
As a young mixed-race actor I could have been afraid of being limited to playing inner-city youth-type roles. But in my first film—the one that first brought me recognition on a larger scale–(“Quand on a 17 ans”) I play an adopted farmer, living in the mountains and a homosexual. This is far from the cliché of the young drug dealer. That the film was also directed by André Téchiné, who is one of the greatest film directors,  has—I think—prevented from being typecast.

The trailer for “Volontaire” gives one the impression that the actors’ preparation had to be extremely grueling. How did you prepare for this role? How did you do your research?
Diane Rouxel, who is the lead actress in the film, and I did an internship with the marine commandos at their base at Forfusco in (the French department of—ed.) Lorient. It was incredible. Being “engagé” and very left-wing, politically speaking, I had a lot of prejudices about the military world, and I met great people, of great humanity. This experience will remain as a very strong memory. Physically it was pretty tough too. I box three to four times a week so I was already in good physical condition but Diane did a crazily impressive job. It’s really amazing: she barely uses any stunt doubles.

In “Mes Provinciales” you play the role of Mathias: a seductive and idealistic student who lives exclusively on high art. In your own life, in other interviews, you compared Netflix to McDonald’s food, indicating that you used the streaming site as a sleeping pill. “My Provincials” is already collecting extremely positive reviews for its austere cinematography and naturalistic play. Like Mathias, do you limit your image consumption to the highest register of intellectual culture? Or do you have guilty pleasures? What depresses you in mainstream cinema? What do you find promising or interesting in contemporary cinema?
I’m certainly not as uncompromising as my character in “Mes Provinciales.” I even think Mathias would be horrified by half of what I watch. I don’t even consider myself a true film buff, but it’s true that what touches me in “auteur” cinema is the sensitive point of view. The idea of sharing with the director a certain perspective of the world that might not be pleasant but that needs to be expressed. But I think that people should watch whatever they want and I think it’s gross to be too elitist. Fortunately, mainstream cinema exists. The last great film I saw is a Japanese film by Ryusuke Hamaguchi: “Senses 1 & 2.” It’s the kind of film that seems to educate your perception of others and of the world.

André Téchiné is known for his emotionally charged films that explore the complexities of love and desire. He is a “serious” filmmaker and yet his films have a lightness and realism that makes them extremely close. What surprised you when working with Téchiné and what did you learn about the acting profession and the world of cinema?
It is an exceptional gift to have had the chance to work with him and to become his friend, André is a great gentleman of French cinema who, at seventy-five years old, has something childish and touching about him that makes him extremely accessible, in addition to being humble and modest. He often spoke to me on the set of “Organized Chaos,” which was the perfect way of shooting scenes for him: “Organized” because one repeated the dialogue several times and “chaotic” because the little bit of extra soul that escapes an actor on, say, the tenth take will absolutely make the scene exceptional.

From morning to night, would you describe for us an ideal Saturday in Paris?
In the morning I go to my boxing session in the 10th Arrondissement, then I walk along the Canal St Martin before ending up drinking with my friends Rue du Faubourg St Denis (unless I have boxing the following morning).

What classic movie role would you like to reinterpret? Why? And how would you update it?
 That’s either a very difficult question or I’m lacking imagination but, sincerely, I can’t think of one. I love all of Jim Jarmush’s films. Perhaps I would consider the first ones—such as “Permanent Vacation” or “Stranger than Paradise” as classics—but then they’re flawless and shouldn’t be changed. So I guess that’s not really an answer…
Fashion and cinema are related but very different universes. What did you learn from your years working in the fashion industry as a model?
I don’t think working in fashion has helped me as an actor. To pose and to act are very different things: modeling is mostly a question of attitude as opposed to acting, for which you really need to feel something. Above all, you shouldn’t try to be handsome when you’re acting. You really shouldn’t care.

Your mother was a teacher and your father was an artist. What did you learn from them that helped you as an artist?
My father was a Congolese director with a lot of African artist friends who came to the house, even though I was never close to him, I thank that hearing them analyse the world so many times planted a little seed in me. As a child, I was often on set, though I have only very vague memories of that. To tell the truth I think that my sensitibility comes to me from my mother, with whom I have exchanged quite a lot throughout my life.
If a fashion editor described your personal style, what words would he use?
No idea. Half dandy, half austere, or half nothing. I don’t know. Laid-back, I guess.

Which song always makes you feel better?
“Origin of Man” by The Budos Band.

When you look at a newspaper or a magazine, what makes you pessimistic about the world? What do you think is totally fucked up for the next generation?
Aside from the environment—as concerns human relations—nothing is permanently fucked up. I am not at all pessimistic. The reception given to migrants is an issue that worries me a lot. I worked a month and a half in a refugee camp and it gave me incredible hope. With the English association “Good Chance” we put together theater workshops with migrants every day and on Saturday we had improvised shows that were open to Parisians. It’s a little naive to say it but that place of intercultural exchange gave me hope and made me think that the human soul is not so bad. Even the nazis and the reactionaries who don’t even question themselves are not fatally fucked. I believe enormously in the virtues of ENCOUNTERS. One should never become embittered. Remain emphatic and live your life open to first times and new encounters.

 

 


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Talent: Corentin Fila
Interview: Matthew Hicks
Photographer Francesco Brigida
Stylist: Nicholas Galletti
Groomer: Richard Blandel @ B Agency

GUARDIANI: ONESOUL, MANY PERSONALITIES

The sneaker project turns digital

In the last issue we talked about the new project about the Onesoul sneakers by Guardiani, a design trainer that mixes an active spirit with a more formal attitude, that distinguishes itself for its tapered shape, the strap and the contrasting spoiler. An unisex shoe that can be declined in a multitude of ways, it can have different uses and suitable for divers looks. Just like the MANINTOWN man, the essence of this sneaker has many sides: it winks to the new trends, the high-top version with the sock is the perfect example, it maintains a sleek and elegant attitude, making it possible to pair it with a business look or a nightout suit.
The project working on this particular item is developing thanks to the interpretation of it with the video-manifesto (called Onesoul, many personalities , of which we talked about in our site) curated by Senio Zapruder, in which all the different personalities and archetypes of subcultures and Instagram are explained, the very ones who inspired the design of this sneaker, exploring the diversity of characters that create or are the final target of the Onesoul sneaker. The shoes becomes even more viral and a cult object of the web.

Exclusively,  we present the new ONESOUL KNITTED high top ( a preview on the fw18 collection is already available on the Guardiani online store), an design athleisure bootie, unisex following the trend, that is the protagonist of the video that you can watch online on manintown.com.

GUARDIANI PITTI SS19_ PrepFuturism_ONESOUL knitted hightop

The Onesoul knitted high-top, is a sock sneaker, evolution of the iconic  model of the brand, and it is made for the sneaker addicted, entirely made in stretch knitted tubular fabric, this shoes has the same details of the basic one: the strap in rubberized fabric, metal buckle with the logo and the contrasting spoiler.

The socksneaker Onesoul  is available in two unisex versions: black with red spoiler and green with wooden print spoiler.In the video is really important the genderless topic, that is shown in a more minimalistic way. Two identical figures interchange, at the beginning they look like only one and just after they separate and interact. The alternation of black and white of the Onesoul knitted high-top stole the attention on the scene and catches your eye, thanks to the visual power of its design.

This model, with the preview for the next spring summer 2019 collection, will be exposed at Pitti 94, in the Alberto Guardini stand (Pad. Centrale K18) and in the milanese showroom of the brand, in Palazzo Serbelloni, Corso Venezia 16.

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