On February 22, 2014 CIMA the Center for Italian Modern Art will open its doors to the public at 421 Broome Street in Manhattan. The Soho space was founded earlier this year by curator, art historian, and collector Laura Mattioli. It will launch — on a Tuesday-to-Saturday, by-appointment-only schedule, with guided tours on Fridays and Saturdays — with an exhibition devoted to the under-represented Futurist artist and designer Fortunato Depero.
DO YOU LOVE ITALY? HERE A NEW APP FOR “ITALOPHILES”
ICINY
https://itunes.apple.com/US/app/id814170138?mt=8
The application informs on the Institute, its history and its activities and presents the complete and updated calendar of events organized in New York and the calendar “Main Events in Italy”: a selection of the major events organized or sponsored by the Ministry of Culture in major Italian cities. A perfect tool both for the “Italophiles” of New York and for the American tourist who visits Italy.


SUNDAY IN HARLEM: FAITH, GOSPEL, SOUL FOOD AND EXTRAVANGANT LADIES COUTURE
Check my article published in VanityFair Traveller . http://www.vanityfair.it/viaggi-traveller/viaggi-mondo/news/14/01/20/new-york-harlem-messa-gospel-brucnh-indirizzi-informazioni
…………..BROKEN IS BEAUTIFUL! ROTTO E’ BELLO !
Are you always afraid that your luggage could be damaged during the trip? Do you hate bad surprises at the baggage claim?
Well, the solution is simple: buy a NEW suitcase ALREADY damaged! Two venetian designers created Crash Baggage www.crashbaggage.com bags that are born already “bruised” as if those who load the luggage had no pity. They are in three different sizes and many colors: red, yellow, blue, gray, black and a trendy military green. They are light weight (the trolley is less than two pounds). The unfortunate bags are battered outside but inside they are really “traditional ” with several pockets for documents and toiletry items.
So why should you worry about any possible damage, since your luggage is already damaged? Enjoy the trip, the new slogan is “Please handle without care”
Check my post in Traveller. Guarda il mio post su Traveller http://www.vanityfair.it/viaggi-traveller/notizie-viaggio/news/13/08/27/crash-baggage-la-valigia-anti-ammaccatura-da-portare-in-aereo
THE “DOLCE VITA” …. AT YOUR TABLE
A very special dinner for a very special book
Met Restaurant at magnificent Hotel Metropole in Venice www.hotelmetropole.com will held a tribute to the legendary Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini in occasion of the presentation of “At the Table with Fellini, Oscar recipes by his sister Maddalena”
a book-collection of the most delicious dishes usually at the table of the great director, enriched by pictures from the Family Fellini’s album. A voyage through memories, habits, little rituals and simple gestures in the kitchen little rituals, from Mom dumplings to the classic home-made pasta ragout 
.
Fellini was a man who liked simple yet generous dishes, exactly like his bosomy actresses. So get ready to taste one of the hits of the night: a succulent capon stuffed with stuffed zucchini!
BUDAPEST: Nagisarnok Market: meet the locals, avoid the tourists
Go to the market NAGYCSARNOK (Vámház körút 1-3) A real meeting point for locals. Stay away from the picturesque paprika vendors and look for the old ladies with red gown and scarf. They sell the best and cheapest cheese . Hungry? At the first floor you can have a traditional hungarian meal
VEGAN BRUNCH ON SUNDAY OCT 20TH
Where? Interno 23 a private, luxury lounge club in Milan at Viale Piceno 23.Starts at 12.00pm Make a reservation ph. 02-87158467
What? A great buffet with farro and pumpkin, zucchini focaccia, herbs muffins, red lentils soup, scrambled tofu,vegetables. chocolate biscuits, apple tart,banana bread, fruit skewers, and more… only 20 euros . I tried once , I loved it, I ‘ll go back on Sunday
HAT-OLOGY
WANT TO SEE MORE THAN 100 AMAZING HATS?
Where? In Milan at the Palazzo Morando , Via S.Andrea 6
Exhibition “Hat-Ology, Anna Piaggi and her hats”. Until November 30,
You can see the immense heritage that the journalist and fashion icon has left to the world of the image and culture: hats, true works of art as her eclectic style
“My hat is something personal. It contains the soul, the emotion and the feelings that move this little world”

MEN SHOES…OHH MAN!
Flamboyant sneakers, barefoot sneakers, kiss loafers, driving a boat or playing cricket, transparent soles, classic black&white, crazy silver&gold. Check the slide show with the latest hip shoes from the Men Fashion Week in Milan. Hold your breath (and your wallet)
“Pasta Emperor” Giovanni Rana …does New York
Pasta lovers…write down this address!
75 9th Avenue New York, NY 10011 Phone (212) 370-0975
Mr. Giovanni Rana, the Italian most celebrated fresh pasta producer, just opened his first restaurant in New York. The spacious venue, located in the Chelsea Market, offers an inviting menu with traditional and innovative pasta dishes.
Try the calamarata, a calamari look alike pasta served with seafood and marinara sauce, the tonnarelli al ragu, ( square spaghetti with meat sauce) the famous tortellini al prosciutto, served with prosciutto crostino on the side and, of course, a huge choice of ravioli that allowed Giovanni to claim the title of “Pasta Emperor”.
The stuffings abound: pumpkin, lobster, spinach and ricotta, gorgonzola and radicchio. Don’t miss one of my favorites with fried artichokes. You can also enjoy a great variety of appetizers, (I loved the three spreads platter with kale, eggplants and sun dried tomatoes ingeniously mixed to different cheeses) as well as side orders (the polenta taragna seeks to be dipped in the mascarpone cream…sinful! .
Sweet tooth anyone? Check out the tantalizing taste of the panna cotta with passion fruit, indulge in a decadent chocolate ravioli with raspberries puree or have a nibble of my favorite torta di mele, an apple cake, made just like my Italian grandma used to prepare.
Eat, love and ..take it home: next to the restaurant a real pasta fresca store is selling all the differerent fresh pasta products featured on the menu and giving away complimentary recipe cards…
Here is me with the Emperor Himself!
.
Welcome to New York, Giovanni!
Looking for Madonna’s iconic Blond Ambition corset?
Well, you have to wait till October 25, when the Brooklyn Museum will host Jean Paul Gaultier, from the sidewalk to the catwalk,
a spectacular exhibition of this celebrated French couturier’s work loved by mega stars such as Beyoncé, Kylie Minogue and many more.
The show is organized into seven thematic sections: The Odyssey, The Boudoir, Muses, Punk Cancan, Skin Deep, Metropolis, and Urban Jungle.
Have a nice trip!
PUNK FASHION AT THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM. FROM CHAOS (a little…) TO COUTURE ( a lot…)
Get ready to dress PUNK!
The new spring 2013 exhibition organized by The Costume Institute of The Metropolitan Museum is supposed to be a tribute the punk’s impact on high fashion from the movement’s birth in the 1970s ( that ‘s the chaos) through its continuing influence today ( mais oui, la couture, naturellement !)

Adventure yourself in a dark itinerary featuring approximately 100 designs for men and women.
Few original punk garments from the mid-1970s are juxtaposed with recent, directional fashion to illustrate how haute couture and ready-to-wear have borrowed punk’s visual symbols, with paillettes being replaced with safety pins, feathers with razor blades, and bugle beads with studs.

Focusin on the concept of ‘made-to-measure,’ the exhibition focuses on materials, techniques, and embellishments associated with the anti-establishment style.
Presented as an immersive multimedia, multisensory experience, the clothes are animated with period music videos and soundscaping audio techniques. A great jump in a chaotic sea full of creativity and disrespect.

The new spring 2013 exhibition organized by The Costume Institute of The Metropolitan Museum is supposed to be a tribute the punk’s impact on high fashion from the movement’s birth in the 1970s ( that ‘s the chaos) through its continuing influence today ( mais oui, la couture, naturellement !)
Adventure yourself in a dark itinerary featuring approximately 100 designs for men and women.
Few original punk garments from the mid-1970s are juxtaposed with recent, directional fashion to illustrate how haute couture and ready-to-wear have borrowed punk’s visual symbols, with paillettes being replaced with safety pins, feathers with razor blades, and bugle beads with studs.

Focusing on the relationship between the punk concept of ‘do-it-yourself’ and the couture concept of ‘made-to-measure,’ the exhibition focuses on materials, techniques, and embellishments associated with the anti-establishment style.
Presented as an immersive multimedia, multisensory experience, the clothes are animated with period music videos and soundscaping audio techniques. A great jump in a chaotic sea full of creativity and disrespect.
Maybe a little bit “too couture”, since the chaos is somehow leaving more space to top designer’s creations.
The exhibition, on view from May 9 through August 14, 2013

HUNTING FOR BEADS IN SECRET VENICE
Sat Sept 4th 2013 If you are in Venice, don’t miss it! If You are not in Venice… travel there for a magical day !
Participants of all ages challenge themselves searching and discovering beautiful hidden corners of Venice. The hunt starts in Campo San Simeone Grande, Santa Croce at 3.30 pm.
Wear comfortable shoes, bring your camera, and a venetian glass bead necklace
and amulets
……….Free participation! Just book yourself and friends at
info@doyoubead.com or call +39 041 5230292
At the end, prizes to best groups and a toast hosted by enchanting Hotel Ca’Negra http://www.hotelcanigra.com facing the Grand Canal
NON TOURISTY TOURIST –TURISTA NON TURISTA
WHO IS NTT?
Someone (like me) who
– Hates being in a group among 25 other tourists
– Likes to visit a place in a unique and personal manner
– Loves to find hidden gem destinations & undiscovered venues
– Likes hanging with the locals more than the local tourist office
– Knows a great place for dining or shopping that’s well off the beaten path

Buenos Aires: the best spots to dance the Milonga.
Hello NTTs,
I just came back from Buenos Aires and I discovered the places where real portenos go to dance the Milonga which is a kind of faster tango. I totally felt in love with that music.
Here some great places:[
La Viruta (Armenia 1366)
Sunderland Club (Lugones 3161)
Centro Cultural Torcuato Tasso (Defensa 1575)
Club Villa Malcom (Avenida Córdoba 5064)
Club Fulgor de Villa Crespo (Loyola 868, Barrio de Villa Crespo)
La Glorieta (Plaza de Barrancas de Belgrano) La Milonguita (two locations) Sala Siranush (Armenia 1353) and Club Montañez (J Newbery 2818)
The best one? No doubt , it ‘s La Confiteria Ideal (Suipacha 394)
CHEESELOVER? Every two years Bra, Italy is hosting a spectacular cheese festival. September 20-23. Check my 2011 edition review from GourmeT USA
… I lost my luggage! What shall I wear on the red carpet tonight?
by Cesare Zucca for ONE, the pleasure of the luxury http://www.behance.net/gallery/ONE-Il-piacere-del-lusso/10222663
THE GLAMOROUS MARK HOTEL Here you are in New York but at the baggage claim you discover that your suitcases are lost somewhere and in a few hours you have an important appointment that you can’t miss! All the “lost luggage person” will be happy with the new collaboration between the Mark Hotel themarkhotel. com, one of the most exclusive hotels in Manhattan and the store Bergdorf Goodman bergdorfgoodman.com one of the most prestigious clothing stores on Fifth Avenue. Actually the Mark offers its guests private access to the shop 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. So do not panic! On the phone, or mobile phone, you can solve the problem at any time of the day or night, all remaining in the comfort of your own room, wi- thout even leaving, the concierge Mark hotel has supplied a private line with Bergdorf Goodman and his personal shopping department, a service that has a list of professional experts in super fashion shopping. The hotel offer the service free of charge. The personal Shopper, deliveries and the whims of the host… are included in the room rate!
EVERY 2 YEARS WORLD GOES…………. “CHEESE!” Where: Little town of Bra, Piedmont, Italy
September 20-23, 2013 Try some amazing cheeses. wines and traditional dishes. http://cheese.slowfood.it Cheese is a FREE event held in the streets and squares of Bra’s historic center, where you will find the Market, thematic spaces (Slow Food stand, the Literary Café and the Biodiversity House) and other entertainment and education activities. There is a cost for the following: tastings in the Great Hall of Cheese and Enoteca, Taste Workshops, Dinner Dates and Master of Food courses. Limited places are available for the Dinner Dates, Taste Workshops and Master of Food courses at Cheese, so it is essential to book in advance, here or by writing to prenotazioni@slowfood.it.
VENICE:DO YOU BEAD?

Let me introduce the charming “signora veneziana” Gloria Beggiato, owner of the magnificent Hotel Metropole and creator of the 2013 Fashion Design Made In Venice a five months event dedicated to strictly Venetian designers whose products favour refined and precious materials

Once a year, the windows of the Metropole’s Oriental Bar become a luxurious display of Venetian excellence and help rediscover objects combining art, technique and fashion.
www.hotelmetropole.com

Among this year artists, Marisa Convento presented Venetian Dreams, an amazing collection of necklaces, earrings, bags and corals created from the most beautiful Venetian glass beads as a tribute to the traditional crafts of Venice, once entrusted to the patient and creative hand of the “impiraresse” (bead workers).

Despite hours of work Marisa aims to keep prices under control. For example, a stunning glass bauble on a cord costs about $75 and this elegant handmade bag is less than $250.

Coming right from the sea…This spectacular necklace looks like a coral tree, but is actually made from minuscule red beads. It took two weeks of work!

Marisa is also an enthusiastic supporter of DO YOU BEAD? www.doyoubead.com , a project that aims to popularize the culture and tradition of glass beads produced in Venice and Murano, increasingly threatened by the marketing of no value products and no historical repertory.

In an age of fakes and degradation of genuine products, what is common to all designers and companies involved in DYB? is a great passion for these little wonders that are traditional Venetian beads

The glass beads are in fact part of the fundamental enormous artistic heritage that the city of Venice has produced over the centuries.

Check Marisa Convento web www.venetiandreams.altervista.org
Ballet, Fashion & Creativity shine through young Hungarian designers
The Pentatonicism Fashiow Show was the magical closing night for the Milan June 2013 fashion week, held in the superb “cortile” of Palazzo Isimbardi. In a warm summer night more than sixty different garments created by twentyfour young designers of the Association of Hungarian Figurative Art, walked the runway. Instead of traditional models, the outfits were worn by the dancers of the Opera in Budapest, performing ballets inspired by the Hungarian music on the pentatonic scale typical of folk melodies, well researched by great musician such as Béla Bartók and Zoltán Kodály.
The event was attended by the President of the Chamber of Fashion Mario Boselli, the charming Mrs Enikő Győri, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary and the lively Mrs Helga Gal, official sommelier of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU and the evening wine&food official adviser.





