panoramic view of the Breara courtyard
On Saturday we started out morning at the Breara Museum. This was our first museum and we were looking for art vs. fashion. It is incredible to see how fashion is represented in all types of art, such as paintings or sculptures. Afterwards we went to the Santa Maria Nascente. I knew from the first day we went to the Duomo that would be a place I wanted to go. Unfortunately my shorts were a little too short and I had to make a skirt out of Mackenzie's scarf. Once I got inside I knew that by the looks of the architecture on the outside, the inside would be just as incredible. The intricate details from the floor to the ceilings had me in awe. I was at first confused when the professors told us this is where out first art vs. fashion would take place, but then as I looked around I was able to see the architectural details and compare them to design details you would see on the runway. Around every corner in Milan the architecture is astonishing.
Sunday was our first day off. Unfortunately it was pouring rain, but fortunately that gave my group and I enough time to get down to business for our project for our sponsor Veneto Banca.
Monday morning we went to the Milan Stock Exchange to visit a branch of Veneto Banca. This specific branch that we took a tour of specializes in private investments. Afterwards we went to the Palazzo Mezzanotte to have four employees (G. Torresan, M. Pettinicchio, G. Pedrazzi, and D. Accetta) to talk to us. They told us of the history an background of the company. Then I was our turn to as important questions I help us fill the gaps of our project. It is our job to make them decide wether to invest in luxury or independent retail here in Italy. (Hopefully they choose independent, which is they way my group is going to persuade them.)
Later that night, Alberto Moltini, a head hunter in the fashion industry here in Italy came to speak to us. He was very informative with advice for the future, interviews, and resumes.
Tuesday's first appointment was to Bibliotecca Della Moda, the fashion library. Here is where almost every magazine, from every country, since the 1850s is housed. I did not even know half of the magazines they had existed.
Tuesday night was one of the best experiences ever. It was the Glamour Italia fashion show. There is a huge fashion community here in Italy, and they all come together when large events like this happen.
so many beads, so little time!
Wednesday we went to Happy Beads. A bead store where Angelica Montingelli, a small jewelry designer who runs this store all on her own. She decided to open her store because there are almost no bead shops in Italy. Beaders can come to her store and take courses to learn more experienced ways to make jewelry. Even in the bead community there are trends to be followed, and a forecasting of these trends. Angelica buys directly from the manufacturers instead of wholesalers from 70 suppliers in over 50 countries. Many customers come in to buy beads, but some come in to buy the finished product. That helps get Angelica's name out in the hand made beaded jewelry community.
Fredrico Sangalli is a designer of Haute couture (hand made) in Itsly. Friday we went to his atelier. We walked into his showroom and my jaw dropped to the ground because of the beautiful pieces he had. I learned a lot more about the haute couture techniques. There are 3 main aspects 1. 70% handmade 30% pedal sewing machine 2. Only precious fabrics 3. Made to measure. When we were shown the pieces it was surprised on how beautiful the I side of the garment looked ern though that is the part that isn't seen while worn. You could tell the hours that were put into these garments. We were then able to go into the work room where 4 women sat, of all different ages, seeing these beautiful garments by hand. We then spoke to the designer himself and one thing he said was that haute couture is the soul of fashion and its starting to loose its soul and is dying. It is very important to preserve the techniques because clothes don have the same quality or meaning when they are all mass produced. This is a tradition that should be passed on to future generations.
Vladimiro Gioia's unique designs
We then went back to the Pink and Chic offices where Maria Chiara Arona's client Vladimiro Gioia came and spoke to us. He is a designer of high end fur and leather coats. His first collection in Winter 2010 was noticed by Dolce and Gabbana, and they were able to display his designs in their store to be sold. Later Anna Dello Russo loved his designs as well and was spotted wearing them. This is how many people got an interest in Vladimiro. He quickly began to spread all over Europe and Asia. I liked how Vladimiro Gioia stressed on being different and unique. Very one can make a fur coat, but his designs, patterns, and different materials used make his garments one of a kind. I also found it very heart warming when both Fulvio Anello and Maria Chiara Arona said tht Vladimiro Gioia is still the same person, even after all of his success.
Now after almost being two weeks in a foreign country, I am beginning to understand fashion from a whole new angle. We are not just here to eat great food and see the beautiful sights, but to dig even deeper. The fashion industry had thick layers, and if you pay a lot of attention to them it is easy to get through.
Sponsors:
VenetoBanca.com
PinkandChic.it
Mentioned:
VladimiroGioia.com
Angelica-Montingelli.jimdo.com
FedericoSangalli.it
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