Summer-Spring Spats Anyone?

This ruffle sensation is the first of my Summer-Spring Spat collection. The collection will include an entirely new series of patterns and construction.

This first piece is made of a white cotton containing woven squares. For the ruffle I used a cotton plaid of blue, beige, and white. The other side of the spat, or the inner-step is made of matching plaid fabric.

A spat will be an accessory that will take your outfit to a whole other level. The collection will be in soft spring colors with varying detailing. I am very excited about the collection!

The entire collection will all be sold in my Etsy shop. Enjoy!

Armani Anyone?

Classy Armani, love the hat!

Photo from Armani Autumn-Winter 2009-2010

New Blog

Instead of writing Favoloso Friday's I will be writting an additional blog.

Favoleggiare is about lifestyle, culture, family, and travel.

Please take a look http://favoleggiare.blogspot.com

FAVOLOSO FRIDAY!!

My friday posts will describe the adventures of a girl from a small Texas town living in Italy!

Two years ago on this day my husband, I, and my son (who only had three months ) arrived in Italy.

Think if you will, your everyday life, your life until this point.

Now imagine everything completely changed. Your life, your role, the environment, the people, the language, the culture, everything as you have never lived it.

Where will you be two years from now?

The picture above is the view of the sunset through our bedroom window.

A Lovely Find!

Thrift stores, or vintage stores are not very common in our area. So I was really excited when we stopped by one in San Marino after my fitting yesterday. (My fitting went wonderfully well, I received a request for two more hats!!)

I had to buy this lovely pair of beauties. I just fell in love! And I just spent 10 euros!

There was just something about them, and they were my size!!

Window Shopping Anyone?

Window shopping on ave Montaigne in Paris.

The display is so chic!

Opening in France on April the 22nd, and later arriving in Italy at the end of may, is Anne Fontaine's movie of Chanel . Can't wait to see Audrey Tautou as Coco Chanel!

Tribute to Stephen Jones

This is one of my favorite subjects to write about. I wanted to share this, if you have not seen it, you must take a look!

SHOWstudio unveiled a tribute to Stephen Jones, conciding with the opening of the exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum. It explores the inspirations along with the key players , including the influence of Cecil Beaton's 1971 exhibition "Fashion: An Anthology" .

Take a look at Hats Off Stephen Jones!

Inspiration, design, and Jone's millinery are the topics in four short films featuring Stephen Jones, curator Oriole Cullen and set designer Michael Howells. I enjoyed walking through the process of bringing it all together!

Go on a virtual tour using 360° panoramic interactive. For those who can not travel to London to the actual exhibit, you can pretend you are there!

Take a look at some of the wealth of British milinery talent, celebrating the exhibit. With images taken by Clive Booth of the museum's Fashion in Motion event. I loved seeing all the behind-the -scene images.

Then take a look at some of the hats worn by the guests. Some lovely creations, some, what is that! Talk about an assortment of hats!

One can also view the original sketch and blueprints of the exhibition designs by Michael Howell. I enjoyed seeing the actual sketch along with Howell's notes.

I hope you enjoy!!!

More Hats!!

Who doesn't love the Royal Ascot?

Modern Everyday Culture

I am familiar with the book, "Crowns: Portraits of Black Women in Church Hats" by Michael Cunningham. It is visually amazing for any hat lover!

I recently found out that various stage productions have been made stemming from this book. Take a look!

It sure is nice to see that avid hat wearing is still present in modern everyday life!

Life

This morning we experienced a huge family loss. R.I.P. Alfredo.

Our first true friend since our arrival in Italy.

Death and Life, circa 1911- Gustav Klimt

Do you know Maide?

Take a look at this amazing artisan!!

She is located in Germany and has a background in tailoring and art . Her pieces of work contain such wonderful detail, using materials from the 1900's to the 1930's. As stated on her website:

" Nostalgia is one main theme of my work which I can not deny, obviously."

Maide items can be found in maide's shop-maide schmuck gamaschen on DaWanda.

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Also at http://maidestreasuries.blogspot.com/

Amazing pictures, I sure wish I knew German!!

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The picture above can be found in her shop. Entitled- Mucha Romantic Unique Spat

Athens- Dimitris Dassios

Until recently I was not familiar with this amazing designer, he was born in Athens. Starting off as an actor, Dimitris Dassios , later started expressing his artistic nature in jewellery and accessories design.

His amazing work incorporates fine embroidery and leather to create handcrafted pieces.

Take a look at his Womenswear Autumn Winter 2009-2010 in Athens.

The wonderful image above is from- 3rd Hellenic Fashion Week Show - March 2006

Dior in Moscow

An exhibit entitled " Christian Dior, 60 Years of Photography" is on display in the Museum of Modern Art, Moscow.

Through 120 photos, it allows the viewer to travel through the years of the amazing fashion house.

Wow! This would be an amazing journey to follow!!

The above photo is from Vogue France- 1954- Henry Clarke.

A Trip in the Making!

Courtesy of stephenjonesmillinery.com

As I am planning my trip to visit the Victorian and Albert Museum I can not believe I am really going to view such an amazing exhibit.

The main purpose for my travel is to view Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones .

(It's great living in Italy!) London here I come!

The above picture is from his collection, Handmade in England S/S 2005 it is entitled, Maypole Style. This top hat is made of grey grosgrain.

Classic Beret

I was surprised to find out that the classic beret is still very popular with Italians. "Il berreto ", as it is called in Italy is still widely used by women and children.

While working on some hats for a client I was inspired, I took a break to produce the above beret. It not a complicated hat, it took less then an hour to complete.

With Easter around the corner, I will see how many more I can produce. I have some ideas for some cute children's berets!