Nature and Italy!

Alta Via dei Parchi. Viaggio a piedi in Emilia-Romagna - il trailer 

 Finalmente on line il trailer del documentario "Alta Via dei Parchi. Viaggio a piedi in Emilia-Romagna" in uscita il 23 ottobre 2013. Il film è prodotto da Articolture, in collaborazione con Italica Edizioni; promosso da Regione Emilia-Romagna, Servizio Parchi e Riserve dell'Emilia Romagna; scritto e diretto da Enrico Brizzi e Serena Tommasini Degna.

 Alta Via dei Parks. A walking tour in Emilia-Romagna - the trailer

  Finally online the trailer for the documentary "High Way of Parks. A walking tour in Emilia-Romagna" out October 23, 2013. The film is produced by Articolture, in collaboration with Edizioni Italica; promoted by the Emilia-Romagna Region, Parks and Reserves of Emilia Romagna; written and directed by Enrico Brizzi and Serena Tommasini Worthy.

 

"My land is called Emilia Romagna.  It is the only region in Italy that took it's name from a street.  And we are use to always beginning, to return, and see many people pass through.  The street is within us, it is a place of our soul and a border. "

"A few days in nature and you realize what must have happened  in town during this time."  "Nothing"

Working as a Pattern-maker in Italy

For several months now I have been working as a pattern-maker for a local company which has produced designer garments for over forty years. It was a wonderful pleasure, but also somewhat difficult for a fashion technician with over fifteen-years of experience to work on-site in an Italian production house.

It is a family owned business which has existed for forty years,   I have been living in Italy for almost eight years and having arrived here I only spoke English, my mother-tongue and Spanish.  Fortunately at the beginning my Spanish helped me get by!

It was wonderful to see Tom Ford, Vionnet, Dolce and Gabbana completed and in the process gowns around the shop everyday.  But for me it was also frustrating to be able to be confident about my pattern-making and communication skills, and identify how diffrent the culture is.  Therefore the process each person I worked with was always completely, or slightly different then my own. The terminology was another hard obstacles to overcome, not knowing the terms in Italian, did not allow me to work as a confident pattern-maker that I know I am.  I also had to have respect, after all I was the "new-comer".  Everyone already had their set way of doing things. 

Overall it was a wonderful experience for me to begin from the sketch of the design, draft the pattern, assist in some of the sewing of some of the samples, then seeing the items on the runway on the Vogue web-site. 

I am very thankful I was given the opportunity!

Are you familar with "Lumaca Film"?

Lumaca Film is an Italian film production house 

located in Italy. 

As stated in their website:

 "Lumaca Films seize fragments of reality to create beautiful lasting images. We give life to dreams and ideas, thoughts become eternal and play havoc with the laws of time.

Lumaca Film is an independent film production company founded by Francesco Zucchi and Lu Pulici in 2013 in Pennabilli, a small village in Emilia Romagna, Italy.

We make films, music videos and advertisements. Simply we tell stories, and endeavor through images to show the fleeting yet immortal life of Beauty."

Above you can see their clever, unique logo. To visit their website just click on the logo. 

The Production crew is made up of International professions, each with a passion to create and place their stories, and city on the big screen for all to see!

Their first short film has won numerous awards in various film festivals around the world.  The entire film,  Piove (It's Raining), contained a crew including actors/actresses who live in Pennabilli, Italy. 

Recently Lumaca Film have a crowd funding campaign to raise money for their second film production, Nevica (It's Snowing).  

Click on the Nevica photo to find out more information about how you can help Lumaca Film continue creating magic!!

Some Structured Fashion..

To apologize for my absence, I am sharing some of my favorite images from

Steven Meisel's editoral entitled, "Next Level"for Vogue Italia Agosto 2013.

 

 

It finally feels like summer!

In our part of the world, it finally feels like summer!  

I have been pretty busy lately with quick costume fixes and construction of costumes, 

preparing for an English Theatre I developed for the children of our town this summer, 

and working on my site! 

Click on the top image to visit my site!

Everything 50% off!

I AM HAVING A 50% OFF SALE ON EVERYTHING- INCLUDING CUSTOM ITEMS- IN MY SHOP!!!

I am working on some new items I have drafted patterns for, 

it would be great to clear out past creations

COUPON CODE: SPRING

THE SALE ENDS MAY 7TH!

STOP BY AND SHOP!!

i racconti della lumaca

I Racconti Della Lumaca

 

 Beautiful, beath-taking, unique, must see!!

Everyone and anyone who has ever been to an exhibit or museum is familiar with the book which can be purchased complementing what you have seen.  So when is someone going to start working on the,  "I Racconti Della Lumaca" book?

For Info. click on "Artisti in Piazza 2012- I Racconti della Lumaca!"

A Journey Through Pennabilli, Italy!

"Bisogna creare luoghi per fermare la nostra fretta e aspettare l'anima."  

"We must create places in our haste to stop and wait for the soul."- Tonino Guerra

"I racconti della lumaca" è una guida-spettacolo!   

"Tales from the Snail" is a guided show!

Si inizia con la Guida /It begins with the Guide/ Guida:

 

E lo spettacolo continua con Tempo/ And the show continues with Tempo:

E un Pensieri/ And a Pensieri:

Per un incredibile due ore di viaggio attraverso la straordinaria città di Pennabilli, Italia!/

 For an amazing two hour journey through the amazing town of Pennabilli, Italy!

Un viaggio incredibile con un cast straordinario/ An amazing journey with an amazing cast:

Ispirata alla poesia di Tonino Guerra, le guide del gruppo di cui sopra il loro pubblico attraverso una straordinaria avventura e scavare viaggio nella storia della bellissima città storica di Pennabilli./

Inspired by the poetry of Tonino Guerra, the above group guides their audience through an amazing adventure and journey delving in the history of the beautiful historical city  of Pennabilli.   

Il cast e la troupe è fatta di di membri provenienti da Spagna, Brasile, Italia,Messico, Svizzera e Stati Uniti./

 The cast and crew is made of of members from Spain, Brazil, Italy, 

Mexico, Switzerland, and America.  

Questo è un sorprendente deve vedere uno spettacolo di un genere che deve essere vissuto da tutti! Il tour prosegue per tutta l'estate, le date e le informazioni si trovano @ questo link:

Artisti in Piazza

This is an amazing must see one of a kind show which must be experienced by all!  The tour continues throughout the summer, dates and information can be found @ this link:  

Artisti In Piazza

Ulteriori informazioni su Tonino Guerra si possono trovare a questo link/

 More information about Tonino Guerra can be found at this link:  

Associazione Culturale Tonino Guerra

Ulteriori informazioni sulla Toupe stupefacente di Trukitrek può essere trovato questo link/

 More information on the amazing toupe of Trukitrek can be found @ this link:  Trukitrek

Regia /Director : Lu Pulici

Produzione/ Production:  Ass.Cult.Utimo Punto & Tukitrek 

Scenografia/Sceneography : Josep Piris, Lu Pulici

Costumi/Costumer:  Susana Monreal-Sapigni

Da Un'idea di/From an idea from:   Enrico Prtisani

 

"Scrapbook"

"Silhouettes appartenenti a un immaginario regno del ghiacci...
ma chi fa spazio alla fiaba non dimentica le note per verse di rigore. "

"In una stagione improntata al realismo, l'apporto di magia di Alexander McQueen non é mancato, evviva Sarah Burton..."

"Il perfecto di pelle nerd sublimato nelle permutazioni imprevedibili
di Junya Watanabe. Quasi il manifesto della collezione,
la giacca di linea clessidra eo New Look."

"Alternativa alla chioma punk il berrettone di finta pelliccia che si
fonde col bolero selvaggio o con la cappa Primordiale."

"Scrapbook" by Lele Acquarone Vogue Italia Luglio 2011.

Armor in San Leo

The Castle of San Leo is located in the Marche region in Italy! It is vastly known in connection with, Count of Cagliostro, who was a prisoner in the fortress of San Leo. On April the 4 of 1791, Caglistro was condemned to death by the High court of the Holy Office, he was later pardoned with imppisonment for life by Pope Pio VI.

Here is my collection of images of Medieval armor from my visit to the museum located in the San Leo Castle:







In the battlefields of Medieval knights, armor was very vital. Chainmail was first used before the development of Armor suits. Later the suits were worn over the chainmail. An armor suit for a Medieval Knight was very expensive to produce.

And similar to a tailor-made suit of today, it was custom-made to fit the individual. But the Medieval armor suit an incorrect measurement would impead the knights movement, and would be extremely dangerous!

The knights suit was also a presentation of the status symbol of the individual Medieval Knight!

Aprons

It is customery for every women to have a collection of aprons to use in their Italian kitchen. It is nice to see that women in Italy are still avid users of aprons in their everyday lives.

I have already made a couple as gifts, because I know they are very practical. For this reason I have been inspired to conduct some research and start making a line of aprons.

Here is some of my research, I have always been attracted to vintage anything!

And not only aprons to be used in the kitchen but also at work, the pockets are wonderful to keep scissors, tape measure, etc. close by. I made a quick interpretation of one of these to use at work, it is very handy!

The of course they are the lovely decorated versons to be used when one has guests over for dinner!

I have already begun to make some versions of these aprons, of course I will post them when they are completed!

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Back on Track!

First, of all I would like to say sorry to all for my absence. Summer is here, my husband is on summer vacation from work. I have been slacking on my blog. Sorry to all my readers.

Secondly, I have been missing, my Cycles of Fashion, Thursday posts. I will try it again beginning next week. This coming Thursday I will start my Cycles of Fashion again. I realized I really enjoyed meeting and learning about fellow Etsy artisans. I also missed the researching part!

So now, I have been working on some veil for my Etsy shop. They have been fun! Each different, each very unique!

First try at a veil!

Feathered Piece with Tulle veiling

This one contains an off-white tulle veil. This was actually the first one! I was inspired by 1800 women's ridding attire!

I made a pattern for this marvelous base made of three buckram pieces and some wire. I really love how I was able to attain the lovely curved shape to go with the contour of the head.

Midnight Blue Bandeau Veil

I always enjoy working with various fabrics. I really enjoy making fabric flowers! This is on a contoured raindrop shape. I love how the black veiling goes over the face at an angle!

Delicate.

Champagne Band- Veil

I love the delicacy of this piece. I started of with the buckram band, covered it in a pale pink silk, but I felt like it needed something more. I then added the lace layer. It is a from a small piece of beautiful lace I was keeping aside for the perfect project. I think it fits well here!

I then added a little bit of sparkle with some green beads, pearls, and a decorative rhinestone drop.

Headband with Veil

This has to be one of my favorites! Almost five years ago there was a cute, expensive, decorative fabric shop in Austin, Texas. When I first saw this ribbon I fell in love. I felt I had to have it, until I found out it was $36 a yard. I was heart broken.

Months later though when I heard the store was going out of business and having a huge sale, I strolled back in, with my fingers crossed hoping it was still there. I was just in time to buy the remaining yard for half price!

I think originally I had in mind to use it on a bonnet. I never got around to making that bonnet and for about five years I just held on to it, making sure it travelled to Italy with me!

Now I made this lovely head band with it. It is beautiful, something about the colors and the detail. Beauty!

So here are a few of the veils I have completed. Today I finally listed all eight of them in my shop. I have sketchbook pages full of other ideas for veil. There will be many more to come.

Again excuse me, I am now back on track! I hope all of you are having a wonderful summer!!

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Photo Exhibit in Bologna

Thirty selected works of Gian Paolo Barbieri will be on display at the Forni Galleria d'Arte, in Bologna, from May the 9 until June the 30, 2009.

The Italian master's career began in 1964 photographing high fashion. He photographed the greatest designers of "made in Italy" from Valentino to Versace, Armani to Ferré, in the years in which Italian designers were prominent in the world of prêt-a-porter .

This photo of Audry Hepburn is one of my all time favorite images!

Photo - Gian Paolo Barbierei, Audry Hepburn per Valentino, Vogue Italia, Roma 1969

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.

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

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!

A Walk

As I took my five minute walk to the store yesterday I thought I would capture this beautiful image with my new camera.

I was wonderfully surprised by a desperately needed camera!