THE NEW CHANEL BAG SOON IN ROME

Roman girls and foreigners like to go to the Chanel boutique in Rome on Piazza di Spagna. A great shopping spot. Soon you will have a great surprise. First seen in Paris, at the Grand Palais, on the runway of the Fall-Winter 2019/20 Ready-to-Wear collection created by Karl Lagerfeld and Virginie Viard, CHANEL presents a new bag: the CHANEL 19. An important number for the Maison, an echo of famous creations, but also a birth year. CHANEL 19 for 2019, a baptismal name that pays tribute to its elder, the 2.55 bag, created in February 1955 by Mademoiselle Chanel.

The CHANEL 19 bag bears the essence of the House and all of its codes. Available in three sizes, this rectangular flap bag is swathed with large diamond quilting on leather or on tweed. A metal chain interlaced with leather comes in a trio of finishes, its links passing successively from silver to aged gold to ruthenium. A signature of the CHANEL bags, it also features another code of recognition: the double C fastener, in an XL format on all the designs.

With an ultra-supple structure, the CHANEL 19 adopts a resolutely modern attitude: the length of its chain means it can be worn in two ways, straight or cross body. There’s also a large curb chain in gold metal to be held in the hand. A belt bag version allows the CHANEL 19 to be worn around the waist. A practicality in the pure spirit of CHANEL: natural, elegant and functional, appropriated according to one’s movements.

For its first season, the CHANEL 19 takes on the dominant colours of the Fall-Winter 2019/20 Ready-to-Wear: added to the leather in its timeless colours of black, beige and white are turquoise blue, green, deep red and dark pink, while the tweed comes in eight variations to match the silhouettes of the collection.

The CHANEL 19 bag weaves a veritable link between the past, the present and the future. Immediately identifiable but without ostentation, rich in detail with masculine/feminine accents, multiple ways of being worn, it is instantly seductive thanks to an allure that is both sophisticated and relaxed. The obvious way to carry it, combined with its elegant, practical and comfortable line make it a day-to-day companion. An ally to be taken everywhere, one that liberates movement, tout simplement. #handbagCHANEL19

Rome the way we were

Paolo di Paolo came in Rome last month to open his exhibition called “Mondo Perduto”,at the Maxxi Museum in via Guido Reni. “Mondo Perduto” means “Lost Word”. In his early years he has been a photographer of the magazine Il Mondo. He published there about 573 pictures reporting on Italy but he has been a great photographer also around the world. He portrayed actors such as Marcello Mastroianni, Anna Magnani and Sophia Loren, artists like De Chirico, writers like Pier Paolo Pasolini and Oriana Fallaci.

You have to take at least one hour to look through this sample of Italy. The photos were generally shot in the Fifties and Sixties. You will switch from Lucio Fontana at the Biennale to Carla Accardi in Rome. You will also notice Mimmo Rotella creating one of his decollage in Piazza del Popolo but also Simone Signoret and Yves Montand walking on the Aventino Hill.

The exhibition is sponsored by Gucci and features more than 250 images many of which unseen. They are part of an enormous archive found by the daughter of Paolo di Paolo, Silvia in a cellar around twenty years ago.

After the shut down of Il Mondo in 1966 Di Paolo abandoned his camera and started a new life. The beautiful fashion picture shown below was shot in Rome, in Tor di Nona in 1957-58. The curator of the Maxxi exhibition, Giovanna Calvenzi, said to the press the day of the opening:” Di Paolo found an independent cultured path. He has the capacity of entering the world of art, literature and film. He has a natural gift for seeing an overview of the situations he frames and an ability to place people in relation to space”. What is sure is that going to see “Mondo Perduto” Lost world as it is called, you will catch a different way to understand Italy and Rome. Don’t miss it.

Shopping for a powerful woman

Shopping in Rome at the Stella Mc Cartney’s boutique in via Borgognona 6. She shows in Paris at the Opéra but the winter collection will be in stores already in July-August. Not everyone knows that this english designer, daughter of Paul Mc Cartney, likes a lot Italy and make some of her fashion apparels in my country. The new upcoming ready to wear collection projects a powerful persona. Strength and softness while looking to the past, present and future. Uniting Northern soul references, fluidity, utility and upcycling.

The palette is a rich combination of classic biscuit brown, black and grey but also bottle green and burgundy. Pops of vivid blue, a gorgeous pink as you can see in the picture below, yellow and some bright colours.

A sense of structure defines the collection, imjected by strong shoulders on coats and dresses. Softness comes into play as draped fabrics.

A tapestry of quilted Stella Mc Cartney vintage fabric is stitched together wih graphic lines of embroidery to create monochromatic dresses and jackets. This is furthered by a statement-making, multi-coloured upcycled dress, made using vintage T shirts that are stripped, knotted and knitted. Menswear complements this with an upcycled military coat made from a miscellany of waxed panels. The result of an intensive method of reconstruction and deconstruction. A new burgundy brown fur free fur jacquard becomes coats for men and women.

Key accessories include cylinder bags with perforated logos, created in oversized and mini shapes. Anchoring the collection are platform crepe-sole boots in skinny knee-high silhouettes. A boot for men and women has been created with iconic British brand Hunter.

Twisted and wrapped adornments by celebrated artist Sheila Hicks have been created using indigeneous weaving techniques, worn like badges of honour for valour and bravery. Linking to the rainforest conservation, surrounding the show, sustainable viscose sourced from certified forests is used throughout as well as organic cotton and eco-canvas.