I don’t just do fashion

I AM FASHION….

My winter wardrobe di maggio76 contenente miu miu boots

Diane von Fürstenberg denim sweater
£316 - matchesfashion.com

Armani Collezioni belted coat
£670 - liberty.co.uk

Miu miu boots
$950 - net-a-porter.com

Beige handbag
€205 - pierotucci.com

Nothing quite hits the spot like

  . . . an Italian espresso.  Rich and thick with that heady aroma of coffee.

An espresso truly is the perfect end to an Italian meal, especially if  the meal consists of an antipasto, home made pasta and a selection of their famous roasted meats and potatoes . . . oh yes, and let’s not skip the Tiramisù !

Oh my gosh, if you eat all of that you need an espresso by law.  I am serious, otherwise there is no way you can physically get up from the table.  You would simply fall asleep in your empty plate.

I was a rare breed,  one of those few Americans that never drank coffee before I first stepped foot into Italy – sure I knew what it was, but no one was ever going to give me a coffee mug at Christmas, because they knew it was just a waste of time.  My first home in Italy, where I dropped my bags and made my bed, was with a family of a mixed nature (she was Tuscan and he was Roman) and I was quickly indoctrinated into “healthy” Italian culinary habits. My gut instinct, after all these years to mull it over, is that they just thought 130 lbs for a woman who was 5’7″ was a ridiculous ratio (personally, I quite liked the way my clothes fit 20 years ago.)  But then again, as they so often told me in Italian  “you’re American”  and then they would nod their heads sympathetically.  Translated into English it means  – poor thing, she just doesn’t know any better … and before you start laughing too hard, you can subsitute American with any nationality that isn’t Italian and it would still be true – maybe more so for the Americans, but we do not stand alone in this matter!

Among the many things I was introduced to, coffee was high on the list.  After all, the household was 50% Roman.  I quickly found out that Romans never throw out coffee, even if it was in the pot 9 days old.  You could always – not to be confused with occasionally, or almost all the time – no I mean ALWAYS, find coffee in the pot, and when they went to make a new pot – and it still wasn’t finished, they would simply open up the freezer, take out the cc (coffee container) and pour the leftover liquid into  an accumulation of the brew, which would be taken out later and eaten with a dab of panna montata  (affectionately known as whipped cream). a/k/a Granite di Cafe.

Italian Espresso, Pierotucci Style

I must admit, as with many other culinary habits that I picked up,  I acquired a taste for the Italian espresso. It varies, sometimes I like the moka (when you do it at home) and sometimes I prefer the steaming hot tiny little coffee mugs at the bar (the Italian cafè is always called a bar).  Sometimes I like it straight up – and sometimes macchiato (that means stained) with warm milk.  It kind of depends on the time of day (and what you are eating) as to what and how you drink it. Then I also have the added problem that too much of it makes me incredibly hyper, I think the only way to over come that is have it breast fed to you until you were old enough to start drinking it straight from the bottle – which was not my case.

What would be one of the largest cultural faux pas of Anglo-saxons when abroad? Without a doubt ordering a cappuccino after about 12 noon – especially after lunch or dinner.  If you watch them very carefully (by them I mean the natives of course), that cup of espresso filled with foamy milk is a drink to be taken with one of the hundreds of types of sweet pastries in the morning (even if you decide to eat one of these pastries at around 4pm…they will accompany it with an espresso, never a cappuccino.)  I believe it has something to do with drinking milk in the afternoon – which is only acceptable for children….and maybe if you are pregnant.  They are the same way about eggs in the morning.  Two sunny side up, bacon, toast and orange juice does not excite them the way a bombolone filled with cream does – but then don’t try to explain to them that the creama that fills the bombolone  (a cream puff like pastry and very delectable) is made mostly of egg.

Perhaps the second faux pas that many foreigners make when it comes to Italians and their coffee, is that when they say let’s go get an espresso, they literally mean “let’s go get an espresso”.  It is so not cool to go to the bar and order a cup of water while they gulp down their espresso.  Or you go to your in-laws house and the mother starts to prepare coffee…well even if you just gulped one down con amici at the bar, you WILL sit down and drink another one.  Accepting a cup of coffee is showing your solidarity with friends and is a sign of good education with your elders.  These are the little things they don’t tell in Fodors but after 20 years of inter cultural mingling I can assure you that though un-written these rules are well consolidated.

FOLD ME OVER

With the new release of the upcoming fashion trends, we are all getting very excited. Fold over bags have hit the fashion runway this year and Pierotucci have developed a fabulous new fold over bag collection called Fortunata. This is more than just a simple tote bag. It is a bag constituting three simple steps to wear the bag in at least four different ways.  Step one:  carry it as a full sized hand tote;  step two:  attach the shoulder strap to carry it as a full sized shoulder tote; step three put the shoulder strap at the half point, fold the bag over and carry it as a half size bag and last but certainly not least, keep it folded without the strap therefore carrying  it like a clutch bag and give the bag an altogether different look again. Wearing it cross body for that all important hands free option is an absolute must for todays busy women – it essentially becomes a messenger bag.  Even folded in half, there is still sufficient room to be  able to fit all your essential items perfectly.  The bags come in numerous colors enabling you to match the Fortunata bag with so many outfits. Whether its for day or evening, it will compliment whatever you are wearing, look and feel right for whatever the occasion.

FORTUNATA BAG AT (pierotucci.com)

More Good Luck from Florence

It’s all about suede for the new limited edition FORTUNATA designer handbags.  Many of the new bags coming out this fall in this numbered series are made of suede or nubuck in lovely tempting colors.  The beauty of suede leather handbags is the soft velvety feel – most definitely a feminine touch.  The Fortunata bags have hit the Italy Fall Fashion with their versatile carrying options, the special Italian Good Luck Charm and numbered tic tac toe label on the front.  Fall 2011 has opened up with 5 new bags, all in limited quantities, showing off the velvet touch of Italian leather suede and the unique nubuck leather , a more resistant type of leather however still with a fuzzy feel to it.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Both suede and nubuck have the same nappy feel to them, however the difference between the two is  one little detail.  Suede leather is the underside of the tanned skinned, it is naturally velvety to touch.  Instead, nubuck is made from the top of the processed skins making it naturally more resistant to wear and tear.   Nubuck essentially is cattle rawhide leather that has been sanded or buffed on the grain side, or outside, to give a slight nap.  Both are  subject to the same kind of easy staining  and often requires pre-treatment or stain resistant protection to extend its life.

Something fishy going on in Florence Italy

Can there really be a convincing substitute to animal leather ?  There just maybe, it is the newest leather to have emerged in the fashion world in the last 20 years.  Not only is it soft and supple but  is the second strongest leather known to man.  Pierotucci have had the good FORTUNATA  to find a small selection  of quality fish leather in three delicious colors and keeping in the theme of the FORTUNATA designer handbag, have produced three limited edition series of tote bags.

Fortunata Designer Handbag in neutral tan

Made from various types of fish (saltwater a/o freshwater), it has been carefully controlled that none of these fish are on the endangered species list. Fish leather can worked like any other type of animal leather and can be found as suede, silk, glazed, pearlized and high grain finishes. Though the scales have all been removed, the skins have either small or large scale pockets. It is a long process to tan fish leather because it is imperative to tan all those “fishy” smelling oils out of the skin so that the final product is completely neutral. Since fish leather is extremely delicate, the tanning process is followed with a studied eye to be sure that it remains in the tanning process long enough to remove offending oils but not too long that it destroys the strength of the leather.

Fortunata Designer Tote Bag in white

Each color is perfectly in tune with the trends this year and would make an excellent addition to your wardrobe. These Fortunata Designer leather handbags are designed to be unisex – however some bags tend to lend themselves the fashion conscious women. The versatile aspect of these bags makes them an addition to everyone’s wardrobe that will pass the test of time.

Our Tuscan neighbors, Lazio

Another weekend and it’s another game. This time the formidable Fiorentina is hosting Lazio for the 5th game of the season right here in sunny Tuscany. Lazio is the name of one of two teams representing Italy’s capital city.   Actually the region where the Eternal City is located is called Lazio, and the name  has a mythical derivation given by the ancients as the place where Jupiter “lay hid” from his father, a Roman god, seeking to kill him.  Well, here’s hoping that the Viola team manages to squash their opponents better than Saturn (Jupiter’s father) did.

Juptier would have hidden himself poorly if he were supporting Lazio and their colors – sky blue. Lazio’s symbol is a a shield in blue and white, topped with a rather regal looking eagle in gold / yellow.  In fact this color is very similar to our Fortunata Suede Leather Designer Handbag in color sky blue with yellow color accents.  Of course, he might not have hid very well – but with this suede bag, he would have been definitely very much in style!

Fortunata Suede Leather Designer Handbag in color sky blue

Perhaps the Fiorentina would have been more prepared to hide themselves among the vineyards that grace our hilly region since their colors are purple, yellow and red.   Any one of these colors are starting to show up with the onslaught of Fall (the 23 of Sept) and the change of season.   We would have suggested our Fortunata Leather Tote, Designer Handbag in color sunshine yellow.  This bag in a delicious soft and supple patent leather with a light pebbly texture.

Fortunata Leather Tote, Designer Handbag in color sunshine yellow

If he had been hiding with either one of these bags, he just might have escaped notice, since this is a FORTUNATA bag.  What’s in the name Fortunata? Fortunata means lucky in Italian. The “corno” or as it is known in English, the red hot chilli pepper, is supposed to ward off evil and assure the owner of lucky flair in all that they do. In any case let’s hope the good luck charm that comes with this bag will have us cheering for victory.  FORZA VIOLA.

Mid week kickoff! What do you grab first ?

When you got those big events going in the middle of the week, like running off to catch the mid-week Fiorentina vs. Parma soccer match, it helps to have a bag that can make the “at-work” switch to “having fun”.  We selected two bags that do just that.

Caterina Lucchi and its distinctive style is ultra feminine in a great flashy color (viola is always a winner with us!) plus it has that extra room inside to organize your cell, the agenda and your make-up.

Or you could go with FORTUNATA bag which is very size versatile (shown in white fish leather with contrasting dark brown leather accents, not yet in stores! )  What appeals to us is how it opens up to include your iPad, lunch and a good book for the train ride into the office and then folds over when going out so that it becomes a fashion statement (even if it is supporting the colors of the opposing team…)

Designer Bag Showdown: Caterina Lucci vs. FORTUNATA

Which would you prefer on a week day when you know you don’t have time to go home and change your outfit?

Limited Edition Japanese Tsunami Aid Fortunata Design

March 2011 the northeastern coast of Japan was devastated by a Tsunami created by an underground earthquake near the shoreline. The world watched in horror as the death toll and missing rose from the catastrophic event. The shock at the seriousness of the disaster and resulting destruction of coastal towns became almost inconceivable. Now 4 months later the Japanese people face the challenge of cleaning up the destruction to make way for rebuilding and renewed life. This effort however will not be the sole the responsibility of the Japanese government. Many organizations world wide have sent aid workers and monetary donations to show their support to the beleaguered nation. We at Pierotucci would also like to show our support, and have designed a Limited Edition Fortunata bag where proceeds of each sale will be donated to the Japan Red Cross in an effort to aid the clean up and rebuilding.

The idea to create a Japanese Tsunami LE Fortunata stems from the unwavering loyalty and appreciation Pierotucci has received throughout the years from Japanese clientèle. From its humble beginning in 1972 Piero focused the majority of his attention to the Japanese market, aware of their high regard for quality craftsmanship items. Piero’s designs made with Italian leather have continued to be a hit in the Japanese market for decades. Pierotucci S.r.l. would not be what it is today without their continuing support. We acknowledge that support by using the rapidly growing popularity of our newest design Fortunata for a Limited Edition bag that demonstrates not only our appreciation but the Japanese spirit.

The Japanese Tsunami LE Fortunata is made from two types of materials: canvas and leather. The base of the bag is done in canvas allowing us to highlight both Japanese and Italian flags which are made in leather. Both flags are represented in alternate top and bottom corners. The versatility of the bag’s layout lets the wearer display both flags using the Fortunata in a long style tote, or to choose between flags when folding over. The Italian flag has a superimposed phrase “Noi…con Voi” which literally translates to “Us…with You”. The Japanese flag was creatively designed by incorporating the ending of one of the red top handles, transforming it into the Japanese red sun on a background of white leather.

We are only producing 80 of the Japanese Tsunami LE Fortunata bags, with each bag being numbered with the same tic-tac-toe pattern as the regular Fortunatas. This is the first and only time we will go into production with these bags, so once they are gone, they are gone for good. The bags are being sold in our emporium in Florence as well as online through our website.