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shocking blue for a burst of energy

Pubblicato il da monchou_admin
05
Set

The color of summer? The so called “Shocking Blue”. One of the must have colors that cannot be missing in our wardrobe: a dress or an accessory of this color will immediately make you trendy and avant garde. Royale Blue, the pop nuance par excellence, colors garments and accessories for a new life in the name of audacity. Intense blue bursts into the clothing of the spring summer 2023 collections bringing a flash of strong shades reminiscent of our beloved 80s. Wearing the Electric Blue means first of all standing out for your flair at a glance. Decisive but not exaggerated color has the advantage of being immediately noticed. Bright, charged and full of energy, power blue has become a real trend. This perfectly eccentric shade, perfect for catching the eye but never too bold, has won over many designers. On the runaways of Act N1, Coperni, Cecile Bahnsen and Acne Studios this color really made a splash. The question that arises now is: what colors to combine it with? Like all nuances with strong and bright colors, finding interesting combinations is not immediate, but not impossible either, just use a little imagination and a pinch of good taste. Resorting to the basic colors par excellence is the simplest solution when dealing with such a particular shade: in this case blue and black and blue and white are infallible formulas.

However, to give life to a more refined outfit for a perfect fashionista, why not try blue combined with both black and white? Another solution could be a very trendy and extremely chic total look.However, to give life to a more refined outfit for a perfect fashionista, why not try blue combined with both black and white? Another solution could be a very trendy and extremely chic total look. But, it can also be combined perfectly with many other colors: vibrant when worn with orange, glam when mixed with silver and gold, regal with red. In short, the combinations are many, but the most important thing is to give space to ideas and occasionally follow your instinct that, for you fashionistas, can rarely make mistakes when it comes to outfits. There are so many options for wearing it: from the blazer for a formal office look, to the sheath dress for bold and surprising outfits capable of enhancing this nuance and making it capable of seducing from the first moment. Glowing blue also takes center stage among accessories. On bags, shoes and even hats, this color will be the wild card for a truly explosive wardrobe. Combining electric blue, the trend of the spring summer 2023 season, is by no means a feat: just don’t be afraid to feel like a protagonist and to stand out from the crowd. Bring out a pinch of originality and you certainly won’t go wrong.

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mules shoes whit a 70s mood are back in the limelight

Pubblicato il da monchou_admin
04
Ago

Hippies heritage, mules sometimes come back. Open-toe or pointed-toe, with sculptured or stiletto heel, in leather or fabric. Once they were comfortable shoes, but today, between refined details and design shapes, they have become the strong and indispensable piece of the SS 2023. Desire to indulge in the good weather that makes us dream of travel and relaxing afternoons. Surrender to the temptation of comfort even in the city, showing not too tanned legs and arms, without ever exceeding, but with the right mischievous and slightly 70s look. Cult piece, the sabot, to be worn both in the hottest metropolis and on the seafront. A 70s boho chic mood that started a few seasons ago and shows no signs of disappearing. From the runways, many designers always take a look at that era; a period during which dressing in imaginative clothes and mixing the various geometries and silhouettes was absolutely a must. And under these garments the summer shoes that matched perfectly were the mules. In short, for their decisive and aggressive style, they love each other or hate each other. Perfect under wide and floor length skirts, they are an inevitable ally even if worn with strictly 70s flared trousers. But, what are sabots? The open heel shoes that for this season are tinged with intense colors and embellished with geometric games, becoming a bold and irreverent accessory. 

This word joins and often prefers to use the English term mules to give the model a particularly British and urban casual flavour, alternating more fanciful and chic versions with these versions. Also this year, the famous sandals with bare heels have found a way to have a place as protagonists in the most beautiful collections. Brought to the catwalk by some of the fashion houses most loved by fashionistas from all over the world, mules populate both the lines of luxury brands and those of the more commercial brands with open-toe, peep-toe or narrow-toe models and with different heights. Elegant and refined, mules have been revisited by many designers in a contemporary or more traditional key, especially with innovative materials and prints. Bottega Veneta proposes mules in metallic colours, while Loewe has aimed for a combination with more masculine items. Prada dares with the mid heel trend, completely renovating mules that take on a très chic flavour. Miu Miu stands out for its flat sandals with a bon ton allure. Then there are the tapered and sensual models by Givenchy, or those with sculptured heels by Dries Van Noten. The brand A.W.A.K.E. presented them in a trompe l’oeil version. In terms of sandals for summer 2023 and returning trends this year, the certainty is this: mules are experiencing their great revival. Mules shoes regain their leading place in the ranking of shoes to have absolutely in your wardrobe.

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marco galeandro: interview

Pubblicato il da monchou_admin
04
Lug

Marco Galeandro is founder and creative director of the homonymous women’s clothing brand GALEANDRO. Animated by love for the women who have always supported him and believed in his creative and entrepreneurial abilities, the young designer from Puglia, who moved to Milan at the age of 17, presents his first collection in February 2022, with the intention to pay homage to the female figure, inspiring muse and central focus of all his projects. The mission is to transmit the authentic pleasure of dressing them with refinement, essentiality and functionality.
Hi Macro, point blank question to break the ice: how did your passion for fashion come about?
We are actually talking about an authentic and I would say innate passion that developed and structured over time in the family environment, thanks to the paternal grandmother named Italia. I like to remember her as the owner of a large and successful clothing business in Taranto. She was a seamstress of the highest order in juggling with wisdom and experience in this specific area. Lived in a context where the importance of details It has never been just a Detail, but an overall vision that has led me to be and to tell my story here too today.
Who is Marco Galeandro? What was your training path?
Marco Galeandro is a 20 year old boy originally from Bari whose inspirations lead him to desire a reality like the Milanese one, dotted with countless opportunities, compared to the one experienced up to then. His determination and stubbornness led him to move to continue and finish his studies in Milan as a working student. He has been able to fit into the social and working fabric that a metropolis like Milan offers to those who know how to seize its opportunities. Only here was it concretely possible to create and give life to a dynamic and concrete activity like his.

How did you manage to create your own brand?
The idea and the desire to give life to a brand of my own arises purely in a context in which, I have always found myself in close contact with the female universe that universe for which, combined with my passion for fashion, I continue and I will always continue to pay tribute tirelessly and unconditionally! It being understood that for me fashion remains the simplest way of communicating, even before being a real art form. Although the need for concrete activities to found your own brand including bureaucracy, study of the project and creation of an action plan, I think the emotional dimension of my project has greatly affected, the support received and all the positive feedback aimed at growth of what would later become GALEANDRO in 6 months.
When you create, you generally have a focal point, an overall vision, which varies from person to person, where does yours come from? What inspires you?
My focal point and my overall vision arise fundamentally from the fact that in addition to looking for something unique, desirable and pleasing to the eye of the beholder in each garment, I also look at their functionality. My main inspiration remains the woman, starting from this figure I try to imagine stories that portray the latter as the protagonist and who interacts with an aspect of society or an animated object which then later becomes the inspiration for the project itself. I try to always keep my feet on the ground as much as possible, remembering what a woman looks for in a garment to wear and which can live with her as long as possible and become a must have in her wardrobe.
How would you describe your modus operandi?
My modus operandi consists of a fresh, proactive attitude that is always attentive to changes, which allows me to surround myself with attentive people like me, and to absorb and incorporate the different inputs from the world of fashion. However, keeping a thought of mine still, which allows me not to get disoriented in what is my vision while always respecting the ideas of others!

Marco Galeandro who is he speaking to?
Marco Galeandro addresses all women. In particular to those who are aware of their: “inner and outer power” who want to approach the world of fashion not only from an aesthetic point of view, but above all from a conceptual point of view. May they be able to see beyond appearances, giving themselves not only added but absolute value to my creativity and that of others!
What is your brand aesthetic? How important are made in Italy craftsmanship and tailoring?
The aesthetic of the brand is very linear. Craftsmanship and Tailoring are rigorously Made in Italy. They constitute the fundamental points of my concept of quality giving importance to the study of shapes, volumes and fabrics. With a production carried out thanks to a level and trusted tailoring located in Milan with which we have collaborated since the beginning of the brand. This set of my concept of craftsmanship, tailoring, study of the shapes of volumes and fabrics, allows my single garment: “to live inside the wardrobe”.
What does it mean to be an emerging designer in Italy today? Do you have any advice for those starting now?
Being an emerging designer today is quite difficult and complex, both from a bureaucratic, fiscal and corporate point of view. Furthermore, further difficulties are represented for emerging designers by an overexposure on social networks. Where their talent is not always valued, in the absence of adequate sponsorships, or figures to support and support their commitment. 

The advice therefore that I feel like giving is to never give up in the face of the first difficulties. Because there is always a solution, especially if we surround ourselves with people with positive energies from which to let ourselves be infected.
Is there something about the current fashion system that you don’t like?
Although I belong to it, I don’t feel like giving a real assessment of the fashion system. Since it is a sector in which each designer reflects his own personality and his own way of interpreting it. However, I can say that there is support for certain figures rather than others in need of emergence. I think and firmly believe that everything can be improved and perfected, in giving and offering to those wishing to undertake this work, sometimes still insufficient means and tools to bring out: “potential talents” which otherwise with great regret would remain unexpressed!
How do you imagine the fashion of the future?
As I can imagine the fashion of the future, I should take a step back and try to bring back into the future values that in recent times seem to have left ample space for the decorative, the ephemeral, neglecting the function and functionality of a garment ! The hope I add in the fashion world, according to my personal point of view, is to pay particular attention to detail. I feel like saying in this regard that: “fashion represents a form of art to wear” without ever disregarding its specific functionality, beyond the messages contained and transmitted in it. And I think this is the horizon just not mine to follow!

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animalier and it’s summer

Pubblicato il da monchou_admin
04
Lug

What did the fashion shows of the spring summer 2023 collections give us? Animalier, lots of animalier; the protagonist print for this summer. For women and the most ardent fashionistas who love to always be in step with the times, leopard print is really trendy. Chic, glamorous, bon ton, pop, soft, provocative, lustful, animalier has always fascinated many designers thanks to its multiple identities. Considered one of the cornerstones of the fashion system, he is now defined by many as “the new black”. Represented in many variations, this trend knows no seasons. The animalier embodies a mysterious charm that gives looks a touch of aggressiveness and elegant eccentricity. Being an important and eye catching print, it is a very difficult pattern to wear. What is essential is to pay attention to the various combinations and combinations it requires. Used with bright and bright colors it would risk making you appear vulgar and excessive, while combined with neutral shades such as black and white, you won’t run any risk, resulting trendy and sophisticated. Furthermore, even a total look, if studied with great care, especially in its details, will give life to a determined and self confident woman who will certainly not go unnoticed. View? It is not an impossible feat to be chic even with animalier. There are several designers who have brought it to the catwalks in the form of python-effect prints, leopard and zebra motifs.

For the Italian fashion house Tod’s the rule is that animalier is worn in small doses. The winning outfit becomes the pencil skirt, to be worn with a simple and minimal white tank top. Attention also falls on Versace, where the animalier is tinged with purple and black, giving shape to a bustier dress with strong references to the world of lingerie. It must be said that we cannot speak of animalier without mentioning Roberto Cavalli, who has made it his distinctive signature. The current creative director Fausto Puglisi revisits leopard prints mixing them with tropical motifs with the aim of giving the image of a woman as sophisticated as a feline and sweet as fruit. Last but not least, the English fashion house Halpern proposes the animalier even in the evening looks combined with cut out elements, asymmetries and transparencies. Equivalence of sensuality, audacity and transgression, it has been a fashion milestone since 1947 when Dior introduced it on the Parisian catwalks. But aggressiveness is not the only possible interpretative key, because animalier can also mean irony, fun, lightness. Moreover, this print finds its maximum collocation above all in those people who love sober clothing, but do not want to give up being always and in any case extremely cool. So what are you waiting for? For this summer, make yourself magnetic and fascinating with a nice animalier garment. An easier choice to wear than to say.

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stefano sala: interview

Pubblicato il da monchou_admin
03
Giu

Actor, model, artist. Stefano Sala conquers the world around him, telling his eclectic soul through art. Among his latest works, there is the creation of a capsule collection for Cleofe Finati. Let’s discover his new adventure together.
How did your capsule collection for Cleofe Finati come about?
My working relationship with Cleofe Finati began exactly ten years ago. I started working for this company as a testimonial, and then continued this collaboration until today. My passion for art, music, acting has created a magical combination that has allowed me to create a capsule collection. In fact, the owner of the brand Stefania is passionate about my works of art and so I proposed to start this collaboration so that one of my works could be inserted into four wedding dresses, designed by me.
In each item of the collection there is your artistic creation. What do you hope to convey through this choice?

The artwork portrays a cherub angel, wrapped in four joined hands, one side indicates “Love” and the other side indicates “Brain”. All fueled by a flame of passion. For a long and lasting love story, all these elements must be kept alive by the fire of passion.
You are a model and an actor. How does your art influence your style and, in this case, the creation of a clothes?
My paintings are born in moments of my day when I would never expect them. There are times when I feel like I have a muse and I need to start creating and painting. Until I finish a work, I can’t feel good. Traveling the world and visiting countless places, it helped me a lot and helped my knowledge. My paintings are complex but the message I want to convey is always very simple.

The dandy style emerges from this collection. How attached do you feel to this style?
It’s a style that belongs to me. I don’t use it in everyday life but I like to take it out on special occasions. My collection has a dandy but very particular style. The works of art that you find inside the jacket, pockets and tie make the clothes become an imaginative clothes and not the usual.
Can you tell us about your first encounter with the Cleofe Finati brand?
Our first meeting dates back to 10 years ago. I was immediately struck by their particular clothes.

I remember wearing their clothes and looking like the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland. I think the thing that most distinguishes Cleofe Finati from all the other brands is the quality of their clothes. Their clothes, Made in Italy, are 100% pure natural silk.
What do you wish for your working future after this capsule collection?
I hope that there is an ongoing relationship, as it always has been until now. We are having really positive feedback and I hope to continue creating new capsule collections with other artworks in the future.

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christian dior: “the bar jacket” and the new look revolution

Pubblicato il da monchou_admin
03
Giu

On February 12, 1947 something in the fashion world changed forever, Christian Dior presented his first Haute Couture collection in Paris, cementing his reputation as a designer in the Olympus of the Fashion World. “New Look”, so called, paved the way for a new art form; clothes were no longer merely practical garments, but real masterpieces with structured shapes and designs that defined the female silhouette without the need for a body inside. An avant-garde artist, a genius who every year, between 1947 and 1957, gave life to an innovative line, constantly reinventing his models, creating expectations and trends; a vision that still today continues to influence contemporary fashions and stylists. The war years were represented by an austere, rigid and linear style that Dior managed to overturn by inaugurating a sense of Belle Epoque luxury with layers of fabric and new designs such as the “Bar Jacket”, an iconic piece that continues to make us dream all over the world. Now thanks to its remakes. The jacket was characterized by molded curves and a cinched waist that accentuated the padded bust and hips, symbolizing the highest manifestation of Christian Dior’s dramatic atavism. Why this name? An item of clothing intended for the afternoon, the cocktail hour in hotels. In short, the perfect touch for a bon ton and très chic woman. The Bar jacket, after Christian Dior’s death in 1957, has been transformed and reinterpreted over the years by the various creative directors who have followed him such as John Galliano and Raf Simons. Galliano often featured the piece in his Couture projections, but also in the more practical ready-to-wear hemisphere, while Raf Simons made it the centerpiece of his own debut Autumn/Winter 2012 collection. However, both sought to draw on from the past to keep alive and never abandon the very essence of Christian Dior’s identity, made up of great classics and well constructed asymmetrical shapes capable of defining a versatile, eccentric, maximal, but above all always extremely feminine woman. Thanks to the contribution of Simons, who devoted himself carefully to the study of the architecture of the jacket, the Bar Jacket, apparently very simple, but on the contrary evocative and refined, became the heritage of the brand, this time, with a fresher and more modern air.

After his debut in 2012, the designer managed to bring the versatility of this garment into the realm of ready to wear, using semi couture techniques and experimenting with different silhouettes, thus defining an extravagant balance between masculinity and femininity, in short, a potpourri of pure avant-garde. Moreover, after the designer’s departure from the scene, Serge Ruffieux and Lucie Meier, the pair of head designers “in pectore”, also followed in Simons’ footsteps, then focusing on their latest Couture collections for S/S 2016 and various F/W 2016 on the theme “Bar”. Hence the desire to pay homage to the traditions of the brand with brilliant elegance and at the same time to introduce an infinite freshness and originality in the creation of the garments; a daring exercise in style in a serene and continuous relationship between present and past. Then in 2016 with the arrival of Maria Grazia Chiuri, symbol of Italian spirit in the world, the first female creative director in the history of the Maison Dior, the brand achieved undisputed influence. A professional whose aim is not to impose her point of view by trying to rewrite the history of the maison, but to respect all the references that are part of the past, obviously reworking them and adding a touch of modernity. On the occasion of the Dior Cruise 2023 fashion show, held in Seville, Maria Grazia Chiuri presented two reinterpretations of the timeless Bar Jacket, thus creating a fascinating dialogue between the excellence of the Maison’s ateliers and the artisan tradition of Andalusia: the first, more short and similar to a bolero, it reflects the grace of the equestrian world and the strength of flamenco. The second, finished with Brandenburg binding, borrows the curves and sculptural lines of the original jacket, with its soft shoulders and fitted waist. A collection of irresistible elegance that bears witness to the wonderful richness of world craftsmanship. High tailoring, precious fabrics, women who look like princesses, attention to traditions, refinement and accuracy in the smallest details, all of this is undoubtedly Christian Dior, the one who with his special Bar Jacket will remain forever in history, in memory, in the heart of who has been able to appreciate the beauty of his soul, his desires, his passion.

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francesco grillo: interview

Pubblicato il da monchou_admin
04
Mag

Francesco Grillo is a Roman photographer, author of the HUMANA MENTE exhibition exhibited at Another Studio in Rome. The result of the project is a series of photos which, although apparently distant from each other, intertwine circumstances, needs and stories that can be unique, but allow us to see fragments of ourselves in others, reminding us that it is more what unites us than what that divides us. Even apart from the vibrant beauty of his photographs, there is something else that amazes. And that is his interest in strong and painfully current social issues and his determination in wanting to address them with the photographic medium. In the following lines we discover something more about Francesco Grillo and let ourselves be carried away by the emotions contained in his photographs.
Hi Francesco, let’s start by talking about your recent exhibition, why HUMANA MENTE, how did this project come about?
I hide my vivid identity as an “artist of light” by playing the role of a computer engineer every day. Anyone who really knows me knows that, in reality, I am a dreamer always looking towards the next photographic trip. HUMANA MENTE and her play on words fully represent my change of course towards portrait and street photography. Initially, accustomed to grasping symmetries and geometries, to seeking technical perfection, to giving scope to my rational side even in photography, I decided instead to dedicate myself to the beauty of the imperfection of an emotion, be it a smile or a fear, an embarrassment or a timid interest.
On your site we can see the beautiful reports you made in Vietnam, India and Nepal. What prompted you to choose these destinations?
I love extreme contrasts, I love getting lost in faces, contexts and situations that I knew I would only encounter in these countries. As you may have understood, I love puns and metaphors.

It all started with my first exhibition, DEEP WEB in June ’22. For the uninitiated, in computer science, the deep web is the set of information present on the net and excluded from normal search engines, because it is considered unreadable content and situations for many of us. DEEP WEB. People far from our realities, from our daily lives, belonging, not by choice, to a hard “second-rate” world, obscure to the sight of many, but with a dignity, an authenticity and a beauty that is difficult to emulate.
Do your reportages have a denunciation character or do you want to communicate something else?
No, no complaints. In recent years I have been lucky enough to travel a lot, store and learn. It is here that I understood that connecting with people to capture a part of them in an instant was not only the true essence of photography, but above all “MY” photography. I’ve always been attracted to contrasts, details, particulars and my reportages are “simply” the expression of my being, of my photographic and personal growth. Rome is a city with a thousand aspects, with a thousand facets, expressions and nuances. I’m pleased to give you a preview of this news: I plan to permeate the modus operandi used so far to build a connective tissue of faces and stories about my city. Equally to what has been done for trips to places far from home, I am making the same trips in my city, insinuating myself into elevations that are apparently visible to everyone, but unfortunately invisible to most.
How is it possible, in your opinion, to “get the message across” using photography? How do you do it?
The message is the photography! I don’t use methods or techniques. I would say that, in my case, the opposite is true. I leave my eye the opportunity to meet the emotion resulting from the empathy that is created between me and the subject of the photo. A vertigo that, like a spark, fuses my energy with that of the person photographed for a brief instant. Technicalism is now an “ancestral” movement.

When you see a situation or a person you want to photograph, how important is improvisation and how much is the study of the image?
In recent years I have developed my own particular technique which I have called “optimized improvisation” an improvisation which arises from a diligent spontaneity, but which I would define as educated, in some way harnessed by a mental capacity which makes it almost logical, which makes it almost comprehensible to all soul.
How do you know if someone wants to be photographed? Do you always ask permission before shooting?
You realize it from a smile, from a curious look, from the desire to open up even just for a chat. I’ll give you an example: In Vietnam, while I was going around looking for a good subject to photograph, I met a gentleman in his sixties who looked at me, almost called me. A very thick beard, a face marked by wrinkles, a Vietnamese hat and a toothy smile. I approach him, he holds out his hand and says: “My name is Poh”, we started laughing and talking. It was one of my most intense shots.
In life you work as a computer scientist but you have also become a professional photographer. How did this happen?

Photography is the encounter that completely changed my way of looking at the world. In November 2008 I bought my first camera and I began to study, investing all my intellectual and emotional resources on anything that could give me new stimuli in this new world. I wasn’t satisfied however, I saw that I couldn’t dedicate the space and time to her that I would have liked, binding her to a simple passion in my spare time. Only recently, by throwing myself into situations outside my comfort zone, continuing to study, to test myself and above all to understand how much I really wanted to dedicate myself to this art, I managed to give it the place it deserves and here I am.
Is there any photo you took that you are particularly proud of or that you are particularly attached to?
There are many, difficult to choose one also because I don’t want to make them jealous! I can certainly tell you that when I have a beautiful shot in front of me, I notice it immediately and it’s a succession of emotions from the camera screen, to the computer monitor, to get to the apotheosis of the print, there you really feel it, relive the moment of the shot and feel that mixture of pride and happiness that has become my drug.

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article trend allert the revenge of the circle skirt

Pubblicato il da monchou_admin
04
Mag

For Spring/Summer 2023, circle skirts are back in vogue, voluminous, colorful, sparkling, fun, more fashionable than ever. “Fashion is a ballet, it is the spray of water in the park, the most sublime orchestra of intuitive elegance”. So said one of the greatest stylists of all time, Christian Dior who in the fifties had given birth to a nonconformist fashion that rejected the austerity of the previous decade, making the opulence of the circle skirt a real must, inserting it in his New Look collection. A completely unexpected revolution that achieved worldwide success in a short time, thanks above all to the interest of the icons of the past in this so cult garment, such as Audrey Hepburn who in “Roman Holiday” in 1953 wore the so called pleated skirt with a shirt, a foulard and a belt, highlighting her wasp waist. Pleated and colorful Grace Kelly sported it in 1954 in the film “Green Fire” combined with a bell sleeved blouse. In “Voulez Vous Danser Avec Moi” from 1959, during a dance with Dario Moreno, Brigitte Bardot swayed her hips, showing off a circle skirt combined with a black t shirt. Our beautiful actress already knew how to wear a look that is still today more modern and contemporary than ever, so much so that the stylists have officially decreed it the must-have item of the Spring/Summer 2023 season and for the entire Autumn/Winter 2024. Absolutely irresistible! Fluo, pleated, in leather; layers of fabric take shape in elegant skirts. The trendy model returning from the past, but with a contemporary touch that conquers at first glance. The traditional jupe maintains its shape, but renounces conventionality and plays with interesting overlapping of styles and volumes, ideal for those who are not afraid to dare and show off their personality. In short, a summer in a skirt awaits us. In fact, thinking back to the fashion shows in Milan, Paris, London and New York, there are all types, models, shapes, patterns, and why not, prices. The circle skirt for Sportmax is tie dye, while for Dior it is in pleated leather, or for Proenza Schouler fun and colorful. Jil Sander, on the other hand, even proposes it again with fringes.

There really is something for all tastes and fabrics so much so that, if silk, linen and cotton are the season’s favorites, there are some processes that will certainly be very popular especially if declined in a fresh and youthful way, such as lace, mesh, solid color chiffon or enriched with eclectic patterns reproposed by the most important brands of the Fashion System such as Carolina Herrera, Zimmermann, Acne Studios, Jacquemus, Ralph Lauren, Tod’s. Not to mention Valentino who presented models studded with glitter and sequins as well as floral patterns with a bon ton savoir fair. In full Fifties mood there are then the circle skirts in pastel colors combined with the inevitable cardigan proposed in the Brandon Maxwell fashion show. With a model like this it is impossible to go wrong and creating a trendy look is very simple. Ankle length or knee length: the trend is to play with lengths and volumes. How to match it? The secret is to find the right garment suitable for the measurements of each individual physique. As fascinating as it is dangerous, let’s see how to combine it in the right way: for those who love sporty style, white sneakers come to the rescue, which balance a more comfortable mood with a street detail, confirming once again this year one of the most popular trends , and therefore of the most loved combinations by street style enthusiasts. Then the glam idea is to choose a mix and match look by mixing, for example, stripes and flowers. Furthermore, the perfect combination is in the urban style version. The important thing is not to exaggerate too much and combine a wide and colorful “Alice in Wonderland” skirt with a plain basic item. Charming, romantic and delicate, the ideal skirt for those women who like to wear garments capable of highlighting their femininity in a less daring but no less effective way. Once upon a time there were circle skirts, that twirled and took flight; retro and very refined, the so called ladylike silhouettes, exquisitely 50s, with their fresh and cheeky style are back in vogue and rebalance the shapes by highlighting the waistline: how can you resist? And if SS 2023 fashion wants them as the most popular skirts, what else to add?

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beyoncé ft balmain the duo with a high rate of coolness

Pubblicato il da monchou_admin
04
Apr

It took six long years for all Beyoncé’s soul to express itself in the most liberating way possible, but with the release of Renaissance, Beyoncé’s seventh studio album – her first as a soloist – her boundless love also finds space for fashion and luxury. The references contained in the lyrics of the songs, both to the classics  – Chanel and Tiffany & Co. (Heated) – as well as to the brands of the moment – Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Telfar (Summer Renaissance). For Beyoncé, fashion is also a space to have fun, to express oneself freely without being judged. The album cover shows Queen Bey astride a gleaming silver horse, wearing a custom-made suit of armor by artist Nusi Quero, an iron construction bristling with quills that definitely doesn’t go unnoticed. The image of her, apparently vulnerable in her (almost) nakedness, is unique, strong and sexy. A Lady Godiva, covered, where necessary, with sparkling jewels and silver Gianvito Rossi sandals. In short, luxury is there and it shows right away. Within the album there are various stylistic transformations in which the singer is the protagonist ranging from the excesses of the 80s to the grunge atmospheres of the 90s, portraying her in a new retro futuristic light. But it’s not just the musical aspect that intrigues us because, thanks to the set of creative contents created to support the launch, it is clear that there is also more that Beyoncé wants to tell us. Not with words, but with looks. Oliver Rousteing, the French designer at the helm of the Balmain fashion house for over ten years, listened to the album throughout the summer break and began to draw incessantly in the wake of each track contained in the album. Upon returning from the break, the designer realized that, unlike the other collaborations with the American artist, he would have wanted Beyoncé as co designer of this new RENAISSANCE Couture by Beyoncé x Balmain collection, where each look is inspired by a different trend. Their goal right from the start was to reduce the approximately 50 looks created by Rousteing to 17 and then to transform those sketches into a real high fashion collection. Thus honoring both the history of the maison and the musical heritage of the artist. Beyoncé together with her stylist Marni Senofonte and the Balmain design team worked for five months with the Rousteing team. The lack of budgets, roll outs and marketing plans eliminated the typical boundaries and constraints, creating a dream environment that allowed him to dream without limits. It is from this dream that “Renaissance Couture” was born: 17 looks each inspired by a song from Beyoncé’s latest album. “I’m That Girl” The bustier, reminiscent in some ways of a sun and in others of a crown, is made of hammered metal by the sculptor Elie Hirsch. Accompanied by matching bracelets, pareo skirt and gloves in black nappa lambskin. “Cozy” The craftsmen of the Maison Fevrier, specialized in working with feathers, were involved in the creation of the black velvet dress, who managed to create the illusion of a pink firework at the moment of its explosion. All accompanied by a turban and boots in black velvet. “Energy” Modern couture dress made up of a complicated macramé motif made with threads in different materials – silk, rayon, velvet, patent leather – all meticulously woven and knotted by a master of macramé work, Laurentine Périlhou, who took 15 days to to complete the work.

The feathers, on the other hand, were made by the Maison Fevrier in Paris. “Break My Soul” Draped hooded dress, made of shiny black velvet, combined with a chrome look spray painted 3D print bustier, creates the illusion of a bare torso. The song that celebrates 90s house music infuses strength and confidence, matching perfectly with the drama of the look. “Church Girl” The look features a red and black velvet cape with metallic belt, a silver chrome plated 3D print bustier, and a two tone circular record inspired hat. The soft velvet dress is cinched at the waist by a belt that gives the upper part of the silhouette a bow line, a detail that pays homage to Monsieur Balmain. As for the hat, its flat shape and the red circle inside deliberately recall a disc. “Plastic Off the Sofa” Bustier dress in tulle with a reticular structure, around an inverted pink bow with a dazzling sheen, obtained thanks to a pink chrome fabric. The dress combines two iconic elements of Parisian couture: the bow and the tuxedo. The pink bow is rotated 180 degrees thus transforming what would normally have been its hanging flaps into something similar to the lapels of a classic tuxedo. “Virgo’s Groove” The look consists of a dusty pink velvet corolla dress and a hat based on a vintage design by Balmain, reinterpreted in hammered metal. The golden bustier that peeks out from under the top of the dress was created by the sculptor Elie Hirsch. “Move” Draped dress in gypsy blue jersey – one of Queen Bey’s favorite colors – thermo rhinestone quilting, combined with a coordinated antler headdress. From the brilliant drapery the hood, the cape and the skirt are obtained from the hanging front fabric. The flat, exaggerated lines of the sculptural Maison Michel hat, combined with the strong Balmain shoulders, add a horizontal counterweight to the verticality of the dress. “Thique” The look of simple majesty does not predict the complex engineering and technological construction that has allowed the creation of a brilliant couture chandelier. Thanks to the expert craftsmen of Haute Couture, the maître bijoutiers of Le Chemin des Maquettes and the manufacturers of crystal chandeliers, a sculptural dress is born composed of an illusionistic bustier in hammered brass and crystals worn over a black velvet body, combined with a matching turban and tassel chandelier earrings. “All Up In Your Mind” Bustier dress decorated with sartorial precision by a fan of feather inserts, combined with a black velvet and satin jumpsuit with matching gloves and rhinestone ornaments. The look as a tribute to the legendary New York ballroom scene. “Pure/Honey” The look represents a crazy mix of graphic motifs embroidered with black and white sequins and feathers and accessorized with wire mesh earrings and a jersey turban. The sequin embroidery work done by our craftsmen has helped to make the whole as bold as possible, blending together psychedelic, marinière, zebra motifs. “Summer Renaissance” The look focuses on absolute extravagance. The minimalism of the short bustier dress with horizontal lines counterpoints the maximalism of the long cape. Everything is embroidered with lurex fringes, crystals and rhinestones. The common denominator is represented by the multitude of silver fringes, each of which was created by the artisans of the maison, combining three different sparkling materials.

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antonio d’aquino: interview

Pubblicato il da monchou_admin
04
Mar

Antonio d’Aquino is a young and promising Neapolitan actor. Success comes thanks to the acclaimed series Mare Fuori, where he plays the role of Milos, a mysterious Sinti gypsy, a prisoner at the IPM. After taking part in the first two seasons, in the third, he returns to play his character, called to surprise you more during the new episodes. The countdown is almost over, the beloved Rai 2 series is about to return. The prime time airing will start from Wednesday 15 February. In the meantime, the fiction continues to climb the Netflix top ten.
Hi Antonio! Mare Fuori had its explosion last year after the transition to the platforms, RaiPlay first and Netflix later. Has your daily life changed?
In reality, my daily life is the same as always. Surely, when I walk down the street, there are many girls and many boys who stop to compliment me and take pictures. But I’m the same guy as before. I’ve been hanging out with the same friends for years and I’ve always had coffee in the bar. I think it’s very important to keep your feet on the ground, not lose touch with reality, not stray from your values.
Taking a step back, what do you remember about your first audition and the day you were told you had been selected for the Mare Fuori series?
I originally auditioned for another role in the series. After two weeks, they call me to audition for the role of Milos. When I learned that I had been cast in the first season of Mare Fuori, it all seemed so surreal. I burst into tears on my way home. To welcome me home, there was my whole family crying. It is a very beautiful memory, a victory that I carry in my heart. It represents the beginning of my dream.

Which scene from the previous seasons was the hardest to shoot and which is the best memory of those shooting days?
The most difficult scene was that of the prisoner revolt, shown in the first season of Mare Fuori. That scene involved so many cast members and it wasn’t easy to coordinate everything. I remember there were so many things to do and show in those scenes. It was also a very emotional scene. The best memory I always connect to the moments spent together with all the other actors between one take and another. During the months of shooting, we spend a lot of time together: we sleep in the same place, we eat together, we sing, we have fun. We have become a real family. So, every moment we spend together holds a number of good memories.
How did you get into acting? Did playing a character not originally from Naples cause you any hesitation or uncertainty?
I’ve always had the dream of acting but I didn’t have the courage to throw myself into this profession. When I decided to study and try to audition, Milos and Mare Fuori arrived. It wasn’t easy to approach a character with a background so different from mine but slowly, season after season, I understood his life, his feelings, his thoughts.
After Ciro’s death, the balance changed within the IPM. How does Milos, your character, evolve in Mare Fuori 3?
My character will reveal himself. Up until now, we have seen a mysterious and taciturn boy who prefers to do the bidding of his friends. Now, Milos needs to tell his story and reveal all of his feelings. I am very happy that I finally had the opportunity to give him more space.

You come from a reality, that of the Neapolitan province, which doesn’t offer many perspectives to young people. There are usually two roads: that of the dream to be realized or that of the nightmare. Did you know the reality of the IPM before Mare Fuori?
I did not know the reality of IPM. Before shooting, we documented a lot about how difficult the journey of these guys was. It is very important that, when such stories are told, one chooses to approach these lives in a delicate and transparent way. I believe that it is important to send a message of hope. We always have the opportunity to change our lives, to choose the right path.
What kind of atmosphere do you breathe on the set among you young people? And with adults?
There is an atmosphere of great harmony. There is great support between us guys. We support each other, we are close, we rehearse scenes together. When there are difficult moments on set, we give each other great strength. We are like brothers. Adults are real teachers for us. Seeing them play with us is a continuous lesson, an important human growth.
The direction of Mare Fuori is entrusted entirely to Ivan Silvestrini, who arrived after Carmine Elia and Milena Cocozza. What has changed?

Every director has contributed to the success of Mare Fuori. Each of them has always given us courage and strength to face this important and real story. Ivan is a transparent director who leaves us a lot of space to express ourselves. It is truly an honor to work with him.
In the future, what kind of role would you like to play? Is there any particular actor/actress or director you would like to work with?
I say it, in every interview and I really hope it comes true: I would like to play a superhero. In Italy, we don’t have the opportunity to see action films and it would be a very nice experience to have. I would like to work with directors like Paolo Sorrentino, Luca Guadagnino, Paolo Virzì, Matteo Garrone.
Give advice to all your peers who intend to pursue the same career as you.
To my peers, I advise never to give up. Never stop believing in your talents. It is very important to have great determination, as well as great courage. Even when people get in your way, always move forward, never losing sight of your feelings.

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