Italy to Die For

Dolce Gabbana new Venice Boutique Palazzo Torres Venezia.Seguso Murano glass chandeliers.

Dolce and Gabbana inaugurated in June a sumptuous new boutique inside the fabulous restored Venetian Palazzo Torres, Calle Larga XX11 Marzo 9, Venezia. Architect Eric Carlson, of the renowned Studio Carbondale, who managed to retain the authenticity  of this historic Venetian building, built around 1800. Glamourous Murano Glass Chandeliers by Seguso, as featured in the photo, and stunning gold mosaiques on the walls, and elegant marble floors.
Upon the occasion of the store’s opening Dolce & Gabbana launched a silk scarf collection dedicated to the Save Venice Fund, and funds will be donated to the save the Venetian patrimoine. 

The boutique sells clothes, individually decorated hand painted Sicilian  handbags, scarves, and the new D&G jewellery collection.

 

 

Dolce Gabbana Alta Moda. 2017. Giuseppe di Lampedusa’s “Il Gattopardo” Sicilian inspirations for Dolce Gabbana Alta Moda 2017 show on the baroque Piazza Pretoria Palermo, Sicily

Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda Piazza Pretoria, Palermo, Sicily,  2017.

In our web magazine www.eluxetv.com May 26th 2017 in a feature on Melania Trump wearing the Dolce Gabbana stand out Sicilian rose coat, we mentioned Giuseppe di Lampedusa’s cult novel “Il Gattopardo”, set in Palermo that Visconti made into an epic film, The Leopard, with a sensational performance by Burt Lancaster, and starring roles for French heart throb Alain Delon, and the beautiful Claudia Cardinale.

Dolce Gabbana’s Alta Moda collections are enthralling classic Sicilian inspired art. It brings back the perfume of the di Lampedusa story, opulence and Sicilian decadence, in D&G’s sexy low key,elaborate  “turn heads” casual style for today’s cool Jet setters. .

Sicily is famed too for its “Teatro dei Pupi” , costumed theatre……..

Palermo airport saw  150 private planes bringing in their top clients from around the World for a stunning show.

A Couture dress starts at £30.000, & by the next morning after the show most of the 116 outfits had, it seems, been sold. What a party those Girls must have had flashing the plastic, Dolce Gabbana have created an Event that overtakes “fashion”. It is participative “Art”.

 

 

Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda  Palermo July 2017

 

Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda  Palermo July 2017

Dolce Gabbana Alta Moda Palermo July 2017

Dolce Gabbana Palermo 2017

 

 

Piazza Pretoria, Palermo, Sicily

 

 

Sicily. San Domenico Savio church Scordia. Daniele Iozzia, a talented young Sicilian painter with a PhD in Philosophy & History of Ideas, from Catania University, has created beautiful lyrical frescoes in the church of San Domenico Savio, Scordia, Sicily

Daniele Iozzia a talented young Italian painter and interior decorator has created beautiful lyrical frescoes for  San Domenico  Savio church Scordia, Sicily. 

Daniele Iozzia a talented young Italian painter and interior decorator has created beautiful lyrical frescoes for San Domenico Savio church Scordia, Sicily. Daniele grew up in Sicily in an old Palazzo, which he agrees inspired his love of Antique History & Ideas, and Classic architecture . Daniele Iozzia has PhD in Philosophy and History of Ideas, University of Catania & Daniele continues to return regularly to Catania to give lectures. Daniele’s painting ability led to him being invited to produce exclusive Frescoes in prestigious locations. Daniele Iozzia has studied Interior Design at Michael Inchbald and now takes on private commissions.

 

 

 

Fendi. Italia Amore. Italian fashion inspirations

 

 

Fendi bag with customised personalised initials  tag. Glamourous leather & beaded floral shoulder strap.

Fendi bag for summer, in lilac leather, small clutch handles, customised personal initial tag and elaborate leather flower & bead shoulder strap.

 

 

 

Sicily. Piazza Armerina. Villa Romana del Casale. Sensational mosaics in a 4th Century Luxury Roman villa

 

Villa Romana del Casale.. Near the town of Piazza Armerina Sicily

Villa Romana del Casale

“These mosaics are unique in the Mediterranean,” says the Italian archaeologist Carmela Bonanno, gesturing towards the 3,500 square metres of mosaic pavements that fill the Roman Villa del Casale near the town of Piazza Armerina in central Sicily. “It’s a miracle that they’re intact.”

Sicily is blessed with several spectacular classical sites: the Greek Theatre at Syracuse, the Valley of the Temples at Agrigento, the ancient theatre overlooking Mount Etna at Taormina, to name three. But the Villa del Casale, which was protected by Unesco in 1997, offers something different. One of the best-preserved villas from anywhere in the Roman Empire, it still boasts much of its original decoration. The contents of, say, Hadrian’s villa at Tivoli outside Rome were long ago dispersed. But, against the odds, the mosaics of the Villa del Casale (named after an agricultural settlement known as casale, or farmhouse, that flourished there in the 15th century) remain in situ. 

The UNESCO World Heritage site  has seen the completion of most of an ongoing EU-funded reconstruction project that began in spring 2007 

 

Piazza Armerina. Sicily. Villa Romana del Casale. UNESCO World Heritage site.

Villa Romana del Casale

The Villa Romana del Casale was constructed (on the remains of an older villa) in the first quarter of the 4th century AD, probably as the centre of a huge latifundium (agricultural estate) covering the surrounding area. How long the villa had this role is not known, maybe for fewer than 150 years. The complex remained inhabited and a village grew around it, named Platia (derived from the word palatium (palace). The villa was damaged and perhaps destroyed during the domination of the Vandals and the Visigoths. The outbuildings remained in use, at least in part, during the Byzantine and Arab periods. The site was abandoned in the 12th century AD after a landslide covered the villa. Survivors moved to the current location of Piazza Armerina.

The villa was almost entirely forgotten, although some of the tallest parts of the remains were always above ground. The area was cultivated for crops. Early in the 19th century, pieces of mosaics and some columns were found. The first official archaeological excavations were carried out later in that century.

The first professional excavations were made by Paolo Orsi in 1929, followed by the work of Giuseppe Cultrera in 1935-39. The last major excavations took place in the period 1950-60. They were led by Gino Vinicio Gentili, after which a cover was built over the mosaics. In the 1970s Andrea Carandini carried out a few localised excavations at the site. Extract courtesy Wikipedia. With thanks

 

 

Caltagirone, Sicily. Famous since millennia for stunning ceramics. During the Spring & Summer festivals to celebrate the famous colourful tiles.

Caltagirone tiles

Caltagirone tiles Sicily

Swirling patterns, vibrant colours, painstakingly detailed designs….. Wherever you go in Caltagirone this is what you will see: For Millennia ceramics have  decorated staircases & facades of Churches & Palazzos. Virtually all buildings in the old town are decorated with ceramic tiles, shops spill their delightfully crafted wares onto the pavements and the effect is one of vibrant colours.

The highlight is undoubtedly the 142 steps of the Scalinata di Santa Maria del Monte that connect the lower town with the older upper town. The upright of each step is decorated with ceramic tiles, offering a colourful alternative to the grey lava stone of the horizontal parts. During the last two weeks of May the steps are home to a festival known as the “Infiorita” in which they are covered by an enormous floral display. At the end of July (24th and 25th), in honour of the town’s patron saint, San Giacomo, and in the middle of August, the steps undergo yet another transformation, the “Illuminata”. Thousands of candles flicker away creating a truly breathtaking sight.

Very much an aristocratic town, Caltagirone has many splendid palaces and churches.
Caltagirone’s  history mirrors that of so many other towns in Sicily: the Romans, Arabs, Normans, Spanish and French all passed through leaving indelible traces of their presence and like the towns of the Noto Valley and Catania, it too was destroyed in the famous 1693 earthquake. Very much an aristocratic town, Caltagirone is brimming with splendid palaces and churches.

The modern name derives from the Arabic Qal’at Ghiran meaning something like “Castle of Vases”. During their dominion, the Arabs passed on some essential ceramic-making techniques, such as glazing, to the already flourishing local industry.  Caltagirone 40 minutes from Catania.

 

 

 

UNESCO. Sicily Baroque Modica & Ragusa, UNESCO World Heritage sites, and Trattoria with local homemade meals.

Modica Sicily, Duomo  San Giorgio

Modica, UNESCO World Heritage site, beautiful Sicilian Baroque town, where can be found Osteria die Sapori,a typical Sicilian store, full of local olive oils,vinegars, homemade citron marmalades & strong local Sicilian wines,  go thru to discover a trattoria that serves delicious food of Sicilian specialities. Some specialities need to be ordered www.osteriadeisaporiperduti.it

Ragusa, UNESCO World Heritage site, not far from Modica, or Syracuse,  up in the hills has another popular Family run Trattoria La Bettola. Goodies from that morning’s market, fresh fish, Octopus,  and delicious homemade Antipasti.

 

 

Palermo, Sicily, sumptuous Cappella Palatina, built by a Norman King, Roger 11, in 1130-1140

Palermo, Palazzo dei Normanni

Situated within the Palazzo dei Normanni (Palace of the Normans) the Cappella Palatina (Palatine Chapel) is the finest example of Arab-Norman art in Palermo. Built by the Norman King Roger 11 from 1130-1140. The chapel is decorated with sumptuous Norman-Byzantine mosaics. The chapel is on the second floor of the Palazzo.

 

Melania Trump swings into Taormina, Sicily, Uber Glamour for the wife of American President Donald Trump, in Sicilian inspired Dolce Gabbana outfit, coming up roses all over…

Melania Trump arrives in Sicily in totally Sicilian inspired outfit from the Italian design Duo Dolce Gabbana.Photo courtesy Daily Mail On Line. Photo courtesy AP

Melania Trump arrives in romantic Sicily resplendent in Italian design duo  Dolce Gabbana created outfit inspired by their traditional Sicilian culture. A collarless coat, Embroidered with colourful bejewelled flowers, reminiscent of the Mediterranean floral culture, worn over a shimmering pale pink dress, with matching high heel shoes and a custom made purse.

Sicily here we come. As  World leaders arrive for a tense G7 meeting. Taormina’s. San Domenico Palace hotel, a former Monastery is the venue.

The Trumps are staying at the historic Timeo hotel, with its stunning romantic views over the sea…..

American President Donald Trump’s first international tour as President will be remembered as much for the appropriate standout chic outfits of Melania Trump as for Donald Trump’s International standpoint……….

 

 

 

Sorrento on the beautiful Amalfi coast, Fauno Notte discotheque….

 

Fauno Notte Discotheque Sorrento, main square.

Fauno Notte Discotheque Sorrento, main square. Sorrento exquisitely romantic fishing village on the beautiful Amalfi coast. Recently opened Naples airport within easy reach.  Below we feature colourful Dolce Gabbana Sorrento post card dress. Part of a series of Dolce Gabbana Post card dresses illustrating some of Italy’s prettiest towns. 

sorrentodgdress

dgpostcardresses

 

 

Venice as if you were there including photos from the Architecte Zaha Hadid exhibition Summer 2016

 

Venice Palazzo Murano chandelier

Venice Palazzo Murano chandelier

Venice Palazzo. Murano chandelier

Venice

Venice view from vaporetto in front of the Danieli

 

Venice view from Danieli Terrace

Venice view from Danieli Terrace

Venice view from Terrace at the Danieli

Venice view from Terrace at the Danieli

 

Venice street

Venice street

 

Roofs of Venice

Roofs of Venice

Venice Palazzo Murano chandelier

Venice Palazzo Murano chandelier

 

Venice canal

Venice canal

Venice Tiepolo

Venice 

Venice Zaha Hadid expo. Ministry Arts & Sciences

Venice Zaha Hadid expo. Ministry Arts & Sciences

 

Venice Ministry Arts & Sciences.

Venice Ministry Arts & Sciences.

 

Venice Murano chandelier

Venice Murano chandelier

 

Hotel Danieli

Hotel Danieli

 

 

Venice market

Venice market

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View towards St Marc with thanks courtesy Italytours.

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