Galleria Mazzini in Genoa

July 27, 2018July 29, 2018 | Design & Culture by Ed

If you love vintage (especially proper, opulent, slightly kitschy Italian vintage), you’ve got to visit Galleria Mazzini in Genoa. This historical passage, that as well holds a number of coffee shops and boutiques, is also where all the Genoan antique specialists sell their finds. From Italian furniture classics from the 60s and century old posters to colourful old school car toys and jet-set era Gucci bags, this place has some true treasures. The prices are high, but the guys here are ready to bargain. Want more on Genoa? Click here.

Galleria Giuseppe Mazzini / Genoa

Photos by Edward Kanarecki.

When in Genoa

July 25, 2018 | Design & Culture by Ed

Once called the ‘mistress of the sea’ due to its port, today Genoa (also read as Genova) isn’t that much in favour, especially if speaking of tourists. There’s no sense in planning your walk around the historic centre of the city. The streets and narrow caruggi twine and tangle without much logic, so it’s better to go with the flow (but remember not to get too lost – it’s better to stay in the main part of the city, since Genoa in general is infamous for being one of the least safe places in Italy). The local roughness and state of dilapidated, close-to-ruin buildings might repel at the beginning, but you will surely feel the charm on the second day of your stay. Genoa reminds you that Italy isn’t that polished after all, and the laundry getting dried on the streets isn’t a postcard cliché, but reality. What’s definitely worth visiting is Cattedrale di San Lorenzo (which is somewhere between Gothic and Baroque style) that stores an underground treasury. Still, Genoa’s streets intrigued me the most. At some moments they get totally dark, even in the day-time. Not only because they are narrow; the townhouses are surprisingly tall as well. The effect is highly cinematic. Also note all the small food markets. For coffee, go to the chic Caffè Degli Specchi that has the best ice coffee, while for small shopping try Aspesi (best ‘Made in Italy’ shirts in very affordable prices) and the vintage market situated at Galleria Mazzini (next post is coming up on that magical place!). But in the end, even though every guide seems to hate Genoa, we had great time here. We weren’t robbed or anything like that!

A hint: if you’re travelling in a big car, Genoa might be a hard nut to crack. Parking here is a nightmare, and no guide will tell you this…

More of my addresses from Genoa are right here.

SONY DSC

SONY DSC

All photos by Edward Kanarecki.

Café Marchesi

February 7, 2016July 27, 2018 | Design & Culture by Ed

Let’s praise Miuccia Prada not only for her reality-subverting fashion at Prada and MiuMiu, famous Prada Marfa installation, mind-blowing creation of FondazionePrada, but also for Cafe Marchesi, the newest addition to the visionnaire’s portfolio. Located on Via Montenapoleone, the chicest street of Milan, Miuccia revived the iconic PaticcerieMarchesi into a must-visit spot of every fashion person who is in hurry for the next show. The roots of PasticceriaMarchesi begin in 1824, when a small pastry shop opened inside an elegant 18th century building. The shop quietly evolved in the 1900s when Angelo Marchesi expanded its services to a coffee bar, early evening cocktails and freshly baked pastries, cakes, cookies and candies. The main, sweet aim of this place is still the same – but after the re-opening in 2015, the industry got crowded in here, seeing the Miuccia-selected pastel green silks as wall tapestries and Wes-Anderson-like colour palette delights. If talking of their goods, I confess – I have never, ever eaten a better marzipan cake with strawberries. Additionally, Marchesi is already a sentimental place for me – it’s the place were I had a love affair with coffee. The Marocchino rules.

Via Montenapoleone 9 / Milan

All photographs courtesy of Design & Culture by Ed

Italian Hands at Gucci

October 21, 2015July 27, 2018 | Design & Culture by Ed

Alessandro Michele redefines what’s Italian chic at Gucci. His Resort 2016, which is available in the chosen flagship stores, is a balance of eclecticism and traditional craftsmanship – the topic, that was neglected for several years in the fashion industry. And even though you might not appreciate the slightly kitsch impression that the collection leaves in its overall, you should admit – in detail, these clothes are treasures. Wherever you look, there is a tiny hand-embroidered swallow or a romantic floral embellishment. Or, it’s hard not to notice that each ring is made out of different, gold-pleated elements and precious stones. The head-pieces made out of Astrakhan fur are decorated with silk flowers, that from a metre-long distance look like real peonies. The effect of Gucci’s major revamp is concentrated on the details, that give the clothes an eccentric twist, a poetical mood – and I am still trying to figure out, how such major power-house as Gucci tackled the problem of making the brand feel like a niche label, of which main aim is not only the commercial strength, but also bringing back the beauty of fashion – importance of Italian craftsmanship.

The new vision of Gucci captured by Roe Ethridge for Another Magazine.

The details of AW15 & SS16 collections photographed by Federico Ferrari for Another Magazine.

A wardrobe of a glamorous, Italian lady – Via Montenapoleone.

Moments from No21 Showroom

October 19, 2015July 27, 2018 | Design & Culture by Ed

Beautiful moments from the No21 showroom, which presented their latest, spring-summer 2016 collection. I instantly fell in love with easy tank-top dresses that had white t-shirts under. Also, note the seductive and very chic cigarette prints on knitted tops and sweat-shirts. The cappuccino coloured denim flares gave a fresh air of French cool, looking off-duty with big, cabas totes. The tasseled, raffia sandals that have referenced to tribal Africa are killing it, just as the rest of the collection. As usual, Alessandro Dell’AcQua nailed it!