deer image from here
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Perugia: the City of Jazz
After our meeting at the city hall in Spoleto, the director of Varna International and I hopped into our rented car and sped to the city of Perugia.Located in the center of the Umbria region, Perugia has come to be known as the artistic city of Italy and, since the early 70's, the city of jazz.
Umbria Jazz was born in 1973 as the Festival took jazz music from around the world to the medieval streets of Perugia.
Throughout the years, famous artists have performed at the festival, including Dizzy Gillespie and Keith Jarrett.
Now, fashion lovers will also be able to join in on all the jazzy fun, too!
In conjunction with of Varna International, Men's Fashion by Francesco is launching a new program entitled “the Music of Fashion,” in which students of design and professionals can join fashion tours throughout Italy.
Our first tour is entitled Fashion Jazz, at which time models will strut down the runway to the rhythmic sounds of a live jazz band!
Models, designers, students of fashion, and fashion lovers—if you would like to be a part of this exciting event, send me an email and sign up now!
Under the Shade of Umbria
Located in central Italy between Rome and Florence, Umbria derives its name from the ancient tribe, the Umbri.The Umbri are one of the oldest tribes that settle central Italy in the 6th century BC.
The Umbri were invaded first by the Etruscans and later by the Romans, who established the colony of Spoletium, or Spoleto—my first stop on this trip.
Although Umbria passed from the Romans to tug-of-war between the Byzantines and Ostrogoths, the region finally fell under the rule of the Pope.
Besides Spoleto, other prominent cities of Umbria include Assisi and Perugia, where Men’s Fashion by Francesco will kick off the festival tour called Fashion Jazz, in conjunction with Varna International.
Photos Copyright Men’s Fashion by Francesco.
Etruscan Men, Etruscan Fashion
While there is a notable Roman influence to be found in Perugia, what I like most about the city is its Etruscan past.Although little is known about ancient Etruria, we do know that the Etruscans had developed an extensive civilization before the Romans conquered the peninsula.
Historians pinpoint the Etruscans’ arrival to the Italic peninsula as early as 1,000 BC, originating from Asia Minor and bringing customs and costumes that were similar to those of the ancient Greeks.
In Greek, Etruscans were known as Tyrrheni, from which we have derived names like Mediterranean and Tyrrenian Seas. The Romans called them Tusci or Etrusci, leading to names like Toscana or Tuscany in English.
Etruscan men wore loin skirts and tunics similar to that of the ancient Greeks. They also sported a short cloak made out of wool that was called a lacerna.
Later in history, the Etruscans donned something called a tebenna, which entailed a long cloak-like garment that was draped across the left shoulder and pulled around the chest to be tucked under the right arm.
Often the tebenna was striped with assorted colors according to the social status of the man who wore the garment. Historians think that the Romans actually modeled the toga after this Etruscan garment.
Jewelry was very common among Etruscan men. Hair was often braided.
Photos Public Domain.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Spoleto & the Festival of Two Worlds
After an enjoyably long nap on Alitalia, I woke up this morning as we touched down at the Fiumicino airport in Rome.I rushed to the rent-a-car office where I met the director of Varna International, with whom I am planning nearly a dozen choral-orchestral concerts throughout Italy next year. We, then, set out for our fist stop—Spoleto.
Spoleto is an ancient city in the Umbria region that lies on the rolling hills at the feet of the Apennine mountain range—the backbone of Italy.
Spoleto has inherited a magnificent legacy from the Romans with a Roman theatre, an ancient bridge, and an amphitheatre that is still used today.
As for modern times, Spoleto has inherited another legacy in world of music—the Festival of Two Worlds, which I have set out to explore.
Every summer since 1958, the music festival sweeps the town with the most exquisite dance, theatre, and music performances.
The Festival is the brainchild of Italian composer, Gian Carlo Menotti, who envisioned “Two Worlds” taking part in this event—one American and one European.
In 1977, Gian Carlo Menotti founded the Spoleto Festival USA in Charleston, South Carolina, as counterpart and twin event to the Festival of Two Worlds.
Although Spoleto and Charleston have remained twin cities, the two festivals “twinned” only 15 years until separation.
Today with a recommendation letter from the city of Charleston, we met with the mayor and other officials of Spoleto to set into motion a grand finale at the Festival, which will also mark the 100th birthday of its founder, Menotti.
Negotiations got off to a great start! Afterwards, I took a few photos for your enjoyment. Click here.
Photos Copyright Men’s Fashion by Francesco.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Work Hard , Play Hard
stripes blazer // Ambrogio by Centro dept. store stripes sweatshirt //black pants//
blue shoes // thrifted bag // Centro agenda book
blue shoes // thrifted bag // Centro agenda book
Italy in a Whirlwind
I am very excited that, tonight, I will take a transatlantic flight back to Italy—even if just for one week.While I definitely plan to investigate the menswear scene—past and present—my primary purpose is to organize 10 classical concerts throughout central and northern Italy, in conjunction with Varna International, for which I have been handling all PR.
Since most of the concerts will be performed in two regions of Italy, the focus of this trip will center on Umbria and Veneto, with several minor exceptions, such as a quick stop in Emilia Romagna and Toscana.
So buckle your seatbelts and get ready for a whirlwind tour of 8 Italian cities in 7 days! Let’s say, I know how to handle a stick shift!
Have a panoramic view of my hometown here.
Photos Forio, Ischia, Copyright Men’s Fashion by Francesco.
