milan

Italian Painter Turns a Private Jet Into a Work of Art

Filed under: Wings, Art

Renowned Italian sculptor and painter Mimmo Paladino has become the first person to turn a private jet into a work of art with the installation of a customized Piaggio P.180 Avanti II aircraft at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan.

Dubbed the "Cacciatore di Stelle" (Star Hunter), Paladino's plane (above) will be on display in the famed luxury shopping mecca through April 28. Paladino decorated the turboprop with ancestral symbols, constellations and geometrical designs in homage to the skies in which it travels.

The plane is part of an exhibition of Paladino's work hosted by Milan's historic Palazzo Reale, including more than 50 of his artworks from the '70s to the present day. The P.180 Avanti was chosen for the project as an expression of "Italian genius in design and engineering."

Tags: art, art jet, artist, Italy, Milan, Mimmi Paladino, Piaggio, private jet

Sheraton Opens New Hotel at Milan Malpensa Airport

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Part of a global expansion plan to add over 50 new locations to its global portfolio over the next three years, Starwood Hotels has opened a new location at Milan's Malpensa Airport.

Adjacent to Terminal 1, 30 minutes away from downtown Milan and with views of the Italian alps, the Sheraton Milan Malpensa Airport Hotel and Conference Centre offers 433 guest rooms, 19 suites, 58 "club rooms" and a 200 square-meter members' lounge. It also has 2,000 square meters of meeting rooms, including a 1,000-person multi-function hall and 22 individual board rooms, as well as a 1,000 square-meter fitness center and spa (including an indoor swimming pool), plus the Monte Rosa Bar and Il Canneto for dining options.

The hotel is owned by Degennaro Group and was designed by King Roselli Architects and Saporiti Hotel Design.

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Tags: airport, airport hotel, degennaro, hotel, italian hotels, malpensa, milan, sheraton, starwood, starwood hotels

Prada Launches World's First Customizable Sunglasses

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Men's Style

In time for the holiday season Prada is introducing the world's first customizable sunglasses, providing fashionistas with the opportunity to transform a classic pair of Prada shades into a gift that is truly unique. The PradaPrivate collection sunglasses feature two removable plaques on each temple featuring letters, numbers and a variety of symbols including hearts, stars and skulls. Thanks to the uniquely engineered and patented system, one can substitute the detachable symbols on the arms of the glasses with others bought either at the same time or at a later date. The frames are available in black, white and tortoiseshell in both men's (above) and women's styles starting today exclusively at Sunglass Hut and Prada boutiques in Milan, Rome, Venice, London, Paris, New York, Las Vegas, Hawaii, Dusseldorf, Hong Kong and Shanghai.

Gallery: PradaPrivate Sunglasses

Tags: custom, Italian fashion, Milan, Prada, skull, Sunglass Hut, sunglasses

New Lichtenstein Monograph Marks Milan Exhibit

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Art, Books

An impressive new monograph on the late pop art star Roy Lichtenstein has just been published by Skira on the occasion of a major new exhibition of his work at the Milan Triennial, the most important show ever devoted to the artist in Italy. Roy Lichtenstein: Meditations on Art covers his entire artistic development through more than 250 paintings and sculptural works, a rich photographic section including unpublished material, and critical text. In keeping with the theme of the exhibition, the book examines the relationship between Lichtenstein, art history and its protagonists. There's also a refreshing emphasis on some of his lesser-known work. The reproductions in this deluxe edition, priced at $100, are large-format and in full color. Thirteen years after the legendary artist's death, his works and lexicon of symbols, subjects and themes continue to intrigue the art world while his work fetches millions of dollars at auction.

Tags: art, art book, art books, artist, exhibition, Italy, Milan, museum, pop art, Roy Lichtenstein

The Gap Collaborates with 10 Corso Como to Celebrate its Debut in Italy

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Luxury Shopping

An iconic American company is collaborating with an Italian design powerhouse with a co-branded line of T-shirts, sweatshirts and bags.

To celebrate its upcoming expansion in Italy, The Gap is partnering with 10 Corso Como to launch a limited edition collection in Milan, Italy during Milan Fashion Week. The collection will available at a temporary store on September 22 exclusively at 10 Corso Como.

The Corso Como Gap collection of tees, sweatshirts and bags will feature two themes on styles that are at the heart of The Gap's collections--the tee and the sweatshirt, as well as a series of matching cotton tote bags. One design features Corso Como's signature 'circles' graphic. The second designs features illustrations selected by the store's legendary founder, Carla Sozzani, from the work of American artist Kris Ruhs. The collection will be available in both men's and women's sizes.

Gallery: 10 Corso Como and The Gap

Tags: 10 Corso Como, Banana Republic, Design, Milan, Shopping, The Gap, Tokyo

Continue reading “The Gap Collaborates with 10 Corso Como to Celebrate its Debut in Italy”

Thousands of Alfa Romeo Owners to Participate in Centenary Rally in Milan

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Events

If you own an Alfa Romeo old or new, Milan is the place to be this June. That's where the stoic Italian automaker, which celebrates its centenary this year, will be holding a massive rally for owners of its vehicles from throughout its 100-year history.

The event, which will be held the weekend of June 26-27, is anticipated to draw some 3000 participants and is being organized in conjunction with the factory by the Registro Italiano Alfa Romeo, the largest Alfa owners club with some 1500 members. Among the festivities planned, each car will be emblazoned with a special logo on the roof and the procession through Milan will be filmed by helicopter. There will also be live music concerts and the presentation of a special statue designed by Alfa's own styling department. Each participating owner will also be given a special gift package to mark the occasion.

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Tags: alfa, alfa romeo, centenary, milan, milano, registro italiano alfa romeo, riar

Maison Moschino Opens Its Fantastical Doors

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

A couple of years ago I wrote about the plans for a Moschino hotel in Milan, Italy. It was supposed to open last year but is finally ready for guests. Maison Moschino, the latest project from Stefano Ugolini of Hotelphilosophy, is a fashion fairytale. Together with the Moschino creative team and designer Rossella Jardini, Ugolini has created a whimsically chic hotel. The hotel was converted from an 1840s railway station in the heart of Milan and has 63 guestrooms and two junior suites over four floors. The rooms, with names like 'Little Red Riding Hood', 'Clouds' and 'Sleeping in a Ballgown' offer sweetly surreal hotel experiences.

Outside, the hotel's neoclassical 19th century facade reveals nothing unusual but once inside guests see a Moschino lampshade dress acting as a lamp to illuminate the main entrance hall where origami clouds hang from the ceiling. Rooms feature imaginative designs, including one where silk rose petals dangle from the chandelier as if falling from the sky. In another, guests will feel as though they really are sleeping in the enormous ballgown that transitions from the headboard to the baseboard. 'The Forest' room, 'Luxurious Attic' and junior suites on the second floor are inspired by Alice in Wonderland.

The hotel's 'Clandestino Milano' restaurant has decorative elements that echo the curvaceous silhouettes of the Moschino dresses. Small lights on the ceilings look like clouds and a bar light was created from a stiletto boot. The restaurant, headed by Italian chef Moreno Cedroni, serves pasta, meat, vegetarian and vegan dishes, including 'Colourful Sushi' creations. An unusual palate cleansing concoction of sake and mint based 'mouthwash' finishes the meal. For breakfast there is the 'Mos kit' that comes in a choice of four, six or eight combinations and is served in a shoe box-like tray. Room rates start at 270 euros.

Gallery: Maison Moschino

Tags: designer hotels, maison moschino, milan, moschino hotel, MoschinoDress

Schwarzenegger Spotted In Franck Muller Watch Store

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Celebrity Shopping

The State of California and the watch maker brand and group Franck Muller have something in common. They are both in dire financial straights. Both have likely over extended themselves financially, and both seem to continue in operation somehow.

California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was recently spotted in Milan, Italy shopping at a Franck Muller boutique store. While Schwarzenegger is a well known watch lover, I was not previously aware that he was a fan of Franck Muller timepieces. Now I know. For those of you that don't know, Arnold is a big fan of big watches. Luxury watch brands have been known to make special timepieces just for him. One relatively recent watch I hear that he purchased was sized at a whopping 60mm wide. To my knowledge, Franck Muller doesn't make anything this large, but they have some hefty timepieces.

The reports aren't clear as to what, if anything Schwarzenegger purchased. He spent some time in the store, as you can see by the candid security camera images. Perhaps if he is helping to save one fiscally troubled entity, he might also refocus his efforts on the State over which he is currently presiding as governor - that probably needs his help more.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Via Business Montres (in French).

Gallery: Schwarzenegger at Franck Muller Milan

Tags: Arnold, Franck Muller, FranckMuller, Italy, Milan, schwarzenegger, shopping, store, watches

Bond Girl Olga Kurylenko Stars in 2010 Campari Calendar

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Ukranian model / actress Olga Kurylenko, who played a Bond Girl opposite Daniel Craig in Quantum of Solace, has just been unveiled as the star of the 2010 Campari Calendar. Following in the footsteps of former calendar stars Salma Hayek, Eva Mendes and Jessica Alba, Kurylenko appears in a series of vignettes in different locations around Milan indulging in the classic Italian aperitif. Italian photographer Simone Nervi shot the photos, including the image above for December of a Gucci-clad Kurylenko surrounded by Ducati Monster-riding admirers at Milan's Piazza Duca D'Aosta. The twelve images will be featured in the limited edition calendar, with only 9,999 copies being printed to be distributed worldwide.

Tags: 007, aperitif, Bond Girl, BondGirl, calendar, Campari, celebrity, Ducati, Italy, James Bond, JamesBond, Milan, Olga Kurylenko, OlgaKurylenko

G.H. Mumm Formula One Ltd. Edition

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits, Wine, Events, Sports

At the Pavilion Visconti in Milan, French champagne house G.H. Mumm just unveiled a special edition gift box designed for the recent Italian Grand Prix Formula One championship, won by Brawn-Mercedes driver Rubens Barrichello. Made from carbon fiber with gold plate details and a black velvet interior, the limited edition G.H. Mumm F1 Box will be available to order in Italy only for €5,000, or about $7,300. It's the cornerstone of a collection of champagne accessories commemorating the famed race designed exclusively for Mumm, founded in 1827 and now owned by Pernod Ricard.

[via BornRich]

Tags: carbon fiber, CarbonFiber, champagne, Formula One, FormulaOne, G.H. Mumm, G.h.Mumm, Italy, Milan

Moschino Designs For Coca-Cola

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Charity

This Carmen-Miranda-like bottle is the latest makeover of the iconic curvy Coca-Cola bottle. Rossella Jardini at Moschino designed this contribution to the Tribute To Fashion charity project for the Abruzzo Region, a project organized by Coca-Cola Italia in conjunction with the Municipality of Milan.

The Coca-Cola Light bottle is decked out in cotton sleeves, a polka-dotted flounced skirt and tiny red earrings.
Eight female designers designed sleeves for a limited amount of "Coca-Cola Light" bottles that are being sold currently. Donatella Versace, Alberta Ferretti, Anna Molinari from Blumarine, Veronica Etro, Silvia Venturini Fendi, Marni's Consuelo Castiglioni and Angela Missoni were the other designers chosen. The bottles actually walked the runway at Fashion Week in Milan. Proceeds will be used by The Abruzzo Charity Project to help people/families affect by the earthquake their last year.

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Tags: coca-cola, coke bottle, CokeBottle, fashion week, FashionWeek, milan, moschino

Pershing Goes Green (Sort Of) With New 108 Superyacht

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing

Pershing makes some of the world's coolest high-performance yachts but conservation has never been very high on their agenda. That hasn't been a problem since the typical Pershing customer wants a killer craft and doesn't have to worry much about the price of gas. With their latest superyacht design however, the Pershing 108 (above) just unveiled in Milan, the famed shipyard has made a concession to the times and fitted split engines for the first time. The yacht's three 1815kW MTU diesel engines combined with three Arneson surface propellers can produce a total speed of 41 knots. However by not running all three you can cut back on consumption and emissions. The central engine will get you going at 11 knots, while two engines allow you to hit 23 knots.

Belowdecks everything is still luxury to the max. Copious amounts of Canaletto Walnut characterize the elegant, modern interior. The aft part of the saloon features a dining table for 10 and a large C-shaped sofa made by Poltrona Frau, which produced luxe leather seating and beds throughout. Access to lower deck accommodation is via a large stairway located behind the steering seats and comprises a large VIP cabin in the bow, 2 twin guest cabins, and a full beam master cabin in the center of the yacht. The master cabin's large windows allow plenty of natural light, and the suite features a walk-in wardrobe or fully equipped studio, a large, en-suite head and separate bathroom.

Tags: Milan, Pershing, Pershing Yachts, PershingYachts, superyacht

Beckhams' Bid to Buy Milanese Castle Quashed

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Sports

If a new report out of Italy can be believed - and something may well have been lost in translation - David and Victoria Beckham have failed in a bid to buy part of Milan's famed Castello Sforzesco (above), a 15th century castle that now houses artworks by Michelangelo and Da Vinci. Apparently the mega-rich Beckhams have been house shopping in Milan as he expects to sign a soccer contract there. Victoria is said to have set her eye on the centrally located, historically significant and imposing edifice, but was firmly denied by the Milan City Council. There were also rumors that Victoria wanted to buy a whole floor of the Armani hotel which is being built in the city, though that scheme has also come to naught. Hey, anything's possible with those two.

Tags: Castello Sforzesco, CastelloSforzesco, castle, celebrity, David Beckham, DavidBeckham, Italy, Milan, soccer, Victoria Beckham, VictoriaBeckham

Nidecker Swarovski-Studded Snowboards

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Sports

The 2008 Milan Furniture Fair had one particularly unique and sparkly exhibit consisting of Swarovski-encrusted snowboards. The display was the result of two leading Swiss and Austrian companies pairing up with the University of Art and Design Lausanne, where industrial design and visual communication students were given Nidecker snowboards in order to customize them by graphically inlaying Swarovski crystals.

Nidecker has a wide variety of top quality snowboards available (in all patterns and colors) but unfortunately the above glitzy and glamourous versions aren't for sale. Maybe they'll eventually be auctioned?

Via BornRich

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Tags: milan, nidecker, snowboards, swarovski

Two Billion Euro Luxury Project Near Milan In Financial Trouble

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Real Estate Developments

An article from Bloomberg on Santa Giulia, a luxury project near Milan contains what just might be my favorite quote ever on developments gone bust. James Rehlaender, managing director at European Investors Inc., says, "When prices started to peak, developers were like crack users and would use all the money that banks were throwing at them." Indeed, and it's as good an explanation as any for what has happened at Santa Giulia, a project that was to include luxury apartments designed by Norman Foster and boutiques from top Italian brands like Dolce & Gabbana as well as hotels, schools and a church that is now starting to look like yet another project that will never be completed.

Luigi Zunino, the Italian entrepreneur behind the project is now hoping to find someone to take over the two-billion-euro development. The ambitious project is currently just a sprawl of abandoned grounds with ditches and unpaved roads. Zunino's company Risanamento SpA, is said to have 2.6 billion euros in debt from buying offices and homes around the world. Now if Zunino needs a quick sale to make some ready cash it may not come so easy. Italy's real estate prices are starting to fall. If things continue along this path Risanamento could run out of cash within months, but banks are hoping not to have to foreclose on any property. Housing cooperatives have built 1,900 homes in a southern area of the complex but now those residents are finding that instead of living in part of a growing community of retailers and businesses they are in a mostly deserted area with an incomplete infrastructure.

At the end of last year Risanamento did sell another project in Sesto San Giovanni, near Milan, to Limitless LLC of Dubai for 475 million euros but the development must be reviewed and approved by local authorities before the deal goes through.

Source

Tags: development, italy, milan, real estate, RealEstate, santa giulia, SantaGiulia

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