In Harmony

Sprawling majestically over the Thames, flaunting the Borough of Southwark in the heart of London, this blue-tutu-sporting prima ballerina has been doing the split at tourist's and local's feet since its opening in June 1894. While being a suspension talent with an ability to foldaway (bascule), she is a real looker, flattering the sky on sunny days while contrasting the river's mystical hues. Feast your eyes on
the one-of-kind scenery while
strolling 42 meters above London's
river. For special occasions access
the high level walkways, pay a visit
to the luxurious North Tower Lounge
and drop in to see the majestic
Victorian Engine Rooms. This
tradition-steeped icon is a pièce de
résistance and a great example of
Victorian Gothic design.

Birthplace of the Renaissance

This precious oasis, in the heart
of Italy's Tuscany, is where
culture, tradition and spirituality
have been ubiquitous and vividly
alive in its 600 years of
extraordinary cultural activity.
Ranked as the world's 72nd most
visited city*, declared as a world
heritage site** and honored as one
of the most beautiful cities in the
world***, Florence is "the promised
land " to all culture-lovers, art-
connoisseurs, architecture-mavens,
museum-goers and fashionistas.

Pre-eminent, statement-making
sights such as the artistic and
architectural masterpiece the
Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral,
the church of Santa Croce, the
San Giovanni Baptistery, the
Uffizi Gallery and the Pitti
Palace, grace the old town of
Florence, drawing each year a
bazillion of visitors who stroll
the piazzas and vicolos in search
of the taste of La Dolce Vita
or divine inspiration.

Being home to famous
masterpieces of painters
extraordinaire such as Giotto,
Brunelleschi, Botticelli and
Michelangelo, Florence is
called the birthplace of
Renaissance and has been an
influential artistic vein ever
since the powerful Medici
family ruled it in 15th and 16th
centuries.  

*Euromonitor International
**UNESCO
*** Forbes

Petite Danseuse

This 14-year old ballerina cast in bronze
depicts barefacedly the Paris Opera
milieu and exudes a vibrant character of
The Perfect danseuse of the artist's time
in a pleasure-seeking society. A tulle tutu,
real bodice and shiny pink satin ribbon in
her hair embrace a haughty pose of a
wispy body patinated in various colours.
Overwhelming is her flagrant self-
confidence and imprudent sense of being.

Musee d'Orsay, Paris

Edgar Degas (1834-1917)
Small Dancer Aged 14

Amor Victorious

'Love conquers all; let us all yield to
love':
Caravaggio, the painter of Amor Vincit
Omnia (love conquers all), illustrates
a line from Virgil's Eclogues X.69. In
his painting from 1601, a playful spirit
accompanies an acrobatic pose of a
nude, slender body. Embraced by black
eagle wings and radiating a vivid smile,
this Roman cupid is about to descend
from a pile of human endeavours: music,
science, war, and government. A
dramatic interplay of light and shadow
mingles with a photographic clarity of
the vigorous subject. Allegorical
symbols play an important role alongside
naturalistic details: from the crooked grin,
dirty feet, crimson cheeks and tousled
head of hair.
 

Caravaggio, 1601
Oil on Canvas
The Gemäldegalerie, Berlin

The Role of Air

A mysterious inner space, embraced
by two slender right hands reflects
the suspense of emptiness:
This arrangement -- created by
Rodin in 1908 and assembled
from two different statues --
perfectly pictures the importance
of air in the sculptor's work. The
artist's passion and fondness for
these hands is being emphasized
by isolation while creating an
autonomous entity and generating
a throughout harmonious
atmosphere. Deep relaxation and
the release of tensions are being
evoked by focusing on the
sculpture's curves and structure of
surface. Visible toolmarks on the
stone underline the nature and
liveliness of human hands.

Foto: 'The Cathedral'

Musee Rodin
79 Rue de Varenne
75007 Paris

Karl's Vinyl Microcosm

This collectible vinyl statue,

immortalizing the designer
Karl Lagerfeld and his
beloved cat Mr. Choupette,
already enjoys exclusive
status in the cartoon and
fashion world: From
Antwerpen to Shanghai,
fashion victims and Karl
fanatics can get ahold of
these Tokidoki-designed,
cartoon-like figurines -- with
twistable head and diamond
embellishment -- in the
designer's boutique stores,
located in carefully selected
metropolises of the world. 

194 Boulevard Saint Germain

75007 Paris

A Cultural Arbiter

Igniting the inspiration of
cultural lights such as Marcel
Proust, Claude Monet, Pierre-
Auguste Renoir, Sergi Diaghilev,
Marcel Proust and Toulouse-
Lautrec, the trained pianist of
Polish descend, Maria Zofia
Olga Zenajda Godebska (1872 –
1950), was a cultural arbiter,
muse and talent magnet. While
hosting an artistic salon in Paris,
she was recognized as a much
revered top-dog, just like the
writer Paul Morand described
her as a "collector of geniuses,
all of them in love with her ...
You had to be gifted before
Misia wanted to know you."
Her Parisian all-star-team
consisted of the movers and
shakers of the artistic scene
and the upper echelons of
society in which the couturière
Coco Chanel played an
important part. It is said that
the two personalities
extraordinaire – after
experiencing an immediate
bond à la kindred souls –
lived an enduring and
profound association. Coco's
genius, fatal wit, sarcasm and
maniacal destructiveness –
which intrigued and also
appalled their mutual pals –
were characteristics that
impressed the socialite and
pianist.
Marcel Proust used Misia as
the prototype for diverse
characters of his romans,
Sergi Diaghilev involved her
in all creative aspects of the
Ballet Russes, and, while
being the muse and symbol of
La Revue blanche, she appeared
in advertising posters created
by Toulouse-Lautrec, Édouard
Vuillard and Pierre Bonnard.

Couture In Berlin

Bill Blass once said:
"When in Doubt wear Red".
Confidence, energy, action,
desire and passion: the color
red refills your energy
reserves and makes you feel
simply irresistible. In this
year's fall/winter collection,
the Italian fashion empire
'Moschino' combines red
with black along with
some ingenious golden
accessories. Shiny patent-
leather shoes, flamboyantly
embellished with perforated
pattern, tartan jackets and
super short shift dresses:
These it-pieces are the stuff
that exuberant moments after
dark are made of.

One Man Show

Swarovski fans and bling bling lovers
will swoon over this flamboyant smoky
quartz artistically encased by an
understated silver band. Its translucent
quality and subtle hue transmit lightness
and glamour at the same time. Think
'One Man Show' when styling for work.
Let this sparkling beauty inspire the vibe
of your day and hypnotize the lucky
gents who will get to kiss your hand
after dark...

Lingerie Française

Lacy bras, ancient corsets, sexy girdles
and frilly panties: Eleven renowned
French lingerie manufacturers exhibit
150 delicious tidbits that have presided
underneath 'Her' clothes for the last 100
years. Visitors of Berlin's Quartier
Center 206 discover the history,
expertise, creativity and luxury of
French lingerie whose styles and designs
have been dominated by the country's
creme de la creme lingerie createurs.
From ancient corsets to flimsy wired
bras: the exhibit demonstrates the
influence lingerie products have been
exerting on society, its societal values
such as morale and convention, and
represents how modern lingerie
combines a functional and esthetic
claim. Furthermore this ‘Trans-
Historical Striptease‘ reports about
the change of the female silhouette
and her body language. Très Sexy!

Paris' Dapper Boys

Genteel, understated and très chic:
the fashion-forward gentleman
presiding over Paris' streets indulges
in gentle, feminine and overly dapper
styles. Trimly patterned pants,
impeccably fitted shirts and jackets
along with carefully designed
accessories and a hair-cut that is
evocative of a fairy tale prince,
propagate a male sophistication along
with a highly sensitive sense of
clothing that has hardly been seen in
such perfection and tradition
anywhere else.
The quintessential male diva and
connoisseur of men's Haute Couture
is a common sight on the greatest
catwalk on earth going by the name
Paris. Dapper chic is vividly alive in
every daily situation of a French
gentleman. Vive la mode!

A Roman State of Mind @ Albergo Abruzzi

Nestled in the heart of the eternal
city, behind a fading facade of a
historic building, is the Abruzzi,
a romantic three-star hotel,
adjoining Rome's historic temple,
the Pantheon. Don't be discouraged
by the decaying color of this
traditional piece of architecture:
Take up quarters in tastefully
decorated and modernly outfitted
rooms. Check in here to breath
authentic, unpretentious air in a
pricey neighborhood. A friendly
team will make sure you will get
the true taste of la dolce vita. The
hotel's surroundings have plenty
to offer culinary-wise. A host of
Osterias, Trattorias, Restaurants
and Enotecas -- get an insight into
Italian eating culture before visiting
Rome! -- are only a stroll away.
So is the imposing Piazza Navona
and the Piazza di Spagna along
with the Spanish Steps.

Piazza Della Rotonda 69, 00186 
Roma

Roma's Preppy Boys

Here, at the northern end of Via Condotti,
and the foot of the Spanish Steps, is where
Italian chic is quintessentially alive. The
crème de la crème of long-standing Italian
fashion empires line up neatly a cobble-
stoned, deeply sunburned stretch and
pervade this fashionable avenue with glitz
and glamour.
The createur de mode of these preppy togs
is Frida Giannini. As creative director for
Gucci, she holds the reins of one of Italy's
most powerful fashion houses, incorporating
her young and spirited style in finest fabrics.
While representing the Italian 'fashion vein'
along with an impeccable taste, Via dei
Condotti is also a historic street, where
Bulgari opened first in 1905. 

Via Condotti 8, Roma


 

Fashion is Instant Language -- Miuccia Prada

Understated, minimalist, classic,
cool, and comfortably luxurious:
it's Miuccia's style and personal
hand. Discover her boutiques in
Rome to get the real vibe of this
Italian fashion-empire and iconic
landmark.
History-loaded it-bags stately
dress the shopping windows
of Miuccia's second women’s
wear line 'Miu Miu'. Mounted
stately on a translucent pedestal,
against the backdrop of a gold-
shining wallpaper, this time-
withered gem is a daring
embodiment of a highly
traditional and upscale Italian
couture house. The name 'Miu
Miu' was inspired by Miuccia’s
personal wardrobe and nickname.

Via del Babuino, 91, 00187 Rome

Bon Appetit!!!

Attention cheese connoisseurs:
Welcome to the land of 300
cheeses! It's hard to imagine
French cuisine and culture
without this savory, aromatic
diary product. Made from
cow's or goat milk: the large
family of cheeses encompasses
soft cheeses, cheeses with a
moldy rind, non-cooked pressed
cheeses -- Comté de Noël is a
must-try delicacy form the Alps
-- cheeses with a firm rind and
many more. While being a
permanent feature on the French
menu and served as the second
to the last course, it is also an
autonomous item on the menus
of Parisian brasseries and cafes.
Order 'Assiette de fromages' to
experience France's cheesy
nom noms.

Peek-a-Boo With Jimmy Choo

Roma's ancient cobblestone pavement
might not be the right base to strut on
when sporting these fancy soles. All
the same, because this magical city
affords some tres chic places which
plead for red soles and sparkling heels.
Fashionistas can get ahold of Jimmy
Choo and the likes at some exclusive
boutiques. Come in and receive a
special treatment form one of the
handsome and knowledgeable male
assistants. Italian leather basks in a
world wide reputation of being one-
of-a-kind, buttery-soft along and
quality-wise unprecedented.



Jommy Choo
Via del Condotti, 68
Roma

Temple to all Gods -- Pantheon

Commissioned by Marcus Agrippa
and rebuilt by the emperor Hadrian
about 126 AD, this best preserved
of all ancient Roman buildings, is a
spiritual temple devoted to the 12
gods of heaven. Romans believed
that Romulus ascended to heaven
from this place.
Never-ending throngs of tourists
gather inside and outside these
large granite Corinthian columns
at the Piazza della Rotonda.
Stride through the portico and
entrance hall to discover the
famous rotunda, whose interior
was painted by Giovanni Paolo
Panini, in the 18th century. This awe-inspiring hall was designed to
symbolize the arched vault of the
heavens. Look up to the opulently
coffered concrete dome with a
central opening, through which the
sun shines all day. While the oculus
shall symbolize the light-giving and life-providing sun -- it's the source
of all life on earth -- the rain that
comes through, is being collected
in a drain in the center of the floor.

Fontana del Nettuno @ Piazza Navona

This highly significant example of
Baroque Roman architecture and
art, placed in the heart of the
eternal city 'Piazza Navona',
features important sculptural and
architectural creations such as the
famous fountain 'Fontana dei
Calderari' designed by Giacomo
Della Porta in 1574. Further
developed in 1878 by Antonio
della Bitta, who added the central
sculpture of 'Neptune fighting
with an octopus', this masterpiece
of a fountain was finally completed
by Gregorio Zappalà, who enriched
this baroque arrangement by further
adding the other sculptures, which
are grounded on the mythological
stories, of 'Nereids with cupids and
walruses'. Stroll over to the other
side of this glamorous Piazza to
discover another masterpiece
of the same creator: La Fontana
del Moro.

Vacances à Provence

Can you smell the scent of Lavender and
Pine in the hot mistral breeze? This historical
province of southeastern France, bordered
by the Mediterranean see in the south, is a
tranquil patch of land with a history of the
human species that is as old as the hills:
Some of the earliest known signs of human
habitation in Europe can be found in the
Grotte du Vallonnet near Roquebrune-Cap-
Martin, between Monaco and Menton.
Due to its Roman influences -- the Romans
acquired the area and made it into the first
Roman province beyond the Alps -- the
region is characterized by a distinct
cultural and a linguistic identity. Soak up
the vistas from ancient castles and historic
ruins. Try exuisite French cusine at one
of the boutique taverns.

Picasso's Muse

Inspired by Marie-Thérèse Walter, this

17 year old girl, whom Picasso first
met early in 1932, reflects classicism of
the early 1920s and surrealism with a
prominent curve-linear design. Appearing
in a series of pictures, which were painted
in the same year, her very rounded,
rhythmical forms show her lying down,
seated or sleeping. Her trademark blond
lock appears in almost every picture.
Picasso managed to conceal his
relationship with this lady, who bore him
a daughter (Marie) for many years even
from his closest friends. 

Tate ModernBankside, London SE1 9TG, Uk

Roma's Fabulous Madonnelle

While sauntering through the eternal
city I discovered magnificent
manifestations of Roman art, its
inhabitant's spirituality and an
impeccable sense of esthetics.
These sumptuous frescoe on a
traditional Roman house testify the
inherent inclination to beauty and a
thoughtful upkeep of habitat. The
spiritual shrines and petit altars at
almost every corner of Rome's
streets artistically imply intellectual
convictions, that have been
prevailing here since the year one.
Vibrant colors, ingenious iron work
and elaborate wall frescos are
dominating the historic scenery. Not
to mention all the glorious fountains
bubbling water all-year-round.
'Madonnelles', those divine deities,
mounted on baroque pedestals
attached to street corners, Romans
call upon protection. They shall protect
the house and ascertain there is never a
lack of food in the house.

Trastevere -- Where Hipster is Alive

Hipster, cool, cosmopolitan, fashionable ...
call it how you like: Trastevere is Rome's
13th district and the it-place to party and
live la dolce vita). Located on the west
bank of the Tiber, out-of-towners, party-
animals, in-the-know hipsters and cocktails
connoisseur flock to its buzzing bars,
restaurants, and clubs, lining the medieval
cobble-stoned streets. A unique
character dominates this neighborhood
and attracts artists, expats, and famous
people from all over the world. Find a
great read at one of the diverse book
stores that sell English books only.
Spiritual types flock to the Basilica di
Santa Maria in Trastevere, the oldest
church of Rome, dating back to the 340s.


Piazza Santa Maria inTrastevere,
00153 Rome

Bonaparte by Paul Delaroche

This oil-on-canvas piece of art depicts

Napoleon Bonaparte crossing through
the Alps on a mule. With his army in tow,
aiming to surprise the Austrain soldiers in
Italy, the French military and political
leader Bonaparte went on this yourney in
the spring of 1800.
The painting's creator, Hyppolitye
Delaroche, whose straightforward
technique and dramatic compositions
made him Bonaparte's paintor, painted his
subjects with a firm, solid, smooth surface,
which gave their appearance a high finish.

Musee du Louvre, Paris

Castel Sant’Angelo

Providing a picturesque approach from the
center of Rome and the right bank of the
Tiber, the Pons Aelius  is world-acclaimed
for its Baroque statues of angels holding
aloft elements of the Passion of Christ.
Saunter down this precious piece of
Roman architecture and immerse into
the darkness of the cylindrical castle at
the far end:This former mausoleum to
the formidable Roman emperor
Hadrian (build 117-138 AD) is an
awe-inspiring sight perched stately in
the heart of Rome. The mausoleum --
once the tallest building in Rome --
was a decorated cylinder, equipped
with a garden atop and a golden
quadriga. Later -- while inhabited by
roman popes -- it was used as a castle
and fortress. Today, its richly frescoed
seventeenth century halls are home to
the "Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant'
Angelo'. Unveiling prisons, collections
of antique arms, uniforms, relics of the
reunification states, artworks by Carlo
Crivelli, Luca Signorelli, and Dosso
Dossi, a collection of ancient marbles,
ceramics, and sculptures, it is a historic
location not to be missed.



Foto 1.: Mario Proto

The Mini Louvre -- Petit Palais

Despite its size, the 'Petit Palais' -- throning just
across the street from its big brother 'The Grand
Palais' -- plays a role of equal importance: while
being home to an impressive array of artwork
spanning several centuries, 18th century furniture
called the Tuck Collection, medieval and
renaissance drawings and sculptures it also hosts
temporary exhibits.

Creator and architect of this noble joint was
Charles-Louis Girault, who found his inspiration
in French architecture of the eighteenth century
although the building implies Greek and Roman
touches in its lavish design. Esthetes and French
baroque lovers will be mesmerized by the gilded
main gate, also known as the Golden Gate. Patrons
call this beautiful gallery “the mini Louvre - but
without the crowds”.

Furniture Royal @ Musee du Louvre

These divine creatures, exuberantly sprawling
over the legs of chairs, tables and antique trunks
are signature embellishments of French baroque
furniture. Lions, medusas, cupids and elegantly
curved floral forms are essential decorative
motives on mostly symmetrical, rectangular and 
large curved furniture designs. Their proportions
are massive, and decoration such as carving,
marquetry, and gilding is lavish. Diverse types
of legs include the console, term, cabriole, turned,
or round pedestal. Feet are bun, paw, carved,
or turned. One of the most famous designers of
French baroque furniture was Andre-Charles
Boulle, the most remarkable of all French
cabinmakers of the 17th century and
representative of the style Louis XIV in France.

Forum Romanum

For an awe-inspiring vista of the most
ancient part of the eternal city make a
pilgrimage to the Roman Forum.
Nestled in the small valley between
the Palatine and Capitoline Hills, and
densely cluttered with Triumphal
arches, temples, The Senate House,
government offices, tribunals,
memorials, statues and basilicas, it
attests that these sprawling ruins
once served triumphal processions,
elections, public speeches, criminal
trials, gladiatorial matches and
commercial affairs. While being the
center of life in Imperial Rome it
has also been called the most
celebrated meeting place in the world,
and in all history. For visual artists
such as Giambattista Piranesi, the
Forum Romanum served as a
significant source of inspiration.

The Vinged Vicotry

Celebrated as 'the greatest masterpiece
of Hellenistic sculpture', The Winged
Victory of Samothrace is a marble
sculpture of the Greek goddess Nike.
Created to honor this legendary
goddess of victory and to pay tribute
to a sea battle, her feminine silhouette
exudes a sense of triumph, struggle,
action and fervor. The divine and
rousing triumphant spirits unite in her
winged posture and divine air. In the
extraordinary mastery of form and
movement, and due to the missing
head she embodies the supernatural.
The wind and the sea, that make her
drapery flow artfully, suggest struggle,
destiny and divine help with a great
deal of amazing grace.

Musee du Louvre, Paris

Musei Vaticani

Pass these great doors and you are
almost in the midst of an immense
collection of the most renowned
classical sculptures and most
important masterpieces of
Renaissance art in the world,
gathered and set up within the
boundaries of the Vatican City
by the Roman Catholic Church.
Highlights include: Sistine Chapel,
with ceilings decorated by
Michelangelo and Stanze della
Segnatur. The Pinacoteca Vaticana,
is home to some magnificent
masterpieces by Raphael, Da
Vinci, Caravaggio and Perugino.
A collection of modern religious art
can be discovered at the Collezione
Arte Religiosa Moderna museum while
notable sculptures of the Greeks and
Romans stately preside over the
Museo Pio-Clementino. Museo
Chiaramonti houses several statues,
sarcophaguses and friezes, while
Museo Gregoriano Etrusco displays
significant Etruscan excavation finds.

Viale Vaticano, 00165  Rom

Photo:Carrie Wick

Battistero di San Giovanni @ Firenze

This exceptionally accomplished

example of Florentine Romanesque
architecture, with eight equal sides
and a rectangular addition on the
west side, is not only one of the
oldest buildings in Florence but
also the place where the poet
Dante Alighieri and the Medici
family was baptized. Step inside
this awe-inspiring, marble-mosaic-
imbued sanctuary and listen to
its stories: the mosaic ceiling
depicts 'The Last Judgment',
the rewards of the saved leaving
their tomb in joy and the
punishments of the damned. A
complex marble mosaic in the floor
presents geometric patterns and
oriental zodiac motives.

Le Penseur by Rodin

Battling with a powerful
internal struggle, in an act
of intense meditation
Rodin's bronze sculpture,
situated on a marble
pedestal, depicts the act
of taking-the-inward-turn.
While also embodying
the subject philosophy, it
is one of the main
characters of Rodin's
"The Gates of Hell" that is
inspired by Dante's
epic poem "The Divine
Comedy".

For more Rodin sculptures
visit Hôtel Biron, 79, Rue de
Varenne.

Michelangelo's Habitat

Located within the sovereign
city-state Vatican and designed
mainly by Donato Bramante,
Michelangelo, Carlo Maderno
and Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the
St. Peter's Basilica is an awe-
inspiring and most glorious
example of Renaissance
architecture. Art-lovers and
estheticians will be mesmerized
by Michelangelo's grandiose
ceiling frescos and ingeniously
accomplished mosaics. Come
here for substantial meditation
and extensive mind-recreation.

How to get there: Take Linea
A (red line) toward Battistini
and exit at Ottaviano-S. Pietro.
Walk south on Via Ottaviano
toward St. Peter's Square.




Photo:Carrie Wick