Venice Carnival

Although it's the coldest winter in almost 30 years in Europe, we still decided to check out the Carnival in Venice, hoping the passionate Italian spirits will warm us up. 

The Carnival starts 40 days before Easter every year and ends on Fat Tuesday. It started as celebration among different classes, as masks cover the social status. The tradition was brought back by the government in 1970. 

 

The masks are the center of the big fest. They were created to hide identities to communicate freely with different social classes. Now they are getting more glamourous every day. There are several different types: The Bauta, the full-face mask; the Columbina, the eye masks and the most bizarre "The plague doctor" originally adopted Charles des lorme. 

  

Me with a Columbina

The Caffe Florian is probably one of the most famous cafe in the world. It opened in 1720 and was the only coffee house that allowed women. Famous writers like Charles Dickson and Marcel Proust were regular visitors.

The best tiramisu I ever had

So in character 

Venice is also a shopping paradise, there are luxury shoots everywhere between the historical streets and canals. 

Couldn't resist it, I bought my very first luxury wallet in the very first Bottega Veneta store in Europe, and it was indeed the LAST one left in this color. 2-12-2012, it's quite a day to remember! :)

My first Bottega Veneta 

The core concept of Bottica Venega fits the city perfectly, as the wrinkles remains and leaves the "Memory" (the signature BV bag). It's not just about the product, but the history and the story behind it that made the dream. 

Speed racers

We drove in snow and visited the Ducati & Lamborghini factory and museums. The passion, creativity and every single details showed me why they are some of the most successful sports automobile brands in the world. 

Ducati

After the WWII, people couldn't afford expensive motorbikes, so the company invented this small engine which can be installed on a bike. 

Bikes in the 60s

This Submarine like bikes broke 46 world record. The rider was taking a huge risk considering the clothes and helmet he was wearing couldn't really protect him. He also couldn't stop the bike himself.

Bikes in the wild

Huge bike specially made for desert, with a monster oil trunk

 This is my favorite bike, costs about $100,000.

 Some of the champion bikes, the glory of the past

Lamborghini 

Lamborghini is fantasy, but this fantasy came through a complicated and detailed process. The factory is an atelier, all the assembling and testing processes are like handled with care, patient and passion. The important parts are produced with carbon fiber, which makes them lighter; the engine is half of the car length. Even the chair is cover with 8 to 10 layers of leather. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take any pictures in the factory. But the cars in the museum were more than enough to keep us impressed.

It's the pursuit of perfection.

In the mood for coffee

In a small cold room up in the mountain, we had a class on the history of luxury. While talking about the evolution and presentation of luxury, the important status of coffee naturally came up. Of course, where else would be a better place to discuss this other than Italy?

Coffee was first introduced to the aristocracy and then gradually made accessible to the bourgeois. Different from alcohol, coffee represent intellectual and independence, it keeps people awake and alert. The Café Literal where people used to have a cup of coffee and read on a quite afternoon gradually gained its popularity. The coffee house culture has become a social activity, a place for friends gathering and even dating.

Do you feel love in your coffee?

As we are in the best place for coffee, I have developed the habit to have my expresso every morning, afternoon and even after dinner. In Italy, there are no Starbucks, and people will stare at you in shock if you ask for a "coffee to go". Here are some popular types of coffee

Caffè - In Italy the word “caffè’” naturally implies an espresso.

Caffè Macchiato –  In Italian, macchiare means to “stain” – and this espresso in a demitasse cup is stained with some hot milk, probably frothed, though no attention is placed on serving foam. This is not a mini-cappuccino.

Caffè Macchiato Freddo – An espresso served in a demitasse cup with cold or lukewarm milk on the side. It looks like a normal caffè next to a carafe of milk. 

Cappuccino - No need for explanation,  Probably the most well-known and loved coffee drink

Marocchino - It is a shot of espresso served in a glass demitasse (for aesthetic reasons), with a sprinkling of cacao (added either before or after the milk, sometimes both!) and milk foam spooned on top.

Latte Macchiato – Milk “stained” with coffee, and served hot in a glass cup as shown or in a tall glass, larger than a cappuccino.

Caffè Corretto – An espresso in a demitasse cup, with a “shot” of liquor of your choice.

There's also Caffe doppio, caffe freddo, caffee lungo, caffè HAG...

I am about to start the journey to explore all the good cafes in Florence one by one. The ones on my list are:

Pasticceria Donnini --  Piazza della Repubblica

Gilli  --  Piazza della Repubblica

La Loggia -- Via del Corso

Patrizio Cosi -- Borgo degli Albizi

Fabrics talks

Even we are not in a fairy-tale, fabric can have souls and emotions. At the Pitti Filati Fair we saw, touched and felt the stories of different fabrics. 

3 most innovating trend-themes 

1. Viscose 

Transforms from shiny and glamour to emboidery and exotic, Viscose impresses us with its versatility. It compliments the body shape and allow designers to free their creativity and imagination. 

2. Sparkling dream

The cotton and lurex blends made the night more glamourous and dreamy. With the metallic sheen and glimmering lurex, everyone can be the star and illuminate under the moon.

3. Neo-experimentalism 

Today's new world is filled with imagination and creativity, we can free and integrate our ideas, to try new styles, to mix & match or to challenge the tradition. Technology definitely accalerate the process. 

Companies inspired by trends

New Holland--Futurural The trend for quality, genuine raw materials and energy, relationship with earth and nature. 

Stylesight -- technology with global content, online worksite, constant analyze the global marketing, with office in New York, Tokyo and Hong Kong.

Monticolor -- ecological fashion with raw materials, to create sustainable biological product.

Filatex -- since 1958, with 3.000 types of yarns based on 35 kinds of materials. They never stops researching and innovation.

Personal favorites

I am mostly inspired by the free-mind neo-experimentalism. To be innovative and courageous to build a different world. The two companies that caught my attention with their creativity are Millefili and EcafilBest. 

To create an emotional connection with the customers, brands have to be innovative and use all five senses: visual, olfactory, auditory, tactile and gustatory. The colorful candy stalls and sweet fruity smells drew us to Millefili. Before looking at their yarn, the customers can taste the candies and try different fragrant. After they find their favorite “flavor”, they will be able to find them on the fabrics. Some smells are refreshing, some are calm, and some are passionate… The fresh squeezed juice and fruity deserts makes the fabric seem organic and natural. The whole atmosphere made it hard not to step inside and take a peek. 

EcafiBest

It was like Alice’s Wonderland made of yarn: huge mushrooms, candy canes, flowers and caterpillars crawling around. The brand uses this theme to emphasis human connection with the earth and nature. It also created a joyful and sweet ambiance, reminding me of a fun summer afternoon picnic in the park. 

A taste of the past

Each item at vintage fair has its own story to tell. 

Sunglasses from 1940s, still elegant and classy, truly timeless 

Fashion Starts Young

Over 510 collections, 8300 buyers and a total of over 10,000 visitors, Pitti Bimbo is the only trade fair in the world that presents a complete overview of children's fashion. It seems the fashion brands have expanded their targets to the youngest.

After observations and research and discussion, we have summarized some of the

  trends in children fashion

1. Ecological

The use of sustainable materials and renewable energy. 

2. Street-fashion

Inspired by the chic styles found on some of the most trendy streets around the globe, the designers have brought the look to the children's fashion world. T-shirts with graphic prints, casual yet stylish mix-and-match express the attitude and individual style of the young.

3. Ballerina

The movie "Black Swan" has brought back the ballerina fever. 

4. Vintage

The look of the past is one of the main trends in today's fashion, the children's world is no exception. 

5. Similar to adult fashion style

Some of the hottest children clothes are just smaller version of designer clothing. Sometimes we wonder if it has gone too far and lost the essence of children fashion.

6. The 80s theme influence,  

with bright color, stripes and polka dots. 

7. Advanced jewelry decoration, 

such as Swarovski element crystal. 

8. Floral motif

is one of mothers favorite to dress up their daughters like princess.

9. outdoor & nature

a taste of the wild, with jungle theme and animal prints. 

10. Culture and identity. 

With globalization, people start look for authentic and original characteristics from heritage. 

11. Club culture

with bright acid colors. 

Favorite brands at the fair. 

Rykiel Enfant

It is the children version of Sonia Rykeil, which is dedicated to sensuality and pleasure. The enfant collection kept the brand DNA while added the children innocence and playfulness in the clothes. At the fair the brand features wide strips and acid colors. 

Loranjinha

The brand promotes ecological products by using sustainable and organic materials such as bamboos fiber. It combines innovative technology with fashion and emphasis the brand ethical value. 

Monnalisa 

The e-boutique caught our eyes first and drew us to their stand. The layout, style and video synchronize with the video commercial and altogether created emotional connection. As the tween generation is getting more tech-savvy, E-communication is gaining its popularity. 

Personal thoughts

Overall, we feel that children fashion style is the perception of adults. As many of the kids are too young to choose for themselves, parents have been deciding what are the best for their children. Secondly, now many luxury brands enter children fashion world by adding some playful and naive elements on adult collections. Finally, emotional touch is crucial, e.g, many brands produce mother-kid clothing sets.

In your opinion, what is the most important element in children clothing? 

Guest speakers

One of my favorite part of the courses is the guest speaker. There's always so much practical knowledge that I cannot learn from any textbooks. 

Our class

Ferrari is a dream, always have been and always will. We were lucky enough to have Mr. Bordiga, the general manager at Ferrari China to give us a lecture. Ferrari has been linked to passion, speed and fantasy. The brand never needs promotion or advertising, the museums, test drive tours and races speak for the spirit. However, in China, consumers still needed to be educated, just like babies need to be nurtured. For example, the company has shortened the waiting period to adjust the Chinese consumers. First everyone thought Ferrari would never success in China but now it has become one of the major markets. 

Mirko Bordiga

 "You don't give people what they want, you give them what they want next" 

Mr. Courqueux has been in marketing research for 20 years. He is now the marketing director for ifop Asia. He explains the consumer profile in mainland China: The majority don't buy for pleasure, the part of showing off, social authority.

Stephane Courquex 

"a bridge to the best media, an exclusive cultural activator and a smart connector to China influencers."

Super press is a lifestyle PR agency in China. The office is full of energy and passion. the general manager Sohpie is genuine and inspiring. As more brands enter China, it's important to find the right partners to communicate with the public. It should be a win-win situation, to build a relationship instead of just a business deal. Super press is determined to make a difference, and I believe they will.

Super Press Visit