A sublime collaboration between two historical Florentine realities could only lead to an equally superb creation of sublime refinement. On Friday 19th of May, now in its nineteenth edition, the Premio Galileo 2000 awarded 7 splendid prizes to illustrious personalities in the fields of culture, science, economics, art and music.

It is my duty to honour such a masterpiece of Florentine craftsmanship, created by four hands between the master goldsmith Paolo Penko and the looms of the Antico Setificio Fiorentino, two pillars of the artistic heritage of the city of Florence.

Villa Wolkonsky is one of the many secret oases dotting Rome; a precious, hidden, treasure chest, usually inaccessible and unknown, which I had the privilege of accessing thanks to the FAI (Italian Environment Fund) during the “FAI spring days”.

Villa Wolkonsky is not only a place of incredible historical and architectural value, with its enchanted park full of treasures; for somebody, it is home..

On a January afternoon kissed by a warm winter sun, I walked along the Villa Ada boundary wall until the beautiful Parioli neighborhood, where I reached Serena de Fiore's slow fashion atelier.
Between a pastry and a chat, the friends and entrepreneurs Serena de Fiore and Anna B. introduced us about their lines; two different but complementary fields, fashion and skincare, yet linked, both by the inescapable personal history of two cultured and refined businesswomen and, above all, by the hand-crafted nature and meticulous research.

Princess Blanceflor Boncompagni Ludovisi was one of the many female figures of the past who has enabled us today to add a piece to our cultural development as a society; it was she who donated her home to the State to be maintained and used 'exclusively for artistic and cultural purposes of public utility'.

Thanks to FAI (Italian Environment Fund), the doors of the Museum B. Ludovisi were opened for a “FAI Family Day”, where even young guests were introduced to this beautiful piece of their heritage, with an extra-ordinary twist on Italian haute-couture.

Not all love stories are romantic and have a 'happily ever after' happy ending; some loves are destructive.
I am fond that you all know the story of the Trojan War, caused by an impossible love between Paride, Prince of Troy, and Elena, wife of Menelaus, King of Sparta.
Yet, do you know, according to the myth, what actually caused this obsessed love to such an extent that war broke out?
I have the pleasure to share this story with you through the latest precious creation by Federica Tessari: 'Alla più bella' [To the most beautiful] is the title of her latest, brilliant, wax creation, named after one of the most famous stories of Greek mythology.

I had the privilege of experiencing the behind the scenes of one of the most prestigious porcelain collections in the world: hold an item of Flora Danica and you hold a witness of Danish heritage in your hand.

By the moment you receive your piece of Flora Danica, it has passed through 30 pairs of hands. Artisans perform their savoir faire with delicate, methodical and sublime gestures that only true craftsmanship can offer!

For 59 years now, Royal Copenhagen's sumptuous flagship store, at number 6 on Copenhagen's central Amagertorv square, has hosted a Christmas exhibition that attracts visionary visitors and enthusiasts from all over the world. This 59th edition was the first I saw with my own eyes, accompanied though a delightful private tour to experience each 'Christmas Table' up close.

Diaries of three magnificent days in Florence with Artigianato & Palazzo; amidst the labyrinths of hedges and rose gardens, in the sublime frame of Palazzo Corsini, more than 90 master craftsmen of yesterday and today came together to showcase their savoir-faire. A riot of Beauty in all its facets to converse about with fascinating people, while strolling through a place steeped in profound inspiration.

…from slow fashion & heritage brands I wore at #ArtigianatoePalazzo in Florence.

Before and during the three-days visit at the XVIII edition of #ArtigianatoePalazzo, I loved the process of choosing every element that would combine beautiful, sophisticated and consciously handmade looks, that would perfectly match the timeless galleries and gardens of Palazzo Corsini.

"Almost” disappeared, because one of the very few artisans in Italy left to carry on this technique is Maria Francesca Broggini, founder of Aembrosia, a very young and talented Italian craftswoman, who preserves and interprets the savoir-faire of gold embroidery by applying it to haute couture jewellery and luxury hair jewellery.

On the occasion of World Bee Day 2022, I am partnering with the small & slow family beekepers company MELICERA, who, under the Greek sun, produces bee products according to the technique of sustainable nomadic beekeeping: the most healthy and rich form of beekeeping.

Scroll the article to discover the 4 top bee products to introduce in your daily routine and use a special DISCOUNT on the MELICERA website from today until 30.05 on their award-winning and selected products.

The name of Gabriele Maselli is just as known as Via d’ Ginori, the street in which his father, Paolo, founded the bottega in 1955: just name "Il Maselli" and any Florentine would start daydreaming and telling about how his/her family keeps one of Maselli’s wooden frames in their livingroom.