Made in Italy

What is it about Italian appeal? There's something instantly sexy, refined, and beautiful about being "Italian." When I was working in New York at the offices of the fashion brand J.Crew, I realized the power of J.Crew's marketing and its honest aim for top-quality production. In recent years, J.Crew has been going in the direction of a more sophisticated look, a more European, and even, specifically, Italian look for its products. On the home page of its website, the words currently appear:

"Location. Location. Location....these shoes? Made in Northern Italy by craftsmen trained in centuries of Tuscan tradition. We're very lucky to work with them."

And how lucky do I ever feel to be living in the very heart of Tuscany right now...amongst these world-famous craftsmen and women?! (I have to be gender-politically correct).
From its "Florentine-print" to its"Isola d'Elba" such-and-such bathing-suit to its "Capri (as in Capri, Italy) Sandals", J.Crew has seriously got it figured out---their marketing, or should I say, Brand Creative Services, as the department is so aptly called, (and who I can attest probably receives the most phone calls a day), knows what their clientele wants....ITALIAN.

So what is it about Italian-made fashion that instantly gives it this allure of such distinguishment? Is it the ancient tradition of craftsmanship (to which J.Crew refers) that has given it the reputation of quality, sophistication, and style? Perhaps. In any case, the reputation still exists and Italians work hard at upholding it.

This past weekend, I had the good fortune of testing for myself the true quality and durability, and, of course, style of Italian-made apparel. There was a fabulous beach party being held on Saturday night and I was invited! The theme for the party was 1970s and Nonna Cicci insisted that I wear her clothes that she had kept from this inspiring era. I felt as though I had died and gone to heaven. I was like a child again, playing dress-up in my mom's old dress-up box, only this time, I was trying on Nonna Cicci's vintage Prada, Valentino, Pucci, and Gucci dresses. (Sorry Mom -- your dresses were pretty cool too at one time). I was so giddy! I chose a dress that was a beautiful multi-colored print sarong dress made by Yves Saint Laurent, the famous and recently passed away French designer. After visiting his beautiful gardens in Marrakesh, Morocco last summer, I felt especially lucky to wear one of his designs. It wasn't Italian of course, but the French certainly know how to do it too!
The party, now that deserves another story, but let's just say for now, it was unforgettable. Pretty much the who's who of Tuscany all were present and dressed fabulously in their wildest 1970s ensembles. I was quite happy and, to borrow a term coined by a once-popular television show, I was feeling "Made" in Italy.