August is vacation month. Beach time! Here are a few recommendations if you have not picked out the perfect bathing suit.
Model Elia Cometti shows what to wear this vacation season.
Robinson Les Bains
Ron Dorf
Elia Cometti from Elite Models Milan
Photographer Ivan Siggillino, Assistant Simone Toson, Make Up and Hair by Lorena Palmieri.
Shot on location at the Aqualux Hotel.
Stay Tuned for Parts 2 and 3.
A working holiday in Italy alongside Lake Garda, The largest lake in Italy, located at the foot hills of the Alps, at a luxury resort spa. Not a bad proposal. I jumped at the chance. Why not? I did not know much about the region. A chance to visit. The lakeside village of Bordolino dates back to the 10th century. Offering not only striking sunsets, but an enjoy the moment atmosphere.
The Black and Paper collaboration with the Aqualux Hotel Spa in Bardolino started as a casual conversationon how to work together. With eight pools on the property, naturally, swimwear came to mind.
Assembling a team from Milan: Model Elia Cometti from Elite Models. Photographer Ivan Siggillino, Make Up Artist/Hair Artist Lorena Palmieri, and Photographer Assistant Simone Toson. The Black and Paper team shot menswear swimsuit looks over 2 days.
The Aqualux Hotel is a modern interpretation of a classic Roman Resort Villa. There are spaces for capturing light and keeping cool. The interior gardens and pools offer relaxation while shielding guests from the outside world. Sadly, due to the fact I was working on the production. I did not have as much of an opportunity to enjoy the hotel.
However, I delighted with other offerings, especially the resturant and dinning setting. To say nothing of a breakfast buffet with an omelet chef, my favourite, then an outdoor dinner buffet. All of this while sitting alongside canals, waterfalls, and small pools.
Designed to showcase eight pools, Aqualux Hotel features four indoor pools with four outdoor pools. The indoor pools are enclosed inside a glass atrium. The first floor jacuzzi overlooks the pools and outside courtyard. Outdoors, the large main pool in the center of the hotel is the hub for swimming or chilling out under the sun. The patio areas are designed for tranquility.
The all suite rooms have Internet access with terraces facing the courtyard or outward with mountain views.
Finnally, The service was impeccable. The staff was professional and accommodating during our stay. They knew us as if we were worked at the hotel. As a guest, experience the casual luxury of the Aqualux Hotel, Team Black and Paper recommends it. We had a great time shooting the production.
For more information go to: Aqualuxhotel.com
Want to know what my experiences were like in Paris during Couture Week? Check out some of the videos. It was never boring. Sometimes a challenge overcoming old values. All things considered, I plan on returning. But Paris always excites me.
A Big Thank You to Canon. They loaned me a camera.
What is a holiday in Italy or France without food? Resisting was futile. Good food should be enjoyed! The diet got tossed out the window. Give in to temptation if it tastes good. I guessed I sinned a lot. How many Hail Marys will I have to say is a guess.
While traveling around Italy I learned I am not cooking pasta correctly. Particularly wonderful, a seafood pasta from the Italian Riviera. I usually boil it or over boil it to the point of it being a soggy string. No more of that! I have decided to be more careful. Al Dente is now on the dinner plate with a bit more olive oil.
Lastly, my final plate in Italy shocked me. The best desserts I have EVER HAD! Or at least on the top 5 list. A salty pistachio panna cotta and a White Chocolate cream soup made with balsamic.
In France I had the best baguette of my life. The owner of the hotel said “this is the second best in the area. The best one is a bit more expensive.” Sadly, there was no time to find the “better one”. But there is tomorrow.
The coast is about sea, especially fish. We skipped the front row establishments for the 3 row streets. Finding a very authentic place turned into a fun outing. It must be good place. The same people were there. The waitress was friendly, if not very familiar with customers.
Of course, while in Provence, making time for buying cheese, wines, and herbs started as a simple task but became an endeavor of fun. In a small village, the local shop introduced me to a rosemary cheese. The market hall in Avignon offered a variety of Olive Oils. Buying two flavors, one spicy, the other sweet, mission accomplished.
It goes without saying, throw a rock while driving you hit a vineyard in France. Of course, we stopped, tasted, then bought a case of Red, and a bootle of Sparkling.
Culinary delights traveling for 3000 kilometers. Delightful!
Exhibitionism-50 Years of the Museum at FIT
Clearly, at 96 pages this book is not a long read. Even so, size did not curb my enthusiasm. On Page 10 seeing the costumes of MGM costume designer Gilbert Adrian in color for the first time. I became hooked. I had a bit of a swoon seeing the red dress worn by Crawford.
Edited by Valerie Steel and Colleen Hill, the pictorial pages engaged me with brief descriptions and histories of curated exhibits at the museum. The selection covers 33 important exhibitions with background, context, and inspiration. The authors give references for each exhibition.
Madame Gres, a one time rival to Chanel, created exquisite looks for film actress Dietrich. Sadly, many today do not recognize the name. The great designer covers 2 pages. I appreciate the images of Gres’ form hugging collections. All designed for the feminine shape. “Sculptural Beaty” is the quote from book. I felt inspired reading through the pages.
Gothic Dark Glamour
Without a doubt, there is something for all fashion lovers; covering topics on Asian Fashion Designs, the influence of Ivy League looks on menswear to Global Fashion Capitals.
Valerie and Coleen made a book that is cosy when it would have been easy to overwhelm. Indeed, Exhibitionism-50 Years of the Museum at FIT fits as a perfect August read while on a terrace. I recommend soaking in a few chapters before the fashion week calendar starts in September.
The Museum at Fashion Institute of Technology celebrates its 50 anniversary this year. Founded in 1969, it continues to be an innovative space for fashion curations.
To order a copy go to Amazon or a local book store.
A interpretation of a peacoat, Moneta adds vivid colours to classic outwear. I grabbed him for a quick review at the presentation. My verdict, I liked it. But I may have been biased.
Staying on Lake Garda with all of its romantic charms offers much to travellers. Walking along the shore, watching the joggers at sunset, made for a perfect setting. It is easy to fall under the charm of this Italian destination. A place to unwind in slow mode.
From the Aqualux Hotel and Thermal Spa at Lake Garda.
Technology Preview
The IFA Innovation Media Briefing 2019 showed the world of connectivity is expanding. The emphasis was centered on lifestyle. New home appliances with features aimed at making life easier were shown. I was reminded of those 1950’s television commercials showing new microwave ovens to housewives
A.I. or Artificial Intelligence moves forward. But the subject is so large it felt we are seeing pieces not the whole picture. The moral implications as well as social aspects were examined.
5G roll out continues from carriers.
My Highlights:
From #Berlin @IFA_Berlin. #LG #Washermachine is made to last. OH MY! #Appliance #highheels #technews #ThursdayThoughts #kitchendesign #kitchen #washer #shoes #coinnovation pic.twitter.com/l1dUtGRx1a
— BlackandPaper (@BlackandPaper1) July 11, 2019
Korean brand LG launched a new washer machine with the meaning “durable” as the center piece. (See Video) After seeing the demonstration I can say, “That is Durable”. A second piece of added technology is the steam function, making clothing less wrinkled after washing.
From #Berlin @IFA_Berlin #IMB. A #Cooking device for a Pizza & an Egg from @Philips. I was Amazed! #coinnovation #food #homeappliances #tech #techNews #recipes #cook #kitchen #consumerelectronics #appliances #makelifebetter #IFA2019 #PhilipsPR pic.twitter.com/hDbRARYE3e
— BlackandPaper (@BlackandPaper1) July 11, 2019
The Philips Fryer evolves. A counter top cooking appliance designed for preparing all types of foods.
Chinese appliance maker Hisense has moved upscale with new kitchen looks with smooth rich surfaces.
From #Berlin @IFA_Berlin IMB. Has #R2D2 arrived? MediSana has a #tech monitoring #device that feels like a #droid from #StarWars. #coinnovation #consumerelectronics #technews #FridayThoughts #technology pic.twitter.com/cVYlBU6ZtM
— BlackandPaper (@BlackandPaper1) July 12, 2019
The Medisana droid is the Star Wars is here now moment. A robot with multiple cameras, screen, and self movement made for senior care monitoring. Soon, R2D2 will soon be a household appliance.
Small appliance goods producer WMF introduced a few products for relaxing. A herbal pot with light, a wine chiller, and a table top fondue set for 8.
Tech giant Samsung is rolling out Bixby. A smart-home voice service challenge to Google Assistant and Alexa.
I hate moping floors. The Karcher floor steamer maybe my life saver. The brand still produces in it’s home country, Germany.
The side conversations at IMB were interesting. They are opportunities for learning inside information and getting real opinions.
Google Assistant and Amazon now dominate the home leaving Microsoft and Apple in the dust.
Will American technology dominate in the future in the face of Trade Wars?
I was a bit surprised by the lack of mobile phone technology this year.
Stay Tuned for full coverage of IFA 2019 starting September 6th. We will have the latest news and trends.
Sorry, I have not been posting. A bit busy on this end playing catch up. Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture felt a bit overwhelming. Covering the event for the firs time started from the moment I arrived at the hotel. I dropped the bags at the hotel in the center of Paris then raced off. My first appointment was in the Vendome. HOT! The only word describe the scene, 32 degrees in a city lacking green spaces. Loud? Yes. Big cities are not places for medidating at 11am.
Rush! Rush! I wore comfortable shoes to get into the rhythm of the French Capital during PFW.
Unlike other fashionweeks Couture week is more exclusive. A smaller crowd of editors, buyers, and clients for one of kind creations.
I got invites from production houses Shout out to Mephistopheles, public relations agencies, and designers. The Couture Jewelry collection presentation events were also scheduled as well as showroom visits. Four full days were on my calendar.
Paris is not only a walking city, but also for running. Seeing fit Frenchmen jogging in skimpy shorts in the Tuileries Garden may seem like a Samantha Jones inspired fantasy but crisscrossing it during the day to make an appointment, well, I could not sit down to admire the sights, too much dust and lack of time.
Too Darn Hot!
Did I mention it was HOT in Paris during PFW? The metro was opened for free rides. Thankfully, many shows and presentation were in walking distance or 3 metro stops away.
Wearing Black was the summer look, not for me. This is a mixture of shameless product placement, sponsorship, and fashion practicality. Cividini loaned me a few silk and cotton polo shirts. Breathable materials saved my life.
Expecting brands tomeet a timetable would ask too much but starting 45 minutes to 1 hour late made keeping a timetable impossible. I missed 3 shows. Happily, I arranged for re-see’s.
I cannot wait until the next Couture Week.
Video and images made with Canon Camera. Sponsored by #canondeu