Milan Fashion Week is inspiration and delight in many forms and colors for next Spring. The sense of style is always present in every collection with qualities of sensual sophistication.
Valextra
Bally
Giseppe Zanotti
Ciao Bello! Milan Fashion Week highlights from the Black and Paper. Never dull, the northern Italian city continues to assert itself as a fashion superpower with so many styles. The spirit of design is in the air. Designers who are inspired by characters of “Chic” is what gives creations a sexy flair. Milan affirms what it does, sexy on top of sexy.
Moreschi
So Milano Store with JW Anderson
Giuseppi Zanotti
Keep up to date with us at Milan Fashion Week.
10 Corso Como
10 Corso Como is a Milan Fashion Boutique in Milan founded in 1991 by Carla Sozzani. It is a fashion temple of atmosphere. Whether looking for the latest issue of Vogue or wanting a roof top café or the buying the latest creation from a young designer, all is combined in a relaxed setting.
While I was attending Milan Fashion Week for Men I managed to get an interview and tour.
How did the idea of a multi-functional space develop?
Before it became a store in 1991, this space was a car garage. Ms. Sozzani was the Editor in Chief of Special issues for Vogue, then Elle. She wanted to open something different, a living magazine but with a Biba (the famed 60’s/70’s London store) influence. At the time there was nothing similar. Also, we wanted to have the spirit of Milan.
What is 10 Corso Como’s definition of retail therapy?
Slow Shopping. This is a space to shop without stress, relaxing. The green area at the entrance, there are many free spaces and chairs to have a café and conversation or to read.
The aesthetics of the store.
The look was done Artist Kris Ruhs. He designed and planned the furniture and interior. Carla and Kris have had a long professional relationship.
And the selection process of items in the store, how is this decided?
Store buyers select items then they suggest them to Carla. She has the final “yes” or “no”. The boutique shows her personal touches. There are pieces from many designers.
In your opinion, why has Milan remained a fashion superpower?
The competition between fashion brands keeps everyone on their toes. We are close to Paris but we do not copy or repeat Milan has strong design, production aspects, and top level craftsmanship.
What is happening in fashion today?
The need to get the collections out immediately, the see now, buy now strategy is the topic, clients want it as soon as it comes off the runway.
How do you support new designers?
Carla encourages new designers. 10 Corso Como has competitions for designers from around the world to submit for a chance to get features in the store. The problem for young brands is resources to continue producing. Now, we have Marit Ilison from Ukraine, a collection using wool forged using very traditional techniques.
What is the future of 10 Corso Como?
Our shoppers expect the different. This store is about choices. There is always something fresh here; displays, looks. We have limited collection with brands and designers. We are beefing up the online presence but it has to be right in staying with 10 Corso Como’s narrative.
I got a personal tour of the store from. It is an inspiring location. There was a gorgeous Azzendine Alaia dress on display. I was told “you can always wear something beautiful.” This look was BEAUTIFUL. The Stephen Jones Hats were also a highlight. Dust Magazine had wearable pages in the form printed t-shirts.
Part of the store experience is going back to see what the teams have created, nothing stays, the dynamic is to refresh.
10 Corso Como is located at Corso Como 10 Milan.
I went to the Apple store to see the latest releases. They look sleek. they feel good in the hand. They perform the way one would expect, but given the level of expectation for the new iPhone 7, after playing with the latest version of the iconic smartphone, I left the store feeling like the hype was over blown.
Do not get me wrong, the iPhone 7 has plenty of merit. Performance wise it is a smooth operator. There are so many features including: water resistant, longer battery life, camera and the most obvious missing detail: the headphone jack.
The Black iPhone looks good. The larger Plus model I did not like. The larger iPhones seem awkward.
While at the table I felt the dazzle of previous Apple products was missing. People (not as many as past product launches) were playing with the phone but not so many inquiries. That I could actually play with the all the display models on the first day of sales speaks volumes.
I am waiting to see and test the earbuds.
This go round Apple has replaced inspiration with something one step above constant.
The Apple Watch Area of the store was empty. Need I say MORE!
I am a frequent CNET reader. I likes this article from the site.
These are the top five reasons smart watches don’t sell. There’s a brand new Apple watch. Yay. That sums up most people’s responses. Pretty much any smart watch. The time has arrived to dive into the five. At number 5, small screens. How much functionality can you cram into a tiny screen? Let’s look at what happened with phones, shall we? Phones started out with tiny displays. They grew and grew. Then smartphones got huge. Do people need huge wrist cuffs like Leela on Futurama? Not necessarily and that brings us to number 4. Interfaces aren’t there yet. How do you interact with a watch? That you read the swaps, reach gestures a better the turn to select things maybe you tops it. All of those are ways to use Mola watches today. And that the problem, there’s still A great way to use these things. And number three, battery life. The purpose of any watch is to tell you the time. Whenu’re concerned your smart watch could die on a daily basis, the function of the watch part of the smart watch comes into question. At number two, they’re pricey. Smart watches suffer from high prices for several reasons. First, it’s not cheap to put a touch screen computer on a light weight wrist wearable device. Secondly, it costs money to make them look not cheap. Is there a magic price point for a smart watch where all the flaws can be overlooked. Maybe. But there’s still just one giant problem. There’s no killer app. This is the simplest reason why smart watches haven’t taken off like smart phones. Smart watches lack a true compelling reason to exist. When the majority of the functions can be replicated by the other devices that most people carry all the time, their smartphone. Go check out more Top 5’s at TOP5. CNET. COM. I’m Iyaz Akhtar, I’ll see you online.
If you would like to see the video please go to:CNET.com
At IFA 16 Samsung unveiled its latest smartwatch, the Gear S3. My verdict: NO! Still not compelling enough or stylish to warrant a purchase.
I got a personal demonstration, then had hands on time.
Coming in two styles, the first is based on an elegant classic design style. The second is a sportier, rugged design for the urban adventurer.
What I noticed immediately was the size of the round display/face; 1.3 inches in thick steel casing, light. You can swipe the display to change the face looks and access widgets. When I tried it on, the watch dominated my wrist, a bit too noticeable for my taste. I asked why the bigger display, I was told their customers desired a larger screen size because it was easier to read and navigate applications. Samsung is clearly positioning this device for male users as a hi-tech wearable.
The Gear S3 uses Samsung’s TIzen OS with 4 gb of eternal storage space. All can be controlled by either the Home Button, Back Button, or Rotating dial. It was easy to control after a few tries.
Battery life has been improved for up to 3 days without recharging. There is a microphone and speaker for making calls. Waist bands are standard sizes, enabling the user to change colors and styles.
I did not hate the Gear S3 but I could give myself a valid reason for wanting it. I was unconvinced.
I did not get a launch date for the Gear 3 so check for local release dates.
IFA16 Highlights
Bang and Olufsen
Futuristic minimalism in the shape of a cone from Bang and Olufsen, always known for superior sound quality, the brand played to its strength by introducing two wireless 360 degree speaker designs, the small BeoSound 1 and larger BeoSound 2. Both are rechargeable with a battery life of 16 hours. The shining models stuck out but I liked the softer toned ones.
Sphero
Star Wars Fans will have hours of fun with the motion controlled BB8 droid. The wrist band enables the user to push and pull the droid with arm gestures. The app describes in details how to full use the small robot. I saw a demonstration. It could get addictive, connective toys are the future.
Aedle
Designed and made in Paris, Aedle headphones are for those looking for a subtler but higher style quality with headphone gear. Constructed with fine leather and other materials there are two choices to choose, over ear or in-ear, both are elegant. When I travel to Paris I will interview the team behind the brand.
Philips
The consumer brand giant had two products we liked. The new Innergizer blender can mix anything in a moment. The second appliance we played with was the Air Cooker, no grease, or oil is needed, all is done by recycled hot air even French Fries.
ZTE
Affordable high end smartphone from the ZTE with Axom 7 mini, a smaller version of the company’s flagship phone but still packing a punch using Android 6.0 OS featuring a 5.2 inch screen, all metal body and curved designed. it delivers a number of good features without breaking the bank including Dolby Speakers and a 16 megapixel camera.
Huawei
I handled the phone, it is smooth and stylish but what attracted me the most were the colors blue and red. It is slim and light with a Leica camera. I have not tested the device yet but soon.
Honorable Mentions
SkullCandy
Skullcandy’s New Crusher Wireless headphones looked nice. A good accessory for the street wear looks. Check back here for a review.
AfterShockz
I am testing their new sportswear wireless headsets, so far so good. Check back for the full review.
Xtorm
A better source of mobile recharging, the company improved the capacity of this year’s power bank models while retaining an attractive design. (See our upcoming video)
Samsonite
Added new class to their collection with a slim wireless power bank fitted for a 15 inch laptop integrated into a travel backpack.
Dbramante1928
Affordable leather carrying cases designed in Denmark for every tech device. The material is sourced from India.
Fossil
A company introduced a number of wearables this year to track and monitor all activity. We are using one now. See the upcoming review.
Keep checking back for more reviews and interviews on tech.