Audrey a Roma. Esterno giorno: An Exhibition and A Book

This is a follow up on a previous post, La Dolce Vita, Stars and Celebrities in the Italian Fifties.

From her very first performance on film in 1948 as an airline stewardess to her last one in 1989 as an angel, Audrey Hepburn withstood over forty years of artistic scrutiny. Today she remains the irrefutable personification of irresistible charm, grace and dignity.

On the fiftieth anniversary of Breakfast at Tiffany's, and simultaneously with the Rome International Film Festival, the eternal city will be honoring Audrey Hepburn for the first time with a tribute-exhibit at the Ara Pacis Museum. This celebration of the actress and humanitarian in "her" Rome will raise funds for UNICEF's project to fight child malnutrition, in conjunction with the Club Amici di Audrey. Hepburn devoted the last years of her life to serving as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

The exhibition contains images, videos and personal objects that recall the three lives Hepburn lived in Rome: as an actress, mother and UNICEF Ambassador. It coincides with the release of a book also titled Audrey a Roma and published by Mondadori. The photographic essay is featuring around 200 photos, snap shots rather than poses,  portraying the actress during her daily life, strolling around the city with her dogs, with her family, with her children.

The exhibit is curated by Audrey Hepburn's son, Luca Dotti, together with Ludovica Damiani, Sciascia Gambaccini and Guido Torlonia, with the consultancy of Sava Bisazza Terracini.

"Each city in its own way was... unforgettable. It would be difficult to... Rome; by all means, Rome.
I will cherish my visit here, in memory, for as long as I live."
~~ Audrey in Roman Holiday

Audrey Hepburn, Rome, 1960

Pierluigi Praturton © Reporters Associati

Audrey Hepburn with her dog "Famous", 1961

Elio Sorci © Camera Press / Photomasi

Audrey Hepburn with her son Sean, Rome, 1972

Girani © Reporters Associati

Audrey Hepburn on the set of the movie War and Peace, 1955

© Pierluigi Praturton © Reporters Associati

Audrey Hepburn and her husband Andrea Dotti, 1970

© Photomasi

Audrey Hepburn, Trinita dei Monti, 1959

© Archivio Storico Luce - Proprieta Cinecitta Luce

Audrey Hepburn, Hotel Hassler at Trinita dei Monti, Feb. 7, 1960

© Archivio Storico Luce - Proprieta Cinecitta Luce

Audrey Hepburn, Rome, 1968
Elio Sorci © Camera Press / Photomasi

Courtesy Ara Pacis Museum, Rome

Audrey a Roma

October 26 to December 4, 2011
This post is also featured on the Huffington Post

Chiara Fersini's Surreal Self-Portraits, a Dream World

Eerie and beautiful, sensual and delicate.... this is how I will describe Chiara Fersini's works.

Chiara Fersini aka Himitsuhana investigates the inner relation between photography and painting, and takes inspiration from the Pre-Raphaelites painters and Liberty style. Fantasy is her drug. "The world today is so grey and sad, and fantasy is the only thing that makes me see something different and good. It can also make people more optimistic. How could the world have evolved without fantasy?"


Chiara believes that photography is more than technique, it is more than having an expensive equipment. She is deeply convinced that photography is not the camera, it is the eye that stands behind the camera. Her aim is to portray every single glance of the human soul and encourage people to dream and never stop believing in dreams.

"Shooting a self-portrait is a provocative experience because it allows you to look at yourself through the eyes of others. Being aware of what you are is the most difficult thing to achieve. A self-portrait is truly an artist's representation of self."
~~ Chiara Fersini


Chiara Fersini has already participated in several art exhibitions and contests. Her works have been featured in various magazines such as Advanced Photoshop, NL and Fashion Capital, UK. Chiara lives and works in Lecce, Italy.

Courtesy Chiara Fersini
Images copyright © Chiara Fersini
This post is also featured on the Huffington Post

The Botanical Art of Chinatsu Nobe

There is not enough credit given to hair stylists. After all, during Fashion Week, most designer's collections are striking not only for their lavish clothes but also for their spectacular headpieces, including all the accessories that go with it.

At Paris Fashion Week, Katsuya Kamo created fabulous feathered headgears for Junya Watanabe Womenswear collection.

At Japan Fashion Week, Chinatsu Nobe created exceptional flowered headpieces for fur fur 2012 S/S collection. Known for her very creative, vibrant and modern hairstyling, Chinatsu Nobe began her career in 1999 building a clientele between both New York and Tokyo. A former assistant of top hairstylists Yannick d'Is and Luigi Murenu, Chinatsu works now on shows, advertising and editorial for such clients as Proenza Schouler, Richard Chay, Karl Lagerfeld and Zac Posen.

fur fur S/S 2012

 snapshots at fur fur backstage

To view more click on that link

Stand out from the crowd this winter with these...

Courtesy Chinatsu Nobe / Amy Kirkman

Leonardo Vecchiarelli: La Grande Transizione, Women Warriors meet Oriental Empresses

The Grande Transizione is a cycle all put together like an armed battalion. There are thirty pictures of women warriors, dressed and decorated with the keen eye of a samurai preparing for battle, inspired by oriental empresses. Hidden amongst these females is a single male figure, the artist himself, Leonardo Vecchiarelli.

Each portrait has a title extracted from the literary and mythical culture of the Orient: the shaman, the samurai woman, the creator of human kind, the temple of purity... Every image has complex meanings and symbolisms all woven together. Women assume the role of mediators and with determination, authority, intuition and strength, can help us to renew our lost sense of belonging.

As a young boy, Leonardo Vecchiarelli found his calling in cinematography, specializing in photography and choreography at the "Cinematic Devises School" of Roberto Rossellini and the "National Academy of dramatic Art" Silvio D'Amico in Rome. Former assistant to Gianpaolo Barbieri, Steven Klein and to Douglas Kirkland, the Italian born artist started working with magazines including Harper's Bazaar, French Vogue, German Glamour,  Italian Vogue and more...
Leonardo photographed international campaigns, such as Trussardi, Fay by Tod's, Faber, Maria Buccellati among others.
The Grande Transizione is currently on exhibit at Studio Guastalla Arte Moderna e Contemporanea in Milan.

© Leonardo Vecchiarelli

Jo Sen'shi - Bene (Maria Buccellati), 2011

© Leonardo Vecchiarelli

Bui Long (Nicoletta Fiorucci)

© Leonardo Vecchiarelli

Gui'zu'De (Mariasole Brivio Sforza)

© Leonardo Vecchiarelli

Isanami (Riyo Mori)

© Leonardo Vecchiarelli

Qi

© Leonardo Vecchiarelli

Shibui (Elizabeth Di Stefano)

© Leonardo Vecchiarelli

Tao (Federica Pesce)

© Leonardo Vecchiarelli

Xi Wa'ng Mu (Lucilla Bonaccorsi Beccaria)

© Leonardo Vecchiarelli

Yacasa (Cristina Estrada Juffali)

© Leonardo Vecchiarelli

Yua'n Liu (Olimpia Colonna)

Courtesy Leonardo Vecchiarelli / Studio Guastalla Arte Moderna e Contemporanea, Milan

La Grande Transizione

October 11 - November 12, 2011
This post is also featured on the Huffington Post

Charles Bukowski revisited....

Charles Bukowski wrote several quotes, this is one of my favorites.

"there are worse things
than being alone
but it often takes
decades to realize this
and most often when you do
it's too late
and there's nothing worse
than too late"


This post that I am about to crosspost is stunning. It took the author over 2 years to complete this project. Click on the link below to see more.
Peter Politanoff: Charles Bukowski - In Search of Henry Chinaski

© Peter Politanoff

Pablo Piatti's Fashion Illustrations: A Chinese vignette

In his series "Animals and Accessories," Argentinian artist Pablo Piatti was inspired by traditional Chinese paintings. From the pairing of the animals with the accessories, including the calligraphy, everything was created with exquisite details. The resulting illustrations are these unique and enchanting visions that will catch the attention of any viewers.

Pablo Piatti was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was 21 years old when he decided to quit art school and travel to Europe. Growing up among nature and animals, Piatti's world is filled with imagery, music, books, and nature. The series "Animals and Accessories" is currently featured in Metal Fashion Magazine.

Very often in life, we are forced to defined ourselves, or pushed by others to conform to stereotypes and titles. As a creative person working in the fashion industry for many years, I try to do the opposite, letting creativity flow freely.
~~ Pablo Piatti


Pablo Piatti lives and works in Antwerp, Belgium.

Courtesy Pablo Piatti