When is Too Much…Too Much? & Annual Salone Restaurant Guide!

Here we are preparing for Salone del Mobile, Milan, Italy 2011 once again. HappilyI  Who doesn’t want to be in Italy in April?

And we’re thrilled to be representing Alessi (www.alessi.com); Artek (www.artek.fi); Flos (www.flos.com); Fritz Hansen (www.fritzhansen.com); Humanscale (www.humanscale.com) and Moleskine (http://www.moleskine.com/).

That’s the great news.

But in its 50th presentation, with so many outside areas (though fun) cropping up and

E V E R Y O N E having a press preview, exhibiting S O M E W H E R E, and at least one or two parties and events, is it too much?

I know from my editor friends, they are truly put upon where to go and with limited staff, how to cover it all. I know from other visitors, designers, retailers and the “just-interested”, it will take Russell Crowe’s “brilliant mind” to organize their time.

We’ll all make it through and I know will find a few things that dazzle (see above client list!)…but wonder how much more can this event grow?

Is it better to curate and define? Is it possible?

As always, I’m excited to go. To represent and spread the word on I.C.F.F.® (www.icff.com).

And, of course, beyond Tortona, and Lambrete there’s another new neighborhood to explore, http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2011/03/13/travel/20110313-FORAGING.html

Would love to hear from you on the above. And for those of you who have asked for my annual Salone restaurant guide (I’ve made my reservations, so I’m good to release this), here ya go!

Restaurants in Milan 2010:


Il Bolognese

Corso Genova, 3

02-58100824

Try the risotto!





Nobu @ Armani

Via Gastone Pisoni 1

02-62312645

Was renovated



Da Giacomo

Via Pasquale Sottocorno 6

02-760233313

Charming, unstuffy



Bice

Via Borgospesso 12

02-795528

Standard



10 Corso Como

Via Corso Como 10 (duh)

02-29013581

Lunch or drinks best



Blitz

Via Cerisio 9

02-312388

Friendly; big with TV folks



Osteria del Sognatore

Via Mormondo 1

02-89126048

Creative



Maxela (Macarelli)

Via Eugenio Villoreni 10

02-89402394

Meat, meat, meat



Giulio Pane e Ojo

Via Ludovico Muratori 10

02-5456189

Local recommendation



Pane e Acqua

Via Matteo Bandello 14

02-48198622

Rossana Orlandi's - expensive but good





Da Illia

Via Lecco 1

02-29521895

Local recommendation



Bebel's

Via San Marco 38

02-6571658

Brera area - Miuccia eats here, too!



Antica Trattoria della Pesa

Via Pasubio 10

02-29015157

Great reviews by all



Tano Passami L'Olio

Via Eugenio Villoresi 16

02-8394139

Great wine list



Cucina Delle Langhe

Corso Como 6

02-6554279

Low-key; have to say I was not impressed



Piccola Cucina

Viale Piave 17

02-76012860

Tiny – hence the name



Premiata Pizzeria

Via E. De Amicis, 24

02-89406075

Best for lunch



Alla Collina Pistoiese

Via degli Amedei 1

02-86451085

A Milanese classic!



Ristorante La Scaletta

Piazzale Stazione Genova, 3

02-43986316

Local fav.





Eda

Via Filippo Lippi, 7

02-2668192

Native Milanese says so



Controvapore

Via Carlo Goldoni, 3

02-76390636

Native Milanese says so



Ristorante Rigolo

Via Solferino 11

02-804589

"Refined" = not-so-friendly; but I love the food



Bagutta

Via Monte Napolene 6 (It's really on Via Bagutta)

02-76002767

Service can be dicey but a must for me!



Giacomo Arengario

Atop Museo del Novecento

02-72093814

Local recommendation


So, Mangia.  Grazie.  Ciao (the extent of my Italian).

60 Years of Greatness

On Tuesday, September 28th, 2010, employees (and salespeople) and friends of Carnegie Fabrics celebrated the firm’s 60th Anniversary at The Robert, atop the Museum of Art and Design in New York City.

First – what firm TODAY celebrates their employees in such style???

Secondly, I know this was a “work” event for me – but oh, it was so much more.

From the first day I met Mr. Bob Goldman, founder of Carnegie Fabrics some 20 years ago - I was trying to sell him advertising and he was trying to get me to contribute to the United Jewish Appeal – I knew I was with one sharp guy.

Over the years, Mr. Goldman (Mr. G to everyone), slowly gave the reins of the company over to Cliff, his son. Cliff and I always had great conversations (though I continued to try to sell him advertising – he never asked me for contributions!).

When I started BDE in 1996, he hired me for various projects until in 2000, Cliff hired BDE as his P.R. and marketing consultant. Then I really got to see the machine at work!

With Heather Bush and Mary Holt in design and creative, Cliff has scripted an amazing fabric and wallcovering firm – that is so much more. It is a firm that is design forward, progressive in material usage and exploration, has successfully produced marketing concepts and builds long lasting relationships with A N Y O N E they work with. But the more, is the heart and soul of this firm.

The growth and success has done nothing to change nor impact the sincerity and concern they show to each and every employee, salesperson, and yes, consultant. The firm, led by Cliff (with Mr. G still keeping an eye on the bottom line!), leads by example. I heard the word “ethical” more times than I could count that night (between my dancing). I heard the word “thoughtful”, “warm” and “pride” more times than I could count that night (between the great wine and food).

BDE has grown with Carnegie – or maybe because of it.

Thanks, Cliff.

An American Woman in Britain

With multiple goals and many meetings and visits, I headed for London last Sunday. I know many of you probably travel first class all the time – not me.  Always looking to be cost conscious for my clients, coach is where I fly.  Not this time!   Using mileage, American put me in “seat” 4J.  More like “bed” 4J. From the warm nuts (my favorite) to the champagne, real plates and flatware, I had a fantastic flight. And, to beat a dead horse…American Airlines found me an earlier flight and were so kind and efficient. Just like United when I flew to Montreal and Lufthansa when I flew to Italy for vacation. NOT LIKE CONTINENTAL!!!  Check my Tweets and FB re THAT!

Anyway, all my meetings – both business and those more personal – were not only successful but truly enjoyable.  People were genuinely interested, interesting and oh, so nice! Also, still not totally a food town, I experienced such great meals (or was it the company?) at Wilton's (oh so British),  Momo's (oh so North African in London), and The Wolsley.

Some things truly stuck out this time in London: one was the amount of construction.  Locals told me that they are getting ready for the Olympics and doing a lot of repairs and infrastructure improvements. Another observation was the number of Middle Eastern women (in traditional garb and facial coverings) and men (less noticeable) both as visitors before Ramadan and those living in London.  Press friends and locals confirmed that the population has grown significantly spurring the election of David Cameron. They have Cycle Hire and it seems to be very popular – like in Paris.  Is New York ready for this? For design, the London Design Festival is the “next coming” as 100% Design declines.  Still a very local event, with few new introductions, many were looking for the festival to grow. 

Massive amounts of construction on the London roadways

Cycle Hire! Next stop...NYC!

Some personal highlights and er….low lights:  My hotel (a low light) – Park Lane.  Not really glorious anymore.  First night I had a smoke filled room – and the next day sounded like Harvey Fierstein most of the day.  Luckily, they changed me the next day and all was well. I had to keep my closet with mirror door open with the luggage rack.  I had to plug the hair dryer in near the bedroom chair as there were no plugs in the bathroom, except for shavers!

My bathroom door prop - less than glamorous.

My hairdryer...on the purple sofa...

But there were tons more pluses!  On my second day, I hailed a black taxi and met Robert!  He was friendly, informative and, well, became my driver for the entire day.  Never charged me waiting time (took short rides while I was in my appointments) and was totally engaging, professional and ready!  I was SOOOOOOOOO lucky.  Here’s his info for anyone going to or living in London.  He was terrific.  Robert:  Mobile:  07985272023

Just a little retail research.

Met with old friends, nurtured new ones and did some great business. Did some retail research (!) – Harrods, Conran’s, Harvey Nichols….and did a very quick but truly pleasurable time at the Tate Modern. All in all – I just want to thank everyone I came in contact with.  As a “jaded” New Yorker, I have to say it was “first class” all the way!

Bonjour, Montreal!

Alessi, purveyors of cult design objects and...er...one of our most prized clients...has recently opened a Montreal outpost! Never ones to miss out on a travel opportunity, BDE's Team Alessi made the journey to visit our neighbors to the North...here's what we found:

Alessi Montreal: 2085 rue Crescent

First stop: Alessi Montreal located at 2085 rue Crescent, in the heart of Montreal. Housed in a classic row-house style building, we were struck by the stairs leading up to the shop. Almost all of the shops on rue Crescent have staircases leading to the front doors, with other stores located beneath them - it reminded us of Newbury Street in Boston. 

The moveable display units can be configured in multiple different ways.

A di Alessi's "Poplike" collection's bright colors are the first thing you see as you walk in the door.

Inside the store, Alessi products abound. The shop's walls are lined with shelves where everything from A di Alessi's cheerful Banana Boys to Officina Alessi's exquisite La Cintura di Orione pots and pans are impeccably displayed. There are also rolling table units in the center of the store for movable displays. We loved the miniatures that rested in their own glass case near the back of the shop. Next door to the shop was the Nespresso coffee bar - the coolest place we'd ever gotten our caffeine fix!

Enjoying our delicious coffee!

Each flavor is represented by a different color, ranging from mild to bold. The sugar packets are designed to match the color of the K Cup!

 

 

The coffee bar (we snuck photos - no pictures allowed!)

Eager to check out the neighborhood around the shop, we lunched at the Newtown with Flare Magazine's Montreal correspondent. A lovely, open-air spot by day and a rockin' nightclub by night, the Newtown did not disappoint. And, for all of our Canadian friends, be sure to check out Alessi Montreal in the August issue of Flare!

The Newtown - restaurant, bar, club and general hot spot.

Post-lunch we took a little tour around the city - since we had to fly from New York to Montreal and back in a day, our limited time was precious. We loved the old architecture of the city, and the cool public bike rentals throughout the streets! Look for more from Alessi Montreal in the coming months, BDE is so excited about this new venture!

Public bike rentals line the city streets - but no helmet laws are in effect!

A classic example of Montreal's stunning architecture, this building is a banquet hall and restaurant rolled into one.

 

Tobias Wong

Many of us New Yorkers in the design community were shocked and saddened to hear about the death of Tobias Wong, the "enfant terrible" of the modern design world. This New York Times article, while certainly not offering an explanation, aims to shed light on the situation. We may be a bit late to the game, but if you've not seen this article, please do take the time to read it: 
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/27/fashion/27Wong.html?pagewanted=1&hpw

10 Questions For...Laura Guido-Clark, LG-C Design

Laura Guido-Clark's firm works with the "skin" of things - color, texture, exterior - but she says she's more interested in the human experience. In other words, how does an object make you feel? Laura has consulted for companies ranging from Godiva to Samsung, and everything in between to help inspire their creations. Below, in the second installment of A Modern Eye's "10 Questions For..." series, we find out what inspires her:


1. Who is your inspiration?

I don’t believe it is a “who” - but rather a “what”, a state of mind. What inspires me is discovering potential , the “what if.”

2. Who is your favorite designer? Why?

Maison Martin Margiela.

Because their studio innovates, questions and provokes – all the while providing joy and surprise.

3. Where is your favorite place on earth?

Anyplace where I am with my family.

4. What words do you try to live by?

Love deeply, be grateful, do unto others, see the beauty in all, laugh and then laugh harder.

5 .If you could choose a different career, what would it be?

A writer stringing words together like pearls…..

6. What is one thing you would like to do before you die?

To know I made a difference and left the world better.

7. What is the most challenging thing you have ever done?

Accepting death and moving forward to live life fully.

8. What is your favorite book?

The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe by Jane Wagner

9. What is currently playing on your iPod?

Stevie Wonder, Coldplay, John Legend, old Motown.

10. What do you wish you had invented?

The whoopee cushion…no seriously, a cure, a vaccination, something that has helped humanity.

 Laura's super-cool camera for Kodak

And in keeping with our inability to be satisfied with just ten questions - we couldn't resist throwing Laura a few more:

11. What is a skill that you wish you possessed?

Singing with rapture.

12. What quality do you most admire in others?

Curiosity and the ability to forgive.

13. What is your greatest strength?

Seeing the beauty in everyone and everything.

14. What is your greatest fault?

Never feeling like I am finished, like I should or could do more.

15. If a movie were made of your life, who would play you?

In my dreams, Sophia Loren; but in reality, Tina Fey.

16. What’s your favorite color?

It is ever-changing, whatever momentarily captures my eye deliciously becomes my favorite.

Above, the chair Laura created with Coca-Cola and Emeco

BDE at the NSS

Sure, everyone who reads this blog knows that BDE does "design". But what you didn't know is that as of May, we do conferences, too! BDE was asked to put together a conference for the National Stationery Show about the future of brick-and-mortar stationery stores vs. the quickly-growing etailers that kids these days seem to prefer. We rounded up a keynote speaker, two lively and informative panels, and had a fantastic end-of-program presentation  by Hallmark to boot. Check out images of the event below:

Keynote speaker Paco Underhill captivating the crowd

The audience's delighted response to Mr. Underhill's speech

Panel One discussed The Issues, Solutions, and the Next 5 Years. Adam Glassman of O, The Oprah Magazine acted as moderator, and panelists included major retailers such as Kate's Paperie and William Arthur.

Panel Two discussed Connecting with Tomorrow's Customer, and the One Ten Years from Now. Dan Rubinstein of Surface Magazine moderated panelists from CoolHunting.com, Teen Vogue, and a couple of very knowledgeable trend forecasters including Laura Guido-Clark.

Moderator Dan Rubinstein and panelist Laura Guido-Clark post-conference.

Hallmark's award celebrating their 100th birthday!

Scenes from Abroad

Sorry for the delay in some of these, but it’s been a busy two months!


Salone this year was quite exciting, with Kartell “owning” its place amongst the greats! The Tokujin Yoshioka exhibition at the flagship store was absolutely fantastic. Not only were Tokujin’s concepts amazing to view and even more amazing to have been produced, but the design illuminated the night.

At the fair, Kartell once again proved its power in design with showcasing its new collection all in black and white. It clearly showed how intricate the design form and manufacturing thereof is. Having double the traffic on the first day of the Salone was indicative not only of the mood of the market, but how important Kartell is to that market.

Artek took a different approach and showed the new Fukasawa shelving system at Rossana Orlandi, way off site. The simplicity of the room was a perfect setting for the system. And, I got to meet Fukasawa!

Artek also showed the film by Enzo Mari and had the maestro himself there to talk and answer questions. Although all in Italian, his “colorful” language and strong opinions came across loud and clear! It was interesting that so many named designers came to hear him speak (Tom Dixon, Konstantin Gricic, to name two). We can all learn from these masters.

After Salone, ICFF came fast and furious. This year’s fair had a completely different vibe than last years. It was buzzing! The energy and business conducted made my heart sing! I went into about 30 booths and checked to see the reaction. All positive! Not having the Japanese pavilion was a miss for some, but other than that, it was the best show in years.

Artek's booth at ICFF; Artek's master upholsterer, Aki Lehtonen completed two chairs in classic Zebra fabric!

Directly from the ICFF, I hopped a plane to Munich to view the Alessi exhibition at Die Neue Sammlung in Munich. As a part of this exhibition designed by Alessandro Mendini will come to Philadelphia in the fall, I was really excited to see the opening. And it did not disappoint. It was truly a wonderland that is so Alessi – right from its roots back in the 20’s. The first night was dinner with Alessandro Mendini and Alberto Alessi – jealous? They are true gentlemen and so very incredibly smart. The jet lag and poor treatment by Continental Airlines (did you see my FB on this?), didn’t diminish the experience one bit.

Alessandro Mendini with some of his collection for Alessi

My next trip is to NEOCON in Chicago (not abroad!)…but nonetheless exciting. New introductions from Carnegie, Humanscale and a tremendous collection by Scott Wilson for Coalesse (did you see Metropolis’s last issue?), will definitely be highlights in Chicago.


Then a much needed vacation to ….where else? Italy! Stay tuned.

It's A Boy!

Three weeks ago I was living with 5 of my old college cohorts and our Miniature Boston Terrier, Sunny D, in suburban Elmhurst, Illinois. This past weekend I found myself in the company of design elites the likes of Adam Glassman (creative director of O, The Oprah Magazine) and Chip DeGrace (my boss’s boss of yesteryear and creative director of FLOR) in the city that Jonathan Larson once referred to as “the center of the universe”. The change has been quick and somewhat unexpected, but it has already been quite the exciting and humbling experience. My name is Sean Hurtubise and I am the newest (and only Y chromosome possessing) member of the BDE team. 

The U-Haul, prior to setting out on our journey

            Born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, my sister, Beth, and I decided to take the New York City plunge a couple of months ago and found our idea’s fruition surprisingly expedited. Upon deciding to forge east, the siblings Hurtubise had come to terms with the fact that we were most likely going to be unemployed when exiting the Lincoln Tunnel and entering our new home. However, a week before the move I received word that Beth had been offered a job with a small marketing firm and that I would now be the lone ash in the unemployment urn. I moved with little more than a signed lease, a U-Haul filled with my material existence and one phone number in my Moleskine notebook of a woman who was a complete stranger to me by the name of Beth Dickstein. Five days, two interviews and several untimely almost terrorist attacks on the city later, I found myself employed.  

The view from my 6th-floor walk-up

            While at Elmhurst College, I majored in music education with a vocal emphasis and went on to work in both a customer service and retail capacity with FLOR. Suffice it to say that marketing and public relations are very new and fresh to me, not to mention the pulse and rhythms of this infinitely vibrant city. Though, I must admit, for a city with such an intimidating reputation the folks on the concrete jungle welcome wagon seem to be unseasonably warm.

--Sean Hurtubise

Restaurants for ICFF 2010

Beth’s Favorite Restaurants in NYC

Tribeca

*The Harrison - www.theharrison.com/harrison; 355 Greenwich Street

Odeon - www.theodeonrestaurant.com; 145 West Broadway

Bubby’s - www.bubbys.com; 120 Hudson Street

*LoCanda Verde - www.locandaverdenyc.com; 377 Greenwich Street

Soho

*Café Falai - www.falainyc.com; 68 Clinton Street

*Mezzogiorno - www.mezzogiorno.com; 195 Spring Street

*Aurora’s - www.auroraristorante.com; 510 Broome Street

Balthazar - www.balthazarny.com; 80 Spring Street

Lucky Strike - www.luckystrikeny.com; 59 Grand Street

*Omen-(no website – it’s that special); 113 Thompson St.

Near The Highline

Standard Grill - www.thestandardgrill.com; 848 Washington Street

Cookshop - www.cookshopny.com; 156 Tenth Avenue

*The Red Cat - www.theredcat.com/redcat; 227 Tenth Avenue

Bottino - www.bottinonyc.com; 246 Tenth Avenue

*Trestle on Tenth - www.trestleontenth.com; 242 Tenth Avenue

*Spotted Pig – www.thespottedpig.com; 314 West Eleventh Street

Del Posto-www.delposto.com – 85 Tenth Avenue

After the ICFF MoMA Party

Gordon Ramsay – www.gordonramsay.com; 151 W. 54^th St.

*Il Gattopardo – www.ilgattopardonyc.com; 33 W. 54^th St.

The Modern-www.themodernnyc.com; 9 W. 53^rd St.

*Russian Samovar-www.russiansamovar.com – 256 W. 52^nd St.

Thalia – www.restaurantthalia.com – 828 Eighth Ave. 

Some others I love:

I Trulli          www.itrulli.com                122 E. 27^th St.

Blue Smoke   www.bluesmoke.com        116 E. 27^th St.

Blue Hill        www.bluehillfarm             75 Washington St.

Le Singe Vert www.lesingevert.com        160 Seventh Avenue

And…you know…there’s so much more.  Email me for specific types of food; pricing and locations.  Happy to share. 

*Indicates big time favs

ICFF Party List

2010 Design Week Events

** Beth’s recommendations

Thursday, May 13, 2010

**MoMA Design Store

81 Spring St.

“Destination Portugal”

6- 8 p.m.

RSVP a must:  momastore@moma.org

PICNIC

511 w. 25^TH Street, Suite 805

6 – 8 pm.

NYDC

200 Lexington Avenue

Events from 4-9 p.m.

Check www.nydc.com

Friday, May 14, 2010

**The Conran Shop

@ABC Carpet & Home

888 Broadway

7 – 9 p.m.

**MANU by Emanuela Frattini Magnusson

Launch of luxury leather goods

Ameringer McEnery Yohe Gallery

525 W. 22^nd St.

RSVP a must:   RSVP4@bdeonline.biz

7- 9 p.m.

Personalissimo – Ideas from Lombardia

8 Bond Street

6:30 p.m.

RSVP17@bdeonline.biz

Inglass-Material for the Future

DOM / Valcucine

66 Crosby St.

6:30-9:30 p.m.

RSVP@DOMSHOWROOMS.com

Alu

138 W. 25^th St. 3^rd Floor

6-8 p.m.

RSVP: aluny@alu.com

Surface and Project No. 8 and E 15

38 Orchard St.

7-10 p.m.

CORE 77 – Kick Off Party

9 pm - Midnight

INVITE ONLY

Saturday, May 15, 2010

**ICFF OPENING NIGHT PARTY

MoMA

7-9 pm.

Tickets a must!  Go to:  www.icff.com

**Living Divani, Boffi, Porro

(By Invite ONLY)

**Murray Moss and Franklin Getchell’s  Poetic License

150 Greene St.

7 – 9 p.m. (Press 6 – 7 p.m.)

RSVP@mossonline.com

Areaware – 5 Years

45 Great Jones St.

7-10 p.m.

Surface & Cul is Cool @ Hudson Furniture

419 W. 14^th St.

6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

MATTERmade

405 Broome St.

6-9 p.m.

RSVP@mattermatters.com

Noho Design District curated by Sight Unseen

7-10 p.m.

BY INVITE ONLY  www.nohodesigndistrict.com

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Design within Reach –Emeco 111 Navy Chair

408 W. 14^th St.

6:00 – 10 p.m.

RSVP:  111navychair.com/nyc

Vitra and Creation Baumann

29 Ninth Avenue

6-9 p.m.

RSVP:  rsvp.vitrausa@vitra.com

Straight Forward – New Finnish Design

410 W. 16^th St.

7-9 p.m.

RSVP:  vip@straightforward-design.net

**HAND OF THE DESIGNER – MOLESKINE

INVITATION A MUST – CALL 212-353-1383

Harry Allen Design at Heller Gallery

420 W. 14^th St.

6- 8 p.m.

Harry Allen Design at Ace Hotel

20 W. 29^th St.

9 p.m. – 2 a.m.

Dror

Yigal Azrouel

408 W. 14^th St.

7 – 9 p.m.

Monday, May 17, 2010

**Alessi Takes the Cake” – Meet matali crasset

130 Greene St.

6: 30 – 8 p.m.

RSVP9@BDEONLINE.BIZ

**Artemide – NICE WHITE ICE PARTY

46 Greene St.

6- 9 p.m.

RSVP15@BDEONLINE.BIZ

**Kartell –WELCOME BLACK 2010 ISSUE

39 Greene St.

6 – 9 p.m.

RSVP18@BDEONLINE.BIZ

Fontana Arte

45 Greene St.

6- 9 p.m.

RSVP: info@fontanaartecorp.com

USM-The Architecture of Space

28-30 Greene St.

6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

RSVP: info@us.usm.com

A & D Building

150 E. 58^th Street

6 – 9 p.m.

Pura Vida Book Launch at AFNY

22 W. 21^st St.

6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

By_Lissoni

BY INVITATION ONLY

Salone; Milan 2010

Last month, I traveled to Milan to attend the Salone del Mobile on behalf of our client, Kartell, who was participating in the fair.  The Kartell store in Milan was completely transformed by the creative talent of Tokujin Yoshioka who showed a couture collection of thick transparent pieces made of polycarbonate.  Back at the fair, Kartell showed 16 new striking pieces, all of which were showcased in black [or clear, or grey]. For those who did not make it to Milan, you’ll be able to see many of these items on display at the Kartell New York flagship during ICFF later this month. 

Kartell's "Black is Black" booth at the fair

Tokujin Yoshioka at the Kartell booth

Moleskine, as part of the special exhibition, "The Hand of the Designer”, brought us to Villa Necchi Campiglio, a true highlight. Commissioned in the 1930s by the Necchi Campilglio family, the villa was designed by Piero Portaluppi. Located in the heart of the city, it is considered a masterpiece of Rationalist architecture and also combines elements of Deco style.  Guests are able to walk through the entire villa, all equipped with the original furniture. For design week, Villa Necchi, was one of four house museums that participated in “Unexpected Guests; Yesterday’s houses, today’s design”. Each house had contemporary furniture dispersed in the rooms, illustrating how centuries and styles work together. 

The Villa Necchi from the outside

An ornate doorway in the Villa Necchi

We made it back to New York on the day we were scheduled to depart Italy. For those of you who followed the news of the volcanic cloud of ash wreaking havoc in Europe, you know this was the exception to what was going on all around us.  Of course, the trip back was not easy – we spent several hours on the phone with various travel agents + airlines.  Then we had to find a way to get from Milan to Rome.  At close to midnight, it was too late for a train, rental cars were unavailable, and the hotel concierge said that finding a driver would be impossible.  Beth had the brilliant idea to contact Salvatore, a driver who drove us around one evening during the fair.  Salvatore agreed!  And after an overnight car ride, we made it to Rome just in time for our flight back to NYC.  

--Marlene Capron

10 Questions For...Emanuela Frattini Magnusson, Manu Designer

In anticipation of the upcoming ICFF and Manu's big debut, we asked Emanuela Frattini Magnusson, designer of the newly founded luxury leathergoods line, ten questions about design, inspiration, and...Beyonce? Enjoy, and be sure to check out www.manumanu.com.

1.         Who is your inspiration?

Designing is an act of optimism, believing that it is possible to improve on something. To be inspired I have to be in a certain state of mind, of laying myself open to possibilities that appear. Inspiration can come from a person, from a place or an object, but mostly for me it happens when I travel, when I go outside my area of normal existence. Without actively looking for anything, truly seeing and experiencing new things stays in your subconscious and will surface at the right time.

2.         Who is your favorite designer? Why?

There is so much amazing talent around, difficult to say. I would have to choose both Ettore Sottsass and Tibor Kalman who have been constant role models, for their genuine curiosity and lack of jadedness to the very end of their lives.

3.         Where is your favorite place on earth?

Somewhere warm and on the ocean, Capri, Lamu, the Seychelles, on the right early summer morning the beach of East Hampton….

4.         What words do you try to live by?

Integrity, respect, fairness

5.         If you could choose a different career, what would it be?

I almost went to medical school, I would probably be a pediatrician or a neurologist with a very cool looking office

6.         What is one thing you would like to do before you die?

See the rest of the world and finish reading “Gödel, Escher and Bach” by Daniel Hofstadter

7.         What is the most challenging thing you have ever done?

Raise two happy, independent and very decent human beings

8.         What is your favorite book?

Demian by Hermann Hesse

9.         What is currently playing on your iPod?

Foo Fighters, Beyonce, Sting, Vasco Rossi

10.       What do you wish you had invented?

The Nespresso concept, brilliant. Great product, branding, distribution and execution. …. And Post It notes!

Manu's leather bracelets in spring shades. The bracelets will be on sale at Manu's debut event to benefit design-oriented charities.

And we couldn't resist asking a few more:

11.       What is a skill that you wish you possessed?

To be a fantastic guitar player, classic and rock

12.       What quality do you most admire in others?

Balance

13.       What is your greatest strength?

Focus

14.       What is your greatest fault?

Lack of

15.       If a movie were made of your life, who would play you?

Jodie Foster

16.       What's your favorite color?

It varies depending on many factors: object, geography, season, purpose.

Being in Miami vs New York for example changes things……

Having said all this, right now I love vibrant purple blue.