Salvatore Ferragamo at Fashion week

Next summer brings back the bold tropical prints, animal patterns and floral designs. Satin and chiffon fabrics, bright colors, pleated skirts and knee-length hemlines were the favorite of the Milan fashion designers who showcased their collection in the recently held Milan Fashion week. Salvatore Ferragamo dresses were in beautiful colours and tropical themes, Moschino’s Cheap & Chic were fruity and fun.

Soft tailoring and shimmering gowns in a muted metallic palette dazzled at the Giorgio Armani show. Breathtakingly glamourous… Bar Refaeli and Kylie both attended Giorgio Armani’s show.

Scarlett Johansson sat in the front row at the Dolce & Gabbana show, wearing her trademark red lipstick and a stunning lace dress. Dolce & Gabbana surprised everybody by calling it a day for it’s younger brand D&G, they want to give strength and energy to their main brand. Further gossip … Anna Wintour called for a revolution to tip Italian prime minister Berlusconi off his political perch….and Versace shows off the new collection for H&M, check out affordable Versace in the shops in Spring.

Giorgio Armani Milan

Giorgio Armani Milan

Dolce & Gabbana Milan Fashion Week

“All my life I worked very, very hard and I didn’t have any other idea than to make women look sensational,” he told The Associated Press before the event.

Designer Diane von Furstenberg and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour flanked Valentino during the presentation. Von Furstenberg described him as “divine.” ”He’s a wonderful person and he’s so warm and so generous,” she said of her longtime friend.

Wintour became uncharacteristically emotional while presenting the award in front of an audience of fashion insiders. Noting his longtime commitment to charity work with HIV/AIDS, animals and senior citizens organizations, Wintour told the crowd that Valentino is much more than his flashy lifestyle, lavish homes and “pampered pugs.” ”His greatest acts tend to go unseen,” said Wintour.

“If there should be one ‘Grand Couturier’ in Italy, it will only and forever be him,” said Karl Lagerfeld, last year’s recipient, in a letter read during the luncheon.

After 45 years of dressing royalty and Hollywood’s most glamorous starlets — including Anne Hathaway’s red-carpet Oscars gown earlier this year — Valentino may not be ready to bow out of spotlight just yet. Following the success of the 2009 documentary on his life, “Valentino: The Last Emperor,” there are talks of a musical. While nothing has been confirmed, he says he’d “be delighted” to see his life in song and dance.

Keeping busy, said Valentino, “keeps me in a very good mood and alive.”

Words by Nicole Evatt

Valentino Scarf from Selandari's Italian Collection £110

Be quick to buy one of our limited edition Valentino Men’s scarves for winter luxury. Ample in size and all wool with ‘Valentino’ calligraphy design they measure 38 x 180 cm. Other designs in grey, brown and black & grey.

Valentino Mens Scarf - luxury size 100% wool £110

Morellato Elegant watch from Selandari's

One of Italy’s elite designers of jewellery and watches, Morellato is a fashion favourite. Recognised for their sexiness and sophistication associated with the passionate mediterranean country, Morellato was founded in Italy in 1930. They originally made watch straps but have grown to offer not only leather goods but also jewellery, some now designed by Jade Jagger.
Selandari’s Italian Collection have some wonderful pieces in store, watches and keyrings and coming soon, watch straps in fine Italian leather. Morellato watches at an original price of 118 euros can be found at just £65, with mother of pearl face and crystals in the case, with white leather strap or black, just right for that touch of elegance and luxury. My personal favourite is the exquisite riding boot keyring with diamante studded top.

Must have... Morellato Riding Boot Keyring

Not just top for fashion … Trip advisor has recently voted Italy as the TOP destination for food and wine, no surprise there !  It must seem funny to Italians that locally grown food is trendy, because they’ve been eating it for centuries. The ingredients may be simple—extra-virgin olive oil, fresh tomatoes, pecorino cheese, herbs etc. Wines (e.g., Chianti, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and the dessert wine Vin Santo) are equally excellent. (Trip Advisor 2011). Why not come over to Marche, we can advise you on where to stay.

Selandari’s Italian Collection have Roberto Cavalli Scarves designed with his signature Leopard prints have just arrived in store, perfect gifts for the glamorous. 70 x 70 cm in silk chiffon

Roberto Cavalli Silk Scarf available at Selandari's

Be quick to buy Cavalli scarves in white or black - limited stock

Fendi Watch with a big discount

Fendi, the Italian luxury fashion house started in Rome in 1925 as a leather shop, but today is a multinational luxury goods brand with Karl Lagerfeld as creative director. When you are next in Rome take a look inside the Palazzo of Fendi in Largo Goldoni (at the crossroads between Via Condotti and Via del Corso). Fendi occupies the entire 19th-century Palazzo, Fendi’s biggest store in the world.

The fashion architect Peter Marino has created a store with tradition combined with futuristic touches, like the digital waterfall with logos, and video projections and a spectacular crystal lamp. At Christmas time the outside of the store is wrapped in an enormous belt of lights, with the famous Fendi buckle.

Here at Selandari’s Italian Collection we are thrilled to have this elegant Fendi timepiece with black face, and famous buckle-shaped case on offer with a £200 discount. Here’s the link

They have created a make-up range, including bronzer and lipstick with the feline touch.


 Animal prints, or animalier, have created a sort unexpected expectation in the fashion world. We are forever drawn to leopard prints, and Divas from the silver screen to today, including Katy Perry, Eva Mendes and Scarlett Johansen all know how to rock an Animalier!

Work your animal magic this summer on the beach – Selandari’s Italian Collection have Dolce & Gabbana bikinis in leopard and cheetah prints in store. Purr -fect with over £60 discount from shop price, but be quick as there is limited supply.

D&G Leopard Print Bikini £87.00

D&G Cheetah Print Bikini £87

Get the Italian look this Summer with designer shades from Selandari’s Italian Collection. Hand-picked styles at DISCOUNTED PRICES  from Emporio Armani, Just Cavalli, Roberto Cavalli and Dsquared2 have just arrived in the store. It’s part of the secret to Italian style – having a great pair of sunglasses. Italians wear them all the time, sun or no sun, team up with a great pair of shoes, an Italian handbag, and you can make a statement even dressed down. Our Italian Collection has a few pairs at discounted prices so be quick to snap up a bargain.

You want to consider your build when you’re choosing your glasses. A heavier or bolder frame is going to be better for somebody with larger features, or a larger build. If you are more petite or delicately featured, then you want to go with some thing that’s a little bit more dainty and small in its appearance. Even with fashion, it’s still more important to choose what works with your coloring, with your features, with the shape of your face. So, one last thing that you want to think about in terms of your personal style, do you consider yourself more classic, more feminine, more sporty, more dramatic, think about the kinds of clothing that you choose, and go in the same direction with your glasses to capture your personality. Here’s the link to our Sunglasses in the store

Our Father who art in Fashion...

Armani, who owns a luxury estate on the tiny Italian island and has been holidaying there for more than 37 years, created four silk robes for the ministers of the new church in green, white, red and purple.
The high-priest said the stylish new pulpit looks – although popular with female churchgoers – were not a fashion statement nor did he intend to turn the altar into a catwalk. ”This is not all about having brands in church or indulging in the fashion of the moment, but about wearing something beautiful to give glory to God,”
Father Mogavero said. ”I asked him [Armani] for the vestments as a gift to the new church, to create something beautiful, original and with themes reflecting the island,” he added. ”I will see him this summer and I’ll have the opportunity to thank him personally.”

By Jenna Clarke

Bella Roma has 3 main streets for the glamourous fashion lover. Via Condotti, Via Borgognona and Via Frattina. We begin our tour at the historic and magnificent Spanish Steps, where you can find the popular ‘Made in Italy’ labels, Dolce and Gabbana, Just Cavalli and Missoni. Our shopping streets are all in this area, and run from Via del Corso up towards Piazza di Spagna.

Depending on which way you have taken these streets, when you find yourself back at the Piazza di Spagna region walk a short distance to the Piazza Mignanelli and see the Palazzo of fashion legend Valentino, look for the ‘V’ logo on the facade. Whilst you are here find a fabulous boutique that I always visit in this piazza, it’s hidden under the arch to the right of Valentino’s palazzo at Piazza Mignanelli 23, Emporio Blunauta, although there are other Blunauta shops in the streets already mentioned I always find some lovely bargains here in silk, velvet and cashmere.