A popular Italian in Strasbourg, amongst other places, is, according to the international press, the new President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani. (Financial Times, January 18 – Antonio Tajani elected president of the European Parliament*; the New York Times, January 17 – Tajani Elected President of European Parliament*; Handelsblatt, January 18 – Italien feiert Wahl Antonio Tajanis). Spain’s el Mundo also published a piece about this Italian politician “who is perfectly familiar with all of Europe’s institutions” commenting that he is not only well-respected by his colleagues in the European assembly who elected him to succeed Martin Schulz, he also has many admirers in Spain and in Gijon, for example, in the autonomous region of Asturia a road was named for him in recognition of his success in preventing the closure of a major factory there during his stint as a European Commissioner (January 17 – Antonio Tajani: el ‘mejor comisario español’).
Economy & Finance – The merger between Italy’s Luxottica and France’s Essilor was big news this week, described in major international dailies and various press agencies as “a giant in the eye wear 6 industry”, a “clear market leader” and “excellent news for both companies concerned”. A 46 billion giant was born with del Vecchio family as the major individual shareholder. (Wall Street Journal, January 16 – Luxottica to Merge, Creating $49 Billion Eyewear Giant*; the New York Times, January 16 – Luxottica and Essilor Agree to Merge to Create Eyewear Giant; Reuters, January 16 – Luxottica and Essilor agree 46 billion euro merger to create eyewear giant; Boersen Zeitung, January 16 – Luxottica und Essilor vor Fusion*).
The Financial Times wrote about the expertise of dealmaker Stefano Pessina who heads up the American group Walgreens Boots Alliance and its plans to strengthen its position in China January 15 – Stefano Pessina, Walgreens Boots Alliance, on dealmaking*). Spain’s Expansión ran a piece about the success currently being enjoyed by Ducati, commenting that there is nothing that seems to be able to stop this Italian brand from its continuing growth (January 17 – Otro récord de ventas mundiales de Ducati en 2016) and the Financial Times described in an article the recent agreement between Ferrovie dello Stato italiane to buy out its Greek counterspart TrainOSE (January 17 – Italy’s state railway buys struggling Greek operator).
Fashion – Both Pitti Uomo and then Milan’s Men’s Fashion Week attracted the world’s fashion reporters this week, with the New York Times running a piece with details of all that was revealed in Florence (January 12 – In Florence, It’s All About Pants. Big Pants*) followed by two more featuring Prada and Missoni runway shows in Milan (January 15 – Prada Goes in Search of the Naïve, Missoni Bursts With Color*), and Marni and Ferragamo (January 15 – A Marni Rave, a Ferragamo Reboot*).
Reuters was also showing a keen interest in Men’s Fashion (January 15 – Ferragamo retro-chic and Missoni’s take on Japan at Milan men’s fashion; Zegna’s relaxed, classical-inspired looks open Milan’s men fashion) and then on the “positive” financial position of a brand like Moncler (January 15 – Italy’s Moncler says 2016 ended well, 2017 off to a good start). On the other hand die Zeit chose to focus on the “financial miracle” and “fashion capitalist” that is Brunello Cucinelli (January 16 – der gute Kapitalist).
More fashion articles appeared with the Washington Post featuring Armani (January 17 – Armani as furry wrapper-in-chief for Milan menswear season*) whilst el País explained how the world of Italian fashion has taken to the various social networks to win the hearts and minds of its young fans (Januar 17 – La pasarela de Milán se hace viral).
Tourism – The New York Times was on the Ponte Vecchio in Florence to find out more about the Piccini brothers and their work shop on the bridge that is a veritable symbol of the Tuscan capital (January 14 – The Last Jeweler on the Ponte Vecchio*) and the Wall Street Journal was in Orvieto seeing precisely how one local family had managed to transform an old traditional farmhouse into a luxury villa (January 16 – A Father-Son Renovation in Umbria, Italy).
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