Fashion & Design claimed the lion’s share of articles written in the foreign press about all things Italian this week. The men’s fashion catwalk shows in Milan were the subject that most interested the US papers that wrote about Gucci’s “decisive” style choices (The New York Times, February 20 – Gucci Puts on Masquerade Catwalk as Milan Fashion Week Opens*; Washington Post February 20 – Gucci unmasks a harder, more masculine collection*). The New York Times also ran a piece about the return of Fendi’s “baguette” in which several of the label’s more famous customers explained what it is that makes this handbag so unique (February 20 – Me & My Baguette*).
Le Monde ran an article about the international growth of made in Italy labels such as Missoni, in the fashion sector, and Cassina and De Padova in the design sector that have, with their new shops and innovative collections – managed to take Paris by storm (February 19 – L’Italie du design parade à Paris*).
Italians heading up some of the world’s biggest labels in the fashion world also got a mention this week, with an interview with Riccardo Tisci who is Burberry’s new creative director (Le Monde, February 20 – Riccardo Tisci : « J’ai choisi de montrer une version plus romantique de Burberry »*) whilst Yves Saint-Laurent’s CEO, Francesca Belletini, and her joy at the group’s record sales and profits featured in another article (Financial Times, February 15 – Francesca Bellettini — a star at Saint Laurent*). ***
Economy – News of Ferrero’s success made it into the financial pages of the foreign press this week, with an article about its revenues reaching 12 billion dollars (The New York Times, February, 20 – Revenue at Nutella Maker Ferrero Reaches $12 Billion After Nestle Acquisition*) whereas it was Eni’s record profits that featured in another article (Financial Times, February 15 – Record oil output powers Eni to almost double operating profit*).
Another Italian group, Sia, and its plans to grow on an international level also got mention (The New York Times, February 20 – Italian Payment Services Group SIA May List on Stock Market-CEO*).
Tourism, Food & Wine –The New York Times Style Magazine provided readers with suggestions as to some of the best places to relax and unwind in Milan (February 20 – T’s Wellness Guide to Milan) while Verona was named as one of the most attractive destinations that can be reached with a direct flight from Spain (El Mundo, February 19 – De Verona a Funchal: 12 destinos que estrenan vuelo directo desde España). Another Spanish daily, El País, was in Florence to take a look at some of the city’s “hidden treasures”, such as San Miniato al Monte and the convent of San Marco (February 20 – Los tesoros desconocidos de Florencia).Then, whilst the New York Times was taking a trip to check out villas for sale in Apulia – a region particularly appealing for anyone looking to buy a vacation home in Italy (February 20 – House Hunting in … Italy*) the Wall Street Journal was in the Valtellina district and the hidden valley where some remarkable wines are being produced in particularly adverse conditions (February 20 – The Hidden Valley in the Italian Alps Where Winemakers Are Working Against Nature*).
Next up is the article in Die Welt that was in Cannero on Lake Maggiore in search of a land “full of the scents of the Mediterranean” thanks to the extensive lemon groves there (February 21- Im Frühling strahlen die Früchte am Lago Maggiore). Der Standard chose to write about a Neapolitan pasta dish “alla genovese” that is often described as the South’s answer to a Bolognese (February 17 – La Genovese: Die Bolognese des Südens). The same Austrian daily also dedicated an article to a very northern dish – a beef stew cooked with Barolo wine (February 19 – Brasato al Barolo: Der König unter den Rindsbraten).
Sport – Motor racing news occupied more than a few column inches this week, with Alfa Romeo’s return to the Gran Prix circuit (February 18 in the New York Times – Alfa Romeo Unveils Formula 1 Car for New Season and Echos – F1: Alfa Romeo (ex-Sauber), dernière écurie à dévoiler sa monopole) although it was one of its competitors, Ferrari, celebrating its 90 years of existence with a car “designed with winning in mind” that featured in another article (Les Echos, February 15 – F1: Ferrari présente la SF90, pour ses 90 ans et pour gagner; l’Orient le Jour February 16 – Ferrari : une évolution, pas une révolution).
*Article available for pay / at registration