Personalities of the year – It is not just Time that rewards the “Person of the Year” with a front cover. As the end of the year draws closer, foreign papers are beginning to introduce readers to the various “personalities of 2015”. Amongst the women chosen by the Financial Times magazine, two featured in the edition published on December 11. Samantha Cristoforetti, the astronaut was one – Women of 2015: Samantha Cristoforetti, European Space Agency astronaut* and the other the highly successful author who keeps her real identity well hidden, writing under the pseudonym Elena Ferrante – Women of 2015: Elena Ferrante, writer*. On December 15, Time, however, opted for the “Photo Story” of the year, provided by Italian photographer Alessandro Penso in a story that tells and documents the drama of immigrants heading for Europe – Alessandro Penso is TIME’s Pick for Photo Story of the Year.
Economy – This week’s financial news has mostly been about Mahindra, India’s largest maker of sport utility vehicles and its taking control of Pininfarina, resulting in at least three articles on December 14, including the Washington Post – Indian group Mahindra takes over Pininfarina, the Wall Street Journal – India’s Mahindra Gains Control of Italian Design Firm Pininfarina* and the Financial Times – Mahindra conglomerate snaps up Italian car designer Pininfarina*.
The big names in the world of Italian auto racing always attract much attention abroad and this week, it was Sergio Marchionne’s announcement that Alfa Romeo might return to Formula 1 that sparked interest, with a piece in the Washington Post on December 14 – Fiat Chrysler chief wants to bring Alfa Romeo back to F1.
Other sectors also claimed a share of column inches, with Le Monde, on December 11, writing about energy and Enel’s new “green revolution” – L’italien Enel lance sa révolution verte*, whilst on December 14, Reuters opted for the medical sector in a piece about the Italian multinational, Stevanato and its bid to buy German company Balda – Italy’s Stevanato Group offers to buy Balda for 80 million euros.
The December 11 produced two more financial articles, with the Wall Street Journal writing about the continuing interest investors – Italian included – are showing in Southern European Bonds – Investors Keep Faith in Southern European Bonds*, and Bloomberg reported on the latest signs of recovery in the manufacturing sector – Italian Industrial Production Rises Above Economists’ Estimate.
Style and Luxury – An interview with Italian stylist Giambattista Valli featured in the December 11 edition of Le Monde – Giambattista Valli: “Tout le monde m’a pris pour un fou”* and there was more fashion in the Washington Post on December 14, in a piece about a new line of Ferragamo shoes dedicated to Marilyn Monroe – Ferragamo revisits Marilyn’s pump in capsule collection. Les Echos also published an interview on December 11, although theirs was with Claudio Luti, President of the design company, Kartell – Claudio Luti « La mémoire est la chose la plus importante pour une marque »*, and three days later, Expansion did on piece on why fashion might be a good reason to do an MBA in Milan – Milán: industria y moda.
Whilst on December 16, Le Monde described a walk through the center of Florence that takes in a variety of interesting boutiques – Florence en version confidentielle*, a day later Les Echos ran a feature all about the “luxury food” of the Agroittica Lombarda, Europe’s leading producer of caviar – L’Italie, l’autre pays du caviar*.
*Article available for pay/with registration