Milan, a key location for fashion, including digital fashion – After the first virtual Fashion Week, “Milan has some reasons to be cheerful,” explains The New York Times (July 17 – Milan Has Some Reasons to Be Cheerfu*l). The main reason is that, with both live and video runways, the city “is reasserting itself as a key location for fashion” (Le Monde, July 20 – Fashion week : Milan en plein renouvellement*). Other articles recount in detail both the offerings of digital platforms (New York Times, July 17 – Zegna, Gucci Rethink Physical Shows From Digital Platforms*), and the experience of those, like Dolce&Gabbana, that have chosen a more traditional presentation, organizing a runway on the campus of Humanitas University, “Italy’s most important medical research centre” (El Mundo/Yo Dona, July 20 – Dolce & Gabbana, firme en su compromiso con la ciencia y la cultura).
The international dailies also cover the attempt to relaunch an international brand by an Italian company: The Wall Street Journal reports on the Giglio Group’s proposal for beefing up Brooks Brothers’ online offerings, giving the brand an “Italian flair” (July 18 – Brooks Brothers’ Latest Suitor Wants to Bring Italian Flair to American Fashion*).
Culture – There are numerous cultural reports. The Financial Times photography special has decided to take a “glorious passage” into the twentieth century through the images of photographer Alberto di Lenardo, that have just been collected in a book (July 18 – Beaches, bars, friends, lovers — a generation in photographs*), while The New York Times visits, on the occasion of its reopening, Magazzino Italian Art, the Hudson Valley exhibition space dedicated to contemporary Italian artists (July 22 – At Magazzino, Social Distancing Devices Vibrate. So Does the Art). The Guardian recounts the discoveries made by a University of Milan-Bicocca study revealing the true causes of Raphael’s death (July 17- Medical error led to painter Raphael’s death, study finds). The British daily also covers literature with Andrea Camilleri’s posthumous novel Riccardino (July 16 – Montalbano returns in Andrea Camilleri’s posthumous novel).
In music, The New York Times recalls the “richly expressive voice of” Gabriella Tucci, the late soprano who sang for “13 consecutive seasons” at the Metropolitan Opera (July 17 – Gabriella Tucci, 90, Dies; Italian Soprano and Met Opera Mainstay*), and reports the decision by the Rome City Council to name its civic Auditorium after Ennio Morricone (July 17 – Rome Renames Music Hall After Oscar-Winner Ennio Morricone*). There is also sports coverage, with a recollection of the life of Giuseppe Ottaviani, “the world’s finest athlete” who, in his old age, held world records in 8 different categories of athletics (July 20 – Muere Giuseppe Ottaviani, el mejor atleta del mundo: campeón hasta los 104 años).
Tourism and gastronomy – In tourism news, Financial Times reports on the most beautiful homes near the “best locations for hiking enthusiasts” in Europe, discussing Portofino and Cala degli Inglesi (July 17 – Walk this way: where to buy property with a trail on your doorstep*) while its How to spend it supplement lists, among the world’s best beach retreats, the Gulf of Policastro, “rich in dramatic coastal towns, pretty fishing villages and spectacular forests” (July 21 – The 13 best beach retreats in the world). Sueddeutsche Zeitung chooses Riviera del Conero, “where the sea meets the mountains” (July 22 – Solo Amore), and presses further south to recommend panzanella with burrata (July 19 – Hochsaison für Brotsalat*). Lastly, The Guardian travels to Morterone, visiting the mountains of Valsassina to celebrate a new birth in Italy’s smallest village (July 21 – Italian village celebrates first birth in eight years).
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