The Art of Italy
A vacation in Italy is all well and good, but this fall there’s no need to venture across the Atlantic to experience the country’s style. Instead, how about a trip to Bloomingdale’s? Over the next two months, the From Italy, with Love event will deliver the very best of Italian fashion, design, cuisine, and culture, no customs line required.
Shopping-wise, it’s an embarrassment of riches, including 300 only-at-Bloomingdale’s pieces from brands including Max Mara, Ferragamo, and Valentino. New collections from La DoubleJ, Fendi, Chez Dede and Etro will also drop, alongside highly collectible (and Instagrammable) must-haves from unexpected collaborators such as AC Milano x Off White, Rag & Bone x Lucali, and Kartell x Missoni. Fine-jewelry aficionados should make note of the one-of-a-kind baubles from Crivelli, Marco Bicego, Ippolita, Roberto Coin, and Temple St. Clair.
No conversation about Italian style is complete without a discussion of men’s wear, so Bloomingdale’s will also be celebrating the fine art of tailoring. Knits, shirting, suiting, and accessories have been curated by essential Italian brands such as Canali, Zegna, Armani, Tod’s, Ferragamo, and Peserico. When only a custom fit will do, Isaia’s bespoke made-to-measure service is up to the task. Meanwhile, Bloomingdale’s private label, the Men’s Store, has even more tempting options, using fabrics made in Italy.
Given the Italian expertise in design, Bloomingdale’s has enlisted the fair Salone del Mobile.Milano to create an exhibition and installation, “Italian Design: From Classic to Contemporary.” Curated by the architect Ferruccio Laviani, the project was inspired by Giorgio de Chirico’s metaphysical piazzas, and it will showcase works from 23 Italian brands.
And no celebration of Italy would be complete without an appreciation of its culinary heritage. (And perhaps an espresso from De’Longhi.) Il Mercato, an Italian pantry that will pop up at Bloomingdale’s 59th Street flagship, has curated a robust collection of olive oils, beverages, and all sorts of delicacies. Each Saturday, Bloomingdale’s demo kitchen will host classes on Italian classics such as focaccia, gnocchi, and cannoli.
For the next two months, the prevailing spirit will be la dolce vita, and Bloomingdale’s has big plans to celebrate. Special events, installations, and pop-ups are only part of the fun. Ginori 1735 will use its wallpaper and furnishings to reimagine a space on the seventh floor. Good luck resisting the temptations of the Moncler Customization Station, where shoppers can create and order completely customized pieces. And don’t forget to stock up on the latest sunglasses from Prada and Versace while snapping a picture in a vintage photo booth.
It’s not quite the same as a long weekend on the Amalfi Coast, but rest assured, the From Italy, with Love experience is just as stylish.