Thu Nov 12, 2009
A Bittersweet Goodbye
Throughout my journey abroad I have be fortunate enough to experience so much. Most of our “adventures” relate to my major, because my major is art. I believe that art is beauty and therefore, everything we have accomplished has been beneficial to me in more ways than one. The past few weeks have been a whirlwind. Looking back I am amazed on how much we have done. This past weekend I had the best time in Amsterdam. I flew with some girls after our fabulous week in Milan. I had a ball in the Van Gogh Museum and my “jaw was dropped” basically the whole time. Van Gogh was brilliant artist. I had the same emotions when I first saw all of Rome’s majestic historical monuments. I still cannot believe that they are still standing even 1000 years later. Now that is good handy work if you ask me!
Me and some girls outside the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.
Just in this past week, we have gone on a field trip with Marco to Anzio, the U.S. Military Cemetery, had a FATASTIC cooking lesson, and went to Napoli. I can honestly say that, yes, it does seem like so much, but to me, it was actually a slow week, but, non the less a great week.
In Naples, pretending to be the statues.
I never thought that this experience would go by so fast. I hate that I am saying “goodbye” to Italy and heading back home. I know that while I have been here I have learned so much. Here are some lessons and advice I have for future students:
1. If there are rats in the palace, do not fret, they will get rid of them, even if it means Cinzia might have to tape a rock so the furry creatures cannot get in.
2. Learn to enjoy the little moments and don’t sweat the small stuff- Remember why you are here and SAVOR every minute…if goes by faster than you can imagine.
3. Get to know everyone. They might help you out in the end. And enjoy your company that you are given. (Think about it you all are together. so make the most of it!)
4. Don’t spend all of your time on facebook and skype. Try to have fun in the Palace with the girls.
5. If you get “flea” bites…DO NOT scratch them! They will scar. ☹
6. Playing a game of spades is always is fun!
7. Plan your meals for the week…and try to find a cooking buddy. (and remember to try to get up and go to the market on Mondays!)
8. Try to get to know the professors. They are a joy to listen to and soak up their knowledge on, well basically, everything. (esp. Mary Lou’s cooking tips)
9. Get a good seat at wine tastings- they are some of the best field trips we do!
10. REMEMBER--- always carry tide to go pens with you. Italian cuisine can be quite sloppy ;) but so delicious!
Me, Danni, Elizabeth and Dr. B in Sicily at a cute store.
I know that I will miss Italy terribly. It is such a bittersweet feeling to leave. I hope that one day I will visit Italy again in my future. However, I know that I will never be able to experience anything quite like what I have in these past three months. Take in all of the beauty especially in the small things, because the small things are in fact what make up the bigger picture! Just immerse yourself in all of the culture and people in Italy, never in a million years will you be able to experience this opportunity again!
Me and Amy in Anzio.
Arrivederci Italy! “You” will always have a special place in my heart and “you” will be severely missed!
Having some fun in the Palace with "Wendy Joanna Chigi the III"!
Tue Nov 10, 2009
One Stop Shop In Milan
I cannot believe our time in Italy is almost coming to an end. We have less than two weeks left until we all go home, back to our family and friends, and go our separate ways. Time really does fly when you are having so much fun. I can’t believe I was lucky enough to experience all these new and amazing opportunities, and on top of that, with such an amazing group of girls. I will be very sad to leave.
This past week, we were fortunate enough to get to spend one night in the beautiful city of Verona and three days in the fashion capital of the world, Milan. :D On Monday, on our way to Verona, we visited a Balsamic Vinegar and a Parmesan cheese production site. Although the sky was filled with rain, we had so much fun getting to taste all the different types of balsamic vinegars. It was also really interesting to learn about the process to create such a high quality, individualistic Balsamic Vinegar. I did not realize how many years the liquid had to sit in different types of wood barrels to produce the unique taste. At the Parmesan Cheese production site, we all loved playing with the calves and cows they use to get milk, which in turn, is produced into their famous Parmesan cheese.
Me playing with the cows
all the Parmesan cheese
On Tuesday, we stopped in Como on our way to Milan to visit the Silk Museum. Being an apparel merchandising major, learning about each step of the silk making process and the machinery used to produce the finished product was so fascinating. I always knew silk was expensive but now I understand why. The museum consisted of all the original machinery and dated back to the very beginning of silk production, so unfortunately we were not allowed to take pictures. Our tour guide explained to us how much precision and time each step requires. My favorite part of the tour was learning about the different ways in which the designed can be printed on the silk and getting to hold an actual cocoon that was spun by a silkworm.
the slates used to make prints on silk
Wednesday, we meet with Massimo Martignono and learned about design and architecture in Milan. It was really neat to look at how Milan is the combination of old and new. I learned how history mixed with modern design gives Milan its uniqueness ad beauty. Although once again our umbrellas were a very important part of our outfits, Massimo showed us around Milan to many examples of his teachings. Even though I am not a art major, Massimo took us to an contemporary art exhibit which really opened my eyes to the concept of self expression. The exhibit consisted of ten artists who each put together a video expressing their perspective or idea of vulnerability. I did not really understand all the videos but I believe that was the point. Self expression is something not everyone will understand. Self expression can not only be seen through contemporary art, but also through fashion. Although some people might not feel the same way, fashion is art, just as much as the ten videos, a way to express yourself.
On Thursday, the fashion majors went on a tour to fashion sites in Milan with Massimo’s colleague. Not sure what we were in store for, we were greatly surprised. Our first stop was to the Martino Midali showroom. His focus is on women’s wear, one line focusing on clothes fitting the body and another more oversized loose fitting clothes. The clothes were gorgeous, and the showroom was so unique with modern fixtures and broken mirrors. Not only did we get to learn about the designer Martino Midali, but we actually got to meet him in the Midali workroom.
The Midali Showroom
Our second stop was a vintage store where we got to look at how they collect old clothing and accessories and remodel them with a modern quality to be sold again. We got to go upstairs to their small showroom and see how they use all different random objects with paint to add a special design to the vintage clothing. It was really neat! Overall my experience in the fashion capital of the world was amazing!
the vintage store showroom
Mon Nov 09, 2009
Diversity is the Name of the Game
One of the main things I have come to appreciate about this program is its diversity, whether it be academic or everyday experience. During my time here I have learned everything from Italian history (pre-Romans to present day), education, culture, language, fashion, to food. A great example would be this past week. On Sunday, November 1st, I was given a chance to attend a music concert in the Palazzo Chigi. As a flutist I have been to and played in several concert halls, but I have never been in a place where the acoustics were so wonderful. The room, rectangular in size, has Baroque paintings on all four walls and a high ceiling made up of wooden beams. Gabriele Pieranunzi, violin, Francesco Fiore, viola, Gabriele Geminiani, cello, made up the "Le Architetture." When they sat down and played the first few notes I was completely enchanted by the sound. It was so clean and pure. They beautifully played Franz Schubert's "Trio in si bemolle maggiore D581", Ernst von Dohnany's "Serenata per violino, viola e violoncello op. 10", and Mozart's "Divertimento in mi vemolle maggiore K563." I had a very enjoyable time hearing the dialog between the instruments and seeing it between the players.
Left to right: Gabriele Geminiani, Francesco Fiore, Me, Gabriele Pieranunzi.
The next day we woke up at the crack of dawn to head up to Northern Italy by bus. On the way to Verona we stopped by a local factory where they produced traditional balsamic vinegar in Modena. "Acetaia del Cristo" was started three generations ago and they have rooms full of wooden barrels to prove it. The oldest barrel of balsamic vinegar that I saw was made in 1875! After a tour of the place we were given a chance to taste it. The traditional balsamic vinegar is put into the same shape of bottle all over the world. The balsamic vinegar needs to be aged at least 12 years before it can be sold. There is no expired date, but we were told not to put it into the refrigerator nor out in the sunlight by a window. During the tasting session were given five different types of traditional balsamic vinegar, three aged over 12 years and two aged over 25 years. To tell truth I hate balsamic vinegar I can't stand the smell or the taste. So when I tried this balsamic vinegar I was completely surprised when I loved it! I even bought a bottle, though it made my wallet cry since it was so expensive.
Wooden traditional balsamic vinegar barrels.
Different traditional balsamic vinegar bottles.
That night we spent the night in Verona. The next rainy morning we visited the Roman Arena which looked like the Coliseum, only a bit smaller. Then we walked through the lovely streets to Romeo and Juliet's balcony. As an English major, I was extremely excited to see the "supposed" balcony. It hung over a small court yard with little shops on all four sides. Before entering the court yard, there was a tunnel and walls were covered in love notes posted (by gum, yuck) by people who had visited the site. We took lots of pictures of the balcony and of us rubbing Juliet's breast, the statue not the real one.
A couple kissing on the balcony.
Elizabeth T. and Me rubbing Juliet's Statue.
We then moved on to Milano, where we learned about fashion and interior design, and how it had developed in the city with Professor Massimo Martignoni. He also took us around Milano, stopping by bars to get a quick espresso. One place he stopped by was "Zucco" with its mosaic tiled walls, which was opened in 1959. It is right next to the entrance of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and faces the Duomo. For the first time I tried the Italian hot chocolate, which is rich, thick and creamy, practically chocolate melted. While there, many of us decided to get hair cuts which all turned out great.
Tomi, Emily, and Me eating dinner after we got our hair cuts.
Within that one week I learned so much about so many different types of disciplines. I believe that is what life is. It isn't just studying one thing but to study many, so we may have a better understanding of things and people. This program may not have a lot to do with my majors, English and Political Science, but as a future novelist I can take all I have experienced and apply it to my life and any novels I write.
The Milan Experience
Because my major is Apparel Merchandising, I knew that traveling to Milan would be one of the most exciting places I would visit while in Italy. We learned a good bit about the modern art and architecture within the city and the contemporary style that is customary among its citizens. On our first day we explored the city with our tour guide, Massimo. He showed us a modern Catholic church that was more simplistic than the baroque and gothic styles we have seen. He explained to us about architecture and its design relating to fashion, as well. I could see what he meant by this; the old churches are more elaborate with frescoes and marbled sculptures, just like the costume at the time was more embellished. The modern church valued the idea of ‘less is more’, which is similar to current clothing styles.
modern Catholic church in Milan.
Massimo also took us to a contemporary art exhibit where I was exposed to an art form I had not yet seen. It was a big warehouse with several large cubes scattered throughout. They had short films being projected on them, all with different themes. For example, one of the videos had a family of hairless cats that were intently watching objects move back and forth, another had guy hiking up a snowy mountain on stilts, and one had the two rappers battling each other. Although I had a hard time understanding the depth behind some of them, I found most of them to be interesting. I feel more enlightened now that I have been exposed to this different kind of art, and I think it will help me accept many things in my future that seem out of the ordinary.
contemporary art exhibit.
On our second day, we were lucky enough to visit a fashion house. They took us to the showroom of Martino Midali, an Italian designer who had his first start with making t-shirts in the 1980’s. He has now expanded his merchandise to a variety of women’s wear with the creation of two different lines, one with more structured styles and the other with oversized looks. His main focus is fitting the woman’s body to its full potential with classic styles that have unique design elements. The clothes were beautiful and the actual showroom interior was amazing! It looked chic and artistic, with handmade light fixtures, broken mirrors, and mummified mannequins.
Danni looking at Midali's collection.
I admired the way Midali presented his entire look, the clothes, the showroom, and himself. He wants to represent the “real woman.” He doesn’t want rail-thin models with unrealistic clothing. Even if being typical designer could have given him more recognition, he chooses to stick with his ideas about fashion. Looking at his line, I found that the simplicity in having good quality fabrics with clean lines makes it easy to love the clothes! That sounds like a no-brainer, but the importance of quality, not just of clothing, but also the integrity of the designer and their line, is key to having success.
Midali's showroom.
Midali's showroom.
Overall the experience in Milan was fabulous. The city is different than any other place in Italy, with a modern edge and fast pace. I feel like I grew a lot from this trip, and I think it showed me a good bit of what to expect in the future when I enter the fashion industry.
Wed Oct 28, 2009
Playing Dress-up Never Gets Old
This week is week nine and I can’t believe how fast time is passing by. Every day I think about how amazing this experience has been and how many awesome friends I have made here!
On Monday, our whole group went to the local elementary and high school. The little kids were so incredibly cute and we watched them do a Halloween crossword puzzle. While watching them work through the puzzle, I was blown away by how smart these kids are. They already knew how to spell words like pencil sharpener and skeleton in English; I found it to be very impressive! At Italian elementary schools, all the girls have to wear pink or purple and the boys have to wear blue. They even wear smocks over their clothing so they do not get dirty. Looking at the little kids though, I noticed that they still had their own little styles. They expressed themselves through different appliqués on their smocks, their hairstyles (one little kid was already gelling his hair and one even had a rat tail), and just by the way they carried themselves. It was so much fun to watch them! At the end of our visit, they got to ask us some questions and were all really eager to talk with us.
Next, we went to the high school and it was a completely different vibe. We arrived right during their break and as all the students walked outside I couldn’t help but to notice what they were wearing. I was really surprised to see that most of the girls and guys were wearing sagged sweatpants with loose fitting shirts. It was very interesting to examine how different their style is from ours. I got to talk with individual students and it was so much fun learning about their culture and what they like to do for fun. I just can’t get over how different schools are here in Italy.
Tuesday, we went to Tirellis Tailor Workshop which is one of the world’s largest theater and cinema costume workshops. This day was probably my favorite school field trip! We walked inside the workshop and I swear it never ended. There were about five different rooms that we got to see and the entire place has about 10,000 costumes overall. I got to see clothes from every era of history and the craftsmanship was truly amazing. Every single item was made by hand and it really just blew my mind. Andrea Sorrento was our guide for the day and he was so much fun! He let us try on multiple costumes and explained each items importance and construction.
Danni trying on a clown costume from an opera!
Margaret wearing a crazy hat
I got to see clothing from many different movies but I definitely have a few favorites. First, I got to see the costumes from Marie Antoinette which were so incredible they even won an Oscar! I asked Andrea what Kirsten Dunst was like to work with and he said she was really nice, simple, and not a diva. That made me really happy because I just love her. Next, I got to see the armor from the movie Troy with Brad Pitt!!! I didn’t actually get to touch anything he wore, but I did get to touch something Orlando Bloom wore so I guess I can die happy. Even more exciting than that, I got to touch James Franco’s costume that he wore in the movie Tristan and Isolde!! Lastly, the most exciting of them all was that I got to see the costumes from the new movie Alice in Wonderland by Tim Burton. The movie has not been released yet but I am already obsessed from the trailers and cannot wait to see it. Did I mention that Johnny Depp was in it?
The Queen of Hearts dress from Alice in Wonderland
It was so much fun looking at all the costumes that celebrities wore but I got to see some history too. Amongst the crazy outfits and brightly colored hats were the uniforms from the original World War II. We even saw a coat that still had the original label on it. I felt so privileged to be touching history first hand. Talking with Andrea and looking at all those fabulous works of art is something that I will never forget!
The whole group at Tirellis!
Today, we went to an Olive Oil factory. At this particular factory, people bring their own olives and pay to have their oil made. We got to learn about all the different steps and processes to make the oil. First, the olives go into this machine that strips them of their branches and leaves. Then, they are washed with water and dumped into a big smasher. All the paste that comes out of that machine gets layered up on woven platters to be pressed. I got the see the oil slowly dripping down into the metal bins where they make sure there are no imperfections. A bunch of the girls even bought some oil there to bring home. The one thing that impressed me most about the factory was that all of the waste from the leftover olives gets turned into material that can be used to heat houses. That is just so environmentally sustainable! Our guide told us that even some animals can eat it as their food.
Olives!
A roomate picture outside the factory
This weekend I am going to Venice and am super excited!Then, right when we get back we are going to Milan so I cannot wait to learn more about fashion!
Tue Oct 27, 2009
"Growth means change and change involves risk, stepping from the known to the unknown." -Author Unknown
Here in Italy we are on our own Grand Tour. Having the chance to see beautiful sites and enjoy exciting cultural experiences forces us to open our minds and grow personally. We have been exposed to new things day after day but in a country and culture across the world from our home. Sometimes in order to truly learn about ourselves we must leave all that is comfortable and "step from the known to the unknown". What a wonderful place Italy is to experience a new world and push yourself to find out who you really are and what you want to become! In our pre-departure class, before we left on this journey, we submitted a Top 10 List. It was to include 10 things we hoped to experience and accomplish through our time studying abroad. It was used as a tool to get us thinking about what we truly wanted to get out of this experience and to mentally prepare us for the attitude we wanted to bring with us. I want to share a few of my Top 10 and the experiences that have come alongside each one during my time here so far.
1. Be able to adapt to any outcome. Enjoy and make the most of each experience even if it doesn't have the outcome I expect or want.
I'm often a perfectionist with high expectations. It is easy for something small and unexpected to happen and put a damper on my trip. I wanted to make sure that during this semester I learned how to adapt to whatever situation is presented. What incredible things can happen when you choose to have this mindset! While visiting Positano we took the ferry to the island of Capri. I went into the day expecting to walk around the town of Capri and shop and was prepared for little else. When we first got there we found out that we could go out and swim in the grattos and see some of the sites by boat. I didn't have a swimsuit or anything for a day out on the water. My immediate thought was, "This isn't what I planned on doing today and I don't even have any of the things I need." Then I caught myself and told myself to go with the flow and seize the day! I ended up going in a store, getting a swimsuit, and hopping on a boat! By going with the flow and adapting quickly I ended up having one of the best days of my life on a private boat and swimming in the incredibly breathtaking waters of Capri!
On our boat on the beautiful waters in Capri!
2. Learn the history and stories behind each place I visit. I don't want to see just beautiful buildings and sites. I want to know their history and significance which will make them even more beautiful to see and explore.
As students here in Ariccia we have the wonderful opportunity to learn from Italians who have an incredible wealth of knowledge. Before each trip we take we always have lectures that help us understand the history, significance, and details of what we will be seeing and experiencing. From Roman architecture to famous works of art, we hear all of the details that enhance our visual experience and understanding of what we are seeing. We also get to take part in the teaching process. For certain sites we are asked to research and give a presentation on an important topic. This allows us to gain even more knowledge about a subject that we are seeing and be able to share the information that we have learned with the rest of the group. I have never left a place not knowing what a great role it plays in the past, present, and future of Italy.
About to give my presentation on Piazza di Spagna in front of the Spanish steps.
3. Always attempt to converse in Italian with locals. I am in another country and in another culture and I should never expect them to conform to mine, including language.
What a learning experience it has been stepping into a culture that speaks another language. Hardly anyone in Ariccia knows very much English so it is one of the best ways to be completely submersed in the language. The more you try the better you get and the more you try the more likely someone is to help you in any way they can! Most Italians love for you to give your best attempt at speaking the language and are quick to help you learn. During one of our first weeks we went to a market in Campo di Fiori. I had a ring made by an older Italian man who knew no English. I knew barely any Italian but I smiled big and tried my best and as you can see in the photo below we ended up becoming pals! I have definetly learned that you can communicate so much, not just by a few words, but by a smile and a good attitude. It can get you very far and can also get you a new friend - even if you can't understand a word they are saying!
My ring maker and new friend! What a character.
4. Soak up the fashion of Italy and have a better understanding of global fashion for my future career.
Fashion is everywhere in Italy. It is one of the fashion capitols of the world! As a group we have visited the Capucci and Ferragamo Museums as well as a costume warehouse that is home to many famous costumes designed for film and operas. We also will be taking a week long trip to Milan where we will be exposed to even more elements of fashion in Italy that are located specifically in Milan. One of the best ways to experience fashion in Italy is through the people on the streets. Which makes sense because they are the consumers of the fabulous Italian fashion masterminds. The Italians have such a wonderful sense of fashion that carries an attitude of its own. They are all about aesthetics and making one's body look its best. It is such a learning experience just watching the people on the streets such as the couple in one of the photos below. I enjoy comparing the street fashion of consumers here to that of the other countries that I have seen and think it will be a great knowledge to have for my future career in the fashion business.
Studying the dresses at the Capucci Museum.
Fashionable Italian couple strolling the piazza.
There are six others on my Top 10 that are just as vital to my experience, but these four are a good taste of what I have been fed here on this journey so far. The attitude that I have chosen to have, the things I have seen, the people I have met have all pushed me to find out who I am and to grow personally in character and knowledge. I am so glad that I have chosen to take the risk and stepped into the unknown. The experience has produced nothing but growth and everything I have learned will overflow into the future I have ahead of me!
Sun Oct 25, 2009
"La Fabbricazione Belle Memorie"
La fabbricazione belle memorie-making of beautiful memories. This is the best way I can put my experience thus far into words. I can’t believe we are starting our ninth week here in Italy. We have already seen so much in such little time. Last week was a busy week with everyone returning from break and getting back into school mode. Specifically, Thursday was a great day, we started out the day early with, Giardini di Ninfa, or Ninfa Gardens. Ninfa was a considerably large town dating back to the Romans. During the Middle Ages, Ninfa was taken over by Malaria and soon abandoned. In the twentieth century Ninfa was transformed into a botanical garden. It is a very beautiful place eventhough it was pouring rain our whole visit. There are all kinds of plants, trees, and a community of ducks.
The Ninfa Gardens
After the Ninfa Gardens we went to a wine tasting at Marco Carpineti wine farm. Our group always loves the wine tastings. We learn so much about each wine and learn the process of the wine being made. First, we toured the winery. It is a very interesting process which goes through many steps before the final product of delicious Italian wine. Once the tour was over we had the tasting and lunch. We had so much food! We had tomatoes and mozzarella, porchetta, salami, bread, bruschetta, and many other antipastos followed with pasta and dessert. We tasted red, white, and Rosae wine. All three had their own distinctive taste. We also got a dessert wine that was very good and strong! Once the tasting was over we headed back to the palace and all took naps for the rest of the day. Overall a great Italian day!
The three wines we tasted!
For the weekend we headed to Sicily. It was a rough weekend. It rained all weekend while we were there. Once we arrived our main priority was to find food. However, the only place we could find lunch was the same place we had dinner; we didn’t mind because it was very good. Our hotel room was awesome so we took refuge there and in a cafe. Saturday morning we went up the mountain to a little town called Erice. It is a medieval town overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. We bought playing cards at a tabachhi and headed to a café where we sat for two hours playing different card games. The weekend consisted of eating, drinking wine, cards, and lots of laughs. What we thought would be a crummy rainy weekend ended up being a weekend of us all hanging out and enjoying one another.
Some of the girls playing cards in the cafe.
Now, we are back at the palace and ready for another week of school. I am especially excited about the next two weeks because we are studying fashion! Tuesday we are going to Tirelli’s tailor workshop, which is one of the world’s largest theater and cinema costume workshops then Wednesday we have a fashion seminar with costume designer Andrea Sorrentino. After that we head to Milan for week ten- fashion capital of the world! I am very excited to learn all about my major and what Italy has to offer in my field. Thus far I have seen the differences in fashion between London, Paris, and Italy, but I am anxious to learn more about present Italian fashion. Well, I’m off to start week nine!!
Tue Oct 20, 2009
From Comedy to Chocolate Inspired Dresses!
I'm sitting in my bed right now, thinking about all the wonderful and amazing things that I have done so far. It is still hard for me to believe that I am actually in Italy! I have learned so much here from history, to art, to fashion, and I have even learned more about myself and what I want to do with my life. Living with 19 other girls has definitly been an experience I will never forget. I have met so many life long friends here that I will keep in touch with even after college. I cannot believe that I am back from the midterm break! I went to London and Paris for my break, but first I want to talk about our Independent service activity we had to do.
The Monday before our break, Katie, Danni, Sarah Gruber, and I had to measure out and take pictures of Marian Berry's evening gowns. Kimberly did an awesome job of taking the pictures of all the dresses. All of them were so beautiful and unique! Marian Berry is the mother of the last Chigi Prince, Agostino. She was an American who was from Georgia. Our descriptions and photos will be in a catalog that will display the clothing from the Chigi Palace that we are staying at here in Ariccia. Her dresses are from the 1930s and 1940s. It was definitly a privilege to be able to study Marian Berry’s clothing. They were awesome, and I love the fashion from the 1940s!
My favorite Marian Berry dress! I thought it was very unique and elegant!
During our midterm break, I went to London with Danni, Amy, Ellen, Claire, Margaret, Lauren, and Elizabeth. I loved London! I really want to move there after I graduate. It was an amazing city full of so much to do! The Saturday we were there, Amy, Lauren, Danni, Margaret and I went to the Comedy Store at the midnight showing. It was really funny. I had never been to a stand-up comedy show before, and we were sitting right in the middle in the very front row. The comedian asked if there was anyone that lived outside of Europe. Since we were from Alabama, we were the main joke for the rest of the night—especially Danni.
Me and Amy before the Comedy Started!
We also saw Wicked the musical on the last night, and it was amazing! My favorite song ever is from the musical—"For Good". While I was in London, I also ran into one of my friends from high school, Stephen Coady, who also goes to Auburn and is studying abroad in Italy through a different program. It was pretty cool that we happened to be in London at the same time.
When we were on our way to a park in London, we saw some really unique window displays for some of the stores there. Since my major is apparel merchandising, I noticed these uniquely designed and trendy displays. I also took visual merchandising this past Spring and loved it. I would not mind being a visual merchandiser myself, so I really enjoyed looking at the beautiful window displays. I could have spent an entire day looking at them if I had time! I got to see how they used different techniques to catch the viewer's eye. Seeing these displays will definatel help me in the future when I have to make displays of my own!
An awesome window display in London
On Tuesday, Margaret, Lauren, Amy and I went to Paris. It is very beautiful. On Wednesday Lauren, Amy, and I went on a segway tour throughout Paris. I will always remember that tour. It was definitely a fun experience. I am officially a pro at the segway.
Lauren, Amy, and I on our fabulous segways!
We also went to the top of the Eiffel Tower. It was very cold, very beatiful, and very high. However, one of my favorite things that we did in Paris was the Chocolate Festival. It was 12 Euros, but there was a ton of chocolate! And free samples! They also had a fashion show there. I was really excited when I saw these girls on the runway, with gorgeous chocolate inspired dresses on and throwing chocolates into the audience. I love this part about fashion. It can be inspired by anything at all. I got to see upclose how the designers of these dresses incorporated their point of view of chocolate into these unique dresses.
My favorite chocolate inspired dress!
Marian Berry's dresses and the chocolate inspired dresses have helped me understand the art of fashion. Therefore helping me to be a better apparel merchandiser, and have a better perspective for my field of study.
Wed Oct 07, 2009
Half-Way There!
I am living on more than just a prayer here in Italy, I have pizza, pasta, and gelato to keep me going. We are half way into the semester, with the mid-term break right around the corner! I have so enjoyed everything about this experience so far, the culture, the fashion, the food, the classes, the art, the friendships; it has all been worth the while! I will admit that I was nervous about spending 12 weeks in another country with girls I have never met, but this experience has brought so much personal growth to my life.
Roommate picture in Pisa!!
I think my favorite week so far has been Week 5, Toscana. I absolutely loved Florence, and Siena was equally as amazing! There were so many places to see and shop! We went to a leather school, it was so incredible to watch these artists and designers at work on hand-made items. I was so impressed with their talent. The Accademia and Uffizi were so wonderful to visit, I love sculptures and they were plentiful in these places.
At the Leather School--she is handmaking an ostrich bag.
For our practicum placements, the apparel majors got to catalog garments that belonged to Princess Marian Barry. We took measurements, wrote descriptions and the conditions of the garments, and took pictures of each piece. There were so many beautiful pieces!! I wish I could have tried them on. I feel like applied so much that I learned from Fundamentals of Product Development. I was in charge of photographing the garments and helping dictate the descriptions.
This is one of the garments belonging to Princess Berry.
As an Apparel Merchandising major, I feel as though I have learned so much about fashion in Italy. Each individual possess their own personal style and bringing a confidence with it. It is all very different from anything in the U.S. In Italy, fashion is an aspect of life that people are proud of, not something they are intimidated by. I think at times people in the U.S. are afraid to create and claim their own personal style so they stick to the status quo. Not here! Italians are adventurous and try new things even if it attracts more attention. Brava to them!! Another thing I have noticed, are the amazing window displays. Whether it is Prada or H&M, the visual merchandising works as a beautiful invitation, beckoning you to take a closer look at the newest trends. I am so anxious to apply what I have learned here, when I return home! 
One of the many beautiful pieces of art at the Capucci Museum.
Tue Oct 06, 2009
Sienna, Florence, and Cinque Terre, OH MY!
This week we learned all about Tuscany, a region in Northern Italy known for its grapes and olives, beautiful views, and its rich history in art. This week we had our first week-long field trip. We saw so much including, San Gimigano, Volterra, Siena, Florence, and Cinque Terre. The main focus of this trip was wine and food, as well as art.
First we visited the small town of San Gimigano. It is situated on top of a hill, and is the quintessential small Tuscan town. It was built with a medieval wall surrounding it. While there we had some free time and a few of the girls and I chose to visit a medieval torture museum. It was quite an experience with to scale models of torture devices. We all left a little woosy, but it was something different and interesting.
Some of us at the Torture Museum
Next we went to do a wine tasting in a small town outside of Siena. We learned all about the production of wine. Things like what is the difference between table wine and a D.O.C.C. wine. (Table wine is not certified, it is usually several wines combined, so it can be just as tasty as a D.O.C.C. wine.) We also got to taste the local Ciante, which is made from four different kinds of grapes. We learned to tilt, swirl, and smell wine before we drink it to make sure that it is up to par. Then we got the chance to buy some of the delicious, and inexpensive wine to take home.
Amy and I at the Vineyard!
Next was a stop in the small town of Volterra, which is now most known for being the location of Stephanie Myers’ ruling league of vampires, the Volturie. While here we got a small tour of the town, and learned all about its history of opposition to the Florentines.
At the end of a long day we finally arrived in Siena. The next morning we did a walking tour of Siena with Cinzia. We saw all of the main sights including the Plaza de Campo, where the Palio takes place, and the beautiful Duomo.
Next we were off to Florence. We got there at night and had an amazing group dinner. The next morning we started by seeing the Duomo of Florence. It was huge! Then we were off to see the Capucci museum. This was a great break for the fashion students from all the history we had been seeing the whole trip. They were all so excited to see the beautiful pieces of fashion art that Capucci had designed. Next it was off to the Accademia to see the breath-taking David. Walking down the long hall to see the massive statue, there are several unfinished statues of Michelangelo’s. They look as if they are trying to escape the marble they are being carved out of. This is a best way to understand the process which makes Michelangelo unique as a sculptor. He is the only sculptor that does not use points of reference in his work, he has a vision, and simply uses that to carve his statues. At fourteen feet tall the David is a massive display of this genius. The thing I was most amazed by was the detail Michelangelo used in the carving of this huge statue. Even the hands of David had veins in them. To me, the David was awe-inspiring, I could have stayed and studied him for hours. After the Accademia we went the Salvatore Ferragamo museum and got to see his classic hand made shoes.
The whole group in front of the replica of Michelangelo's David
Some of the girls outside of the Duomo in Florence
Our second day in Florence was just as busy. We woke up and went to the Uffizi. It was incredibly crowded, but it was filled with amazing pieces of art from the Medici family’s collection. We saw pieces from Botecceli, Da Vinci, Michelangelo, and many other Renaissance artists. Then we were off to the leather market. A kind of web-like structure, the leather market is filled with hundreds of vendors selling all kinds of leather products. For nineteen girls it was heaven on earth. After having some time to shop, we went to a leather school to see how all of these leather goods were made. They also taught us how to know the difference between good leather and bad leather. After our trip to the leather school we had a hectic trip across the city of Florence. Led by Cinzia, eighteen of us ran across the city to catch our train to Cinque Terre. I am sure we were quite the sight with our rolling suitcases running across the city.
After our train ride we were in Cinque Terre, a group of small cliff towns overlooking the Mediterranean. It is known for its hiking trails, and bright and early on Friday morning we began to hike with our guide Marco. The first day we went up a mountain that looked across at the Cinque Terre. Although the views were beautiful, as an asthmatic that does not hike, I found this hike to be a little intense, but the views were amazing, and I think we were all proud of ourselves for making it to the end. The next day we hiked the towns. For me this was much easier, and the views were amazing. The towns of Cinque Terre appear to just flow out of the sides of mountains.
Margret and I in beautiful Cinque Terre
The next morning we got back on the bus and made the long trip home. I don’t think that any of us have ever been so happy to see the palace.
This week was incredible for me as a history major. I got to see so many amazing things in Florence that I have been studying for so long. It was also amazing to see the small towns that were built in the middle ages. As an American it is hard to imagine that some of these towns have been here for hundreds of years, but to see them is spectacular. They are filled with hundreds of year’s worth of history, and they are so well preserved that it is easy for anyone to understand the way life was in the past. Seeing the art in Florence was also amazing. I have spent so much time looking at these pieces in History books, I never imagined how spectacular seeing these pieces in real life could be, and it was amazing. As I look back at my time in Italy this week is going to be one that will immediately jump to my mind.