Work in progress. -Style is also interpretation, expression of identity and personality. And fashion is desire of new, of “not seen yet”, maybe funny. A kind of game that, if played with intelligence, makes the daily routine of getting dressed more enjoyable-. Words by Giorgio Re, expert in history of fashion and writer of the column “Ieri & Oggi” (Yesterday & Today), very appreciated appointment on Style Magazine, that talks to those interested in this subject. But not only. Some suggestions are useful for everyone. Among the macro-trends there’s a hidden trend, not so showy. The author is Tomas Maier, that celebrates the 50 years of Bottega Veneta and 15 years as its creative director with this collection. The s/s 2017 explores the 30s and the 40s, concentrating on the worksuits used in those years. And he matches them with clothes printed with geometrical patterns with optical or camouflage effect. The wide volumes don’t leave doubts: this is a style for few.

The bridge dedicated to PPP. Ariola is a district of Gerocarne, in the province of Vibo Valentia, in Calabria, with 500 inhabitants in 1960. That year, a certain writer and director that made history arrived thereabouts: Pier Paolo Pasolini. He started the research for the location of “The Gospel according to St. Matthew”, 4 years before the first action. At that time, Ariola could be reached only with a mule track: Pasolini promised to contribute to the building of a bridge, in order to make the life of the inhabitants easier (today they’re around two hundred). The bridge was built and the director kept in touch with a family living there through letters: that, unfortunately, were lost during the emigrations in the following years. In that small town there are four workshops of ceramists that, probably, wouldn’t have existed without that bridge. 57 years later- maybe a little too late- in march, the bridge was dedicated to Pier Paolo Pasolini.

Travelling with fashion. “The only rule of travel is: don’t come back the way you went. Come back changed.” says Anne Carson. If it’s adventurous and includes exotic places and countries, the travel can change our habits. And eradicate the occidental materialism. Off course, we’re talking about fashion, and fashion – probably – doesn’t interest Anne Carson, one of the main canadian poets and essayists. But fashion has almost ever inputs coming from art, literature, different ethnic groups. Basically, the travel clothing doesn’t exist anymore, since when it’s an inspiration for the creation of new collections. And it’s a mix: of military, sporty, technical fabrics and even trekking accessories, as seen at Prada’s, emblematic and excellent example. My suggestion is, as always: don’t repeat the styling you see on the catwalks, that are a form of spectacularization of fashion. But tone the strongest pieces down with something more classic.

That rétro touch. Without harking back to the same movies, those sporty-stylish cult-movies like the much-mentioned Chariots of Fire that made our Milena Canonero win the Academy Award for Costume Design, today we can reinterpret that college/preppy vintage taste with a modern aesthetic language. It’s possible thanks to the prompts coming from many designers, able to mix an actual feeling with a retro mood loved by anyone, less and very young. The basis to reach a pleasant and convincing styling, consists in knowing how to match with the right balance the Old with the New. How? For example using accessories bought in second-hand shops. That’s the secret. Be cool and modern but softening the potential overstatement of the clothes with linen socks, watches, rings and shoes in The Great Gatsby‘s style. Just to mention another much-mentioned movie, sometimes improperly. But not this time.

Champions in style. Muscles and brain. Brain and muscles. Talent, exorbitant fees. Sportsmen like Hollywood stars; only footballers in the past, all the athletes today. Fashion chases them, and sportswear has been an important reference point for decades, particularly for menswear: today this relationship is more delimited on mensfashion. There are lots of collections oriented towards a combination of sport and luxury. From easy-wear to “for few”-wear. They are very expensive items. And if the trend will stop? Don’t worry, it will last for long. The choice is up to you.