High Heels may improve your sex life

A study by Maria Cerutti of the University of Verona caught my attention. Without a doubt I have a weak spot for spikes. Interestingly this study has been picked up by numerous worldwide news agencies in conjunction with a series on the lack of passion in couples married more than five years. I guess the news agencies see spikes like I do. They are great for the mental part of any relationship. Apparently high heels not only lengthen the natural lines and curves of the female figure but also provide significant physical benefits for the couples sexual pleasure. Ms. Cerutti takes psychological preferences to a scientific level.

When asked why this scientist would dedicate time and resources to study the sexual byproducts of high heels Ms. Cerutti explained, “I love high heels and I wanted to find something positive about them. I was pleased to discover that high heels provided beneficial effects on the pelvic muscles.”

The study included 66 women under 50. The electrical production of various muscles was measured while walking with various types of shoes and different heights of heels. Heels, 3 inches and higher, produced a 15% increase in muscle strength. Many women practice muscular contractions of the pelvic muscles. Wearing a pair of high heels could produce much better and uniform results.

I find it interesting that Ms. Cerutti found a way to prove what I already knew in my subconscious. Women who wear high heels are better lovers. Viva Le Donne!

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Women’s Accessories Fall/Winter 2007/2008 Italian Shoes – The Flying Wedge

We have seen the sexy boots and the Retro Peter Pan boots for the Women’s Fall/Winter 2007/2008 scene. The Décolleté fills the largest segment of the market. The 70s theme finds its way into this year’s design. The platform, or wedge, is the protagonist. These shoes are more comfortable than spikes and women who cannot walk on high, elevated heels can shuffle around on the wedge. The wedge usually includes a platform giving an extra inch or so to even the shortest of legs. All this said when I see them I keep expecting a jet engine to fire up and to see these babies take flight pulling the unsuspecting passenger flopping into the air.

Wedges are too heavy. They may be light as a feather but they seem to increase the mass of the foot destroying the perfect balance of the female body. Alas, they are the latest thing. Women are already clumping down the streets of Milan. Fratelli Rossetti makes the platform wedge in the lead photo. Suede is very big both in the wedges and tradition spikes this year. He adds a neatly pressed bow and bright colors. They can be found in Milan for 280 Euro.

Rossetti also remembers some of its more classical customers with a patent leather with reverse stitching 9 centimeter heel. An ankle belt adds a hint of aggressive while serving to hold the foot in place keeping the heel from slipping into the front of the shoe. The classier design is not more expensive coming in at 280 Euro like its stealth bomber counterpart.

You and Me stays with the suede look. They offer a 10 centimeter spike with embellished borders and a patent leather ankle belt. You and Me prices much less than the Rossetti at only 150 Euro.

Vic Matie’ combines the design of the classical spike with the 70s wedge. The polished leather shoe with a 10 centimeter spherical heel sits on top of a 3 centimeter platform. To limit slipping and sliding while walking on air the sole is slightly ridged to give greater traction. The Vic Matie’ prices at 199 Euro.

Vicini presents a shoe that could easily be a design from the storage warehouse. Suede leather with reverse stitching make this a “That’s 70s show” favorite. This is a full wedge with a foam sole.

Tags: Italian Fashion Italian Designers Fall Fashion Shoes Womens Fashion Travel Italy

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Women’s Accessories Fall/Winter 2007/2008 Italian Shoes – Retro Peter Pan Boots

Fashion on the streets often surprises the experts. Without a doubt most designs by the established stylists are successes. This only accounts for about 10% of the fashion scene. The other 90% decides what will be hot and what is not. Fashion in the street, many years, is just outside of my capabilities to comprehend. As a mortal man I subject my opinion to my goddess. If she says it is a must have I can only agree. I think over the years she has learned how not to hurt my feelings. She knows what I like and what I abhor. She will find what she likes and not express a strong opinion.

This is the case with the Retro Peter Pan boots making their appearance in the offices. The only things missing from these babies are the floppy wings that make the collar. What I find most interesting is that the designers consider this style “masculine!” Perhaps in the days of Men at Work someone would have considered these masculine but “not on my watch, Mr. Tibbs.”

I usually do not include prices but with the Internet you may be able to find some of these boots online or in your local store. In Italy, all prices include a 20% Ad Valorum Tax. The price you see is the price you pay.

The shoes in lead photograph are Lea Foscati. Polished leather, buttons, belt and 9 centimeter spikes are the characteristics. Currently you can find them in Milan for 159 Euro.

Furla also includes the side buttons. Patent leather, in various primary colors and 10 centimeter square spikes define these shoes. They are more expensive at 340 Euro.

Janet & Janet makes the Peter Pan par excellence. They are round top cut with a frontal zipper to avoid slipping on the 8 centimeter heels. They can be picked up for just 155 Euro.

Kalliste’ also uses the front zipper. They are also interesting because of the patent leather with suede insets. The 9 centimeter spikes are nice. The colors offered are quite unique. In the photograph the shoes are between Acqua Marine and Forest Green. They can be picked up for 274 Euro.

Roberto De Carlo must have been doing something or someone when he chose the colors for this one. I am not sure if it is Hot Pink or Blood Purple. Either way you can find these expressions of the imaginary mind for 290 Euro.

Tags: Italian Fashion Italian Designers Fall Fashion Shoes Womens Fashion Travel Italy

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Women’s Accessories Fall/Winter 2007/2008 Italian Boots

Micam, the Shoe Fair in Milan, has barely closed its doors. Women in Milan are sporting their Fall/Winter foot apparel. Several tendencies seem to be winning the hearts and feet of women everywhere. They are boots, retro Peter Pan and Lifted Décolleté. The passion of my soul prefers the retro Peter Pan boots. I prefer the boots. As long as the boots are not of the goulash variety, boots add a naughty hint of playfulness.

The lead photo are polished leather with suede inserts. They can be found at Pollini.

Roberto de Carlo presents soft suede and 8 centimeter heels.

Suede is also the material of choice for Cesare Paciotti. Finishing touches are patent leather belt and 11 centimeter spikes.

The Les Tropeziennes are my least favourite but I find the wrapped string an interesting touch.

Polished leather, ankle belt, 8 centimeter heels and a 1 centimeter platform are the traits of Angela Inqueti.

If you cannot find them at your local store and Milan is too far away try my sponsor Forzieri. While these boots may not be immediately available they may have them later in the year.

Tags: Italian Fashion Italian Shoes Italian Boots Italian Designers Fall Fashion Ferre Womens Fashion Travel Italy

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MICAM – The Shoe Event in the City of Fashion

September begins the season of tradeshows. Hotels with available rooms are hard to find, restaurants booked, and life is very busy. Milan is the center of Fashion. The first place to see the new styles that will shape the future seasons. The stores in Milan offer the latest and greatest but there is a way to get a jumpstart on even the trendiest stores. MICAM, the shoe fair, opens on the 20th and runs through the 23rd of September. The shoe fair is only open to those who work in the industry and requires online pre-qualification but if you have anything to do with a retail store and can get someone to vouch for you this is the best way to get those great spikes at least a season before anyone else.

The show is laid out by market segment. Entire buildings dedicated to just one theme. This year’s themes are:

Women’s sophisticated shoes
Women’s trendy shoes
Men/Women luxury shoes
Mixed shoes
Young Fashion shoes
Accessories

MICAM ShoeEvent, the Milan exhibition for top- and middle/top-of-the-range footwear, confirms its position as the largest international fair for this sector. It attracted some 42,879 visitors of whom 21,589 came from abroad. The fair covers 730,000 square feet in 8 separate pavilions. There are 1,650, 1,100 Italian and 550 foreign, manufacturers are present.

Tags: Italian Fashion Shows Shoes Milan Women's Fashion Travel Italy

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Italian Hairstyles Fall Winter 2007/2008 – Counter Tendency Short and Sassy

Elaborately adorned hair bands and long hair neatly woven into buns or braids are the primary 2007/2008 tendency but, as with all things, not everyone follows the trend. Counter tendencies emerge and sometimes take over the mainstream as individuals look to set themselves apart from the masses. Most hair stylists are perfecting their weaving skills and ordering numerous variations of clips and bands. Some are specializing in the nonconformist and, sometimes wild, short cuts.

These cuts say that you are confident and vibrant. Perhaps they are the new femininity. The identifying mark of the woman who is confident, sparkling without the traditional constructs. Aldo Coppola's shops are adding some interesting twists with colors and highlights.



Perhaps it is this year’s extraordinarily hot Italian summer bringing out the garcon short cut. The basic is “au nature” but highlights and tints are quickly taking over. The look is very clean with limited volume. Daily maintenance should be minimal with these cuts, perfect for the busy girl. I prefer the longer styles but these may just take over the mainstream or work as an intermediary step toward longer hairstyles.






Tags: Italian Fashion Italian Hair Designs Fall Fashion Womens Accessories Travel Italy

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Italian Sunglasses 2007

“Tutti al mare, a mostrar le chiappe chiare!” Ferragosto is at hand and the Italians have deserted the cities for the beaches, the mountains and the province. The heat is unbearable and the sun is hot. An accessory that no respecting Italian will be without during the romps on the beach is a pair of sunglasses. When the clothes are reduced to a minimum and shoes turn into sandals the sunglasses may be the only fashion statement one can make.

Many will say they are health conscious. They will insist that the sun hurts there eyes, and for some this is true but that does not change the fact that many will spend several day’s pay and a couple of hours looking for just the right pair of glasses to filter the rays and create an aura of mystery. Italian designers use the same intensity to design their sunglasses as they do their trademark outfits. Each line represents the designer’s conception of balance, color and grace.

I wear Armani. I like the broader frames and the dark lenses. They give me a feeling of stability, something that will not break when a moment’s distraction sends them to the floor. Raffaella wears Gucci. She loves the deep dark lenses. The sun always bothers her eyes and she is very, very picky about her lenses. The fact that they also look really good is a great plus.

Versace has moved toward a thin or wire frame with lighter lenses and various colors. The Versace sunglasses take on more a futuristic look than actually reducing the sun’s glare.

Laura Biagiotti remains true to form playing with bright colors. Her designs are contemporary, perfect adaptations for the under 30 crowd. Feminine versions may also be adorned with crystals imbedded in the upper support or gold and silver highlights.

Gianfranco Ferre’ develops the futuristic look with a series that could be worn by the new James Bond. Sleek lines and moderate tints are his idea of the perfect pair of sunglasses.

These are my favorites of the summer’s fashion. They are the first look at the sunglasses that will continue through the winter when the sun’s glare is exaggerated by the first snows.

Tags: Beach Fashion Italian Designers Summer Fashion Sunglasses Fashion Accessories Travel Italy

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Italian Handbags for Fall / Winter 2007 / 2008 – Armani

The sales of summer fashion have begun. Shortly fall and winter items will appear. The summer handbag fashion was about soft fabrics with country textiles and antique patterns. The fall winter handbag fashion is refined with polished leathers and shiny reptile skins. It is as if the handbag is represents leaving the provincial summer homes and farms to return to the sophistication of the big city. The summer handbags are not very structured, easily bent or folded while the fall winter handbags could easily be mistaken for a family doctor’s handbag from another time if they were not made of the softest leathers.

Armani has just presented his two, top of the line, women’s handbags for fall winter 2008. They are elegant and sleek. They retain the large dimensions of the softer cloth bags. The Bau is a large bag of polished leather with polished brass fittings. It is rectangular in form, almost boxy.

The Venus bag tries to embody the beauty its name implies. Still a large bag but with rounded corners and sleek lines. The varnished blue Python skin is elegance defined. The shape is an elongated rectangle increasing the internal capacity. I think Armani is saying that he is tending toward the glamorous look of Grace Kelly and Elisabeth Taylor.
Both bags have a very large addressable market. They have a basic theme of youth and vibrancy with the elegance of pearls. They are the joy of many a woman. When she saw how large these purse are, Raffaella simply exclaimed, “WOW!” Armani will be expensive but one of these purses may be the only one you want to carry. Perhaps spending more will result in spending less.

For the men out there these are a perfect gift. This is one time where we cannot go wrong. Who knows our lovely ladies may even reevaluate our sense of style.

Tags: Women's Fashion Italian Designers Womens Fall Winter Armani Fashion Accessories Travel Italy

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Italy Summer 2007 Women’s Hairstyles

David Lebovitz, a chef in Paris, wrote a humorous article about some cultural differences between France and the US. It could have been about Italy and the US. Looking good is important for most Italians, especially women. When friends visit, they will often comment about how people seem to have a different style, sometimes lacking in the US. The culture of fashion plays an important role but it is also about attention to the little things. An Italian primps whenever going out in public.

Even here, Raffaella will get up two hours before she has to go out in the morning to “get ready”. Her brother would teasingly call it the remodeling phase. She dedicates this time whether we are going to the lake or she is going to work. It is important for her. It is also important to most Italians. Recently an Italian poll indicated that 70% of Italians thought that "a gentleman" did not wear jeans.


Italian women consider hairstyle is as important as silk blouses to the general look. The weekly appointment at the hairstylist is a must. Hairstyles follow trends just as clothes. This year’s trend is longer hair, pulled tightly to the head. A hair band, called a cerchietto, is a must. This is not new. My daughters all have worn cerchietti since they were little. It keeps the hair out of their eyes and frames their beautiful faces. The novelty of this year’s trend is how elaborate the hair bands are.

Many years ago the hair band was jewelry, often made of gold with gems or polished wood. Most hair bands today are simple plastic in various colors but this year that changes. Plastic hair bands have molded bows. A stylist will weave silver or gold hair bands into the hair during the weekly appointment. I like this trend. I doubt it will last more than a year or two so this may be a great occasion to stock up on some unusual pieces if this is your thing.

Ladies, while visiting Italy this year, try this Italian custom. Go to the stylist once or twice, you may really enjoy it.


Tags: Women's Fashion Hairstyle Womens Spring Summer Fashion Travel Italy

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Women’s Accessories Spring Summer 2007 – Antique methods for modern Handbags

From the hills of Sardinia arrives the latest fashion in personalized handbags and purses. Antonello, a young designer from the small town of Siligo, has transformed the traditional cloths and patterns into fashion for the modern world. The recurring pattern is the pistoccu, a Sardinian flower. The cloths are made with antique procedures. A graduate from London college of Fashion he did stints with numerous designers including Antonio Marras, Esprit, Prada, Bella Freud, Paul Smith, Mulberry, Hackett, and Fendi. Antonello does not have a problem finding qualified artisans to produce these works of art. The company is located in his home town.

While at home visiting his family a local weaver gave him a saddlebag (worn by the men either over their shoulder or on the animal’s back). It was while living in constant contact with the traditional woven articles (including luxury carpets, luxury tapestries, luxury furniture mats and festival trappings for the horses and oxen), that Antonello first developed his interest in luxury eco-friendly fabrics.

What fascinated Antonello particularly about these exclusive luxury textiles was the remarkable variety of subjects depicting not only details of everyday country life but also reflecting the influences of the different civilizations present in Sardinia n culture. The decorations to be found on the textiles are characteristic of the slow evolution of the art to the present day.

Apparently Antonello is not the only one fascinated by the textured fabrics adorned with vibrant colors. Antonello’s handbags are appearing in both casual and semiformal occasions. It is not unusual to see one of his bags draped over the back of some young girl flittering around town on a Vespa or casually hung over the back of a chair while its owner is sipping a Prosecco. In Milan the bags are widely available but may not hit the rest of Italy until next year.

The hand-woven cloths are called Pibiones and you can find out more about Antonello and his creations at Pibiones by Antonello.

Tags: Women's Fashion Italian Designers Sardinia Accessories Spring Summer Handbags Travel Italy

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Valentino & Wolford – Top Women’s designers make a deal for exclusive fashion

I have long wanted to write about Wolford stockings. Raffaella introduced me to Wolford and after numerous afternoons spent in the foyer of the Wolford store in Rome or Milan I have learned to appreciate the intricate designs, fine weaves and luxurious silks and satins used by the Austrian house. Of course it is not the stockings themselves that I appreciate but they way they caress and accentuate a beautiful pair of legs. Wolford has recently signed on with Valentino RED to design a series of stockings and body suits with the top line designer. The cooperative agreement will last for 2 seasons and will be available from July 2007.

There goes my bank account!

The president of Wolford, Holger Dahmen, expressed his satisfaction regarding the agreement, “With this stupendous collection, result of the cooperation with Valentino, we intend to satisfy the requests of a clientele demanding and fashion savvy who is looking for an exclusive design and the highest quality.”

Valentino commented, “Since my first designs I have employed unique and elaborate stockings: embroidered, printed with vibrant colors or decorated in various ways. Stocking are an important element in the looks I create and I am very happy to be able to offer them to women, thanks to this agreement with a premier producer of women’s stockings like Wolford who is able to translate my ideas and vision in unique products of the highest quality.”

Stocking, lingerie and designer clothes just seem like a natural fit together so I would only why it took them so long. Valentino brings refined, classic and clean details to the quality products of Wolford. He incorporates bows, ruffles, pois and plissé to perfectly accentuate a woman’s femininity. The familiar colors of black and ivory, along with the traditional Valentino Red, emphasize intricate designs, comfortable and flattering fabrics. The entire line is purely feminine, with a touch of sobriety, making these designs perfect for both work and pleasure.

You can find the new Valentino-Wolford line beginning in July 2007 at Wolford or Valentino stores and later in the year at Neiman Marcus.

Tags: Women's Fashion Italian Designers Womens Spring Summer Valentino Wolford href="http://technorati.com/tag/Fashion" rel="tag">Fashion Travel Italy

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Italian Fashion – Handbags Spring Summer 2007

The 2007 Spring and Summer collection expands is somewhat retro. Big hats and big handbags from the 50s and 60s are back as well. Raffaella is salivating over many of the designer’s outfits but the continuing themes she loves are the handbags. I admit, I do not get excited about handbags or purses. Shoes are a different subject and hats can be intriguing, but handbags. Perhaps this is the consequence of becoming the depository of the handbag whenever my female companion had something else in her hands or wanted to go into someplace where the purse would not be appropriate. There I am, standing in some hall somewhere, holding the purse.

I can understand the why the purse is so fascinating. No matter how big or small it can hold the documents of a small country. Many times I have watched in amazement as Raffaella emulated Mary Poppins and pulled the most inconceivable objects out of her purse.

As we went through the photographs of the 2007 Spring and Summer collection she was ecstatic, noting the large purses and handbags. She has since been asking me to write about this tendency and I have found some interesting things. Most of these purses are very expensive. They can be found at high end retailers in the US at somewhere between $ 750 and 1,500. This does not mean you have to spend that kind of money. If you want the name, the effects of the slumping dollar will be felt but if you are interested in the look there are many options (without going with the fakes).

The primary tendencies are soft leathers, suede and heavy fabrics. Anything shiny, gold or silver, is also in vogue. The appropriate size is from large to gigantic but the most interesting part of the designs is the personalization. The major designers are using cross patterns of colored leather and decorated fabrics sewn onto the suede structure to make each piece unique. I have also seen some heavy wool purses twined together as if they were rope creating a flexible and lightweight handbag. The younger crowd has taken to embroidering bright designs of cartoon characters or flowers. I think this is a takeoff of the flower child era.

So how do you get something unique? I would look for a clean, soft line with a natural color. Find an embroidered design of something that you like or that expresses your current mood and sew it into the broader side of the purse. It will have the look of the top line designs and cost significantly less.

Tags: Women's Fashion Italian Designers Womens Spring Summer Handbags href="http://technorati.com/tag/Fashion" rel="tag">Fashion Travel Italy

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