Fashion PR division of Pierce Mattie Public Relations, A Fashion Public Relations. Fashion publicity, promotion marketing firm

ROME-ITALY

This year I traded Thanksgiving turkey and stuffing for mozzarella and pasta. I just spent a week in Rome and how thankful I am!
When you think of Rome, you think of the Spanish Steps, The Colisseum and of course- The Vatican. The city is alive with treasures from the past. Rome has an unprecedented history of wealth and culture. Not only are there public monuments at every turn, the parks and palazzo's of the founding families are everywhere you look.

Rome is also one of the best shopping destinations in Europe. While Milan is home to the corporate end of the fashion business, Rome is definitely the first destination for first class shopping. The luxurious Via Condotti is the Rodeo Drive of Rome. Designer boutiques flank this fashionable address that begins at the mouth of the Spanish Steps - What an entrance! Expect to see all the big Italian names.

Fendi, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, and Roberto Cavalli to name a few.
What struck me the most while in Roma was an overwhelming trend I saw everywhere - RED. There were red coats, red hats, red bags, you name it!

Rome is also home to Valentino. He is the maestro of Italian fashion who made deep dark red his own trademark. The sexy rich color is also the name of his younger, hipper collection - Valentino RED.

The designer has been based in Rome for his entire career. Recently stepping down from his namesake company, the designer went out with a bang - holding a 45 year finale fashion show in Paris this past show season. It often confuses fans of the house as the designer has show his runway collections in Paris for 25 years, even though the company is based in Rome.
While the fashion flock might at first think that the love of the blood red hue is all due to the godfather of Italian fashion - however there is a more divine inspiration for the color. The Pope.
Rome is also of course home to the Vatican and the center of the Roman Catholic church. Remember, before the modern day Italian government - the Vatican was the ruling body of the Holy Roman Empire. The Pope was the ultimate ruler and to those who believe - the right hand of God on Earth. How could one argue with that??
The new Pope - Benedict XVI was famously photographed wearing Red Prada Loafers during his first days as Pope.

Who knew that the Pope was a fashion trend maker? There are even several stores near the Vatican where you can buy the same vestments the pope himself wears. I decided to go to the true source - Gamarelli's, just of the Piazza Minerva. They are the official tailor of the Pope. Of the top selling items are the RED socks worn during specific ceremonies. I couldn't resist.
The love of Red is taken to a whole new level by numerous women in Rome with their choice of Hair color! You be the judge - I shot these ladies from the back to.. lets say.. protect the innocent? Ciao Bella!!

Land on the front page of the fashion boutique Benny & Shaw, and you'll be captivated by the gorgeous ruby colored satin ball gown from Butter by Nadia (I know I certainly was). Benny and Shaw is a start-up internet boutique created by a husband and wife team in New York City--and where else to start a fashion boutique other than in one of the great fashion capitals of the world?

Benny & Shaw started out with only a few local lines and are now expanding to include other lines that will be available come Spring. Currently, their best selling designer collection is Butter by Nadia, creator of the "miracle" signature wrap dress; a comfortable, convertible, one size clothing line--which really looks amazing on women of various sizes (I desperately want the Verena Top in Charcoal!). Butter by Nadia has a celebrity following too..such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Naomi Watts, and Jordin Sparks just to name a few. If you happen to planning your nuptials, Benny & Shaw also offer Butter Bridal as well.

Jewelry is another find on Benny & Shaw's boutique. They currently carry New York fashion jewelry line sensation Andrew Hamilton Crawford. His pieces are inspired by everyday objects, such as a bluebird or a butterfly and with each concept taken it is refined into a chic piece of jewelry. His celebrity clientele include Oprah, Beyonce, Fergie and Paris Hilton.

Popular New York City jewelry designer Keri Starker of Kayla Designs is also found on Benny & Shaw. She creates one of a kind timeless pieces with stunning semi-precious stones and fine metals. Currently Benny & Shaw are the exclusive online retailer of this line.

So start your holiday shopping now or just splurge on yourself and head over to www.bennyandshaw.com.

With all the "reality" shows that run the networks these days, it is so refreshing to discover a novel that you can dive into as a distraction to all the noise around us. Yes, thats right - remember books? I know you can read!! I recently tore through one I could not put down and had to share it.
The Last Day of Paradise is one of those books you pick up because of the interesting cover art and unusual title. It doesn't take long to discover the double entendre of the title and realize the book is not at all what you thought. That is how the best works of fiction usually hook you. What you think is coming doesn't - and what you find you weren't looking for!
The book is the coming of age story of a young girl named Sunday living in Greece. Her and her friends reject their parents repressive ideas of family and culture that shackle them to the past. The kids speak English to each other as a code of cool talk and to liberate themselves from the world of the past that lingers on.
The author, Kiki Denis was herself born and raised in Greece and is a longtime New Yorker. She is able to make us feel that sense of longing that is universal for any young person growing up in a small town. It is that universal ambition for more that we can all remember- the desire to expand your horizons and get out and see the world.
A first time author Ms. Denis uses a wonderful technique of switching into a unique dialect of broken English mixed with contemporary slang - so much fun to read and process!
Denis herself is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College which is one of the most prestigious Universities in America. Actually, it is the founding University of the Seven Sisters - a network of Universities exclusively for Women to be the female alternative to the Ivy League schools for men. For Kiki to write in this broken English style must have been a challenge. In her own way, it is a poignant commentary of the culture that raised her and to remind us just how much things have changed.
The story has twists and turns and takes you on a wonderful journey that is at times hysterical and at times very emotional - never an easy task. There is also a great fashion tie-in woven through the story.

The novel has gotten attention from some major competitions and important book reviews. Denis received an honorable mention in the
2007 Hollywood Book Festival (category: wild card) for her work.

Published by Gival Press, the easiest way to find it is to click on the title link above. The book is a perfect read to take on a weekend trip or better yet to give as a gift this holiday season.
If anyone has already read the story, please let us know your thoughts!