TUSKANTIMES
VOLUME 13 ISSUE 1
LOCAL
CORRI LA VITA 2025
COLUMN: SECRETS OF THE VIALE
HISTORY
HOW CULTURE SHAPES MICROTRENDS WITHOUT RECOGNITION THE START OF THE DEMNA ERA AT GUCCI
SCIENCE
POLITICS
WHEN LEGAL REGULATIONS CHALLENGE CERTAIN POLITICAL AGENDAS: A BRITISH PERSPECTIVE
OPINION
GIORGIO ARMANI: A FASHION ICON WE’LL ALWAYS REMEMBER COLUMN: HIDDEN UNTIL DISCOVERED
BOOK REVIEW: LA PORTALETTERE
DOWNTOWN ABBEY: THE [SOMEWHAT] GRAND FINALE
FRONT COVER:
Watercolor exploration from Grade 11 IBDP Visual Arts student Demi Zini, answering the question, “In what way can altering the color relationships in multiple butterfly paintings affect the emotional response of the viewer?”
Dear Readers,
Welcome back to another year with The Tuskan Times — new classes, new deadlines, and, most importantly, a new edition!
This edition marks a fresh start for our paper, and like any good wardrobe, we’ve done a little seasonal update You’ll find the debut of two fashion columns, ready to help you navigate your non-uniform days and your favorite designers. We’re also introducing a law proceedings column by Sophia Martin column.
Of course, some things never go out of style Our Deputy Editors-in-Chief return with their beloved columns Allegra Deflorio offering sharp, heartfelt book reviews, and Tea Mijatovic with her ever interesting The Secrets of Florence column
As editor, I couldn’t be prouder of our new team a group of writers who balance humor, heart, and way too much caffeine to bring you a publication that feels alive with a student voice Here’s to a year of storytelling, creativity, and journalism
Sincerely,
Coco Ferrari-Ross Editor-in-Chief
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
COCO FERRARI-ROSS
ASSISTANT
EDITORS-IN-CHIEF
TÉA MIJATOVIC
ALLEGRA DIFLORIO
HEADOFLAYOUT
ELIOT RICHARDS
SUPERVISOR
TESS HITCHCOCK
EDITORS
TÉA MIJATOVIC
ALLEGRA DIFLORIO
ESME ALONGI
DAVID LU
ART
DEMI ZINI
LAYOUT
ELIOT RICHARDS
CALVIN YE
NICCOLÒ GIORGI
GIOIA WEI
ALICE DI VINCENZO
WIREDSCREENS
By Valentina Marin ‘27
As a kid, my favorite movie was Wall-E.
All the animations, the entertaining sound effects, the plotline, the humour.
As a kid, I was always fond of languages
How cool would it be to be able to switch between languages in conversation and to be included in so many different cultures?
How cool would it be to help people translate and communicate with each other?
It was always a dream of mine. To bring people together
Now look where we are
We live in a world where Wall-E is starting to become a reality. Not in the fun Pixar way.
Cool animations and sound effects display on our screens through the stupid videos that we scroll through on a daily basis
But it sends a shiver down my spine seeing these videos and not being able to tell whether they’re real or not.
Losing our touch of reality
What happened to the originality and the hard work that was put into creating those animations?
When did we as a society get so lazy?
It’s scary to see how much humans are contributing to damaging our planet.
Our only home
Not only are we destroying the homes of thousands of ecosystems, threatening the lives of many species, We are losing touch with our individuality. Our sense of perception.
Our creativity
Our train of thought
Relying on all of these tools… Putting this much trust into what could turn out to be a disaster.
Machines, robots, and all these resources are cool and all, But when do we know when to draw the line?
I once was a kid who had a big dream Afraid of the future and the big, bright, world, Now I’ve hid,
From following my dreams, All because of my these wired screens
CORRILAVITA2025
By Téa Mijatović ‘27
Corri la vita, run your life, dirige ta vie, dirige tu vida few words and yet full of so much meaning Every year since 2003, individuals from Italy and other countries around the world join each other to run or walk Florence’s famous Corri la Vita. Its purpose is to support women affected by breast cancer by raising funds focused on prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment
"Inthelast22editions, over9,300,000euroshave beenraisedand distributed,bringing togetherover540,000 participantsandproviding qualityassistancetoover 500,000women."
Corri La Vita is the initiative of President Bona Frescobaldi and is organised by the CORRI LA VITA Onlus Association. It consists of a 6km walk or 11km run. The start is in Parco delle Cascine, and the finish line in Piazza della Signoria Throughout the walk/run, participants can visit several of Florence’s beautiful landmarks that are open to the public all day, such as: the Opera di Santa Croce, the Museo di Palazzo Vecchio, the Museo di Santa Maria Novella, the Museo Novecento, the Forte di Belvedere, the Stibbert Museum, the Pecci Center, and many more
Some famous and well known figures to attend Corri La Vita over the years include Italian pathologist and cancer researcher, Adriana Albini; actors and actresses Luca Argentero, Morgan Freeman, Hugh Grant, Nancy Brilli, Claudio Bisio and Angela Finocchiaro; musicians such as John Taylor and Andrea Bocelli; athletes like Davide Astori, Federico Chiesa and Rachele Bruni; Spanish football manager, Pep Guardiola; and even Taxi Firenze and Peppa Pig showed their support.
This year, similarly to past years, ISF proudly took part in Corri La Vita, gathering at the Statue of Vittorio Emanuele II in Piazza Vittorio Veneto, at the park’s entrance. A huge shoutout goes to all the students and teachers who joined, wearing this year’s “bijou blue” shirts, which flooded the streets with color The event was a joyful and energetic experience, encouraging everyone to challenge themselves both physically and mentally. Laughter, smiles and cheers filled Florence as participants ran and walked in support of this meaningful cause
Thank you to everyone who participated and supported Corri La Vita 2025.
"Byshowingup,ISF students,teachersand staffbecamepartofa movementthatgives hope,spreadsawareness, andhelpsbuildafuture wherepreventionand earlydiagnosissavelives."
FAMILIARPIAZZAS,FORGOTTENHISTORY
By Téa Mijatović ‘27
Midfield Mark of Calcio Storico
Held in Piazza Santa Croce, Calcio Storico, also known as Calcio in Costume, is one of the most memorable games to happen every year. There are four teams representing the four historic areas that divide the city: Santa Maria Novella (reds), San Giovanni (greens), Santa Croce (blues) and Santo Spirito (whites) FORZA BIANCHI!
There are three games in total: two semi-finals and a final between the winners. When facing the façade of the church, on the left of the piazza there is a round plaque divided into four red and white sections. Directly across from it, on the wall of the Palazzo degli Antellesi, there is a marble disk. What you may not have known, is that the midfield line of the football field is represented by these two signs and is the exact spot where the umpire (pallaio in Italian) bounces the first ball of the match.
Savonarola's Plaque
In front of the Fountain of Neptune in Piazza della Signoria, there is a circular bronze plaque in the pavement. This indicates the spot where Girolamo Savonarola with his brothers, Fra Domenico Buonvicini and Fra Silvestro Maruffi, were hanged and burned for their criticism of the Church and politics on the 23rd of May, 1498 Their ashes were scattered in the River Arno.
"Afterfourcenturies,this memorialwasplacedto marktheexactspotwhere Savonarolaandhis followersmettheirtragic end."
In Piazza della Santissima Annunziata stands the Ospedale degli Innocenti, an orphanage built by Filippo Brunelleschi (who also constructed the well-known Duomo) It was the first European center dedicated solely to abandoned or illegitimate babies.
At the top of the steps, to the left, is a window where a wooden wheel and bell once stood In the 17th and 18th centuries, mothers unable to care for their children would place their babies inside the “wheel,” pull the cord of the bell, and vanish. However, they often left a small trinket around the baby’s neck in hope of future recognition and reconciliation Inside, the window opened onto a corridor where a nun would collect the baby after hearing the bell.
La Ruota degli Esposti
The Uncountable Bees
Within Piazza della Santissima Annunziata stands a bronze equestrian monument of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Ferdinando I de’ Medici Started by Giambologna and finished by Pietro Tacca, the back of the base of the monument bears Ferdinando’s personal emblem.
It is inscribed with the motto “Majestate Tantum” and depicts a queen bee surrounded by a swarm of worker bees. The smaller bees are arranged in concentric circles around the queen, making it almost impossible to count them with the eye alone
"Itissaidthatwhenever Florentinechildrenwanted something,theirparents wouldpromisetodeliverit onlyiftheycouldcount theexactnumberofbees."
They always counted two or three twice Officially, there are 91 bees
“Michelangelo’s Graffiti”
Another hidden secret can be found on the Palazzo della Signoria (Palazzo Vecchio), engraved in the stone of the façade right next to the entrance door (almost on the corner of the building). It is the side profile of a man, though who sculpted it remains unknown.
“Legendhasitthatitwas MichelangeloBuonarroti, butthisisnotcertain,nor istheidentityoftheman depicted”
The most popular myth says that Michelangelo was passing through Piazza della Signoria when he saw one of his debtors under the Loggia dei Lanzi, where those condemned to the pillory faced public humiliation To ensure the townsfolk would remember the man’s face, Michelangelo carved his profile into the wall - literally setting it in stone, where it remains perfectly visible today.
I hope the next time you are walking through Piazza Santa Croce, Piazza della Signoria or Piazza della Santissima Annunziata, you look out for these hidden gems of Florence and appreciate the history and beauty of the city we live in.
HOWCULTURESHAPESMICROTRENDS WITHOUTRECOGNITION
By Roma Anthony ‘27
Microtrends could be considered one of the most essential parts of fashion regarding how it has developed and evolved over the years; helping brands acquire more consumers and allow them to connect on a deeper level with upcoming generations. The impact that microtrends have on society, especially with modern advertising through social media apps, greatly shapes the fashion industry of this generation Due to their short life spans, the significant underlying aspects and contributing factors which refined these trends often go unnoticed. The overall practice of microtrends has now become an ongoing issue in today’s society, with controversies concerning cultural appropriation along with a lack of uniqueness and individuality. It has become normalized for people to take a traditional aspect from one culture and rebrand it as something else, stripping its original significance Recently, over the past summers, microtrends including Henna tattoos and animal printed clothing items have been the most fashionable topics.
Nevertheless, their original cultural significance has been lost as they’ve become popular trends that are notable for merely three months and forgotten during the other nine; emphasizing the challenge society is experiencing concerning longterm fashion trends and issues of cultural appropriation.
Henna tattoos originated from civilizations in Ancient Egypt, India and the Middle East around 5,000 years ago. It is symbolic of a bridge between artistic, creative expression and traditional cultural expression Throughout the early years of it’s cultural practice, Henna was mainly used for symbolic purposes on hair, nails and skin. In Ancient Egypt it was predominantly used by pharaohs on their hair and nails to signify purity and wealth Along with this, it was also used during burial rituals and as a symbol of spiritual protection.
In India, it was used in a more creative manner, often playing a role in celebrations such as festivals, weddings and various religious ceremonies. Specifically during weddings, detailed patterns were illustrated on brides’ hands and feet as a symbol of love, prosperity and blessings for the future Nowadays, Henna is still commonly used for these celebrations in India and is one of the aspects which initiated the trend overall. In contrast to both India and ancient Egypt, Middle Eastern countries used Henna for its medicinal properties in addition to its creative aspect Originally, many believed that the usage of Henna would act as protection from the evil eye and therefore acquired an image of joy and divinity, expressing the values and ideals of past communities who adopted it In recent years, through social media apps, Henna has become popularized as many people have shown the intricate designs and process through videos, capturing interest among younger generations and those interested in foreign cultural practices Its rising popularity could be viewed as a positive aspect as
“Itspreadsthe significanceofdifferent traditionalpracticesand howtheycontributetoa culture’sidentity.”
However, many who have discovered Henna through the internet are ignorant to the cultural significance it holds and use it only for aesthetic purposes, disregarding its entire background and relevance to many south asian cultures This leads to cultural appropriation of the product as people fail to recognize its importance as a traditional practice and continue to determine the significance it holds based on its relevance in media; mainly during the summer season due to its “exotic” labeling
Leopard print is another trend that has come and gone in fashion over the years with a cultural significance which isn’t portrayed to the same extent that the trend is. It originated from countries in Ancient Africa and Asia where it was viewed as a symbol of high status, often being worn by royalty and/or warriors The ancient Egyptian goddess of wisdom, Seshat, is recognized for wearing the animal print, however, she wore real leopard skin rather than an imitation print. Her wearing of the pattern emphasized her individual significance along with reference to her connection with important rituals within ancient society. Initially, it became popular in the early 20th century with the fabric becoming more accessible and an increase in mass production of clothing accompanying inspiration derived from ancient Egypt It was chosen as it symbolized sophistication and soon began to represent self expression and individuality.
“Eversinceitsintegration andrepresentationin modernsociety,leopard printisconsideredtobea timelessfashion.”
Statement as it continues to remain relevant to this day It is easy for many to be ignorant of the cultural significance this print holds as the media has depicted it as an aspect of fashion which is simply a trend and nothing more. Considering its immense impact on the fashion world, specifically concerning bold and symbolic patterns, its cultural origin should be more widely spread as it has completely changed the way animal print has been used and viewed in the fashion industry.
Henna and Leopard print are two aspects of fashion that have greatly influenced the current and upcoming fashion trends. Henna being a traditional aspect that has recently become modernized and portrayed as simply an exotic trend people can participate in during the summer, while Leopard print has been integrated into the fashion industry for decades and has been almost completely detached from its cultural significance Henna and Leopard print emphasizes how easily cultural meaning can be stripped from a traditional practice once it has become the newest trend Many micro trends derive from a cultural practice or aspect of some kind, but often goes discredited , leading to ignorance towards the origin of the trends and their overall relevance in a society Recently, many have begun to share and highlight the traditional importance that these trends originally have, reviving their cultural meaning and symbolism; further emphasizing the effect that trends can have on cultures when they’ve been isolated from their cultural significance and have been adjusted to fit the standards of modern society.
THESTARTOFTHEDEMNAERAATGUCCI
By Emma Rossi ‘28
Demna Gvasalia is a very well known fashion designer that has highly impacted the fashion industry. Usually called Demna, because of his unusual name, was born on March 25th 1981 at Sohkumi Georgia. He continued his fashion design studies in Antwerp, Belgium at the Royal Academy of fine arts to then develop his passion for a career in fashion design His fashion career started at Maison Margiela where he worked as an assistant, and later on he started working at Louis Vuitton side by side with Marc Jacobs. This encouraged him to open his own fashion brand together with his brother As a family they opened the well known luxury fashion brand, Vetements, that now is just looked after by the brother. In 2015 Demna entered the most known and important part of his career in which he worked for Balenciaga, until this year where things took a different twist, also in fashion taste Earlier this year the designer announced his retirement from Balenciaga to join
the Gucci family With Demna stepping into Gucci’s world, a quiet tension stirs in fashion It's a sign that something is shifting in the fashion world, the familiar may soon look entirely unfamiliar.
There were many different reactions to Demna’s new pathway, since the world in which he worked ahead of Gucci was completely different Demna’s taste was always seen as dark fashion and usually more futuristing although including slight vintage pisces. For example in 2024 Demna brought back a classic bag from Balenciaga called ‘Le City’ that was first introduced in 2001 As for futuristic,
“Demnahasalwaysmade everydayobjectsinto fashion.”
Sometimes this kind of fashion was not well interpreted, since there have been many discussions on his latest creations at balenciaga. For example Demna had created a bracelet that looked identical to tape, or he also made a skirt from a normal shower towel. The thing that sent people out of their minds was also the prices of certain things, since a roll of tape could cost max up to 6 euro, and his cost 600 euro Although he has been criticised he was also really loved especially by the newest generation, the love was to such an extent in which they also called him the new Picasso. His original mind always managed to shock the world with innovation and diversity from every other brand His new job at Gucci came as such a shock especially since Gucci has always had collections that represented elegance, sophistication and most of the time simplicity. Demna at Balenciaga though has never been seen this way His style has always represented street style and a more young target of buyers, although he did include some parts in some collections that still maintained a simple style. Everyone was wondering what could come out from this new part of Gucci’s history
“Gucciasabranditselfis abrandthathighlights Italianluxury.”
It's a brand with a huge amount of history behind it. Behind this brand there have been many creations such as movies like the house of Gucci, that talks about the homicide of the owner of Gucci This fashion house has had many big changes during the past few years when it comes to creative directors. From 2015 to 2022 alessandro di michele was introduced as creative director, that gave Gucci a twist of joy, since he is well known for his absurd use of colours and different perspective of elegance In 2023 Sabato de Sarno was introduced as new creative director, trying to bring Gucci back to how it used to be, including more simplicity than De Michele had done As stated before at the start of 2025 Demna Gvasalia was promoted to become creative director, to try and bring Gucci back. Something that is not seen often are the problems that This Fashion house has had, because it's not all gold that sparkles Gucci’s sales have gone down 25% from the past year, causing major problems at the inside of their factories Obviously this had consequences. Other than changing creative director, Gucci has fired around 1,620 people around Italy only, not only people have been fired but one of the consequences that have been discussed to take off some of the expenses was to remove fashion shows, this though would have impacted also the critical eye of the buyers that would be worried about big changes.
“Guccihasofficially enteredtheDemnaera.”
The new creative director gave a little spoiler of their next campaign whose name is ‘La Famiglia’.
This collection, for a matter of fact, is made to represent a classic Italian family Each revealed by Demna for now are given a name, for example:La Sciura, La Cattiva or Miss Aperitivo. The release of this collection came to the world as a huge shock since it was planned to come out in January 2026. It is actually described for the fashion house as ‘ unapologetically sexy, extravagant and daring’ As the brand describes its daring, we can notice the way the previous Gucci collection was really different.
This new collection gives different moods to the public, in fact it is said that it is a lot more arrogant and represents a confident woman. La familia is also explained by Gucci as a collection that tries to highlight the “ Gucciness of Gucci”, that has been partially introduced to give people a taste of what Demna is trying to reinvent One detail that is also really interesting when it comes to the marketing side is that this collection will be available in only ten shops around the world for a limited period of time, making this collection feel really exclusive La famiglia also includes a good amount of monogram that has always represented Gucci,This time it is used in a less serious way as it used to be, this monogram is used by Demna as a fun and more carefree version of it. It is made by Demna to be playful but at the same time it’s extremely glamorous and chic, this collection thanks to Demna is highlighted to be a bit more cheeky, a thing that not many fashion brands can do, since in the end they end up always all looking alike. But not Demna, his designs are always well noticed by everyone that can understand the fashion world
His talent for crafting products that resonate with a broad range of clients bodes well for the brand’s future.
“Whetheryouseeyourself asaPrimadonnaormore ofaLaContessa,itfeels likeDemnahasaGucci looktailoredjustforyouin hisnewcollection.“
That’s likely where his true strength will shine in this new role But whatever Demna still keeps from us, we are sure about one thing: Demna reminded us all that luxury doesn’t always have to take itself so seriously, it can be playful as well as glamorous.
FROMWINGSTOWARDS
By Ilaria Weng ‘27
The field of oncology (a branch of medicine specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of cancers), often regarded as one of the fastest developing fields in the 21st century, has seen various innovations and rapid advancements driven by the unmet need for more effective and targeted therapies Several key advancements have occurred including the refinement of radiation therapy and the rise of chemotherapy In recent years, however, the field has been particularly focused on developing accessible technological advancements for diagnosis with the introduction of methods that, at first, may seem surreal and directly from a science fiction
This article aims to explore a novel cancer detection technique involving butterfly-inspired nanotechnology
"Thefieldofoncology(a branchofmedicine specializedinthediagnosis andtreatmentofcancers), [is]oftenregardedasoneof thefastestdevelopingfields inthe21stcentury."
Rather than absorb and reflect certain light waves as most pigments do, the side ridges on the wings manipulate light that hits the surface to diffract and interfere, which causes them to spread as they travel through spaces between wing structures. The diffracted light waves then interfere with each other so that certain color waves cancel out while others are intensified and reflected This property has enabled a group of researchers from UC San Diego to recognize that the wing’s micro and nano structures respond strongly to polarized light, a type of light that spreads in a specific direction, given that the structures within their wings are highly sensitive to polarized light; thus responding selectively with high reflections when imaged under special polarized microscopes. Acknowledging their highly sensitive nature, these butterflies are able to produce an iridescent blue color from light reflections in response to multiple environmental changes, making them an ideal medium of detection. As a result of modern research, this property has also been noted in a wide range of biological tissues, although in a much weaker form as they contain collagen fiberstheir main structural component. Despite the fibres’ sensitivity to light, they do not reflect it due to their partially transparent body, causing them to instead scatter or absorb light
Morpho Butterfly
Cancer diagnosis is complex and demands a high degree of precision. One key aspect of the process involves assessing the collagen arrangement to determine the degree of cancer advancement Given the inherent differences in how healthy and cancerous tissues interact with light, researchers leveraged the Morpho butterfly's polarized light sensitivity to interface with biological tissue. This enhances the transparent tissue’s optical signal, improving visualization of internal structures The abnormal reorganization of collagen fibers in biological tissues alters light reflection patterns, which can be detected using polarized imaging, enabling pathologists to assess cancer stage. This streamlined approach expedites the diagnostic process by eliminating the previously necessary use of chemical staining and high-powered optical components such as lasers and DIC, thereby making cancer detection more accessible.
Through the careful examination of the intricate structures and properties of butterfly wings, researchers are creating a new generation of highly sensitive, selective, and efficient biosensors with a wide range of potential applications In particular researchers are mimicking the butterflies' nanoscale patterns and unique chemical properties such as light trapping that allow them to bind to certain molecules to create highly sensitive and selective biosensors to detect various substances.
The aim of this method is the integration of technology with a standard optical microscope (the most common and widely used), which would make it accessible to clinicians in all settings, including those with limited resources Unlike many current methods, this approach is objective and quantitative, providing consistent and reliable results without subjective interpretations such as that of stained slides by pathologists. Through the incorporation of this precise microscopic method, clinicians and researchers are able to cleave a portion of the butterfly’s wing and interface it with a tissue sample using a slide with a simple setup; without changing the mechanics of the equipment, but using nanoscale science of light to create a visible tissue surface, enabling assessment and diagnosis without the involvement of expensive facilities
This emerging technique is highly valuable for early cancer diagnosis; through the analysis of the patterns of light interaction, researchers are able to differentiate between early and late stage cancer based on the density and arrangement of collagen fibers within a tissue. Markers of early stage cancers can be noted through collagen rearrangement, before they become invasive and symptomatic This essentially increases the chances for successful treatment as cancers which are caught early are often localised, with early intervention increasing survival rates up to three times. This method is not limited to cancer detection and could potentially be applied for the diagnosis of various fibrotic diseases in biological tissues, enabling the distinction of differences that are typically hard to secernate with standard diagnostic techniques.
Beyond the highly explored use of this technology for cancer detection, it has been recognised as having the potential for the detection of other diseases involving collagen such as liver fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, and cardiovascular scarring. As described earlier, the method involves the amplification of collagen-rich tissues with polarized light signals using a morpho butterflyinspired structure. The mechanism of collagen rearrangement in the presence of these diseases characterized by excessive collagen accumulation in tissues allows this method to be applied for a contact- and stain-free imaging that enhances and quantifies the properties of fibrous biological tissues. Traditional methods for fibrosis evaluation are often subjective and are unable to reliably differentiate subtle collagen pattern abnormalities, especially in early stages With this approach known as the MorE-Pol technique, signals from collagen fibres are amplified when the sample is placed over a morpho butterfly nanostructure. While studies focused on breast cancer tissue, the researchers envision extending this approach to other tissues of fibrotic diseases ranging from cardiac to neurodegenerative disorders.
In the process of developing this technique, several ethical guidelines emphasizing respect and non maleficence were taken to prevent the explicit use of butterfly wings. While this technique is inspired by Morpho butterfly wing patterns, researchers typically replicate their properties synthetically in nanostructures to ensure the butterfly’s population is not disrupted Biomimicry is often eco-friendly as it emulates natural systems instead of exploiting them. By reproducing nature-like elements and systems, researchers are able to replace non-artificial nature When these synthetic replicas are produced, the nanostructures must be stable and well-characterized in order to avoid unintended bioaccumulation; they should ideally be composed of biodegradable and non-toxic materials to prevent environmental contamination. Although ethical oversight is still required to prevent inequities in access to such synthetic and modern techniques, this method could potentially bridge the gap of exacerbating global health disparities, improving access to cancer diagnosis.
By Sophie Martin ‘27
For some context, this trial is referring to the Rwanda asylum policy case The cross appellants are the asylum seekers, which are generally (on a collective scale) referred to as ‘AAA and others.’ The defendant, also referred to as the CrossRespondent, is the Secretary of State for the British Home Department And as with any other trial, there are the judges, and the main one we will be referencing in this article is Lord Reed, who is the president of the Supreme Court.
It is on rare occasions that the UK Supreme Court gets involved with political storms However, on November 15, 2023, they did just that They ruled unanimously that the plan formed by the government to exploit asylum seekers to Rwanda was in fact unlawful.
"Itisonrareoccasions thattheUKSupremeCourt getsinvolvedwithpolitical storms.However,on November15,2023,they didjustthat.Theyruled unanimouslythattheplan formedbythegovernment toexploitasylumseekers toRwandawasinfact unlawful."
On October 9, 2023, the “Rwanda Policy” case was brought before the UK’s supreme court, regarding Rwanda's safety for asylum seekers. The UK Government’s policy was composed in order to transport certain asylum seekers to Rwanda, to ensure that their claims would be determined there The question being asked here is if Rwanda is a “safe third country,” in the manner that removals would not construct a real risk of refoulement (when people are sent to different places where they are forced to face persecution/ill-treatment)? In this context, these asylum seekers had travelled to the UK irregularly, were deported from the UK to Rwanda, and once they arrived their claims would be processed there and not by the UK. At the time, the Supreme Court unanimously agreed that the policy was unlawful on the evidence
This particular policy, issued as a cornerstone with the Home Office’s immigration approach, would have transferred select asylum seekers to Rwanda, in which their claims would be decided In theory, this idea is rather simple: avert irregular crossing (entering a country without authorization), and outsource asylum processing. But realistically, from a legal point of view, it is much more complicated
“The court is not concerned with the political debate… nothing in this judgment should be regarded as supporting or opposing any political view,” wrote Lord Reed, the president of the Court His single statement was a gentle reminder to everyone that judges are not in fact politicians, and their job is strictly to discover if the government followed the law.
The lawyers of the Home Secretary themselves stated that, “the Secretary of State relied on the Rwandan government’s assurances that asylum seekers would have their claims determined in accordance with refugee standards.” Essentially saying that the State was relying on Rwanda's assurances, the commitment that the claims made by the asylum seekers would undergo a fair process under the Migration and Economic Development Partnership (MEDP).
However, the asylum seekers, who were supported by intricate evidence provided by the UN Refugee Agency (in regards their claims were undergoing a fair process), illustrated a rather different picture Their argument stated that the asylum system in Rwanda was prone to massive deficiencies, and that it raised a legitimate risk that people who were sent there would be returned to their country in which they would be faced with persecution
The justices ended up siding with the respondents: “there were substantial grounds for believing that [eradication to Rwanda] would expose them [Rwandan asylum seekers] to a real risk of ill-treatment by reason of refoulement," summarised Lord Reed
A key moment in this trial is when Lord Reed acknowledges the “real risk” of the situation. As it is proclaimed under both UK and international law, a government is forbidden to deport people if there is a significant possibility of real risk of the people being sent back to danger in their country of origin. Therefore, in the eyes of the judge, the facts were too pressing to simply ignore.
This particular ruling was a direct hit to the government, but it was a reminder of the Court’s role: to check power even if the case is politically arraigned. As emphasized by Lord Reed, the bench was not going to trek into the politics of exodus, but rather into the validity of action in accordance with the law
Whether or not people see Rwanda’s plan of having the asylum seekers sent from the UK to have their claims processed as daring or misguided, this Court has spoken, and, in the prospect of law, it has stated: not lawful
O P I N I O N
GIORGIOARMANI:AFASHIONICON WE’LLALWAYSREMEMBER
By Sofia Navarro ‘28
When someone talks about minimalist luxury there is one name that always comes up, and that’s Giorgio Armani From sleek and simple suits for men and long elegant dresses for women to classic and comfy lounge wear, he does it all.
Giorgio Armani was born in Piacenza, Italy on July 11th 1934, and sadly died on September 4th 2025 in one of the fashion capitals of the world, Milan He argued that elegance meant simplicity and focused on every detail that went into his work. He helped make contemporary Italian fashion world wide famous, and created a brand that generated billions of dollars a year
Armani was not born into wealth and a luxurious life growing up, but by the end of his life he died with a net worth of over 9.5 billion dollars. He was the son of a shipping manager and grew up with a sister whose name was Rosanna and a brother named Sergio He and his family lived through the Second World War and experienced many hardships. He told Harper's Bazaar “We were poor and life was tough,”. While growing up he never thought he would be a part of the fashion industry He went to university to become a doctor and even studied for his graduate degree at the University of Milan in the medicine department, but life had other plans in place for him and he decided to leave in 1953 He joined the Italian army while thinking about what he wanted to do next While he was stationed in Verona he found his first job in the fashion industry and in 1957 he started his job
as a buyer for the Milan department store in La Rinascente While working at La Rinascente in Milan he got to know more about clothes and the fashion world, he said “ I became passionate about fabrics and shapes through my experience at La Rinascente ” Giorgio already knew a lot about the human body since he was previously studying medicine After working hard at La Rinascente for 7 years, he started his fashion design journey. He met Sergio Galeotti in the 60’s and it was him who encouraged Giorgio Armani to start his own branch
“Be yourself, believe in your vision, regardless of any criticism,” is what Sergio said to help Giorgio create his own brand
“In1975helaunchedthe iconicluxurybrandGiorgio Armani.”
The luxury brand became an instant hit all around the world and gained a lot of attention His first collection became a massive hit because of his iconic ‘Deconstructed suit’. This piece of clothing was more than just a simple suit, it was a new beginning for menswear and a statement for modernity that challenged traditional tailoring, and set new standards in the fashion world. He only did menswear at the start of his career, but his sister Rosana helped him realize that women can also wear suits and wanted to create them to be a soft shape that allowed “ freedom of movement “ Actor Richard Gere wore clothes by Giorgio Armani in the film ‘American Gigolo’ and this helped the brand become even more famous world wide and, by the 1980s the brand already had a store in New York City another Fashion capital of the world He also got a fragrance license with a diffusion line which was launched in 1981. In the early 1980s he also started making jeans, sunglasses and accessories. By the time the 2000s hit, the Brand was one of the most well known luxury brands in the world
In 2004 the brand even opened up its first Hotel in Dubai and now there's also one here in Italy Giorgio Armani also created some cheaper brands but with good quality so everyone could get a taste of Armani under the brand name Armani. There is Emporio Armani, A|X Armani Exchange, and EA7, and combined there's over 600 stores worldwide They also opened up many restaurants around the world in places like New York, Dubai, Paris, and of course Italy. Despite his global fame and world wide popularity and success, Armani has always valued his private life It was widely known that Giorgio Armani was gay He first realized his sexuality at a summer camp when he was young where he found himself admiring one of the male workers. Although his first sexual encounter was with a girl his real love of his life was Sergio Galeotti I mentioned him earlier and yes he was the one who helped and encouraged Giorgio to create the brand. Their love story started in the one and only Forte Dei Marmi in 1966, at La Cappinnina Not much was known about their relationship but it was very well known that they were deeply in love and had similar thoughts. They had a special romantic and professional relationship and Giorgio even said once that he felt protected when he was around him Sadly in 1985 Sergio passed away from AIDS His death affected Giorgio very very much and even talked about how a part of him died when Sergio did and that while he was sick it was very hard for him. Armani said, “A whole year spent next to Sergio in his hospital bed And it all happened as our career was taking off, when we were becoming known, setting up our company, and reaching worldwide fame.”. It was a very sad time for Armani, but he admitted that even years later he would still think about him daily in his everyday activities they would do together After Sergio passed, every year Giorgio would go to LA capinnina the place they first met and he even went as far as investing and taking a part of the ownership of the club and is supposed to start in summer of 2026 although no it's not sure what will happen After Sergio's death he spoke even less about his private life and personal relationships He was able to find someone who stayed with him until his last days on earth. His name was Leo Dell’Orco, and although we don't have any idea about when they started dating, they met in 1974 while Giorgio was walking his friend's dog, and he
later became head of menswear design for Armani’s fashion house He was often known as Giorgio's right hand man and stood by his side at many fashion shows and events. Armani describes him as, “ the person closest to me”, and said that he has a deep affection for him as they had lived together for many years Leo describes armani as, “The most creative of all: if he could, he’d dare even more.”. After Armani's death Leo inherited 30% of the Armani franchise and brand. Although he never got married or had any kids, he did have many nieces and nephews Armani always thought he would be a great dad and wanted to have kids, but sadly he just never had any. He has two nieces. Roberta who works as the company's Head of Entertainment & VIP Relations and Silvana was one of the brand's heads of design His nephew's name is Andrea and worked as its sustainability managing director.
Tragically on the 4th of September 2025 at age 91 in his home in Milan Giorgio Armani passed away
“Hisdeathmarkedtheend ofaneraforfashion.”
but Giorgio Armani built more than just a luxury brand, he built a legacy that continues to inspire people and show what elegance truly looks like and means. The clothes he creates and designs are more than just clothes, they represent individuality, confidence, simplicity and timeless Although we don't know who will take on his legacy of the brand since he had no kids and wasn't married he will still always be remembered and known as one of the best and successful fashion designers forever
SOCOTRAARCHIPELAGO,YEMEN
By Silvia Ratto ‘26
Off the Coast of Yemen is an island that looks like it just came out of a movie, with draw dropping landscapes that it feels like being in another universe. Our planet is filled with beauty, with millions of locations that are worth exploring. Therefore, I am proposing a series where I will present hidden beauties on our planet that I hope one day I will be able to visit Therefore, I am presenting to you the Socotra Archipelago
The UNESCO World Heritage site lies right outside the coast of Yemen in the Indian Ocean. The isle is known as the “Happy Isle”, and is one of the last archaic civilizations that survived the Industrial Revolution, and now struggles to resist globalization. It is considered one of the most botanically diverse groups in the world, as it is home to 825 diverse plant species, 37% of them being endemic It has a semi desert climate with average temperatures of over 25 degrees From June to September the island is characterized by strong winds and high seas, therefore having low accessibility. Although the island has a lack of infrastructure (e g upscale hotels), its beautiful sights make the trip worthwhile
Touristic Attractions: No trip to the island is complete without seeing the beautiful Dragon's Blood Trees. They can be found in The Homhil plateau in Socotra and are fascinating umbrella shaped trees that create almost a Martian landscape The plateau is not only a beautiful sight but also an infinity pool overlooking the sea hundreds of meters down
The Hoq Cave stretches 3 to 4 kilometres of limestone cliffs and features amazing pools of water, stalagmites and stalactites. The journey to arrive at the cave can be quite challenging (taking 1 hour of walking/hiking to arrive), however once reaching the cave, all the sights will be breathtaking The cave also holds significant historical and archaeological value, as it holds scriptures from sailors and traders that visited Socotra from 1st century BC to 6th century AD.
Archer Beach is one of the most iconic beaches in the island of Socotra The beach itself presents clear turquoise waters and incredible white sand dunes, cascading down to the sea. The best sights are right at dawn, while watching the sunrise at the top of the dunes
Kalysan Canyon is located in the South East of the Island and is one of the most beautiful places in Socotra. What makes this location particularly unique is its contrast of limestone walls with its deep emerald colored waters. This canyon has the largest freshwater pool in Socotra and is perfect for a deep dive or a swim
Hadiboh is the capital of Socotra, and it is worth visiting to get a glimpse of Socotran culture and life It is a very modest hub, however very lively There you can find markets for fish, produce, condiments and more (it is also the only place in the island where you will find hotels!).
These are one of the many attractions of this little, but lively island and there is so much more beauty that is present So, if you enjoy nature, this is the place for you!
Cuisine: Cuisine in Yemen is a major part of its culture, as it is so different from any common known Middle Eastern cuisine Local restaurants, on the island, offer simple but well seasoned dishes. Usually the standardized dish is rice and Arabian flat bread with fish and vegetable sauce, however other typical dishes are also served Especially grilled fish, goat, oysters, and curry seasoned boiled lobster or king fish. All meals are served hot, straight out of the pan or oven onto the table. The restaurants will give a homey feel to your trip, and are for sure a hit-point!
These are only a few highlights about this amazing, but unknown island. By traveling and discovering this extraordinary location you will be able to have a feel of what living in Socotra is truly like. Whether it be by experiencing the many markets in the capital, by the culture, or by the cuisine The world is full of beauty, and the best is the one that has not yet been discovered.
BOOKREVIEW:LAPORTALETTERE
By Allegra DiFlorio ‘27
This summer, I read an Italian book titled La Portalettere, written by Francesca Giannone in 2023 I normally only read in English, but I ultimately chose this book because my cousin gave it to me for Christmas last year and I still hadn’t read it! Oops! As a student still learning Italian, this book provided the perfect level of difficulty and interest to keep me engaged the entire time While the size was quite daunting at first, it quickly became the last thing I was thinking about.
Francesca Giannone was born in Lecce (Puglia) in 1982 and is an Italian writer She studied at the Experimental Center of Cinematography in Rome, after which she moved to Bologna where she wrote her first novel, La Portalettere, which sold four-thousand copies in a year It was the bestselling novel in Italy in 2023 and again in 2024 and it won the Bancarella Prize and the "Amo Questo Libro" award from Librerie Giunti. Giannone is also known for her second book: Tomorrow, tomorrow, which was released in 2024.
The novel, inspired by the story of Giannone’s great-grandmother, Anna Allavena, is about a woman, Anna, who moves from the north to a small town, Lizzanello (Lecce), in southern Italy with her husband and young son to be closer to her husband's family The book follows Anna's life as she attempts to become the new post(wo)man after turning her life upside down to move to the south, a task made very difficult because she is a woman (as the book is set in the 1930s–50s). In addition to following Anna’s journey as she navigates her new life, the book also touches on the lives of her husband, Carlo; his brother, Antonio; Antonio's wife, Agata: and their daughter, Lorenza.
While the plot focuses primarily on Anna becoming the “portalettere” - or post(wo)man, it also explores other everyday conflicts, such as relationships -
both romantic and familial, the family wine business, illness, the difficulties of moving - both country and culture, and the political state of the world at the time (pre- and post-World War II). It is a complex, engaging, and moving story about life and the intricate and intimate details that come along with being human
I really enjoyed reading this novel because of how realistic it is. It truly feels like a real situation, with characters who aren't perfect and have flaws. I also like how the book follows the characters through their lives, allowing the reader to grow with them and see how they change and mature
Additionally, I like how Giannone writes with so much detail and description of the various scenes and settings I have to say however, that I prefer it when there's a plot that can be followed throughout the book, so I was a little disappointed when I discovered it was more of a reflection on everyday life than a specific story. That aside, I really enjoyed reading this book, both for the characters and the way it was written It allowed me to reflect on my life as a young woman growing up in both a progressive time and place, with so many of the obstacles that women faced in the past (and still do in some places) not directly affecting me
Overall, reading this book taught me a lot about both Italian culture and the overall social culture of the 1930s. The book is definitely long but not too difficult, so I would recommend it to anyone interested in novels that deal with the details of southern Italian life at the time Obviously, this book is perfect for Italian readers, but I would also recommend it to those with a basic level of Italian who are interested in improving their language skills In the end, I really enjoyed this book and got a lot out of reading it, and I hope that everyone else who reads it will too
DOWNTOWNABBEY:THE[SOMEWHAT] GRANDFINALE
By Willow Wyatt ‘27
On September 8th, 2025 the final film in the franchise, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, premiered at last In doing so, it has been an incredible success, garnering over $34 million in its first week alone. In addition, it has been lauded by viewers and has a tomatometer of 92% as of writing this article, which is 2% higher than Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey The critics’ consensus describes it as“a worthy sendoff for Downton Abbey,” though I am not entirely convinced. On Letterboxd in which audiences are typically more critical the film has a rating of 3 6/5 stars One popular review on the site says “The stakes have never been lower!!! (Complimentary),” which seems to neatly and comedically sum up many viewers’ positions.
"Aworthysendofffor DowntonAbbey"
For those who have not yet watched the film, a brief synopsis will be presented below. I would provide a spoiler warning, but the film’s plot becomes quite simple to anticipate after the first half hour of exposition
The film opens with the hustle and bustle of Piccadilly Circus in 1930s London. The Crawleys (the aristocratic main family) are enjoying a play in a luxurious opera house Mary and Edith (the two Crawley sisters) go out on a shopping spree when the topic of Mary’s marriage arises and seems to make everyone uncomfortable. This leads into the main conflict of the film, Mary has divorced her adulterous husband, Henry Talbot, and must now face the social consequences This is first exhibited when, upon arriving at a ball, her secret is revealed and she is asked to leave lest the royals be in the presence of a divorced woman. As the story continues, she goes from a complete social pariah to county leader once again
She uses the opportunity of a famous playwright, Noël Coward and a film star Guy Dexter to leverage the local elite to sit at dinner despite her presence. In the end she is even asked to present awards at the Yorkshire County Show to grand cheer and applause
Being the grand finale, the film provides rather heartwarming and neat sendoffs to the majority of the beloved characters. To find out more about the rest of the cast member's happily ever afters, I recommend the article “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale ending explained with full spoilers –how does the franchise end?” on the Radio Times.
A concurrent conflict is that of the brother of Cora, the countess, Harold Levinson, who lost a vast amount of their family’s fortune He comes to London from New York accompanied by a businessman called Gus Sambrook. It so turns out that Gus had actually fleeced the naïve Harold and pocketed his money (this fact was quite predictable) However, before knowing it, Mary had had an affair with Gus, which he took advantage of to blackmail her. This problem vanished in an instant when her sister wielded the power of her station as the Marchionesse of Hexham to silence him
In my opinion, that last fact gets at the crux of the deep-seated problem at the heart of the film, that there really cannot be many consequences for the protagonists' actions because they are the rich and powerful elite who run the society of their day It is easy to sympathize with Mary’s plight as a divorced woman in a judgmental and misogynistic era. Yet her suffering feels superficial because the consequences of her stigmatization pale in comparison to the privilege and fortune her life has afforded her
While the Crowleys have always had this privilege, in fact it has been diminishing since the beginning of the series, it feels as though the stakes used to be so much higher and the character's actions meant something. At the start, there were veritable risks that the Crawleys could be left destitute, or that Mary could actually be irreparably socially ostracized. As well, even when the stakes were low, the visual storytelling and comedy were so compelling and intelligent that it did not necessitate serious conflict
In a sense, I feel as though this movie, along with the two other films and some of the last seasons of the series are retreading steps they have already made, but ever more poorly. This is already the third moment in which Mary had to contend with an illicit affair and being blackmailed (all three of which were solved with power or a check), the character arcs of the Earl and Butler have involved coming to terms with relinquishing control two or three times at the least, and the family have had a large fortune lost (and sometimes gained again) three times. These tropes and themes were all successful the first, and perhaps second, times they were employed, but, watching with an analytical lens, it grows tiring to see them repeatedly to passable effect
All in all, despite the many formal flaws of the film and straining of the franchise, I cannot deny that I did quite enjoy watching the film. It may not be intellectually stimulating, but it heartwarmingly bids farewell to the cherished characters with which long time fans will have surely spent myriad time with. I don’t recommend going to the theater or spending €25 on streaming (as I did) to watch this film Rather, I endorse waiting until it is conveniently available and putting it on in the background; meanwhile, enjoy a cup of tea or a full English breakfast and bask in its glorious mediocrity!
“Watchingwithan analyticallens,itgrows tiringtoseethem repeatedlytopassable effect.”
L I
HOWCULTURESHAPESMICROTRENDSWITHOUTRECOGNITION
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THESTARTOFTHEDEMNAERAATGUCCI
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FROMWINGSTOWARDS
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GIORGIOARMANI:AFASHIONICONWE’LLALWAYSREMEMBER
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