La PENINSULA
Winter at Aquazzura 12
ZAGARA Home 16
Home Couture: Aquazzura Casa 18
Luxury Leather: Benjamin Babadi’s La Dolce Vita 30
Bella Sirena: “Beautiful Mermaid” 32
Filienna Festa 34
Desmalter: The Art of the Aristocrat 40
FILIPNXT 42
Gaâla’s Christmas Capsule 44
ON THE PENINSULA
Villa Cotton 22
Home for the Holidays
The Sicilian Secret Diet 38 LIFESTYLE
ACCESSORIES
‘Tis the Season of Good Karma 8
Blow Ye Winds, Blow: CeCe Jewellery 10
Ferragamo’s Secret of the Season 14
TRAVEL
Inked in Faith: Loreto’s Sacred Tattoo Tradition 36
Romazzino 48
Sardinia’s Latest Gem
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Photo courtesy of Villa Cotton
La PENINSULA
Photo courtesy of Zagara Home
President/CEO
Laurie Melchionne
Editor-in-Chief
Director of Marketing
Editor
Social Media Photography
Cover Photography
Publisher
Articles by La Peninsula © is published by Laurie Ann Communications, LLC. laurieann.net
Laurie Melchionne
Geraldine Melchionne
Cyan Leigh Dacasin
Alexandra Salmieri @reelfocus_
Villa Cotton
Laurie Ann Communications, LLC.
Laurie and Geraldine Melchionne 4801 #11A-618
Linton Blvd, Delray Beach, Fl 33445 +1-609-618-9425
Editor’s Letter
Saluti!
Welcome to the first holiday issue of La Peninsula! The holiday season arrives earlier and earlier these days, which means we launch into full gear starting November 1st.
For many, home is synonymous with Christmas. Karen Carpenter said it best in her rendition of “There’s No Place Like Home For the Holidays.” I hear her voice as I read this issue’s stories, which are full of home goods that will adorn holiday decor and tablescapes this season. ZAGARA Home, Aquazzura Casa, and Villa Cotton, this issue’s cover story, bring Italy home for the holidays. Bella Sirena wine pours the flavors of the Amalfi Coast into clinking glasses. CeCe Jewellery, Le Vian Jewelers, and Benjamin Babadi Tuscan leather handbags take stocking stuffers to the next level with the ultimate Euro-luxe moment.
For some, home means travel; set your sights on Romazzino, a Belmond Hotel that just opened its doors this past spring in Sardinia and will reopen for the season in May 2025. We also travel across the Peninsula to Loreto, where a medieval tradition rooted in sacred Catholic practices still thrives.
For Italians, Christmas means panettone lining grocery store shelves, La Befana ornaments on trees, mercatini di Natale filling the piazzas, and presepi villages in the south while Saint Lucia markets emerge in the north.
For me, home is not a place, it’s a person. It isn’t Christmas until I see my aunt, Laurie Gannon. Her astute insight, sharp intuition, and endless mentorship imprints her not only on my holiday memories, but on these pages themselves.
From the Melchionne family to yours, Buone Feste!
Alla prossima, Laurie Melchionne
Photos courtesy of Le Vian
Good Karma ‘TIS THE SEASON of
BY LAURIE MELCHIONNE
Le Vian, the fine diamond powerhouse with over 25 years as a household name, rings in the holiday season with the Good Karma collection. Exclusive to Kay Jewelers, Good Karma promotes the reason for the season. Philanthropy has been part of Le Vian’s long heritage, and Good Karma contributes to this legacy through its partnership with St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and Diamonds Do Good. This nonprofit develops schools and supports remote diamond-producing communities throughout the world. Le Vian also donates 10-20% of profit to a handful of charities, before taxes, redefining Good Karma as not only a diamond collection, but a lifestyle.
Reminiscent of its prior cosmos-themed Celestian and Constellations Collection, Good Karma features rings with swirling silhouettes representing the endless flow of infinity. Cloud-like Neopolitan Opal, night-sky Deep Sea Blue Topaz, and feminine Peach Morganite paint the color palettes in a rainbow’s array of diamond options.
“This is one of the most exciting and meaningful jewelry collections I have seen in my career at Kay Jewelers,” said Stephanie Lawler, Kay Jewelers vice president. “We’re thrilled to see the impact it will have.”
It wouldn’t be a Le Vian collection without its iconic Chocolate Diamonds, mounted in Good Karm’s additional pieces such as the Chocolate Diamond necklace and bangle. With linear spirals and sleek, open faces, Good Karma incorporates multiple diamonds in each piece. This diamond diversity allows the wearer to flaunt a variety of colors and multi-faceted sparkle, embracing an accessory that is not limited to a single rock’s color.
The Neopolitan Opal ring, for example, is flanked by both Chocolate and Nude Diamonds. The Ombré Ring showcases an endless offering of color, elegantly incorporating Peach Morganite, Strawberry Ombré Sapphires, and Vanilla Sapphire accent set in 14K Strawberry Gold. The other Ombré Ring has both Chocolate Ombré Diamonds and Vanilla Diamonds® set in 14K Honey Gold, offering shades of brown to compliment any outfit in winter’s neutral, earthy tones.
Good Karma’s sleek lines and swirling shapes allow for mix-and-match moments, with pinks and peaches that blend seamlessly with its Chocolate Diamonds, Sapphires, and Topaz. Synonymous with Le Vian elegance, Good Karma’s positive message and timeless aesthetic make for the perfect present this holiday season. Give joy and goodwill to others, and the universe that inspired this collection will give back to you. Shop Good Karma and Le Vian Jewelers online at kay.com
Fog brims the moor, cloaking whispers of Celtic folklore. In Dartmoor, England, wood nymphs and changelings dance veiled from human sight. Deep within this mystical mist, CeCe Jewellery carves stories into solid gold, tales of seafaring, nautical talismans, Celtic mythology, and Old World symbols of love.
An art history student from Exeter University, Cece Fein Hughes’ native Dartmoor cradled her love of all things time beyond. Roped with her connection to the sea, Cece and her mother would indulge in their shared love of high art and historical paintings. This often found the two at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum.
Here, Cece happened upon a single object that would ignite CeCe Jewellery’s inception. On exhibit was a gold band from the Renaissance, a French-made bracelet swirling with pink-andwhite enameled flowers. A motif of an Old World love promise, the band’s historic artistry whispered of a forgotten tradition. Champleve Enamel, a meticulous fired-to-gold jewelry craft, dates back to the Byzantine Empire and is the foundation for all of Cece’s designs today.
Blow Ye Winds, Blow
BY LAURIE MELCHIONNE
Photos courtesy of CeCe Jewellery
After honing her skills at the British Academy of Jewellery, Cece took to the iconic workshops of London’s Hatton Garden to incorporate one-of-a-kind hand-carving, -painting, and -enameling into her brand. Today, Cece Jewellery’s collections of rings, pendants, and earrings all tell a tale through historic, Hellenic, and modern tattoos inspired by nautical imagery such as A Sailor’s Superstition, Shark & Anchor, and Secrets of the Sea.
“The mythical creatures and legends in my work are a reminder of the fascinations of my childhood,” said Cece on her website. “I understand the mysteries and meaning contained in those tales [...] and pour my inspiration into jewelry.”
Tales & Talismans
“Do you long to sail into the unknown?” This is the question asked by Tales of the Land, Cece’s talisman collection. The Adventurer Charm is a coin-like charm of 18ct yellow gold framed by naturally mined colorless diamonds. One side of the charm is a bluewinged swallow that soars through a sky of twinkling diamonds. Flip it over and find an engraved anchor, symbolic of a sailor’s journey soon to begin. “Adventurer” is branded below the anchor, solidifying the wearer’s identity as a free spirit the likes of wave-riding seafarers.
The Shark & Anchor Charm, a symbol inspired by traditional sailor tattoos and the ink on Cece’s deep-sea diver father, has a blue-enameled shark with its tail looped around an engraved anchor. Reminiscent of a seaman’s tales of the deep, humming with an old shanty, Shark & Anchor captures a sailor’s heart. Rings, earrings, pendants and locket necklaces complete the collection. The dual-faced Adventurer Charm and other talismans such as the blazing heart Lover’s Charm and the crowned lion Warrior’s Charm are available in any category.
Extraordinary Lovers Sea, sky, and land clash in an explosion of the elements, as fiery as new love. The Secrets of the Sea Locket paints a scene of ocean secrets revealed: a detailed conch shell carries a message in a bottle. A love letter? A poem? Or is it a proposal, as suggested by “Marry Me?” engraved on the locket’s inside panel? Worn close to the heart, Secrets of the Sea is an intimate symbol of the silent language between lovers.
The Apple of My Eye Locket clicks open to a succulent red apple, depicted after submitting to temptation. Missing a bite-sized chunk, the apple sits on a bed of colorless diamonds, pierced with an arrow of discovered passion.
Rings
All charms can be crafted into rings. Signets and pendant rings allow the talismans to take center stage. Rings like Secrets of the Sea, Apple of My Eye, and Window to the Soul flaunt a mounted gemstone and enamel the motifs in a landscape of watercolor scenes that hug the ring’s sides.
It wouldn’t be a Cece Jewellery piece without its customization options. Lockets offer custom engraving, as they often do, but each piece takes it a step further. Through one-on-one consultations, Cece’s team of master enamelers take a client’s original idea, emotion, or image and transform it into a one-of-a-kind piece. Whether it’s a ring, locket, or pendant necklace, shape and cut are all in the hands of the wearer. Clients get their pick of colored gemstones and hand-painted symbols. From there, the artisans craft a tale into art through traditional goldsmith and enameling techniques. Cece’s method is old-school. It all starts with pencil, paper, and watercolors. Original watercolor images or a digital painting rendering allows the enamellers to play with color that lives beyond one-shade diamonds and solid metal bases like gold or silver. The result? A prototype of fine jewelry that brims with color. Once the design’s final rendition is approved, it is sent to the workshop in London’s iconic jewelry quarter. Another distinctive element of Cece’s aesthetic is her signature satin polish, a finish that gives its gold a soft canvas ripe for each motif to come to life.
All rings, earrings, and pendants start as blanks or casts, which are then meticulously hand-forged, engraved, painted, and enameled. Slow-made with devoted, expert human hands, Cece Jewellery is an undeniable echo of the goldsmiths and jewel craftsmen along Florence’s Ponte Vecchio. In both places, timeless heirloom accessories are still produced as they’ve been for centuries: with love transcending space, time, and history.
Winter at Aquazzura
By Laurie Melchionne
Muse Clutch
Photos courtesy of Andrés Gar Lujàn
The pinnacle of luxury Italian footwear and handbags has returned at Aquazzura. With a line of metallic tones, strappy heels, and shimmering silhouettes, Aquazzura’s Fall/Winter 2024 collection emphasizes retro 70s allure.
The strappy Moves Sandal 105 is something straight off the disco floor. With open toes, crossover straps, and 105 mm stiletto heels, these sandals are cut from strips of curated materials to choose from: metallic gold, black velvet, and Malachite green velvet.
Noodle Mule 75, a heel of sculpted femininity, contrasts woven gold straps against a sophisticated leather base. Effortlessly elevated with a cocktail dress or gown, or toned down with a casual pair of jeans, the Noodle Mule 75 embodies the versatility of a timeless, vintage design.
Less is more. For the Hot Sandal 95, less means a lot more. The ultra-slim strap outlines the foot’s graceful curves, while the sculpted 95 mm heel maintains elegance in any outfit pairing. Available in gold and silver, these sandals reflect mirrors with every step, strutting flashes of light like the wearer’s own personal paparazzi.
The Fall/Winter 24 collection also showcases a range of handbags and clutches to complement its footwear. The Ari Bucket Bag, a unique cylinder shape surfaced with black calf leather and light-gold hardware,
turns any handbag moment into portable art. Accented with resin and lined with grosgrain, the jewel-like chain strap seamlessly pairs with both color options, black and Malachite green.
The Muse Clutch evokes the glamor of a solid gold bar—just crafted into an Italian leather handbag. Striking in its rectangular simplicity, Aquazzura Founder and Creative Director Edgardo Osorio paid special homage to the 70s with the clutch’s retro shape. Minimalist cognac-brown suede or dramatic black leather contrast with a reflective gold base and chain strap. Glamorous and one-of-a-kind, the Muse Clutch is a paradox of both originality and nostalgia.
The Tequila Clutch reflects the collection’s disco ball, with mirror-like palettes of sunset orange, hot pink, silver-white, and Tuscan gold. Italian-crafted, each color comes with a jeweled orb clasp and flaunts leather, palladium, and framboise finishes.
Aquazzura’s collections are available at over 300 top retailers in 58 countries, online at aquazzura.com, and at flagship boutiques in Florence, London, New York, Miami, Doha, Dubai, Milan, São Paulo, Capri, Madrid, Paris, Rome, Taipei, and St. Tropez.
Discover the full Fall/Winter 24 collection at aquazzura.com.
Photo courtesy of Ferragamo
Ferragamo’s Secret of the Season
Ferragamo Secret, the timepiece collection, bejewels watches this holiday season. Crafted by Ferragamo Creative Director Maximilian Davis, Ferragamo Secret’s timepieces are quartz-movement powered with a mother-ofpearl dial surrounded by precious stones and glittering diamonds. Lapis lazuli, malachite, and red agate dials adorn this collection for diverse timepiece options that flatter any gemstone preference.
Simultaneously a decorative bracelet and functional time companion, each model is accompanied by blue sapphires, emeralds, or rubies. A diamond-lover’s dream, this five-link bracelet also flaunts a vertical Ferragamo logo engraved along the sliding panel. Metallic finishes flash on the dial frame, hands, and index studs.
“Ferragamo Secret is a one-of-a-kind timepiece that strikes an impeccable balance between elegance and precision,” said Davis. “It’s an object of desire, exciting and enigmatic, concealing its true nature like a rare and precious jewelry piece.”
Each holiday season, gift-giving is about love and good-will. This sentiment that breathes forever in Ferragamo Secret when customers opt for custom engraving on the inside panel. Available online on ferragamo.com and in-store at Ferragamo boutiques, Ferragamo Secret will be immersed in upcoming boutique initiatives throughout the new year.
Ferragamo Secret starts at $5,200 - $9,400
The Mediterranean Retreat ZAGARA HOME
BY LAURIE MELCHIONNE
Photos courtesy of ZAGARA Home
SHOPPING
Meet Catherine LaMarca (right), founder and creative director of ZAGARA Home, the Italian-made, Italian-themed home goods lifestyle line. With everything from room fragrances to table linens to bedding, ZAGARA Home cultivates any interior space into a haven of Mediterranean elegance.
Lamarca took La Peninsula behind ZAGARA’s curtain in this exclusive interview.
How did you launch ZAGARA Home? Where does the name “Zagara” come from?
I founded Zagara Home out of my deep love for Italian elegance and design, drawing inspiration from my Italian heritage and family traditions. The name “Zagara” comes from the Sicilian word for orange blossom, a flower with a rich, intoxicating fragrance that symbolizes beauty, purity, and the warmth of the Mediterranean. It’s a nod to my roots and the essence I aim to capture in every product I create. ZAGARA Home began with a vision to share the beauty of Italian craftsmanship through fine linens, fragrances, and home accessories, infusing homes with a sense of European luxury and timeless elegance.
ZAGARA Home is an extension of my passion for interior design and my deep connection to my Italian heritage. My creations are inspired by my appreciation for fine textiles and heirloom linens, much like the ones my mother and nonna hand-embroidered. The memory of pure white Italian linen towels, delicately embroidered, and the sweet scent of Sicilian citrus inspired me to create ZAGARA Home’s Signature Collection. I aim to introduce old-world charm to a new generation and revive cherished memories of the past. Each product in the ZAGARA Home collection reflects my commitment to quality and craftsmanship, with my love for design serving as the foundation for ZAGARA Home’s distinctive style.
What draws you to the home goods industry?
For me, home has always been where life’s most beautiful moments are shared. I’ve always been inspired by the details that make a space feel personal, warm, and inviting. I wanted to offer products that elevate everyday living, combining practicality with luxury and tradition with modern design. The home goods industry allows me to connect with people on a personal level, helping them create spaces that reflect their style and tell their stories.
What is the Designer Program and how does it benefit interior designers drawn to Italian craftsmanship?
Our Designer Program is tailored specifically for interior designers who appreciate the beauty and sophistication of Italian craftsmanship. It offers exclusive access to our collections, personalized support, and trade pricing. Designers working with ZAGARA Home benefit from our commitment to quality, attention to detail, and ability to create custom pieces that truly reflect their clients’ visions. It’s an opportunity for designers to integrate the elegance of Italian-made goods into their projects with ease and confidence.
What is the Tailor Made Program and what sets it apart from typical B2B interior design products partnerships?
The Tailor Made Program is designed for those who desire exclusive, custom-made home goods that go beyond what’s readily available. Unlike typical B2B partnerships that offer standard collections, we work closely with designers and clients to create bespoke items, paying attention to every detail—from fabric selection to final stitching.
The program is highly collaborative, allowing us to translate personal visions into tangible pieces of art for the home. What sets it apart is the level of craftsmanship and personalization we offer, ensuring that every product is truly one-of-a-kind and reflective of our Italian heritage.
How many of your designs are custom-made to order? Is this offering exclusive to the Tailor Made Program?
While many of our products are ready to ship, a significant portion of our collection can be customized. This flexibility is most prominently featured in our Tailor Made Program, where designers and clients can work with us to create bespoke pieces that align with specific needs, dimensions, and finishes. It’s a more personal approach, and we enjoy collaborating with those who want something truly unique and one-of-a-kind.
How do you approach collection/design ideas?
Every collection starts with a story or a feeling I want to evoke. Being born in Italy and traveling throughout Italy, Sicily, and Europe, I’m constantly inspired by the beauty and richness of these places—the colors, textures, and craftsmanship. Sicily, in particular, is a constant source of inspiration with its attention to detail and timeless elegance. Once I have a vision, I work closely with artisans and manufacturers to bring it to life, always focusing on quality materials and designs that endure. I want each piece to tell its own story while seamlessly complementing a wide range of personal styles.
Where do you manufacture your linen collections?
Our linen collections are primarily manufactured in Italy, where we collaborate with skilled artisans who uphold the highest standards of craftsmanship. We take pride in using the finest Italian textiles, ensuring that every piece reflects the quality and elegance that Italian craftsmanship is known for. Where/how do you source materials? Any favorite materials or styles you like to work with?
We are very selective about sourcing our materials, choosing only the finest fabrics, such as Belgian linen and Egyptian cotton. I particularly love working with natural fibers because they’re not only beautiful but also durable and sustainable. Linen, in particular, has a luxurious yet understated texture that perfectly lends itself to both classic and contem-
porary designs. We also take great care in sourcing ingredients for our fragrances, ensuring that every product is both high-quality and eco-conscious.
What elements define ZAGARA Home as Italian/European? How does ZAGARA Home transform home spaces into Euro elegance?
Our goal is to transport our customers to the Mediterranean with pieces that evoke the charm and sophistication of Italy, transforming homes into elegant retreats. The essence of Zagara Home is rooted in Italian craftsmanship and a European appreciation for beauty, quality, and detail. Each product is designed with timeless elegance in mind, balancing classic styles with modern sensibilities. From our fine linens and detailed embroidery to our carefully crafted fragrances, everything we offer exudes a refined yet inviting sense of luxury.
How often are new products and categories updated?
We introduce new collections seasonally, ensuring that we always have something fresh and exciting to offer our customers. Whether it’s a new fragrance for the home or an expanded line of linens, we’re constantly evolving while staying true to our brand’s heritage.
Who shops ZAGARA Home? What are the style preferences and lifestyles that ZAGARA Home speaks to the most?
ZAGARA Home appeals to those who appreciate quality, elegance, and timeless design. Our customers are individuals and families who value craftsmanship and enjoy creating beautiful, welcoming spaces. They are drawn to the Italian aesthetic and often have a love for travel, culture, and the finer things in life. Whether they’re decorating a vacation home or simply adding small luxuries to their everyday lives, our customers value style and substance in equal measure.
Does ZAGARA Home have anything planned for the holidays or the near future?
Yes, we have some exciting plans for the holidays that will make wonderful gifts. We’re also looking forward to sharing a few surprises that we think our customers will love. Stay tuned!
Where can we shop ZAGARA Home?
You can shop our full collection online at www. zagarahome.com. We also work with select retailers and interior designers, and we’re proud to offer our Tailor Made Program for those looking for bespoke creations.
Home Couture
AQUAZZURA CASA
From Capri to Venice, India to Japan, Aquazzura Casa takes the home on a journey around the world. The dinnerware collection transforms tablescaping into fine art. Pineapple motifs, Venetian Murano glass, and fruit-and-floral prints are on display, with endless options to choose from. Headquartered in Florence, Aquazzura is typically known as a household name in luxury Italian footwear.
However, at Milan Design Week in June 2022, Aquazzura unveiled a new branch of its design umbrella. Created by Founder and Creative Director Edgardo Osorio, alongside interior designer Fiona Leahy of Fiona Leahy Design, Aquazzura Casa entwines nature’s beauty with the dinner table. With Aquazzura’s signature femininity through its use of elegant color palettes, Osorio and Leahy deliver haute couture at home.
The Secret Garden collection transports any tablescape through time, landing the room in an 18th-century garden party. Dine with authentic Chinese porcelains
like any Old World aristocrat, with porcelain prints painted onto linens and ceramic dinnerware. All from the comfort of home, Secret Garden elevates your dinner party with bursts of garden color, blooming from tree branches with botanical greenery prints.
Tutti Frutti brings Capri to your cupboard, with the Italian island’s famous ceramics and linens decorating a tablescape with Mediterranean color all year long. Ripe cherries, bright lemons, and lush peaches adorn the plates, napkins, and utensils. With each piece, this collection bursts with the flavors, colors, and bounty of Capri.
Cherry Blossom features ceramics that bloom with the Japanese sakura flower, blossoming across plates, bowls, and platters in a garden of celadon green, lemon yellow, and rose pink. The glassware are flower bulbs on thin, branch-like stems. Edged with a leafy silhouette, Cherry Blossom’s ceramic plates complete a tablescape of floral whimsy.
Inspired by Osorio’s travels
to India, the Jaipur Collection is a vibrant flight to the exotic. Geometric patterns redefine Aquazzura Casa’s elegance, painting the violets, purples, and pinks of India’s sunrise across every ceramic, linen, and tablecloth. Pineapple, Aquazzura’s emblem of at-home luxury, stamps the center of every piece and reminds your tablescape that when dining with you, pampering comes first.
Murano Glass, handblown by the glassmakers of Venice, sculpts the drinkware throughout Aquazzura’s Casa collection. Emerald glasses pair with Secret Garden’s greenery, contrasting with forest-like glints. Yellow-gold cups evoke sunset’s glimmer, which feeds light into Capri’s fruits and compliment Tutti Frutti’s plates, platters, and linens. Pale lavender glass pairs with the vibrant hues of the Jaipur Collection, highlighting the exotic prints of India. With these pieces, the possibilities are endless.
Turn your home into an Aquazzura Casa at aquazzura.com.
BY LAURIE MELCHIONNE
VILLA COTTON Home for the
By Laurie Melchionne
Photos courtesy of Villa Cotton
If we are home for the holidays, the home might as well reflect the heart. At Villa Cotton, the luxury bedding and loungewear brand, the heart of the home is the bedroom—one adorned in Italian artistry rooted in la dolce vita.
Designed in Como, Italy, a small town known for its slow craftsmanship in pottery, ceramics, leather goods, and more, Villa Cotton pampers the bedroom with Italian color palettes, high-quality materials, sustainability, and philanthropy. All of this is stitched into the fabric of its duvet cover sets, sheet sets, and—as of this fall—its all-new loungewear line of robes, pajamas, and slippers.
Luxury Loungewear
Like its duvet sets, Villa Cotton’s loungewear is patterned with Italian motifs. Bursts of color in Colibri (“hummingbirds”) and Le Farfalle (“butterflies”), aristocratic Florentine imagery in Toile de Jouy, opulent swirls in Villaggio, and garden florals in Fiori (“flowers”) take the wearer on a journey through Italy’s peninsula. From the land’s flowers and butterflies, to its luxurious Renaissance villas and archi-
tecture, Villa Cotton captures la dolce vita’s pampered side.
Available in long-sleeved pajama suits and matching robe-and-slip sets, the latest loungewear layers a luxurious holiday season. Each pajama set is made from 100% sustainable viscose that is slinky, breathable, and flows with the body. An elastic waistband and spacious pockets optimize comfort and versatility, while the long robes include a tie belt and two more pockets. Villa Cotton’s loungewear allows you to sleep in style, matching your bedroom sanctuary with Italian sheets, duvets, and pillows.
Additionally, the Hotel Italian collection features embroidered Egyptian Cotton duvet covers and sheet sets, towels, robes, and slippers, of the quality that Italophiles discover in Italy’s five-star hotels—such as the Four Seasons Florence where the loungewear line shot its photoshoot.
Dedication to quality
All designs are hand-painted and digitally printed to recapture Como’s approach to artisanal, slow-made home goods. From paper
Colibri Robe Set
Toile de Jouy Pajama Set.
testing based on human ecology requirements for safe contact with human skin. Compliant with national and international regulations in sustainability, dermatology, and manufacturing, Villa Cotton is safe for bedrooms and pajama drawers throughout the world.
The Sleep Foundation, the sleep experts that utilize a board of medical advisors, product testers, and editorial researchers to provide best sleep practices, awarded Villa Cotton in 2021. It was recognized for Best Cotton in “Best Duvet Covers of 2021” and Most Soft in “Best Comforters of 2021.”
Philanthropy
Villa Cotton’s profits are regularly donated to several environmental and social charities such as One Tree Planted, IFund Women, and SOS Children’s Villages. According to Villa Cotton’s website, cultivating one’s home environment and giving back go hand-in-hand, saying, “While our home is a small bubble we create for ourselves, it is impossible to have a true ‘la dolce vita’ without strong communities and a generous spirit.”
Le Farfalle Robe
Through its social responsibility efforts, Villa Cotton allows homebodies to play a direct role in reforestation (One Tree Planted), supporting female entrepreneurship (IFund Women), and long-term care and shelter for children in need (SOS Children’s Villages).
With these initiatives, Villa Cotton and its customers spread goodwill to all, turning both bedrooms and communities merry and bright.
No Place Like Home
There’s nothing like the holiday season to make us slow down and appreciate our homes as a sanctuary defined by our own preferences, aesthetics, and hearts. Villa Cotton promotes this sentiment during the festive season and beyond. Our bedding, and what we wear in it, are the first and last things we see each day. With Villa Cotton prints and fabrics, la dolce vita thrives in the bedroom, enveloping us in soothing nighttime embraces and rumpled morning greetings all year long.
Villaggio Pajama Set.
Fiori Robe Set.
Luxury Leather BENJAMIN BABADI’S LA DOLCE VITA
Photos courtesy of Benjamin Babadi
Tuscany conjures many images. Florence. Siena. Pisa. The glory of the Renaissance still pulses there today, in architecture, art, and landscape. Tuscany’s craftsmen have utilized its natural gifts for centuries, from the paintings of Alessandro Botticelli and the sculptures of Michelangelo Buonarotti Simoni, to the politics of Lorenzo de’ Medici and the writings of Dante Alighieri.
It is among these storied men, in this timeless place, that Benjamin Babadi carves his name.
Launched in February 2024, Babadi’s namesake brand dropped its first collection, La Dolce Vita. Crafted by leather experts in Tuscany using premium Italian leather, Babadi’s handbags specialize in material that shines like a mirror and is buttery to the touch.
“My approach was to have a design that is unique, timeless, and versatile,” said Babadi about his debut collection. “The bag geometry is large enough to fit a phone and other small belongings and is well suited for a night out. The bag is crafted to truly stand out with its unique shape, shiny leather, and polished accessories.”
Available in a range of Tuscan silk leather—Silk Black, Passion Red, Light Blue, and Volcanic Orange—each bag features a hand-sculpted bamboo handle, a signature element of Tuscan design, along with a gold chain strap that doubles the piece as a shoulder bag or crossbody. Gold-plated hardware flashes on each front, crafted in the shape of the Benjamin Babadi logo, Bote-Jeghe, a Persian symbol of royalty that honors Babadi’s Persian heritage.
Lined with smooth Clarino Suede and propped upright by four gold studs at the base, La Dolce Vita’s bags shine Tuscan excellence in every flash of light, occasion, or outfit. Some hardware even sparkles with Swarovski crystal, elevating the design down to every stitch, accessory, and shade.
“I love working with metallic accessories because they offer pure shine, especially around the rounded surfaces,” said Babadi. “Each bag is all about creating unique and timeless designs, using premium quality materials, and unparalleled craftsmanship in production.”
The Benjamin Babadi masterpiece does not materialize overnight, however. Babadi studied at Stanford University for Electrical Engineering, which he merged with his artistic endeavors to produce
clean, geometric designs in fashion.
“I believe that art and engineering are intertwined,” he said. “A good artist knows how to use engineering tools to be creative and craft beautiful artifacts.”
Seven years ago, the Benjamin Babadi handbag started as a passion project that skyrocketed into a luxury lifestyle product, thanks to the attention it received from family, friends, and Instagram followers all clamoring for a Babadi original of their own. Babadi paired with Italian designer Lorella Ceccanti, vice president of Associazione Bagartus, who designs, sources, and manufactures original handbags and accessories for Made in Italy brands.
Like the Tuscan leather craftsmen that came centuries before him, Babadi approaches his collection with a meticulous process that prioritizes hand-craftsmanship, Italian-sourced leather that undergoes six rounds of finish, and luxurious haute couture.
“All designs simply start as an idea in my mind,” explained Babadi. “I sleep on them and conceptualize them in my mind, merging both aesthetics and functionality. The next step is to sketch each feature’s details, then turn that sketch into a 3D rendition to assemble accessories, draft the wood forms, and create the pattern.”
From there, Babadi hops on a plane to Italy, where he works hands-on with his vendors to create a microfiber prototype. From an authentic family-owned pelletteria, Babadi’s prototype is honed to final perfection with Tuscan leather, hardware, and hand-crafted accessories.
“My relationship with my accessory designer is special because he is a true craftsman, and the parts are created in a small shop that is truly artisanal,” added Babadi.
La Dolce Vita captures the craftsmanship of the past while offering modern luxury’s chic edge. For all of the 18-ct gold, Swarovski crystal, and silky, shiny leather, La Dolce Vita honors traditionalism. The legacy of Tuscany’s leather-makers, both past and present, breathe with a Benjamin Babadi handbag. With each purchase, the customer becomes part of Florence, Siena, or Pisa’s storied past—one that is rooted in inimitable Italian excellence.
Shop the La Dolce Vita collection online at benjaminbabadi.com and follow him on Instagram at @ benjaminbabadi.
BY
Bella Sirena “Beautiful Mermaid”
Photos courtesy of Andrew Egan
LAURIE MELCHIONNE
On Amalfi’s jagged coast, the song of mermaids echoes on Campania’s ancient rocks. Ever visible on the sea-speared horizon is Mount Vesuvius. The mighty volcano’s soil nourishes the vines of Falanghina grapes, the lesser-known white wine variety of Bella Sirena.
While gazing over Amalfi’s dazzling sea, over lunch on the island of Capri, Bella Sirena Founder and CEO Jacqueline Marcus discovered Falanghina wine. While Marcus had been to Italy before, it was not until the summer of 2022 that she visited the Amalfi Coast and had that universal, first-time-in-Amalfi experience. She fell in love.
Amalfi. Ravello. Capri. Sorrento. The towns of this iconic coastline have entranced visitors for decades, and its effect on Marcus was no different. When she arrived in Positano, a siren’s song lured her to the land’s viticulture. At the hotel Il San Pietro di Positano, she found herself face-to-face with a tiled mural of a mythological seascape, staring into the eyes of a mermaid. It was as if the mermaid whispered into her ear, “Bella Sirena.”
Enchanted by Positano’s fresh, ocean-caught cuisine and bountiful lemon groves, Marcus tasted Falanghina white wine and discovered all of Campania’s flavors encapsulated in one glass. Eventually, she returned to the U.S. as a changed person, invigorated by Amalfi’s salt and sea.
There was just one problem.
“When I arrived back in New York, I searched my local wine shops and could not find Falanghina anywhere,” explained Marcus.
“At restaurants, I would study the Italian section of the wine menu and Falanghina was always missing.”
For Marcus, this simply would not do. Equipped with the spirit of Amalfi’s coast, she took matters into her own hands and decided to launch Bella Sirena (“beautiful mermaid” in Italian).
During the two years of Bella Sirena’s inception, Marcus plunged herself into a journey of research, authenticity, and quality. “I wanted to make sure I was well versed in everything regarding the Campania region, the varietals, and the complex structure of the U.S. wine industry,” she said. “Our grapes are hand-harvested and hand-grown. We work with family-owned wineries from Italy with high standards and a careful, attentive approach to winemaking.”
Bella Sirena’s vines are nourished in the Mediterranean’s warm climate, where breezes off the Tyrrhenian Sea cool the harvests of Campania’s soil, richly volcanic thanks to Mount Vesuvius. Cradled in these ideal conditions,
the grapes that become a bottle of Bella Sirena reflect the region’s truly unique terroir
Once the harvest, fermentation, and bottling processes are complete, the wine is ready to pour. Crisp apple and pear flavors swirl with citrus blossom aromas—embodying Amalfi’s natural ingredients in its traditional dishes. Paired with light Amalfitano seafood like spaghetti alle vongole, or sampled with soft, spreadable cheeses like burrata and mozzarella di bufala, Bella Sirena’s crisp notes compliment a refreshing aperitivo al fresco. A delicate balance of sapidity and minerality cultivates the sensations of Mount Vesuvius’ soil—all in a single sip.
With a launch party this past summer at T BAR’s Roslyn and Southampton locations, Bella Sirena hit the U.S. wine scene with a splash of its mermaid’s tail. This fall, the city will sip Amalfi sensations when Bella Sirena pours at T BAR’s Manhattan location.
“We plan to continue expanding across the U.S., so our fans from all over can enjoy our delicious Falanghina,” teased Marcus on what’s ahead. “Some incredible restaurant partnerships are in the works, so stay tuned!”
As its motto says, Bella Sirena is “a toast of tradition for a modern palate,” tantalizing even the pickiest taste buds. Each bottle imports the vineyards of the Amalfi Coast, bringing to your table a singular wine experience found only in the Old Country. Bella Sirena ships to New York, New Jersey, Florida, and California. All consumers must be 21 years or older to purchase. Please drink responsibly. Savor Amalfi’s spirits at bellasirenawine.com.
Filienna Festa
Photos courtesy of Filienna
Ancient ritual blends with high luxury this season at Filienna. A stocking stuffer for the diamond lover in your life, Filienna’s jewelry blends traditional filigree with henna body art.
The result of each design is a swirling kaleidoscope of intricate patterns that draw the eye and keep your accessories drawer multi-faceted with light, color, and craftsmanship.
The Heart Earrings, Star Medallion, Angel Necklace, and Swirl Ring are some examples of the gilded sophistication of Filienna’s world. Simultaneously intricate and effortlessly head-turning, Filienna’s collection merges Old World accessories opulence with a chic, modern edge.
Filienna’s signature rosy silver alloy casts the wearer in an elegant glow under any holiday lighting. Dramatic heart-shaped earrings, chest-hugging statement necklaces, and stackable bracelets and rings embody henna’s timeless heritage. Only here, henna’s mehndi ink is replaced with diamonds, which adorn the body for a story of sparkling self-expression.
Rooted in traditional customs and intricate design crafted with the devotion of expert hand craftsmen, Filienna is a unique take on authentic historical jewelry.
A world of filigree necklaces, rings, earrings, and bracelets provide options for any jewelry lover this holiday season, servicing all tastes, accessory preferences, and holiday outfit occassions.
Custom, made-to-order, and 14-karat gold, Filienna’s pieces capture the magic of the holiday season all year long.
Learn more about Filienna’s holiday gift guide at filienna.com.
Inked in Faith
A Journey Through Loreto’s Sacred Tattoo Tradition
Photo courtesy of Unsplash
BY LAURIE MELCHIONNE
The Holy Land, 1191. It is the Third Crusade. Richard the Lionheart just claimed victory at the Battle of Arsuf. Yet his army is not without losses. Dead crusaders are many, their armor bloodied and mangled. Their stories, however, continue beneath the chainmail. Ink paints many of their bodies; ancient tattoos mark the fallen as Christians in need of a proper burial.
This medieval tradition of Catholic body art is where Loreto, Italy, finds its roots. Home to the Basilica della Santa Casa, and the Holy House of Mary within, Loreto has been a major pilgrimage site since the early 14th century.
What does this have to do with tattoos? Pilgrims from all over Christendom who made this journey wanted to mark the milestone on their skin. Luckily, by 1500, shoemakers in Loreto utilized their leather-cutting precision with hand poke. Hand poke, from the Samoan tatau or Japanese tebori methods, inks the skin through hand-held, needle-tipped rods.
The method is still in practice today. Jonatal Carducci, the tattoo artist keeping tradition alive, serves Loreto’s modern pilgrims. From Jona Tatuaggi Lauretani, his workshop on the medieval Via Francesco Asdrubali, Carducci reproduces the sacred tattoos in authentic brass molds. From there, he hand pokes the image onto the skin, utilizing the same tools and technique of Loreto’s tattooists before him.
“My continuous research into the historic roots of my work introduced me to the sacred tattoos of Loreto,” said Carducci.
“Through years of study, I decided to shine a light on the town’s legacy of Christian tattoos, and to reproduce it in a traditional way that respects this ancient practice.”
Body ink has been Carducci’s lifelong passion. His first tattoo shop opened in the nearby Tolentino in 2002. Years of modern artistic practice led him to the ancient one. Before long, Carducci’s meticulous research exposed him to ancient books depicting sacred tattoos. This eventually took the shop to Loreto, a holy Catholic site and the perfect cradle for Carducci’s unique craft.
Like medieval pilgrims before them, Loreto’s modern visitors gravitate toward iconic Catholic imagery. According to Carducci, the most popular tattoos are the Sacred Heart of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin, Saint Michael Killing the Devil, and Virgo Lauretana—Our Lady of Loreto, the storied bronze statue of the Madonna and Child displayed at Basilica della Santa Casa.
For Carducci, honoring tradition in permanent ink tells a story. “My story engraved on my skin marks a journey, emotion, or moment in time that lives with me forever,” he said.
In addition to symbols of Loreto’s rich Catholicism, Carducci free-hands designs with a machine for contemporary, non-religious tattoos. He blends Old World art with the new, constantly improving, researching, and networking his craft.
“I have participated in many national and international [tattoo] conventions,” he added. “These events always allow me to compare methods with colleagues, including new and traditional techniques. They are the stimulus for constant improvement.”
In September 2024, Carducci attended Encre Sacree, an international tattoo convention held at Mont-Saint-Michel in France. Not only does the breathtaking, water-surrounded castle share the name of Carducci’s popular design (Saint Michael), but it also provides the perfect backdrop for modern tattoo enthusiasts to discover Loreto’s rich heritage.
As Carducci continues to bridge the past and present, he remains committed to ensuring that the tradition of sacred tattooing flourishes. Loreto’s ink is a profound reminder of journeys taken and faith embraced. Just as the pilgrims of old carried their sacred tattoos as badges of devotion, today’s inked souls continue to forge connections with the past. They prove that even in an ever-changing world, some traditions endure and forever mark the intersection of faith, history, and artistry. As each needle punctures the skin, it writes a new chapter in the timeless story of Loreto—a story that remains as powerful and poignant as the first mark made centuries ago.
Photos courtesy of Jonatal Carducci, Tatuaggi Lauretani
HOLIDAY HABITS
The Sicilian Secret Diet
According to Drs. Giovanni Campanile & Sandra Cammarata
For more insights on the Sicilian Secret Diet, follow the website and podcast.
Photos courtesy of the Sicilian Secret Diet
Below:
BY CYAN LEIGH DACASIN
With the holidays upon us, juggling our diets with Thanksgiving turkeys and Christmas roasts is harder than ever. Wellness and overall health have become focal points of conversation this time of year, especially among younger generations, as terms like biohacking have gained popularity through certain internet personalities. But what if I told you that the secret to great health, happiness, and longevity began decades ago—specifically with the eating habits of our grandparents?
Before the rise of added sugars and fast food, family tables more commonly saw fresh, homemade, healthy dishes. Drs. Sandra Cammarata and Giovanni Campanile aimed to revive this with the Sicilian Secret Diet—a return to our roots without the fuss of modern trends. These wholesome dishes have been clinically proven to help people nourish themselves both inside and out. Research from theworldobesity.org shows that the United States has an obesity rate of 42.74%, one of the highest in the world, which comes as no surprise given the fast food culture that is now at its peak. This is compounded by marketing strategies that blur the line between what’s considered healthy in supermarket-ready products like muesli, juices, and others. It’s often left to consumers to read the fine print. So how can we, as consumers, healthily nourish ourselves and our children?
For Dr. Sandra, it all begins in the womb. She challenges the old notion of “eating for two,” stating, “Pregnant women are often told they can eat whatever they want, but this isn’t true. Calorie requirements only increase slightly in the third trimester by about 250 extra calories per day.” She emphasizes the importance of food quality during pregnancy, as nourishing oneself well benefits both the mother and the baby—a fact that many still aren’t aware of.
As a psychiatrist, Dr. Sandra highlights the importance of proper nutrition in utero, saying, “What a mother eats while pregnant significantly impacts her child’s future preferences and health. Studies suggest that if a woman consumes a lot of junk food during pregnancy, her child may be predisposed to seek out those types of foods. Conversely, if she eats whole, nutritious foods, the child is more likely to gravitate toward a healthier diet after birth.”
This also applies to caring for our health, families, communities, and the environment. Dr. Sandra and her husband, Giovanni, a cardiologist best known for treating former presidents, work together, combining their knowledge of nutrition and lifestyle changes into a philosophy that embraces a simple yet holistic approach to a wholesome life.
is essentially an omnivore’s diet, but heavily plant-forward. You consume small amounts of saturated fats and carbohydrates while emphasizing vegetables, olive oil, garlic, nuts, and other nutrient-rich foods. These elements provide essential polyphenols, phytonutrients, and fiber.”
“EATING FIBER-RICH AND FERMENTED FOODS, LIMITING ALCOHOL, NOT SMOKING, AND STAYING ACTIVE ARE ALL ESSENTIAL TO PROTECTING THE GUT, WHICH IN TURN PROTECTS THE ENTIRE BODY.”
-Dr. Giovanni Campanile
The couple spent significant time in Sicily, where Sandra grew up. There, they observed how people in small villages naturally live longer. Dr. Giovanni explains that this isn’t because they do something extraordinary: “These people don’t do high-intensity training, CrossFit, or follow the latest health trends. They don’t eat ‘superfoods.’ What they do eat are the foods they grew up with.”
This inspired them to write The Sicilian Secret Diet, which records the best health practices from our ancestors. This raises the question: how does the Sicilian Secret Diet differ from the world-acclaimed Mediterranean diet?
While the founding principles of the Sicilian Secret Diet are similar to the Mediterranean diet, Sicily’s unique history as a central location in Italy sets it apart. For centuries, it has been influenced by various cultures through invasions and occupations—from the Greeks, Carthaginians, and Romans, to the Goths, the Byzantine Empire, and up until the 20th century. As a result, Sicily’s food culture has become one of the most fascinating versions of the Mediterranean diet, which has been repeatedly proven to benefit cardiovascular health, prevent cancer, and protect against dementia.
Giovanni explains, “It’s a very practical and balanced approach to eating—it
One of the key messages in their book is “live well, deliciously.” The couple notes, “If you don’t enjoy your food, it’s difficult to maintain any diet or lifestyle.” But with a base of olive oil, garlic, and onions, almost any dish can taste fantastic, allowing you to enjoy a healthy lifestyle that promotes longevity. In addition, both doctors stress the importance of gut flora, or the microbiome, which plays a critical role in our health by producing hormones, regulating immune responses, and controlling enzyme functions. It’s now widely understood that the diversity of our gut bacteria is directly linked to our mental and physical health. The more diverse the microbiome, the healthier we are. Dr. Giovanni takes this a step further by asking his patients about their microbiome, saying, “I often ask my patients about their gut health, and they’re surprised because I’m a cardiologist. But the gut is connected to everything—if it’s not functioning well, inflammation can spread to the heart, brain, and other organs. That’s why diet and lifestyle are so crucial. Eating fiber-rich and fermented foods, limiting alcohol, not smoking, and staying active are all essential to protecting the gut, which in turn protects the entire body.”
Cultures with the longest lifespans, such as the Japanese, Koreans, and some Southeast Asians, typically include fermented foods in their daily diets, helping to replenish and maintain a healthy gut microbiome. The doctors always recommend yogurt as a great source of probiotics. Historically, fermented foods helped communities maintain gut health year-round, while today, ultra-processed foods make up 60% of adult diets and 75% of children’s diets in the U.S., depleting the gut and filling it with harmful chemicals that damage the microbiome. The unfortunate reality, however, brings us back to America’s perspective on food. According to the couple, “Many people prioritize work and other activities, rarely using their kitchens [...] Our goal is to show people how simple it can be to prepare healthy meals. In our book, we’ve included easy recipes that anyone can follow, even without cooking experience.”
Overall, The Sicilian Secret Diet by Drs. Cammarata and Campanile advocate for a healthier, more fulfilling lifestyle, particularly for younger generations embarking on their health journeys who will hopefully pass it on to the next.
Drs. Giovanni Campanile and Sandra Cammarata
Desmalter
The Art of the Aristocrat
For almost 300 years, Desmalter has had a unique identity. Over the centuries, it served five kings and one emperor. What was once the royal furniture maker for King Louis XVI and Napoleon Bonaparte is now a specialty handbag brand that to this day honors its centuries-old French heritage—symbolically and literally.
With a Paris boutique on Rue de l’Arcade, Desmalter continues its chair-making roots with “The Art of Living,” its furniture line. The replicas of Bonaparte’s Spinx Armchair and Emperor Folding Chair are made-to-order and available for clients furnishing their homes with historical haute couture.
A throwback to Desmalter’s archives, the Sphinx Armchair is inspired by its Napoleonic Era roots. A limited edition, the piece’s wood is bird’s eye maple, an elegant staple of France’s lush forests. Hand-carved sphinxes add a touch of the exotic to its Euro decadence.
The Emperor Folding Chair, meanwhile, is made from stainless steel for con venience. Easy to fold and transport from room to room, Desmalter originally designed this chair for Napoleon’s army as it marched across Europe, packing and unpacking its furniture and munitions.
Hand-carved with mahogany wood and plated with deli cate gold leaf, the Imperial Throne Armchair is covered in silk velvet. Winged lions optimize its opulence, transporting any room into a time capsule of Napoleonic splendor.
If anyone were to stroll into the glass doors of the Paris boutique, however, it’s undeniable that Desmalter’s 21st-cen tury identity is handbags.
Napoleonic symbols like the bee and the imperial star are printed everywhere, on bags, belts, wallets, and more. Aristocratic vibes pamper these distinctly French accesso ries, perfect for elevated gift-giving.
Woven in Jacquard fabric on the Spinx Tote is the official Desmalter Imperial Star. Lined with emerald green, the Spinx Tote evokes Desmalter’s royal heritage through dramatic color and bold pattern.
Branded across black, moss-green, and maroon leather, the imperial star makes a bold statement in the Essential Bag.
The piece flaunts Desmalter’s all-new silver, gold, or matte-black hardware in the form of an 8-pointed star buckle and chain shoulder strap.
The Griffon Pouch, Tote, and Shoulder Bag also feature the lion paw handle, another traditionally French symbol of power and leadership.
An array of wallets, a passport holder, and belts complete Desmalter’s accessories line, all with dark, royal colors and imperial symbolism.
Each bag, wallet, or belt is made-to-order. Custom initial painting on the leather is also available, as well as a range of leather, lining material, and hardware options to play with. If you’re not in Paris, make a Desmalter original yours by sending a request online.
A unique bespoke designer, Desmalter allows the wearer to flaunt something truly inimitable, cultivating a holiday season of high-quality, leather luxury.
Give the gift of Desmalter’s French craftsmanship on desmalter.fr.
Photos courtesy of Desmalter
Spinx Handbag
Andrea Tetangco
FILIPNXT, the pinnacle fashion event that celebrates the culture, craftsmanship, and style of the Philippines, hit New York Fashion Week on September 7. Held at the Annex 417 in Manhattan, the event previewed Spring/Summer 2025 in partnership with the Philippine Consulate General of NYC and Kalye NYC.
Featured designers included Andrea Tetangco (@andreatetangco), Chynna Mamawal (@chynnamamawal), and Maison Métisse by Adrienne Charuel (@maison.metisse). Capsule collections also strutted on the runway with Bessie Besanna (@bessiebesana), Ninfranco by Wilson Limon (@ninofranco.ph), Tagpi by Gabby Garcia (@pinagtagpi), and Llamanzares Barongs (@llamanzaresbarongs).
Appreciation for Italian style also found its way to the show. Maison Métisse, with its collection of lightweight linens and sophisticated blend of solid colors and floral patterns. Bessie Besana’s sweeping bridal-esque gowns, lace, and white-on-white embroidery evoke the pale simplicity of summer white on Italian coasts.
Sponsors for the event were Crimson Boracay, FPJ Panday Bayanihan, New York Makeup Academy, Gretz Jewelry, PAPERLESS PR & CreaKve Agency, La Belle Fete, Dominic Senador Photography, Jervy SanKago, Michael Maniago Photography, DJ Filipino Events, Jazzcorp Manpower Group, and AMRG Events by Monique Galang.
BY LAURIE MELCHIONNE
FILIPNXT
Bessie Besana
Maison Métisse by Adrienne Charuel
Gaâla Paris Christmas Capsule
Cezanne Dress
Photos courtesy of Gaala
SHOPPING
As the holiday season approaches, Gaâla Paris unveils its enchanting Christmas capsule collection, designed to bring a touch of elegance and festive spirit to your wardrobe. This curated selection features velvet reds and fir-like greens that are perfect for holiday parties, family gatherings, and an overall time of cheer.
A Festive Palette
The collection boasts a rich color palette, including deep reds, shimmering golds, and classic blacks, each carefully chosen to evoke the warmth and joy of Christmas. These hues not only reflect the festive spirit but also ensure versatility, allowing for seamless transitions from day to night.
Chic Designs
From elegantly tailored dresses to statement outerwear, each item in the collection combines sophisticated silhouettes with modern details. Look for luxurious fabrics that drape beautifully, adding a touch of glamor to any occasion. The Christmas Capsule includes the Freya Silk Dress, Cezanne Dress, Coralie Evening Dress, Noelle Dress, and Taila Two-Piece, all business-casual vintage wear in a variety of holiday and winter shades. For accessories, there are the Tears of Venus Pearl Earrings, Tess Freshwater Pearl Necklace, Le Bisou Earrings and Necklace, and the Chérie Moonstone Necklace and Earrings.
Christmas at Gaâla also includes the Holiday Gift Guide, a collection of handmade treasures that embrace the brand’s signature, slow-made sustainability. The Noel Handcrafted Stocking, Joly Hand Crochet Christmas Trees, and the Lada Hand Knit Sweater are just some of the festive items that make Gaâla’s gift-making your new favorite North Pole.
Sustainable Touch
Staying true to its commitment to sustainability, Gaâla incorporates eco-friendly practices throughout the collection. Many items feature sustainable materials, reflecting the brand’s dedication to responsible fashion. This approach allows you to celebrate the season in style while being mindful of your environmental impact.
Accessorize to Perfection
No outfit is complete without the right accessories, and the Christmas capsule collection offers an array of stunning options. From statement earrings to elegant clutches, these pieces are designed to complement your holiday look and add that extra sparkle.
Gaâla’s Christmas capsule collection is a celebration of elegance, sustainability, and festive charm. Whether you’re attending a glamorous event or a cozy family gathering, these pieces will ensure you shine bright this holiday season.
Explore the collection and embrace the joy of dressing up with Gaâla Paris.
Anni Velvet Hair Bow
BY LAURIE MELCHIONNE
The villa is such a defining image of Italian living that the language has its own word: villeggiare. Reminiscent of viaggiare, to travel, villeggiare means “to holiday in a country villa.” Slow mornings in the countryside. A terracotta patio overlooking the sea. Vacationing in the slow, Italian way that values nature’s simplicity and the appreciation of simply existing. This vacation category has its own term in Italian tourism: “villeggiatura.”
This is what you’ll find at Romazzino, Belmond’s all-new villa resort in Porto Cervo, Sardinia’s stunning island town. With its grand opening this past May, Romazzino redefines slow living on Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast).
Your Sardinian Move-in Day
While a range of luxurious suites and rooms are offered, Romazzino’s undeniable stars are its signature villas.
Villa Liscia Ruja, named after Costa Smeralda’s longest stretch of turquoise coast, is a mansion for the luxury-loving escapist. Furnished with handcrafted Sardinian wood pieces and bright, coastal palettes synonymous with the island’s natural beauty, Liscia Ruja has five bedrooms, each with private verandas and bathrooms. Plush king-sized beds fill three of the bedrooms, while the fourth offers a twin bed and the fifth features an elegant French bed. Replete with private sea views from every window, guests revel in a bespoke paradise as they spend their days at the villa’s private pools, lush tropical gardens, and quiet, secluded spaces.
The rest of the villas, named after Sardinia’s most beloved beaches—Capriccioli, Marinella, Granu, Pevero, and Petra Ruja—feature three bedrooms, private pools framed by fragrant greenery, and curving, organic stucco walls synonymous with the Romazzino summer-white curb appeal.
The Romazzino and Smeralda Suites, a serene oasis facing Porto Cervo’s glittering bay, showcases Sardinian wood furnishings, a spacious, sun-worshiping terrace, and a cheery interior that shimmers with the natural turquoise, teals, and sands of Sardinia’s iconic shores.
Sardinian Savoring
Sardinian cuisine is typically overlooked on the Italian culinary itinerary. That’s why Romazzino embraces the unique taste buds of its home, with three on-site dining experiences to choose from.
La Terrasse: For chic dining, head to the main hotel’s building and book a reservation at La Terrasse. Decorated with a contemporary interior, La Terrasse offers a menu of Sardinian sophistication. Delicate starters scavenge Porto Cervo’s natural foodstuffs, like the Signature Violet Prawn with peach,
fermented radish, pickled shallot, watermelon, and strawberry gazpacho. For il primo piatto, the menu’s pasta and rice category offers unique Mediterranean flavors like Malloreddus with Courgettes, yellow datterino tomato marinade with rosemary and burrata, and Fusilloni with Tumeric, marinated red prawns, and avocado. Entrees include elevated dishes like Tomato Couscous, roasted aubergine, pumpkin flower with tofu and almond cream; Pavè Sea Bass, tomato crust, friggitello sweet peppers, sage broth; and Turbot Fillet, burnt rosemary, pompia lemon, Salina capers, olives, courgette scapece.
Éntu E Mari: Nothing says Italian summer like a beach grill. Located right on Romazzino’s private beach, Éntu E Mari’s diverse culinary offerings include Lunch, Dinner, and Dessert menus.
Beach Bar: Skirt the crowds at the Beach Bar, a secluded cocktail bar for drinks, aperitifs, and sandy feet. Start your day with a cappuccino at the bay’s glittering shore, or welcome sunset with a fruity glass like Capaccia, vodka, peach tree, bitter pompia, and orange juice. Savor curated snacks like the chicken poke, Sardinian provola cheeseburger with Tropea onion, or prosciutto and mozzerella rocket-stuffed schiacciata flatbread.
The Ginepro Bar: Sip Romazzino’s nostalgic 60s glamor. The Ginepro Bar pulses with live music and hums amidst the seductive smoke of its cigar lounge. Crafted specialty cocktails reflect the colors, tastes, and aromas of Sardinia’s sunrise, with Sardinian botanicals, island-produced gin, and the compatible sweets and sours of fruits and citrus. This flavor palette manifests in the menu’s star cocktail: Romazzino’s Pink Sunrise with Gin Macchia, Aperol, Cointreau, grapefruit juice, and strawberry syrup. Each drink is carefully paired with delicacies like Golfo Aranci Amberjack Tartare with mixed salad and green apple. Gourmet bites like the Romazzino Club Sandwich, with Sardinian suckling pig bacon and Camoni tomatoes, and the Signature Mezzi Paccheri Pasta, with cherry tomatoes with rosemary and mozzarella, arrange a plate of natural ingredients straight from local gardens. Finish off aperitivo with a sweet treat like the Strawberry Tart with lemon cream and almond ice cream, or the Creamy Tiramisu.
The Pool Bar: This poolside hub is an oasis of tranquility, offering sips and snacks between swims. Housemade gelato, pizza, seafood, and from-the-land starters pair perfectly with signature and traditional cocktails, wines, and beers that melt under the Sardinian sun.
Island Time Wellness
At the spa, regenerative rituals of Vitamin C, Natura Bissé, and 3D collagen shock, heal the skin, body, and mind after a long day of swimming, hiking, and
Villa Liscia Ruja. Photos courtesy of Romazzino, A Belmond Hotel
exploration. Personal fitness trainers are available at the open-air, oceanfront gym, assisting your fitness goals for full-circle wellness in Sardinia.
Sardinian Adventure
While Romazzino is a haven of slow-living, Costa Smeralda is meant to be explored. The dedicated concierge does the work for you, cultivating bespoke itineraries that let you discover the island’s natural beauty— the side tourists usually forget. Don’t know where to start? Flip through the activities brochure for complimentary excursions.
A weekly schedule of activities includes private tennis matches, mixology masterclasses, morning water sports in the sea, garden yoga, and hiking along the majestic Pevero Health Trail. Private boat trips allow guests to island hop like ancient seafarers, taking a day to marvel at the Island of Maddalena and the La Maddalena Archipelago National Park. Plunge into the crystal clear bays of Spargi, Budelli, Caprera, and Cala Coticcio. The voyage reveals a secret whispered only among seafarers: a secluded restaurant accessible only by boat.
The activities only flourish from here. Tour 6,000 year-old Neolithic ruins with the guides of Gallura’s Archaeological Park of Arzachena. Wine tastings, helicopter tours, bike tours, and Fiat 500 drives around the island keep guests busy, entertained, and pampered for any vacation style.
Romazzino officially opened its doors on May 27 and closed for the season on September 29. It will reopen on May 30, 2025. Rooms start at 703 € per night, breakfast included.
To learn more, visit belmond.com/ hotels/europe/italy/costa-smeralda/ belmond-romazzino/
“ROMAZZINO REDEFINES SLOW LIVING ON SARDINIA’S COSTA SMERALDA”
