Italian Joy Carla Coulson
I am blogging and working from Milan today and over indulging in the coffee. Yippee.. Milan is one of those Italian cities I have rarely visited and over the years I have been curious to get to know it better. This job is giving me the chance and I have to admit there is a lot of cool design and art going on here (as well food, coffee and gelato) and of course shoes and fashion.
One could argue that Milan is Italy's fashion capital although wherever I go in Italy even to a small village the Italians are dressed for success. A cashmere jumper wrapped around every man's neck and a glam shoe on every woman's foot.
I took the above photo on one my first jobs for Harper's Bazaar it was taken at the Pucci Palace in Florence. I saw these two beautiful women and asked if I could take a photo of their shoes. They thought I was mad! I looked mad.
Italian Joy Copyright Carla Coulson
Only hours later I was seated at the same table as they were for dinner and I looked down under the table to see those beautiful shoes kicked off. I must confess they weren't Italian as I have learnt no Italian women worth her passport would dare take off her shoes in public. I am always being reprimanded by Francesco for whipping my shoes off in the cinema, at dinner when they become too uncomfortable or at weddings when the night never ends. And his mother nearly has a coronary when I dare to run from the bedroom to the bathroom without my pantofole (slippers). You are probably wondering what is the fuss like I have been for all these years but apparently you could catch a cold!
So girls if you want to look like an Italian never dream of taking your shoes off in public.
Instead if you love Italy like I do and want to revel in a little Italian food, travel, art, language or renovation you might enjoy these blogs:
Buon appetito.
Carla xx
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Wow - I had no idea the Italians were so strict about keeping their shoes on!
ReplyDeleteGood on you for taking a pic of the ladies' shoes though - very cool!
Totally understand about the pantofole...and thank you for those lovely links I've just bookmarked everyone of them.
ReplyDeleteLiving in Florence for 7 years, we (the expat girls) used to say that Florentine women were born in their heels - exactly how they ride bikes or stride down the Ponte Vecchio without getting their stiletto caught in between cobblestones is quite amazing!
ReplyDeleteIf you want to also add a Tuscan food photography blog to your lovely list there, do please check out mine too ;) Thanks Carla!
Ciao Carla. I love following your blog - the beautiful photos as well as the 'tips' on taking good ones.
ReplyDeleteI have just entered the blogging world. You can find me at http://ladolcevilla.net. My blog is 'like' Italy meets South Florida...... Would love to get a 'shout out' on your list of Italian blogs.
Grazie, Lisa
Adore hearing about Italian customs. Thanks xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
ReplyDeleteLove those shoes - so decadent and elegant. My husband is from the middle east and he also has a thing about being shoed at all times, because you'll catch a cold and because your feet get dirty. I can't keep a pair of shoes on to save my life!
ReplyDeleteSuch great shots!! I wish we lived closer, I'd kill to be your assistant!
ReplyDeleteI love it! Great post as always, have fun in Milano...
ReplyDeleteNathalie
Oh, I can't wait to dig into these blogs--I have one more to add that I love: Elizabeth Minchilli in Rome. She is a fantastic professional writer and her love of Italy is addictive!
ReplyDeleteBellissimo Carla....Italia is a favourite of mine. Thanks for the tips about the blogs. Ciao.
ReplyDeleteWpnderful post and great pantofole story. Greetimgs from Paris!
ReplyDeleteWow Carla I am over the moon to be included in such great company! Thank you for the gorgeous mention...
ReplyDeleteI vividly remember the pandemonium that broke out in an Italian playground in Saluzzo when our two children took off their shoes to play.
Very soon all the children followed suit and one Mum noticed and that was it....screams of horror and arms thrown in the air as they rushed to rescue the bambini from the Australiani...
PS if I had shoes like those in your photo I would take up wearing high heels.
ciao and thanks again
lisa
PPS Happy Women's Day
The Italians are fearless in the kitchen but are oddly afraid of colds.
ReplyDeleteYes, always wear slippers indoors and NEVER air condition one's home, that is certain death.
The last time I was in Rome people were actually dying from the heat.
The many fountains became life saving dips, nothing to do with a La Dolce Vita moment, just survival.
Still, I cannot wait to go back.
X David