Exploring Modern Fashion at Scarabocchio in Verona

There is a wonderful clothing store in Verona, and I asked Arrigo to give our Retreat group an overview of the fashions they carry in the store. We were introduced to many unique lines that focus on being edgy and unique.

Here you can see Arrigo, showing us clothing, and then assisting us in manners in which to wear clothing, in the style of the Italians.

Scarabocchio
Via ponte Pietra, 25
Verona
scarabocchio.verona@gmail.com

Here is the dress Anna purchased. Doesn't she look great? This is a French line.

Cynthia is being shown alternate ways of wearing the same garment.

Museo dei Costumi Teatrali

Last week, the Retreat group visited the costume collection of the Filarmonica Opera here in Verona. This is the Museo dei Costumi Teatrali. Here you see the amazing building in which they are housed.

We were allowed to view the costumes, created for operas here in Verona, in the early 1900's. The workmanship and attention to detail was amazing.

Below you can see a few of the costumes.

Ceramics Workshop

On our first day, we had a workshop with Simonetta Giaroli, who is a Ceramics Artist.
She had prepared ceramic figures for each of us to paint, each one a little different.

Then, we each spent time painting and altering our lady, to our own tastes.

Simonetta will fire the women, and then we will add wire to form long arms, and from these we can hang our earrings and jewelry.



Here we are at work!!






Here I am with Simonetta. We had a wonderful day.

The Italy Retreat Cast of Characters

Our retreat here in Verona has started.

Meet Cynthia, Anna, Judith, Ursula, Jackie, Mary, and me.
Here we are known as Cinzia, Anna, Guidita, Orsola, Jacquelina, Maria and Susanna



Now... give them a camera, and watch them go a bit 'silly'. We are having a great time.
We sit on a famous staircase in Piazza del Ragione in Verona.

Inspiration: History and Architecture in Verona

I am expecting my Retreat Group here in two days. Thus, I have been preparing lessons on various topics to inspire them with design. We will be doing a walking tour of Verona, to allow them to get their bearings. I took this, so that I could get a preview in advance, and the history is amazing.

Here are some images of buildings in Verona. Verona's history/buildings goes back to the first century A.D. (with the Roman Arena). We will be looking at everything around us as a source of inspiration for texture, color, form, etc.

Jazz in Verona: For the Love of Playing Music

Saturday evening, I went to dinner with a new friend, and afterwards, we walked over to a Street Festival with Jazz.

Now, I want to say, that one thing I have noticed with all kinds of music here in Europe, whether it be classical, jazz, world...,when you watch the musicians play, their love of playing music radiates.

So, that being said, I am posting some photos here. They were taken with my I-Phone, which is not able to capture motion well in low light. Let me tell you that there was motion!!

The Italian men in this Jazz ensemble, paraded for a bit on the street, and then found a spot where they performed for a long time. They were infectious! I hope you get a sense of it from these images, even if they are not clear in all cases.

The group was called Magicaboola Jazz Brass Band.

Think..... JAZZ.....

Mary Kay in Italy

Could it be?