TOD'S IN ROME : A FIRST GLANCE TO THE BAGS OF THE NEW WINTER COLLECTION

Tod's is one of the most representative brand of the Made in Italy. Strangely enough, in this big turmoil of the italian political situation, Diego Della Valle the owner remained silent. The entrepreneur didn't make any statement yet. It is strange because He is extremely influential in Italy, not only in the world of Fashion. He owns also Fay, Roger Vivier and Hogan. Plus he has his word in finance and has shares in the daily newspaper  Corriere della Sera. But now let's talk about shopping. In Rome the Tod's store are located in the best position possible : in via Condotti 53/A ( women) and in via Fontanella Borghese 56/A and 57 (men).

The new autumn winter collection 2018-19 will be soon in the stores.  They were shown in Milano last February during the Fashion Week. We loved the bags. First of all the so called Thea Bag. Tod's revisits the elegance of the Leather Bucket bag, transforming into a new cross body brag brimming with secrets. With or Without ribbing. This new bag is distinctive for its D-Shaped opening: for the maxi charms dangling from the zip pull on the outside pocket: for the new double shoulder strap that alternates with a leather handle.

The T shoppng uttlerly soft with a dual use. Handheld or over the shoulder. Playing with the use of lateral ties. This shopper offers a new take on the classic tote, with the detail of a giant T cut out of the leather. Fastened with a double T, made even softer by its suede lining. It holds the surprise of the side pockets concealed beneath the Zip.

You can see the models clicking on the four pictures below.  Plus let's spend some words on the capsule belt. A set of waist-bag pouches, in every size. A mobile bag, wallet bag and liptisck bag. You can wear them all together which can be fun for my clients of the roman grandtourshopping. The bags are, in my opinion the best part of this new Tod's collection. Shoes were mostly boots on suede and mocassins.

SHOPPING IN ROME AT THE ITALIAN TENNIS OPEN

Last week, in Rome, at the historical site of the Foro Italico, there were the Italian Tennis Open. In the last few years, the sport tournament improve a lot. Champions love to come there because this place was founded at the end of the Twenties, beginning of the Thirties. There aren't only historical reasons. The sponsors increased. The title one is BNL BNP Paribas but there are other important brands supporting it.

A lot of champions were in Rome last week and in a way they are like models showing the new collections. Nadal, for example, who won the tournament was wearing an orange Tshirt from Nike . The italian champion, Fabio Fognini chose a weird flash black and red shirt from Hydrogen.

There are two vintage brands that are coming back from the Seventies: Fila and Sergio Tacchini. Some people said that this is due to the film about the duel between Bjorn Borg and John Mc Enroe. The suedish used to wear Fila and the american Tacchini. In the stands of the Foro Italico it was possible to buy their outfits that are now re-make. Apparently there are extremely glamourous right now.

On the other hand there are also other interesting tennis and designers collaboration. A good example can be the one between Stella Mc Cartney and Adidas. Finally let's spend some words on the brand called Australian. They dressed the staff of the Foro Italico : the referees and the ball boys. The Foro Italico was extremely crowded last week. People were shopping all over the place especially buying the big yellow balls for autographs and, obviously tennis equipment. There were also stands for italian good food (especially from Puglia) and some delicioius small round pizzas. A lot of journalists from Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport. Tv networks such as Sky and Supertennis and the most important tennis website in Europe: Ubitennis edited by Ubaldo Scanagatta, a great champion and a tennis expert.

EXCLUSIVE SHOPPING IN STELLA Mc CARTNEY'S ROMAN BOUTIQUE

One of my favourite street for shopping in Rome is via Borgognona. If you go there, you will bump into Stella Mc Cartney's gorgeous store. She came in Rome for the inauguration in 2011 and most of the pieces, especially the shoes are Made in Italy. The prices are quite high but you can find good deals during the sales in July.She also has one store in Milano. The deco is vey simple and you can see extremely well outfits and accessories. The boutique has 100 squaremeters

Stella Mc Cartney does not use animal leather for shoes or bags. The blond actress, Cate Blanchett,  wore Mc Cartney's sunglasses at the Festival de Cannes. In the last week we had big talks on two english designers. One is the extremely talented and less famous Clare Waight Keller of Givenchy who made the wedding gown for Meghan Markle and the other one is Stella Mc Cartney, the daughter of Paul,  that made dresses for the Royal Wedding to Amal Clooney, the bride Meghan Markle now Duchess of Sussex (for the afternoon's reception) and the TV star Oprah Winfrey.

The Duchess of Sussex wore a custom made white dress with high neck and open shoulders. It was in silk crepe. Some journalists said that She was looking like a Bond Girl. It might be true but also the car and Prince Harry were part of the scene. Too bad Sean Connery was not there. Amal Clooney, the wife of George, had a yellow dress draped on the side in silk cady. Her hat was made by Stephen Jones. I think the colour was too bright. If we want  to continue with the critics, we can also say that Oprah's dress  was too tight on the bust and, in my opinion, the pale pink made her bigger than She is. Her dress was custom made by Stella too. Generally speaking a good success for Ms Mc Cartney. I bet that her roman boutique will be more visited in the next weeks.