Italian Portraits

I realized that most of my posts lately have been a little feminine side so I thought I'd post a little something for my male readers.  Although, I do realize that the ladies will also enjoy it.  I don't want to be accused of being sexist again.  (It's always something.)  Yesterday, the Wall Street Journal mentioned that Tods has published a follow up to their first book Italian Touch called Italian Portraits.  It highlights some of the best dressed men in Italy and just as many well dressed interiors.  When I started looking for more photos, I noticed that my friend Blue Carreon just posted about the book on his site Style Intel so I'm borrowing some of his images. 

I can always spot an Italian man in New York because he's usually wearing colored pants and a luxurious cashmere sweater.  Unlike most American men who wear baggy over sized apparel, his clothes will be tailored to perfection and fit like a glove. He's usually pretty darn handsome too.  Now I'm excited to have a book full of them in Italian Portraits.  Ciao!

Photos via Italian Portraits

The Italian Touch

I always joke that the Italian tourists are always the best dressed and the book Italian Touch definitely backs up my assertions. Tod's commissioned the book that includes over 100 Italian families and their homes but you don't even notice the product placement. Everyone is elegant and chic yet completely casual and relaxed. What's amazing is that most of the women aren't even wearing make up and yet they are amazingly beautiful. I don't think you'd ever find an American woman to pose without professional hair and make up so that's quite refreshing. The book is like a love letter to Italy and definitely makes me want to move there! Enjoy!

Photos by Paolo Leone

Icons by an Icon

I love how in New York the art isn't always confined to the museums and galleries. Tod’s commissioned the famed photographer Elliott Erwitt to shoot 22 prominent families for its new exhibition called Icons by an Icon. It's also another example of what I like to call stealth marketing. Each photo contains a pair of Tods shoes or a bag but the photos are more about presenting a lifestyle than hitting you over the head with the product which I quite prefer. No word yet if they will be bound into a book like the Italian's photographed for Italian Touch but you can view them at the Tod's boutique on Madison right now. Enjoy!

Photos by Elliott Erwitt for Tod's