The Ladybug Visits the Rodin Sculptures at Palazzo Reale, Milan

Another lost folder in my computer (my gosh, there are so many!) with a set of great pictures… not too old this time, but not too recent either- had these!

Last December, when KNAGUI arrived in Milan for his winter tour, we decided to see what was at the Palazzo Reale and we were quite confused as many interesting expos were held there all at one time. For a strange reason we both decided to go for Rodin’s sculptures. I say strange because neither of us is a sculpture lover, especially KNAGUI. But I was attracted to the name and he trusted me… plus he owed me for his never-ending trip to the Star Wars Expo (he’ll always owe me for that, fyi LOL).

It was for sure, to our big surprise, one of the most beautiful expos we’ve visited: sixty masterpieces arriving from the Musée Rodin in Paris, exposed in the very suggestive Caryatid’s Hall.  I studied Rodin’s sculptures at school and I saw some of them in the past, but having them all together in that wonderful sequence and atmosphere was really a huge experience. One of my favorites pieces was the The Kiss and KNAGUI could not move away from The Hand of God.  I also discovered more interesting pieces where the artist gave soul to the marble.

 

As it was a festive period, so I went all red with my Patrizia Pepe red coat, Zara black jumper and trousers, vintage red hat from Humana Vintage; I added Marco brogues, Topshop lace tights, Vic Matié bag and H&M lips scarf.

(Photo Credit: KNAGUI)

 

 

Soul Sunday with KNAGUI: Not So Long Ago, In a Museum Not So Far Away…

Before starting the tour last December, I arrived in Milan a little early to adjust to the time change so I could be safe and ready to do all that’s required of me while out.  When I arrived at The Ladybug’s pad, she gave me a big welcoming hug and said, “I’m gonna take you to the stars tomorrow night.”  Now if you follow the boss lady’s posts, you’ll know saying something like that could be quite… exciting.  So the following day, I prepared myself for the night of my life.

The next day we set pace doing our regular things: filling each other in on life since the last time we saw each other, me photographing her for the blog, etc… Then she announced it was time for my surprise.  We took the tram to an area of Milano I hadn’t visited before.  On the way she told me the story of the via Gluck and a famous musician who grew up there. And then, finally, we had arrived: Fermo Immagine the Film Poster Museum for “Il Mito, da Guerre Stellari a Star Wars.” I was, indeed, excited and felt like a kid about to walk into Hershey Park for the first time.

The expo was dedicated to showcasing the Star Wars phenomenon in Italy. I noticed, like with most American films that make it into theatres there, they changed the name of the film.  I found it very interesting that Episode IV was called “Guerre Stellari,” but by Episode V- it was Star Wars.

There were many things going on the night we visited.  Live action fight scenes, people in “official” costumes and camera crews filming (for what would be shown during the intermissions of my monumental New Year’s Day marathon).

During the course of the night, my “date” was mind-tricked and overcome by the Dark Side (at least that’s what I’m still telling myself).

I tried to go macho man on his ass, but got choked by the infamous Darth Death Grip.

There was so much art around.  There were these pieces by Nerd Art in the library and inside were works that were both serious and funny.

I couldn’t help being taken in by all the the pieces of this expo. I envied this passport.  I’d never seen it before.

There were a lot of Lego models in the house.  And the details were amazing.

Do you remember the jams the band played in the club? Did you know there was an album released on RCA Records?  I didn’t!  This is something I want to find for my collection.

After the whole “Dark Side Affair,” The Ladybug and I got separated, but I found her chillin’ with her peeps… “Ooh-Tee-Dee!”

Just before getting out of there, I came across Boba Fett’s gun.  This piece belonged to one of the guys who was in an official costume.  It was amazing to hold and look at. It was numbered and stamped from the studio.  A-MAZING!!!

This expo ran through the beginning of Febuary.  Now that this museum is on my radar, I’m sure I’ll check out what’s on display during my next trip to Italy.

See you “next” Sunday.

Soul Sunday with KNAGUI: Shave and a Haircut, Two Bits!

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: a bald Gui walks into a barbershop hoping to get a kiss from a princess…

Believe it or not, this isn’t a joke; well, at least not entirely, anyway.

After a great tour and the most awesome New Year’s celebration (spent watching Star Wars Marathon on Sky-TV in Sicily), I found myself back in Milano producing new music and working hard for TLC.

One of the evening appointments the Ladybug scheduled brought me to Milan’s man cave of relaxation, I’m talking about the bad ass Bullfrog- found in the motorcycle district.  Now you might have already heard about it briefly on the Bullfrog’s blog or on Icon, but as they say: “there are two sides to every story.”

Bullfrog is situated in a very manly and vintage quarter of the city.  It matches well with its surroundings while also maintaining a level of privacy by being tucked away.  The barbershop’s position wasn’t haphazard, but getting this den was coincidental and it’s founder, Romano Brida,  orchestrated his dreams, passion and business savy to give an incredible gift to his “brotherhood.”

I enjoyed a ritualistic shave of my head and face: the hot towel, the emulsified shaving cream, the light massage of someone else performing this bi-daily grooming that I do, but with a straight razor and having it closed with a cool towel and cleaning…

It took me back to when I was a very young boy sitting in Leon’s Barbershop watching my grandfather and other older gentlemen getting a shave and haircut.  There were more chairs at Leon’s, which at the time was right across the street from the big Plymouth dealership on South George, and the conversations were different, but the laughs, camaraderie and “men only” vibe was the same.

With its two chairs and close quarters, Bullfrog feels like a tattoo parlor. Romano and I discussed this along with other details about the history of the Barber, his chicago styled shop and why it’s so important to take this 40 minutes to an hour for yourself.

…And like moths to a flame, all the Princesses are attracted because when you step foot out of the door, you look and feel like a King!

You can get the whole story when you check out the two-part interview on TV-TLC.

See you “next Sunday.”

The Ladybug Wakes Up In Her Recurring Dream: A Modern Day Princess Leia

One of the most fun things that I did with KNAGUI while he was in Milan was our visit to the Star Wars expo at the Museo del Manifesto Cinematografico. It was a really interesting visit to the Museum and of the expo itself, but I will let KNAGUI (as he is the REAL Star Wars fan!) tell you about the expo in one of his upcoming SSwK.  In the meantime, I’d like to share my outfit for our “Night at the Museum.” (pun intended).

As it was a beautiful and unseasonably warm day in Milan I wore my navy Max & Co coat-cape and I paired it with a thrifted Primark jacket (a charity shop bargain from London last year!), a vintage navy and white polka-dot shirt from A.N.G.E.L.O. (that I bought at their temporary store in Serravalle’s Outlet during the Vintage Fashion Festival last year) and a pair of Replay jeans.

I am also wearing a navy hat by Whistles and Isabel Marant Dickers booties in tan and two more vintage pieces: suede gloves with warm faux shearling inside and a beautiful navy handbag from Un’altro giro di giostra, a beautiful vintage shop that I spotted in Reggio Emilia last year.

[Photo Credit: KNAGUI]