Posts Tagged ‘Helena Williams’

Ti Amo

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009 >
I have been in Firenze for two weeks and I finally feel settled in. Using my little knowledge of Italian, I can now go to the open food market and order my groceries and I feel confident enough to explore the city on my own without feeling too overwhelmed. In the past week and a half while on my adventures throughout the city, I have started to notice one trend that is usual among woman but not ordinarily seen in public on a daily basis. Don’t worry I am not talking about the ever so popular trend seen in the early 2000’s where it was okay to have your thong hanging out of your pants (although Italian woman do have an obsession for lingerie but I will get to that another day).
I am referring to that big white poufy dress that women wear on that very special day.

In the past week alone I have seen seven different brides posing with their grooms among the romantic piazzas built during the historical Renaissance. Florence you can say was at the height of its time during the Renaissance, a time of rebirth where famous artists Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael simultaneously created masterpieces inspired by the classic and romantic era of the ancient Greeks and Romans. Perhaps because of the strong historical background of the beautiful city, people are drawn to Florence. I saw two brides within 30 minutes of each other posing in front of the sunset on the Piazza Michelangelo, a well known hill that looks out over the entire city.

Although each bride I saw had very different style dresses, they all were embellished with beads or lace and puffed out from the waist or bust line, some in tiered layers. Most had long trains and long vials. The aura of beauty, romance, and love wisps through the streets on a daily basis. Not only does this aura affect the hundreds of couples that wed in Florence each year but it is obvious that it affects all couples young and old. People in Florence are not afraid to show affection. Perhaps one day I will find myself getting married in Florence.

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Made In Italia

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009 >
Ciao my fellow EB fans, as I chow down on my pasta and sip my vino bianco (white wine), I would like to proudly announce that I survived my first full week in Italia, and what an adventure it has been so far. Let me start off by telling you all a little about myself. My name is Helena and I am a local Highland resident studying fashion merchandising at Marist College. Prior to setting off for a semester in Italy, I was lucky enough to intern for Beth at Elizabeth Boutique.

Leather Bags and Braclets

Leather Bags and Braclets

While I am here in Italy I will be spending four months traveling throughout Italy and Europe and studying the art of jewelry making, observing the anthropology of fashion and hopefully absorbing the fundamentals of the romantic Italian language, all while trying not to rid myself of my entire life savings on fabulous fashions.

hand made sandals

hand made sandals

LDM (my school in Italy) must have predicted my arrival because I was lucky enough to be housed on the street of the most popular Firenze leather market. Being awake for over 27 hours on my first day in Florence instead of sleeping I decided to become more familiar with my neighborhood. Not only do I live right between the historical Duomo and Capelle Medici but I also live right around the corner from the largest leather market.

Italian Artisan

Italian Artisan

On my very first day walking along the cobblestone roads with hundreds of vendors with leather goods and accessories, I was automatically awaken by the rich smell of leather. Handmade sandals, belts, wallets, purses, and coats in rich soft leathers surrounded me everywhere I turned. A popular trend I noticed was that classic shades of browns and blacks were not the most commonly seen colors; but reds, yellows, greens, and magenta shades were. Bold colored leathers are a nice way to compliment a more basic outfit and can be used for any occasion.

leather belts

leather belts

I must have been in a haze from not sleeping on the plane, but no the market down my street was for real. There were hundreds of people shopping, mainly tourists from all over the world, while vendors wishfully tried to persuade the shoppers to buy something that is probably overpriced.

vino and my new cuff!

vino and my new cuff!

This is when the art of haggling will come in handy. Although I haven’t quite mastered the art yet, I did get the chance to bargain. Today during my break from my 5 hour jewelry making class I browsed the market where I fell in love with a metal cuff with earth tone stones. While a language barrier can be an issue, I was able to haggle my way into spending only 8 Euro instead of the original 15 Euro. Hopefully with a little more browsing I will soon be able to haggle my way into buying a beautiful genuine Italian leather handbag.

Until next time, Arrivederci!

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Helena’s View- an EB intern’s fashion view while abroad in Florence, Italy!

Tuesday, September 8th, 2009 >

Helena's View- an EB intern's fashion view while abroad in Florence Italy!

What’s a 20 year old Marist fashion student to do
when her parents grant her permission to go
abroad her junior year? Pack her bags asap
with chic clothing & accessories before they
change their mind! Of course, leaving room for
all the new must-have fashionable pieces she
picks up along the way! Italian leather anyone?

Helena Williams will tell you her view of what she
think’s is sooo stylish, the next big trends, street wear
she’s seeing & more fabulous looks while in
Florence, Italy. So check out Helena’s View Weekly
at elizabethboutique.com/blog!

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