Dressful

The black book of retail is a concise selection of Italy's 200 finest multi-brand stores and boutiques. Each store is laid out on one page, with all the necessary information for shoppers – short description in Italian and English, photos, list of main brands, opening hours, contact details and a message from the owner. The stores are divided by region.

The bilingual guide was written for domestic and international customers who feel limited by single-brand stores or prefer to do all their fashion shopping in one place.

Six marketing, retail and design experts chose the stores by the following criteria: the stores must have been in business for at least three years, they must have at least 90 square meters of retail space, they must be multi-brand and carry quality brands. All 20 Italian regions are included in the guide, however for obvious reasons, Milan has the highest number of listed stores. Most stores have operated for decades, a solid statement to the local sartorial tradition.

The black book has a pleasant layout that makes it easy to pick up information. I'm a curious reader and shopper, so I appreciated the inclusion of photos and messages from store owners. Each boutique is a sphere of its own that becomes much more personal when you know the face and philosophy behind it.

Single-brand stores and multi-brand stores focusing on smaller brands are not included, but that's material for a whole new guide.

The black book of retail was sent to me by Biblioteca della moda.

The majority of my wardrobe consists of beautiful, intricate pieces like this black mesh and tulle Max Mara top, not meant to be wasted for quotidian affairs. In theory, their elegance could transform the affairs into fairy tales. In practice, I need a prescription for [sartorial] apathy. I'm not bothered by my wardrobe's overall lack of practicality; I prefer my clothes to be a reflection of my inner world, though it continuously fails to overlap with the outer world. Is it that my wardrobe doesn't suit my life or my life doesn't suit my wardrobe?

Gorizia, December 8, 2011. The sales assistant undressed the mannequin in the window so I could try on the top; it was the last one. I usually don't have any make-up on for shopping; a coincidence that proves beneficial when deciding whether I want something or not. I'm only interested in clothes that make me look better than I had looked before I tried them on. The garment itself has to have that power, not make-up or accessories.

After I had changed into the top, I saw my otherwise tired face in the mirror looking fresh and radiant. The light bouncing off the sewn-on necklace illuminated my skin. A mesmerized sigh that made the sales assistants smile sealed the deal.

-- Invite me somewhere secret and glamorous
so I can debut the top before fashion weeks.
We can not wait this time. --

If you've ever been to Venice, you know the shopping is mostly about Venetian masks and Murano glass products (if you haven't been, the beautiful Elegance in Exile exhibition is more than enough reason to go). In the past year little second hand, vintage and consignment shops – from cheap to very expensive – have begun popping up at every corner, permeating the dense atmosphere of Tradition and making the city more in sync with those of us who keep returning to it yearning to be surprised by something new.

Though I rarely wear accessories other than bags, jewelry displays always catch my attention. I took this photo through the window because the shop was closed. It was just before Halloween, hence the zombie ring contributing to a most charming selection. It would be uncharacteristic for Venice, but I'd love if the shop was still there (and open) the next time I visit.

I am going to be in New York from September 7 to 16 for New York Fashion Week, and it's just as exciting as you'd imagine. I RSVPd to my first show this morning - Joy Cioci - and was immediately sent a barcode and confirmation number for "expedited check-in on event day". Last season I was marveling at what a clever innovation Fashion GPS was, reducing the hassle of searching for names on endless guest lists. This season I get to use it myself. I am going to Madeira with my family soon, a quick vacation before NYC, but mentally it's as if I am in NYC already.

This will be my first trip to NYC after having lived there for a couple of months during my gap year in 2008. I missed this city every single day, and I would like to return once for a longer time. I am not sure I could live in one city all my life, but I would like to spend at least a few years in NYC, preferably before I am very old. Interestingly enough, one of my many "visions of future" is a very old black-clad myself, going to the Met (the opera, not the museum) and Carnegie Hall every evening.

This will also be the first time I will be at a fashion week for its entire duration (not to mention I am flying in directly for Fashion's Night Out ... I almost wish there weren't so many events to choose from! Still have no idea which one(s) I'm going to cover). When I was in Paris and Milan last season, it was enough to get a taste of what a major fashion week feels and looks like, but New York will be total immersion. I suppose fashion week is to fashion a kind of hyperreality. One quarter of what's going to be in every fashion magazine for the next six months presented within the course of one week.

I would also like to shamelessly state that all I intend to eat throughout my stay in NYC are Krispy Kreme donuts and Chipotle burrito bowls. When I say I missed NYC, a big part of that can be attributed to food. No better time to gain weight than fashion week!

Fashion-but-not-fashion-week-wise, I have prepared a list of 15 vintage and consignment shops to visit because I'm looking for a very special piece. I don't want to say what it is so I don't jinx it (I've been saving up for this piece for months). If I find it, though, you'll be the first to know. New York is the only place where this can happen, so keep your fingers crossed!

A heresy perhaps, but there will be no high heels in my luggage.

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I don't know how often I'll be able to update on vacation next week, but I will be updating every day in NYC. If you are going to be in NYC during NYFW and want to meet up, please drop me an email.

I am saving money for my autumnal pilgrimages to fashion weeks (starting with New York), which calls for a moratorium on shopping extravagancies. This little H&M bracelet is a substitute for all the beautiful dresses and shoes that could (not) have been mine.