Right now, many wish they were planning to leave for summer destinations on the Amalfi Coast, Capri, Sicilia or Isola Ponza. Imagine seeing the faraglioni rock formations or gliding in a boat under The Grotto Azuro. Sun drenched spots filled with yachts, Sicilian cannolis with orange peels, limoncello shots or savoring a gelato vaniglia while wearing your new Missoni striped bikini, Capri sandals and Dolce and Gabbana cat eyed sunglasses. Remember the SPF lotion when the sun is shining down on your skin and you’re dreaming of a skin kissed glow. Well, due to the pandemic, relaxing summer days and music filled nights, have been put on hold. Soon, we can stop by NYC’s local hot spot, Come Prima. A high end fashionable Italian restaurant, located in The Upper East Side neighborhood on Madison Avenue. Here, one can immerse themselves in the black and white 1950’s photos of boaters, snapshots of Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren and Grace Kelly, while dining on spicy pasta fra diavlo or cavatelli with porcini mushrooms. Relax and have an aperol spritz or a bottle of wine from the Chianti region. Sophia Loren is known for her quotation; “All of my curves, I owe to pasta”. It is a welcoming spot owned by Italian born, Salvatore. It gets tourists strolling down the shopping street or locals who feel at home. The Mediterranean is at your door with the modern and stylish white tables and chairs, bar, lively decor and an old world Italian touch. A time to reflect and eat locally once the restaurants can reopen. A staycation can be enjoyable and the Big Apple’s melting pot lends authenticity to the cities’ varied cultural cuisines and style.
A Common Thread is an organization, founded by Vogue US editor in chief, Anna Wintour, and the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America). It began, in 2003, as a way to provide funds to those affected by 9/11. It has again gained popularity with the emergence of COVID 19, raising over $4.3 million dollars and over 800 applications. Anna Wintour, editor in chief, and CFDA leader, Tom Ford, are working to provide a common thread to aid the fashion industry. To make a donation to A Common Thread, text: Thread to 44-3231. Maison de Mode, a sustainable fashion company founded by media heiress, Amanda Hearst, is selling a bracelet which one can purchase online. 100 % of the profits go to The Common Thread and shoe designer, Nicky Hilton, models and endorses the bracelet on her Instagram account. Manufacturers, textile suppliers, graphic designers, makeup artists and creatives are people who need help at this time of crisis. The industry is trying to figure out how to keep up with production and the supply chain of fabric and raw materials. It is a clever name for an organization which is supporting a community bonded by threads of fabric. Another commonality, the fashion industry and global population are coming together. Many high end fashion companies; Alice and Olivia, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Giorgio Armani are making masks, protective gear and hospital gowns.MAC has relief efforts donating to meal related organizations and Origins Cosmetics has consumer support website chats. Companies such as; LoveShack Fancy and Mo’da Operandi have been working with organizations such as; Baby2Baby and NoKidHungry as well as Oscar de la Renta giving money to the CDC. Monica Vinader jewelry is donating to the British medical system and their Fiji plant is making masks. While The Tory Burch Fashion is looking to donate to NY’s Mt. Sinai Hospital. Brands such as Glossier are promoting hand cream for the extra hand washing that is taking place. Fashion is using social media, Zoom and company websites to engage with customers; offering free hair, nail, makeup and fashion tips from influencers, industry professionals, doctors, hair stylists, aestheticians and clothing companies. Instagram live videos show how to do at home masks, facials, hair color, yoga and makeup tutorials. Many in the fashion arena are offering promotions and discounted merchandise to keep up business and consumer activity. Holidays such as; upcoming Mother’s Day on May 10th and April 22nd’s Earth Day are prominently advertised on websites since online purchases are the new normal for gift giving. Wintour’s son, a physician at a NYC hospital, contracted COVID while working on the frontline so the cause is close to her heart. Wintour states that many do not recognize the behind the scenes employees such as; seamstresses, textile plants and factory workers, key players in fashion production. This June/July’s Vogue special edition illustrates the first still life in 50 years. The cover shows a picture of a single red rose with green leaves and thorns, a white background, a long black stem and Vogue is written in black lettering. The caption; “Our Common Thread, Creativity in a Time of Crisis”. It was shot by fashion photographer, Irving Penn. Inside, celebrities such as; Florence Pugh, Marc Jacobs, Giselle Bundchen and Kim Kardashian West have a “Postcards From Home” series with pictures and anecdotes from past covers and fashion/COVID topics. Ethan James Green, a photographer, has photos of frontline health workers from NYC. This month, Vogue Italia, has a blank white cover illustrating stark reality and stillness.
The Cosmopolitan Compact 