Holidays, Italian-Wave Style

Italy boasts a mix of traditional fare and innovative art. I like to mix the old with the cutting edge!

1. A splash of color by way of pashmina or handbag from Nimbu. Nimbu creates precious goods handmade from traditional, Indian and Italian fabrics and textiles. Italian designer Susanna Spaghi is based in Barcelona, but she travels east in search of fabrics and embroideries, not to mention follows the slow production processes of block printing and hand dying. Simple and sophisticated, her pieces are cultured additions to any contemporary look.

2. Vintage vinyl from my two favorite Italian poetic-punk bands. Buying records is a nation-wide trend, and the Italian temple of vinyl is Florence’s Data Records, as the city saw an explosion in the early 80s of what was later coined as the punk Italian Wave. CCCP’s Fedeli Alla Lineaand and Diaframma’s Siberia are Italian alternative music masterpieces, and I can’t wait to hear both bands screaming and screaming on my turntable!

3. Sweets are of course a traditional holiday gift. It’s my yearly wish to receive a big box of Baci Gallina, from the historic pastry shop Pasticceria Gallina. They are a delicious, Italian culinary treat, traditionally hand-crafted with hazelnuts and chocolate strictly from Piedmont

Drink of choice: Spumante Franciacorta is a bubbly Italian classic! Perfect as a gift to bring to a party, or to share with friends and family at home.