Grace Magazine

I can’t imagine life without ever having owned a pair or two or three of luxurious Ferragamo shoes. His beautiful designs were good enough for some of the most glamorous Hollywood stars and they are certainly good enough for me.

This weekend in Shanghai, the Italian label Salvatore Ferragamo celebrated it’s 80th anniversary in the business.

Celebrities such as Christina Ricci, Jennifer Jason Lee and Melissa George were on hand for the festivities, which included a fashion show, gala dinner and performance by dancer Roberto Bolle of the La Scala Ballet. Bolle is representative for Ferragamo’s new line of watches.

Congratulations, Ferragamo.

Here are some pictures of the event:

From left to right: Christina Ricci, Jennifer Jason Lee, Melissa George

Roberto Bolle strutted the catwalk before breaking into dance

Roberto Bolle and partner perform at Salvatore Ferragamo’s 80th Anniversary

At the Salvatore Ferragamo: Evolving Legend 1928-2008 exhibition: a bag-making workshop, a colorful display of shoes, a chandelier made of Ferragamo perfume bottles

The English Patient is my favorite movie.

Directed by Anthony Minghella (1954-200

On this date in history, the 15th of March in 44 B.C., Julius Caesar was assassinated by a group of his so-called friends and co-workers, who called themselves the Liberators.

That’s putting it simply, of course.

Here’s the account as told by Plutarch:
The Parallel Lives, The Life of Julius Caesar

Well, then, Antony, who was a friend of Caesar’s and a robust man, was detained outside by Brutus Albinus,who purposely engaged him in a lengthy conversation; but Caesar went in, and the senate rose in his honour. Some of the partisans of Brutus took their places round the back of Caesar’s chair, while others went to meet him, as though they would support the petition which Tillius Cimber presented to Caesar in behalf of his exiled brother, and they joined their entreaties to his and accompanied Caesar up to his chair. But when, after taking his seat, Caesar continued to repulse their petitions, and, as they pressed upon him with greater importunity, began to show anger towards one and another of them, Tillius seized his toga with both hands and pulled it down from his neck. This was the signal for the assault. It was Casca who gave him the first blow with his dagger, in the neck, not a mortal would, nor even a deep one, for which he was too much confused, as was natural at the beginning of a deed of great daring; so that Caesar turned about, grasped the knife, and held it fast. At almost the same instant both cried out, the smitten man in Latin: “Accursed Casca, what does thou?” and the smiter, in Greek, to his brother: “Brother, help!”

So the affair began, and those who were not privy to the plot were filled with consternation and horror at what was going on; they dared not fly, nor go to Caesar’s help, nay, nor even utter a word. But those who had prepared themselves for the murder bared each of them his dagger, and Caesar, hemmed in on all sides, whichever way he turned confronting blows of weapons aimed at his face and eyes, driven hither and thither like a wild beast, was entangled in the hands of all; for all had to take part in the sacrifice and taste of the slaughter. Therefore Brutus also gave him one blow in the groin. And it is said by some writers that although Caesar defended himself against the rest and darted this way and that and cried aloud, when he saw that Brutus had drawn his dagger, he pulled his toga down over his head and sank, either by chance or because pushed there by his murderers, against the pedestal on which the statue of Pompey stood. And the pedestal was drenched with his blood, so that one might have thought that Pompey himself was presiding over this vengeance upon his enemy, who now lay prostrate at his feet, quivering from a multitude of wounds. For it is said that he received twenty-three; and many of the conspirators were wounded by one another, as they struggled to plant all those blows in one body.

Caesar thus done to death, the senators, although Brutus came forward as if to say something about what had been done, would not wait to hear him, but burst out of doors and fled, thus filling the people with confusion and helpless fear, so that some of them closed their houses, while others left their counters and places of business and ran, first to the place to see what had happened, then away from the place when they had seen. Antony and Lepidus, the chief friends of Caesar, stole away and took refuge in the houses of others. But Brutus and his partisans, just as they were, still warm from the slaughter, displaying their daggers bare, went all in a body out of the senate-house and marched to the Capitol, not like fugitives, but with glad faces and full of confidence, summoning the multitude to freedom, and welcoming into their ranks the most distinguished of those who met them. Some also joined their number and went up with them as though they had shared in the deed, and laid claim to the glory of it, of whom were Caius Octavius and Lentulus Spinther. These men, then, paid the penalty for their imposture later, when they were put to death by Antony and the young Caesar, without even enjoying the fame for the sake of which they died, owing to the disbelief of their fellow men. For even those who punished them did not exact a penalty for what they did, but for what they wished they had done.

I’m going to ward off the Ides of March by going to a concert of Respighi’s Pines of Rome.

Prince Albert of Monaco turns 50 years old on March 14.

Here is a birthday tribute in pictures.

First birthday:

Official Grimaldi family portrait:

With sisters Caroline and Stephanie:

Olympic bobsledder:

With father, Prince Rainier:

With Princess Caroline as children:

With portrait of mother Grace Kelly:

In Monaco:

Happy Birthday, Prince Albert

In my experience, if you introduce the man in your life to fabulous shoes, they become almost as obsessed as women.

Here’s the perfect pair to get the shoe love growing.

Salvatore Ferragamo Party Loafer

Brown with black topstiching. Strap across the vamp. Tooled logo detail.

Made in Italy. $495

Did you ever lie awake at night and think, “I wish I smelled like Ewan McGregor?”

Well, now you can. Tee hee.

Scottish actor and global adventurer Ewan McGregor released a double whammy. He has a new book called A Long Way Down, which details his motorcycle journey from Scotland to Africa. At the same time, McGregor is helping Davidoff launch its new fragrance called Adventure.

The scent is described as vibrant, captivating, fresh, spicy and woody. Top notes include mandarin, lemon and bergamot with maté leaves and black pepper. Contrasting notes are warm spices of black sesame and pimiento with cedarwood, vetiver and white musks.

“I think it is important to go out and discover what an extraordinary world we have, and the people who live in it, and to broaden our minds instead of to narrow them…The thing about a real journey is that you have to lose control of it. You can’t control an adventure.

You have to give yourself in to accepting whatever experience is round the corner. And you never have any idea what that might be.” — Ewan McGregor

Isn’t he adorable?

This one is for the boys.

There aren’t many ways for men to show their sense of style in a suit. They can choose a cut, a fabric, a color. But the best way for them to express their personalities is with a tie.

This elegant tie by Japanese designer Kenzo Takada speaks volumes about style, confidence, and good taste.

Gokan Kobo Touch Floral Shimmering Woven Silk Tie

A new line of neckwear designed by the Japanese stylist Kenzo Takada for a refined and personal collection, elegant in its simple lines yet luxurious in the materials and textures. Made in Italy. 100% silk.

$72 at Forzieri.com

On February 5, 1919, four of Hollywood’s biggest names bonded together to form United Artists.

Charles Chaplin, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks and D.W. Griffith incorporated on this day in order to have more creative control over their pictures.

When news got out of their plans, a prominent studio executive is said to have remarked, “The inmates are taking over the asylum.”

Charlie Chaplin, as you probably know, is one of the funniest actors of all time. His best-loved character was the Little Tramp. Some of his greatest movies include The Kid, The Gold Rush, City Lights and Modern Times. Even when I see still photos of Chaplin, he can make me laugh out loud. But all of his films were filled with heart.

Mary Pickford was America’s Sweetheart. Her petite frame, peaches-and cream-complexion and long curls allowed her to play youthful characters for most of her career. Her roles were always that of the underdog fighting against injustice. I recommend Stella Maris (she plays two characters), Daddy-Long-Legs, Tess of the Storm Country, Sparrows and Little Lord Fauntleroy, in which she plays the male title character and his mother. She also has a lovely cocktail named after her.

Douglas Fairbanks was the original swashbuckling hero. Dashing and athletic, he melted the hearts of women worldwide but married Mary Pickford. He also performed most of his own stunts. I recommend The Mark of Zorro, The Three Musketeers, Robin Hood and The Thief of Bagdad. He was also one of the founding members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

D. W. Griffith was one of the most important film directors in movie history. Before Griffith, movies were basically filmed plays with the camera unmoving and keeping a distant long shot. Griffith invented film language by experimenting with techniques such as the medium shot and close up, he used flashbacks and crosscutting and had enough confidence to know the viewers would be able to still follow the story. He directed over 500 films, mostly shorts, but some of the greatest full-length features of his time. I recommend Judith of Bethulia, The Birth of a Nation, Intolerance, Broken Blossoms, The Idol Dancer, Way Down East and Orphans of the Storm.

Ah, they don’t make them like they used to.

Blogroll Amnesty Day doesn’t really affect my blog and other fashion and beauty blogs, but I do support the liberal bloggers.

Here is an inspirational quote from Benjamin Franklin for all those bloggers who fight for freedom of speech.

If you would not be forgotten,
as soon as you are dead & rotten,
either write things worth reading,
or do things worth the writing.

Someone hung this on my desk at work. I think it’s funny.

And Gerard Butler is always hot, even when he’s dirty and screaming. Although I don’t think he’s forty.