Whenever I arrive into Como, it’s my habit to take the breathtaking drive 10 minutes up the west shore of the lake to Harry’s Bar in Cernobbio (just beyond the fountain).  I think of it as the meeting spot for the chic-and-discreet of the area, and I’d hate to miss out on a little people watching!  Everyone here seems to be best friends with the maitre d’; they know this is the best way to ensure a table up front…

Cernobbio is home to the magnificent old-world resort “Villa D’Este”, and it seems like it’s one of the last spots left on Earth where celebrities and royalty can go un-harassed as they mingle with locals.  Could it be because the locals are celebrities and royalty too?

This is the ultimate spot to grab a glass of prosecco as the sun is setting on the lake.  Oh yes.  After Yul and I snapped these pictures, we ran into our loud and hilarious friend Paolo having dinner with his stunning wife Monica and his equally-funny friend Simon from Australia.  Oh well, so much for discreet! 

Harry's Bar

Well, I just returned from another inspiring fabric-design trip to Lake Como! The weather was particularly beautiful this September, and there were people out and about everywhere.

There is so much beauty that surrounds you in this part of Italy - but, I have to admit- the food is definitely a big part of my inspiration! Over the next week, I am going to take the opportunity to tell you about a few of my favorite Como restaurants…

If the weather is nice, one of my favorites for lunch is the“Funicolare”. I’m not a huge fan of pizza unless it tastes like theirs - super-thin crust, baked in a wood-fire oven,fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, basil - Wow! It’s right by the lake and it’s a great spot to watch the old mahogany water-taxis come in. I hope to see you there!

Funicolare Ristorante & Pizzeria

Alright, I’d like to brag a little about our fabrics!

Almost all of them come from this beautiful place- Lake Como in northern Italy. Como has been home to many of Europe’s top celebrities and royalty and it is a magnificent and special place. For me, it is the land that time forgot, with a charm and elegance that is pretty much lost these days.

The world’s most beautiful silk fabrics and scarves are from Como and for the last ten years I have been coming here to develop our new designs. I start off each season in print archives where I look through thousands of original designs. Many of these are “retired” prints from the world’s greatest: Yves Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Gucci, Chanel and Chloe to name a few. With the creator’s permission, I resurrect these prints – many of them from the 60’s – and after some modifications they get a new lease on life!

Our exclusive stripes and textured solids are designed the same way- I look through books and books of vintage swatches and then recolor them to the season’s palette. All of our designs are then executed on the finest cottons and silks – but more about fabric construction in an upcoming entry. I was in Como again this month and will share a restaurant recommendation or two soon!

What’s driving me this week is an exciting, innovative new sports car.

Many of you know that in a former life I was a car designer. I’m very interested in protecting our environment and am excited to see what people are doing to protect our planet.

While working in the automobile industry I worked on low-emission vehicle projects and was crushed when the development of electric cars was abandoned; if interested you can watch “Who Killed the Electric Car”. Basically, electric cars lost public interest due to their slow speeds and short range between recharges.

Leaping forward a few years you now find vehicles like the Toyota Prius, seen on highways everywhere, especially among the environmentally conscious Hollywood set. The Prius and various other new cars like the new Lexus and Honda vehicles are called Hybrids. Hybrid cars are powered by a combination of traditional gasoline engines coupled with an electric motor.

And now here comes the “Belle of the Ball” the Tesla. Tesla is a true electric car that is not only sexy and exciting but it’s also a little rocket! Using cutting-edge technology, you’ll be launched from 0 – 60 in four seconds (like a Ferrari) and hit a top speed of 135 mph- silently and with no emissions! You’ll be able to go over 200 miles between charges and you car can be recharged in your garage while you sleep! The Tesla will being marketed initially to affluent buyers willing to drop around $90K.

You can read more about the Tesla at www.teslamotors.com.

For those of you who don’t share my passion for cars you don’t have to worry, my next blog will be all about shirts!

Welcome to my new blog!

(For those of you who don’t know, "blog" is short for "web-log", a log (journal) that is posted on the web.)

I’ll be updating my blog regularly so you can see what I’ve been up to. I’ll share pictures and stories from places I visit, as well as things I think you’ll find interesting like great restaurants, stores and "insider tips"…

This is me with my good friend Paolo in Lake Como, Italy.

Please check back in a week or so for my next entry. I hope you enjoy this new way for us to stay in touch!  If you have any suggestions or questions that you would like me to talk about, feel free to leave a comment, and I'll see what I can do.