The Norma Desmonds: finding a director

Before starting with the photostory, I want to thank you all again for you kind words, sympathy, prayers and sweet comments. I really love being part of this community. I usually don't share personal things on my blog but I felt I had to give an explaination for my sudden disappearance. 
And the warmth of your response  really gave extra strenght. A  huge kiss to all of you!
Tecla's story is almost finished so it is possible I'm going to post several chapters in a row, if I'll be able to take and fix the pictures.

Nicola: Hi guys, I think I've managed to find us all a fancy job!
Omero: Uh?
Orso Maria: Are you serious?
Nicola: I'm serious as I can be. Just listen. I've just met Madame Tecla, she's planning a "return" and she offered me to write the script.

Orso Maria: Very nice, what it will be about?
Nicola: Salome. In her own words "What a woman. What a part. A princess in love with a holy man. ... He rejects her so she lays his head on a golden tray kissing his cold dead lips"....ha ha ha
Omero: Creepy
Nicola: Well, she's creepy enough to fit the part
Orso Maria: Where we do fit in?
Nicola: She's looking for a young director and cameramen. So I thought of the two of you.

Omero: Very kind of you, but it sounds like a crappy project
Orso Maria: Not really. If she plays Salome it would make  a nice horror movie. Do you think it will ever leave the ground?
Nicola: It is possible, she's got the money. She just have to find someone to actually produce it and get her a distribution contract. And even if we don't actually get it finished we could get some real doe out of this.

Orso Maria: I'm not convinced. I really want a real project to work on, I'm tired of commercials.
Omero: I agree with you brother. Nicola, your plan sounds as crazy as her movie. Besides, are you able to write this script?
Nicola: Thanks for the nice words guys, this is the reward for having though of you. And yes, she asked me a ten page treatment in a week's time. I believe she won't notice if I'm going to rip off Oscar Wilde.

Orso Maria: Oh oh.....Hot stuff. Now that I think about it, the Rambova movie was a mess but had a lot of interesting costumes and settings.
Omero: Don't tell me you are seriously thinking to go along with his plan!
Orso Maria: We can meet the lady, and if she's crazy as a bat as they say, we just go away. But if there's only one chance this is going to be a serious movie we should be in it!
Omero: You and your damned avant-guard silent movies!

Orso Maria: Well the dance in the Rambova's is completely still, it would be perfect for an inarticulated actress! Tell me Nicola, how well preserved is she? I mean do you think she can look the part?

Nicola: She looks very fine, I think that with the right lighning she could actually be perfect.
I was sure you would have liked the idea in the end! Now guys you just have to help me with this treatment.

Orso Maria: Uhmmm, I think she's got a De Mille thing in mind

Omero: If it is so, and you're going to direct this, she's in for a shock.
Orso Maria: Just try to be open minded for once!



Later on they are going through Sebastiano's library and Nicola is taking down some notes

Orso Maria: It was nice of Sebastiano to give us access to his library.
Nicola: He's a real friend, now he's busy rehearsing with his band so we have plenty of time.
Omero: Too bad he left this stinking dog here.
Orso Maria: Don't be rude with Winston! He's such a cutie. You're just nervous and you pick on the poor thing.
Omero: Ok, ok.

At home

Omero: Do you really think this will work out?
Orso Maria: I don't know, but she was a big star, and her butler was a great silent director. It will be interesting. And maybe Nicola will be able to write in a part for Camilla.
Omero: Improbable. And I do not feel comfortable with the whole idea.

The Norma Desmonds: what about Enrico?

Tecla: So where have you been hiding yourserlf?
Enrico: I'm sorry Tecla, I had to consider. About us, and the whole thing about the modeling agency. You see, I feel I really like this job, and Giovanna believes I've got talent as a model. Besides they are giving me these fancy clothes

Tecla: I think these clothes stinks, actually. They are simply awful.
Enrico: Your privilege, Tecla. I'm sure I want to give this new opportunity a try, they are paying me good money too.
Tecla: All right, I really don't bother. But remember I won't take you back when you'll come begging me after my new movie shall be released
Enrico: A new movie?
Tecla: Yes, and now it's time for you to go. Max! Accompany Mr. Enrico at the door.

Max: Yes Madam. Mr. Enrico, please come with me.
Enrico: Goodbye Tecla, and goodluck.
Tecla: I won't need luck, I'm a STAR!

Enrico is gone.

Tecla: Well Max, now that we're done with the beefcake, what's next on the agenda?
Max: You should call Mr Filippo at the atelier, Madame. To see if your new wardrobe is ready.
Tecla: I will do that right away. But before fix me some caviar and champagne

Tecla: Hallo Filippo

Filippo: Hallo Madame Tecla, how are you?

Tecla: Don't waste my time Filippo, how much it will take to that girl of yours to get my new wardrobe ready?
Filippo: The first two outfits are ready, Madame, the third is on her way. I'm sure you'll be very satisfied with Virginia's work. Everyting will be ready on schedule.

Tecla: I hope so, she didn't look really experienced for me. Anyway we shall see. Goodbye Filippo.
Filippo: Goodbye Madame Tecla.

Tecla hangs up

Max: Everything is all right, Madame?
Tecla: I think so. I think I should use another  drink Max. Fix me some more champagne. Then you can call that writer. What's his name, Nicola. I want to talk to him about the screenplay.
Max: I'll see to that Madame. Right away.

Later on

Max: Mr Nicola will be here later in the afternoon Madame.
Tecla: Very good, Max. I can always rely on you.
Max: You're too kind Madame.

In the afternoon

The trip to Dublin didn't help Nicola to get past his writer's cramp. He feels that writing a screenplay on specs might do the trick.

Tecla: I'm ready for my return, and I want you to help me with the script. It is going to be a movie about Salome
Nicola: Salome? Well there's been a new wave of historic blockbusters, doesn't sound a bad idea.
Tecla: It is a Great idea! and I'm going to play Salome
Nicola: Wow, I thought you were only going to be the producer....

Tecla: What do you mean by that? I'm going to be the executive producer, screenwriter and of course I'm going to star in it!!!
Nicola: Of course, how stupid of me. And you are going to direct it too?
Tecla: Max is going to direct it!
Max: Excuse me Madame, but I don't think is a good idea, this is going to be your return, you need a new director, acquainted with the new audiences. This is also the reason why you've asked  here Mr, Nicola.

Tecla: Oh yes, I almost forgot! Nicola, I would appreciate some suggestions for the director.
Nicola: In fact I have. And maybe also a cinematographer.
Tecla: Very good. I will see you all in a week's time from now. And I expect to get a ten pages treatment of the movie by that date.
Nicola: Well, is quite a short notice, but I'll manage.
Tecla: See you next week then. Goodbye Nicola.
Nicola: Goodbye Madame.

Tecla: Everything is going as expected, Max. Now I have to wait for my new wardrobe, get the ten pages treatment and go visit Luchino. He has to produce this one!
Max: He will Madame, he will.

In the meantime at the Mexican Bar

Corrado: Hi man, how did it go?
Enrico: I'm a free man! It all went smooth as silk. That lady is crazy, she's planning to do a movie
Corrado: Well man, looks like you missed the chance to star in it, don't you?

Great writers' footsteeps: looking for J. Joyce - Nicola in Dublin

Nicola is supposed to be a writer, but he's been afflicted by  a writer's cramp lately.  Furthermore he was somehow engaged with Edda and now that she left the house he's  been looming around idly flirting with all the girls.
Trying to revive his inspiration he has decided to take a trip to Dublin, on the tracks of J. Joyce's Ulysses.
Anyway he's going to enjoy a tour of the pubs.

Cecilia, who should know better, seized the moment and volunteered to accompany him, as a secretary. She's been eyeing Nicola since her arrival.

She thinks he's got the "tall dark stranger" looks. So she borrowed Ofelia tartan outfit an off they are!

Day One

First of all they pose for a picture with J. Joyce statue.

Then they head for the Writer's museum.

Then a visit to the Martello tower. Cecilia is  bored already.

And Ormond Quay.

Nicola has been blabbering for hours, he's in a stream of consciousness mood and Cecilia wants to die.....

Day two

Nicola is stunned when they meet Giorgia in Grafton Street, he completely forgets about the stream of consciusness and dragging Cecilia with him invites Giorgia to join in.

Giorgia loves Joyce, so she enthusiastically agrees.

They visit the Phoenix Park

Sandy Mouth Strand

And the Castle. Nicola and Giorgia are getting along wonderfully!

Day three

Nicola has completely forgot to focus upon his inspiration and proposes a  tour of the pubs!

The Market

The Stag's Head

The Temple

The Quai

Nicola and Giorgia are definitely an item. Cecilia is very angry at me, but I don't believe she had any chance with Nicola, would she ever find Mr Right Guy?

Tartan Craze a Hommes Collection

I've been talking about this project for a while, and now, finally, I'm ready to present you the complete Tartan Craze collection!

Let's go with 20th Century Fox's  fanfare!!!!

I had to stop at some point as I still have several more ideas, but now with springtime finally coming by I have to move on to something else!
First of all let me show you some of the sources of inspiration for this collection:
Ragandbones, Moschino, AuJourLeJour and Valentino's collection from 2013! (I haven't been able to identify the fourth picture, any ideas?)

The thing that impressed me most while preparing the collection is the versatility of the tartan fabric for hommes fashions, from ultra casual, sport and formal, tartan adds a great accent to every style!

What is missing from this collection are formal suits, but as I'm planning a collection  of formal outfits I will sew at least a couple of them (with a  complete tutorial) next fall.

Having trumpeted this collection so much I also took some time to put together some decent pictures, here are the boys on the catwalk (Note: Nicola is wearing in fact a Prince of Whales , but in scale looked more like tartan):

Enrico, Taddeo, Sebastiano

Armando, Bartolomeo, Giacomo

Carlo, Nicola, Goffredo

Ever since I sew the first suit in this collection I envisioned a "Highlands lookbook" for the guys. Scotland is one of the (several) places I haven't visited yet, and Sasha's pictures are on film, so I had to draw upon stock pictures from the internet as backdrops. I believe these are the perfect setting for the collection!

Highlands Lookbook

Lords of the manor, our Supermodels:

Sebastiano (Valentino) Carlo (AuJourLeJour)

The most elegant dudes of the house in casual outfits

Taddeo (Original Billa) Armando (Unknown)

The trendies ones

Bartolomeo (Moschno) Enrico (RagAndBones)

Classic Brit Giacomo - Goffredo can't resist wearing a tie, even in the middle of nothing

Giacomo - Goffredo (Original Billa)

Sunset on the manor, a pensive Nicola ponders about his upcoming visit to Dublin and the girls he shall meet there

Nicola (Original Billa)

I look forward to hear which is your favourite style and picture!
Kisses Billa

African Tales: Pulling off a Veruschka

In my continuing search for new inspirarion for my urban safari collection, which someday I'm going to sew, I met this wonderful picture by Franco Rubartelli.

OMG this is exactly the Dolly Forever Dress!!!!

As you imagine all the girls wanted to try to pull off  this one, expecially Odette and Cecilia lobbied very hard. But as soon as I saw Veruschka I knew that only Edda had the right attitude (and hairdo).

So I patiently managed to get my hands on High Visibility Agnes hat, and Fashion Explorer Vanessa Boots, Bag and glasses......

It took a while to find these accessories at a reasonable price!
Then I tried on Edda the Dolly Forever dress (it fits!....somehow) and now I only had to try my hand on the photosession.
This is the first ensemble I put together without sewing a single stitch....

I din't have a gun so she's playing with her new bag.....

Nicola is modeling one of the Urban Safari Male Fashions
They look pretty gorgeous together. Maybe they will meet Odette and Carlo somewhere in Africa!

Hommes Fashion 3: Nicola in Berlin

Nicola has something stilish about him so as first fashion I decided to sew him a Mod's outfit

I liked this one very much, I'm not very good at jackets, but I keep trying!!!!

I used red cotton for the trousers, wool jersey for the turtleneck sweater and gabardine for the jacket, this time I nearly got the sleeves right, but I still have to work on my jacket pattern!!!! Shoes are by IT.

Anyway, Nicola is very happy with it, and he's going to show you some highliths of Berlin, which happens to be one of Sasha's favourite towns. I've never been there yet, so you'll have to trust Sasha and this camera.

Berlin Wall - Murales - Picture by Sasha

Berlin Wall - Murales - Picture by Sasha

These places are the reminders of a very sad period, but Berliners seem to have made the most of them: tourist attractions!

Check Point - Picture by Sasha

one of the amazing things about Berlin are the wonderful modern architectures, these  are a couple of buildings by Renzo Piano in Postdamer Platz.

Berlin - Postdamer Platz - Renzo Piano building - Picture by Sasha

Berlin - Postdamer Platz - Renzo Piano building - Picture by Sasha

Of course he couldn't miss to pose in front of the Brandeburg gate! But, wait a minute, who's that gorgeous girl over there? It looks like Iolanda has already followed Nicola here!!!

Berlin - Brandeburg Gate - Picture by Sasha

This as view of Berlin from the Reichstag terrace: it's amazing!!!

Berlin - view from the Reichstag terrace - Picture by Sasha

Berlin - The Reichstag - Picture by Sasha

Berlin, as many European Capitals, is rich of museums, this is the museum island, it is also a lovely place to take a straw....So Nicola decided to take Nasty for a walk, and Iolanda is there again!!!

Berlin - Altes Museum - Picture by Sasha

Berlin - Museums Island - Picture by Sasha

Well, for those of you who are wondering how Nicola is going to spend the afternoon......even thought I'm sure he set his eyes on Edda, but I told you, Nicola is our ladiesman!!!

Koepenic Restaurant - Stock Picture

This issue's soundtrack, on of my faves by Jamiroquai: Virtual Insanity!!!