(Long Island, N.Y.) The annual Gala Italia celebrated its 26th year at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City to the enthusiastic patronage of the Italian Ambassador to Washington, Giulio Maria Terzi di Sant’Agata, journalists, producers and wine importers. The event presented and celebrated the very best in Italian cuisine, wine, fashion, gastronomy and design with the stamp of approval “Made in Italy.”
The evening’s host and master of ceremonies of the Gala Italia was International Actress and Television Personality, Jo Squillo. Ms. Squillo was especially flown to Manhattan by Alitalia for presenting this year’s Gala Italia. Ms. Squillo performed for the audience before introducing Opera Star Christina Fontanelli. Ms. Fontanelli has traveled the world entertaining opera aficionados and confessed to me during our interview that she will now be the “voice of Domino’s Pizza” on an upcoming national radio commercial.
Cognac Wellerlane interviews Dr. Lucio Caputo is the president of the International Trade Center of New York and international TV Star Jo Squillo for the Gala Italia at the Mariott Marquis Hotel.
Ms. Fontanelli has become a well-known personality through her recordings, her appearances on TV, radio, in concert, nightclubs, and opera and through her recent acting debut on network television. Her beautiful soprano voice has taken her to the White House as part of President Clinton’s holiday celebration. Ms. Fontanelli performed “Libian, Libiam nei Lieti Calici” from Verdi’s La Traviata, “Con Te Partirò” the famous rendition by Andrea Boccelli and her finale performance included Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” in honor of the event.
Ms. Squillo announced the galas fashion show for the spring/summer collection of The House of Eredi Pisanò of Rome. Twelve gorgeous male models gathered at the center of the ballroom and walked the runway modeling the highly tailored 2011 collection while guests enjoyed the entertainment of the CJM trio of Luca Garacci.
The event closed with the opening of sixteen Manhattan restaurant stations presenting their culinary specialties to guests and members of the press.
Throughout the evening wine enthusiasts sampled a wine & food tasting of the best Italian wines, including: Antinori, Astoria, Biondi Santi/Castello di Montepò, Biondi Santi/Il Greppo, Bellenda, Bellussi, Bertani, Bottega Vinaia, Cantina del Vermentino, Cantina S. Osvaldo, Cantina Valpolicella Casale Falchini, Castello di Albola, Castello di Fonterutoli, Castello di Querceto, Cavit, Citra, Col di Luna, Danae, Domodimonti, Duca di Salaparuta, Due Palme, Fabiano, Fattoria di Montecchio, Feudi Arancio, Feudi di San Gregorio, Feudi Principi di Butera, Furlan, Garlider, Gulfi, Lunetta, Livia Fontana, Marco Maci, Mandra Rossa, Piera Martellozzo, Pasqua, Planeta, Poliziano, Rocca delle Macie, Rocca dei Sanniti, Ruffino, Sella & Mosca, Tenute Sella, Scrimaglio, Toso-Tufidi, Vini Biondi and Zonin.
During the wine & food tasting the wine producers received special certificates of honor from an American jury of experts.
Restaurant participants included: Barbetta, Barolo, Da Silvano, Epoca, Giano, Gusto Ristorante/Bar Americano, Il Riccio, I Tre Merli, La Masseria, Macelleria, Osteria del Circo, Perbacco, Quattro Gastronomia Italiana, Salumeria Rosi, Serafina and SD26.
Piaggio displayed their four Vespa models in various hues and styles representing Italian design in America as well as two Montante bicycles and a model of the AW 139 helicopter of Agusta Westland.
An art exhibit entitled “Dynamic Cities” also featured a series of innovative works by the Artists Lisa Borgiani and Massimo Nidini. More than 4,000 copies of the color catalogue were distributed to guests, participants and representatives during this year’s Gala Italia.
Shortly after the conclusion of the New York event, the Los Angeles Wine Gala, on February 15th will extend this promotion of “Made in Italy” to the markets of California and the West Coast. The Los Angeles Wine Gala will be held at the famous restaurant of Piero Selvaggio, Valentino and will be preceded by an exclusive luncheon for the exhibitors and the local wine press to introduce the distinguished wines.
“The 26th edition of the Gala Italia has succeeded as an event of great importance at the highest level,” revealed Dr. Lucio Caputo, President of the Italian Wine & Food Institute during our interview.
Next year’s Gala Italia will take place in March of 2012 in Manhattan and will continue to support the “Made in Italy” label. The Gala Italia is jointly organized by the Italian Wine & Food Institute and the Italian Trade Commission under the high patronage of the Italian Ambassador to Washington with the sponsorship of the Ministry of Economic Development.
For more information on how to participate in next year’s Gala Italia please visit www.italianwineandfoodinstitute.com
Nolcha Fashion Week, now in its 9th season, consists of runway shows, eco-accessory exhibition, fashion business seminars, and networking events.
New York Nolcha Fashion Week has emerged as a solid platform and a reputable outlet for showcasing top-tier designers, a globally-minded and diverse group originating from countries that include Italy, Brazil, United Kingdom, Venezuela, South Korea, Russia, Sweden, Colombia, USA, China, Dominican Republic and many other nations.
Debuted in 2007, Nolcha has expanded to five cities and three countries (USA, UK, and Turkey). The company has a strong brand presence with its unique platform and receives positive recognition from world-renowned media outlets such as CBS, Forbes, NBC, ABC, Fox News, Smart money TV, and BBC.
The company has now secured partnerships and clients with over 40 global companies, including: Coca-Cola, Paul Mitchell, Aveda, Ask.com, Macy’s, Escada, Proctor and Gamble, DonQ Rums, Mayor of Philadelphia, Mayor of Chicago, Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, British Consulate initiatives for fashion and Czech Republic Consulate.
Entertainment Journalist for the Longislandexchange.com Cognac Wellerlane interviews at Nolcha Fashion Week.
Kerry Bannigan, CEO of the company, launched her career ten years ago in Public Relations and Marketing while completing her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Communications at Sheffield Hallam University. After studying and mastering in marketing, events and brand management, Kerry decided to team up with her business partner Arthur Mandel to develop emerging/independent fashion designers so they established Nolcha in September 2006.
To continually grow the Nolcha brand on a global platform Ms. Bannigan is responsible for event and digital media partnerships including Lucky Magazine, Vogue Bambini and Yelp. Ms. Bannigan also manages the integration of trade content and brands to consumer internet and retail/e-commerce including Macy’s, Mandee, StyleQuest and Ask.co.uk.
During Nolcha Fashion Week I had a chance to chat with Style Correspondent Jess Zaino.
A trusted source in the fashion industry, Jess Zaino has had a strong presence in television, print, and web media with hundreds of bylines and production credits to her name. As a recognized style expert and authority in the field, Jess has continually been seen regularly on TV Guide Network’s Fashion Team and has been quoted in US Weekly, LA Confidential, InTouch Weekly, Woman’s World Magazine, Parent Magazine, Life and Style Weekly. Ms. Zaino was quoted as “the IT Girl of Style” by Columbus Dispatch. A past resident of Long Island, Jess came to national attention as the co-host of the Style Network’s “Modern Girls Guide to Life.”
During our interview Jess revealed, “Fashion is an expression of who somebody is from the inside. What’s so cool about Nolcha is that it’s made for independent fashion designers. It really offers the individual designer out there the opportunity to have a store online and also to have the tools and sort of networking that involves growing an independent brand.”
For more information please visit www.nolcha.com.
