Paola Jacobbi

Aria d Italia celebrates the contemporary Italian lifestyle and its values, highlighting talent and passion for quality in every aspect of life, from the culinary world to art, from social life to the loving care of traditions. The book demonstrates a harmony of action and thought that transcends nationality and can be embraced by all. Exploring eight keywords including Joy, Boldness, Passion, and Heritage, Aria d Italia tells the personal and professional stories of young artists, entrepreneurs, and artisans who represent the heart of the Italian identity, motivated by an ongoing quest for beauty. These protagonists have been photographed by Guido Taroni in their homes and in the places that best represent their origins. The title Aria d Italia is inspired by the eponymous magazine published between 1939 and 1941 by collector Daria Guarnati, which brought together impressive collaborators such as Gio Ponti. With avant-garde taste, Guarnati enhanced Italy s artistic heritage in all its expressions, from graphics to literature, art to design and launched the concept of Italian style. As artist Costanza Chia, one of the people involved in this research, says, There is poetry in doing things calmly and carefully: this is the warm Italian touch.

'Shoes possess magic powers,' writes journalist and shoe obsessive Paola Jacobbi as she totters her way through the history of women's footwear and wonders why it is that women ( from Imelda Marcos to Carrie Bradshaw) love their shoes so, so much. Jacobbi pontificates (sandals are the bikini of footwear); psychoanalyses (the relationship between shoes and sex); and has fiery opinions (ankle boots are quite simply a no-no). She also has plenty of good advice: choosing the right heel for your physique, how to keep shoes lasting long and how to judge a man by his footwear. Witty, charming and stylish, I Want Those Shoes is an irresistible little book, almost as irresistible as buying that one last pair...