Giovanna Battaglia À La Vitti

Readers, I have a special treat for you today: our extraordinary editor-at-large Gala looks at two icons of Italian style, Giovanna Battaglia and Monica Vitti. Gala is passionate about both women and her analysis is a sheer pleasure to read. Molto grazie, Gala, for your wonderful words, and Isabelle, for your lovely translation. Apprezzare la lettura!

Giovanna Battaglia À La Vitti
By Gala

Durante la settimana della moda milanese, appena ho visto la foto che ritraeva Giovanna Battaglia attraversare la strada con la sua elegante falcata e con addosso un’esotica Banana-skirt di Prada, oramai eletto must-have dalle fashion-insiders che contano, mi è subito balenato in mente un malizioso motivetto da avanspettacolo, "Ma ‘ndo Hawaii”, divertente colonna sonora di un mitico film del 1973, Polvere di stelle, diretto da un Alberto Sordi che lo vede, anche, come attore protagonista, insieme a Monica Vitti. Questo mi ha fatto poi pensare che, in un’ intervista esclusiva per Swide Magazine, il “blog” di Dolce & Gabbana, Giovanna Battaglia aveva rivelato di non avere delle icone di riferimento particolari, ma che comunque amava particolarmente, come attrici, Monica Vitti e Audrey Hepburn.

Se si pensa, poi, che per l’immaginario di Stefano Gabbana, Monica Vitti è una figura predominante tale da influenzare le sue scelte stilistiche, e che Giovanna Battaglia è stata per Dolce & Gabbana “mannequin Maison” e con, addirittura, l’affettuoso appellativo di “la Musina”, ti viene spontaneo mettere a confronto queste due donne così affascinanti, anche se poi così distanti. E con quale sorpresa! L’una è bionda, l’altra è bruna, origini, esperienze, epoche diverse, ma per quale strana magia, tra le immagini che le ritraggono, separatamente divise da anni-luce, si scoprono notevoli similitudini: gesti e pose, un certo colore nei vestiti, una fantasia o un accessorio che rimanda la modernità di Giovanna all’algida allure in bianco e nero di una Monica neorealista. Entrambe eleganti testimoni del loro tempo: se Monica stupisce per l’attualità dei suoi ritratti che continueranno ancora ad influenzare le fantasie di molti creativi, Giovanna proprio quando lascia predominare le sue scelte “classic” diventa immediatamente una “indimenticabile Musa”.

During Milan Fashion Week, I had just seen the photo showing Giovanna Battaglia cross the street with her elegant stride wearing an exotic Prada banana skirt, now the must-have item for influential fashion insiders, suddenly came to mind the artful curtain call tune, “Ma ‘ndo Hawaii,” the amusing soundtrack from a fantastic film from 1973, Polvere di stele (Stardust), directed by Alberto Sordi, who is seen also as the protagonist alongside Monica Vitti. This then made me recall that in an exclusive interview with Swide Magazine, the Dolce & Gabbana blog, Giovanna Battaglia had revealed that although she does not have any icons of particular reference, she nevertheless particularly likes the actresses Monica Vitti and Audrey Hepburn.

If one thinks, then, that in the imagination of Stefano Gabbana, Monica Vitti is a predominant figure such that she influences his stylistic choices, and that Giovanna Battaglia was for Dolce & Gabbana their “model Muse” with, no really, the affectionate name of la Musina (the Little Muse), one comes spontaneously to compare these two women that are so fascinating, even if so different. And what a surprise! One is blond, the other brunette, original, experiences, different eras, but by some strange magic, between the images that depict them, separated by light years, one discovers noteworthy similarities: gestures and poses, a certain color in the clothes, a pattern or an accessory that refers Giovanna’s modernity to the cold allure in white and black of a neorealist Monica. Both elegant testimonials of their time: if Monica amazes because of the reality of her portraits that continue to influence the imagination of many creative people, Giovanna especially when she lets her “classic” choices predominate becomes immediately an “unforgettable Muse.”

Translation from Italian to English by Isabelle Reford

Giovanna Battaglia and Monica Vitti photographs courtesy of maydele.blogspot.com, Fashion Spot, and PurseForum

Giovanna Battaglia In Vogue Turkey

In the April issue, Vogue Turkey features various Vogue personalities, including Giovanna Battaglia, wearing looks by the best Turkish designers. Very special thanks to Alper Yilmaz for his translation of the Turkish text to English for us to enjoy. Gio is ethereal in Hakaan Yildirim, looking quite like Monica Vitti... More on that soon!

Hidden Powers
Translated from Turkish to English by Alper Yilmaz

Millions of fashionistas read everything that they have written, word by word, and are inspired by their fashion shots. Vogue International’s publishing representatives are photographed in clothing by Turkish designers for Vogue Turkey.

Giovanna Battaglia is one of the best representatives of the elegant Italian style. She began her publishing career as a stylist in 2000 and later continued as a fashion editor at L’Uomo Vogue. Her first job was for L’Uomo Vogue, a shot taken with five models. Recently, she styled the April cover of Vogue Gioiello. Giovanna continues to produce creative works for Vogue China and Vogue Germany as well as for other Condé Nast magazines such as Vanity Fair. One can catch up with her on Scott Schuman’s blog, The Sartorialist, where you find a variety of interpretations on clothing or can see her walking the streets of Milan with her Fendi Peekabo bag and her sexy stilettos. For her, there are three things that will never be out of fashion: diamonds, a vintage blouse from Yves Saint Laurent, and high heels. She can’t wait to visit Istanbul, although she has not had such an opportunity so far, “I have no doubt that it is an enjoyable city where culture and history meet,” she says. Giovanna Battaglia posed with her pearl-colored dress, signed by Hakaan Yildirim. “Hakaan’s dresses have a very modern cut. Maintaining elegance, he succeeds in being sexy as well.”

Vogue Turkey editorial image © 2011 Condé Nast. All Rights Reserved.

Giovanna Battaglia's Masquerade Costume

Grazie di cuore a Gala, our editor-at-large in Italy for her analysis of Giovanna Battaglia's gorgeous costume for the recent Save Venice Un Ballo in Maschera — Valentino head to toe! In fact, she is following in the fashion of her friend Anna Dello Russo by wearing the look straight off the runway. If anyone has details about the exquisite mask Gio is wearing, I would love to hear from you. Grazie tanto to Isabelle Reford for her translation.

Ancora una volta Giovanna Battaglia sceglie un abito Valentino per un ballo in maschera. Se per l'indimenticabile festa in maschera, organizzata da Carine Roitfeld per festeggiare, in grande stile, il 90° Anniversario di Vogue Paris, la sua scelta fu per un abito nero della collezione Valentino Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2010/11, per il ballo in maschera di beneficienza organizzato il 15 marzo al Plaza Hotel di New York da Save Venice Inc. per festeggiare il 40° anniversario dell'organizzazione che raccoglie fondi per la salvaguardia dei beni artistici del nostro gioiello dell'Adriatico, unico al mondo, questa volta ha scelto di indossare un chemisier lungo "rosso Valentino" di Valentino Collection S/S 2011 e dei sandali ultra-flat in pelle con delle microborchie dorate della stessa collezione.

Once again Giovanna Battaglia chooses a Valentino dress for a masquerade ball. If for the unforgettable masquerade party organized by Carine Roitfeld to celebrate the 90th Anniversary of Vogue Paris in great style, her choice was a black dress from the Valentino Haute Couture collection for Fall/Winter 2010/2011; for the masquerade charity ball organized March 15 at the Plaza Hotel in New York by Save Venice Inc. to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the organization that works to preserve the artistic assets of our jewel of the Adriatic, unique in the world, this time she chose to wear a long Valentino red chemisier from the Valentino Spring/Summer 2011 collection and ultra-flat sandals in leather with golden micro studs from the same collection.

Translation from Italian to English by Isabelle Reford

Giovanna Battaglia and Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld photographs ©  2011 Condé Nast. All Rights Reserved. Valentino product images courtesy of valentino.com.

Giovanna Battaglia: Brasiliana

Giovanna Battaglia spent a few days in São Paulo recently for the launch of Brasiliana, a new collection of jewelry by Carla Amorim inspired by Giovanna, and Glamurama caught the event on video. The designer explains the concept behind Brasiliana thusly: "It is the meeting of our Brazilian DNA with her Italian sophistication, hence the name." What does Giovanna think of the line of classic yet modern pieces she has inspired? "They're good to go with more casual clothes and go out during the day. Late at night, do exactly the opposite: choose a powerful piece and reassemble the look out of it " Gio reflects on her time in São Paulo in the video, she loves the energy and the glamour of the city and she hopes to return in June for Fashion Week.

Giovanna Battaglia film still courtesy of glamurama.com.

Giovanna Battaglia: Musa De Ouro

Muito obrigada to Michelle Lesck from the blog Largada mas Arrumada for taking the time to translate Giovanna Battaglia's article from the March issue of Vogue Brasil, "Musa de ouro."

Golden muse
Translation from Portuguese to English by Michelle Lesck

Ultraoriginal without having to appeal, she is the most consistent fashionista in recent times thanks to her classic style with a contemporary twist and her exotic beauty free of artifice. Meet Giovanna Battaglia, darling of the fashion world and now also muse to Brazilian jewelers.

The first time I saw Giovanna Battaglia personally was in September 2008 in Milan, at the door of the MaxMara fashion show. She was wearing a straight-cut gray dress with a pattern of feathers, a knit turtleneck underneath, thin belts, leather boots to the knees — the exact height to reach the bottom of the dress — and a Kelly minibag that fit in the palm of her hand. I knew that dress belonged to the 2009 winter collection of Dolce & Gabbana and was going to hit the stores some weeks away, but the rest was a first in life: "the dress covered" — almost an insult to our culture that values the sexy above everything else — the little makeup, hair divided in half and put up into a low knot, and a bag that everyone has — but the coin purse version — in short, the whole thing was too good to be true. The best part of checking Giovanna’s "evolution" closely, however, came later. At the exit, a few meters away, I caught her standing on the sidewalk lighting up her cigarette with the help of a boy who was distributing some papers. Fantastic! The myth-woman was as real as you and me.

After this encounter, understanding what makes a relatively normal person — and one that uses neither exotic pieces nor overstyling — stand out in the fashion crowd turned into a fixation. At the age of 31, Giovanna is not exactly a celebrity that everyone recognizes on the street. But if you follow the fashion world closely, you know very well that she is a member of its royalty. She is definitely not typical “paparazzi material,” but when she is out in the streets for Fashion Week, a very particular group of photographers win the jackpot if they can capture what Giovanna chose to wear. Those who follow her on Twitter know that Battaglia works hard, nights and weekends, giving life to spectacular fashion editorials for Vogue Pelle and Vogue Gioiello, two of Condé Nast’s Italian titles, under the direction of Franca Sozzani, the editor-in-chief. Of course, romancing the French Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld — heir of another clan of the sidereal fashion universe — and having unrestricted access to the most amazing clothes and accessories in the world makes it much easier to compose her myth. It also helps with friends like Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana — she is much closer to both since the time she was an official model to the brand.

There are others lesser factors that contribute to her way of dressing that has inspired a number of women, making her continue to rise and be the target of photographer's flashes for more than just a season — the equivalent in the fashion world to the "15 minutes of fame" of Warhol. One is its accessibility. Unlike other famous fashionistas orbiting the Vogue planet — including the super “wasp” Laura Santo Domingo, the squalid Brit Plum Sykes, and the superlative Anna Dello Russo — Giovanna is kind of a tangible woman, connected with the same reality (almost) of everyone. Look at the facts: she was not born noble, she is no Italian tycoon's daughter (her family is composed of artists from various fields) and she still has to prove that she is a competent professional. Add to that natural aesthetic attributes far from the ideal of perfection that has become status quo: her face is too small, the smile is not formed by a sequence of snow-white jackets, her hair is rebellious, the kind that causes psychological injury at the school age. Instead of having surgery to reshape her face, spend hours polishing her teeth (obviously being forced to quit smoking), and tame her curls with formol and ammonia, she takes her repertoire of imperfections and turns them into assets, thereby avoiding the industrialized beauty that some women spend a lifetime chasing.

Giovanna doesn’t camouflage the defects, instead she knows how to appreciate their qualities — this pair of long and very thin legs is already a legend on the doors of the fashion shows around the world. But do not think she is abusing her genetics, revealing more than she should: when her legs are exposed it is always in an elegant way, to enhance the clothing and not to attract attention. Eventually, when she chooses short skirts from one of her favorite brands (Yves Saint Laurent, Alaïa, Lanvin, Marni, Miu Miu, Balenciaga and Dolce & Gabbana), leaves only a little of the thigh showing. Neckline, she never uses it and hardly ever embarks on flashy trends, of those made more to illustrate fashion editorials than to do pretty fantastic on sidewalks, parties, cocktails. I do not remember, for example, having seen her even once using an outrageous pair of samba school platforms. Her preferred models are the classic, thin heel without any kind of platform, only proof that those who dictate fashion do not sell themselves body and soul to it. Colorful and well edited looks with many accessories are her trademark, and despite moving away from the current minimalism, due to her intellectually sound Italian background, she knows very well how to maintain a sober and elegant ensemble without boring.

With an eye on all these ethereal qualities, the jeweler Carla Amorim used Battaglia as inspiration for the collection that celebrates the 18th anniversary of her brand, with her presence at the premiere, on Jan. 23. "We chose Giovanna precisely because her body type is very similar to that of Brazil and she represents very well the spirit of the woman we would like to wear our jewelry," says Kelly Amorim, right hand of her sister Carla. When they invited Giovanna, the two had a great surprise: she not only knows their work, she is a fan of Carla’s jewelry and has several pieces in her collection. Named Brasiliana, the collection has a festive air and contains about 30 super well worked pieces, nothing timid and in the completely mature Italian style of Giovanna. "It is the meeting of our Brazilian DNA with her Italian sophistication, hence the name, " she concludes. For Giovanna, who by the invitation of Vogue decided to direct her self-portraits in these pages, Carla’s jewelry reinterprets classic contemporary lines and is therefore very easy to use. "They're good to go with more casual clothes and go out during the day. Late at night, do exactly the opposite: choose a powerful piece and reassemble the look out of it " she explains.

Vogue Brasil text and photograph © 2011 Condé Nast. All Rights Reserved.