Interview dans le ELLE Ukraine

Tout cela c’est fait un peu par hasard grâce à la magie des réseaux sociaux. Elena Diachenko est fashion editor pour le ELLE Ukraine et nous avons commencé à nous écrire pour préparer son voyage annuel à Florence pour le salon Pitti Uomo de janvier. On s’est rencontré un lundi soir et on ne s’est plus quitté de la semaine en se retrouvant pour des cafés ou des dejs dès que son planning de ministre lui en laissait le temps.

De nos échanges de bons plans shopping et food à travers toute l’Italie est née l’idée d’une collaboration pour éclairer ses lecteurs Web sur la magie des vacances et du lifestyle à l’italienne. Retrouvez ma première interview ici !

Quoi , vous ne lisez pas l’ukrainien ? Voici l’interview en anglais.

3 words to define Florence?

I’d say it’s the true beauty. It starts from the light shining on the bridges early in the morning to the renaissance masterpieces.

Food. Even in the small trattorias you can find simple and delicious Italian food. And that’s without talking about Tuscan specialties!

Fashion. We always talk about Milan as the fashion capital… but Florence is the city where runways were invented! Pucci, Ferragamo, Gucci, Cavalli… they all come from here and the city is full with creative energy.

What did you like the most the first time you visited Florence?

The interaction with locals, impressive pink and white Duomo (reminds me of a cake), the countryside so close to the city that you can get lost in hundred-year-old cypress woods almost every weekend.

What neighbourhood do you prefer?

Oltrarno (south of the river) is definitely my favourite neighbourhood as you can really feel the pulse of the city. Say goodbye to crazy tourists and enjoy the nicest terraces, small artisan shops, panino with local products and natural gelato.

Favourite restaurant?

For a romantic date, Cestello in San Frediano For a dinner with friend, 13 Gobbi in Santa Maria Novella. I want to pinch their hand-painted ceramic! Cammillo trattoria is a good classic. Girls night out ? If we go for sushi, my number one place is IYOIYO not far from the Duomo. For healthy and delicious salad, Obica is a modern mozarrella bar via tornabuoni and Zoe in San Niccolo is really good for lunch.

Favourite Bar?

The best cocktails are in Art Bar, via del Moro, but be patient, you’re in Italy and even if the bar is full, nothing stresses the barman. I’m addicted to Caffè degli Artigiani in summer. I can stay hours drinking fresh beers on piazza della Passera when it’s 40 degrees. I also love Rivalta on the Lungarno.

Go out and dance?

Rex Bar during winter. Cool place with good DJ sets.

When it’s warmer, Flo, close to piazzale Michelangelo. Dancing with the stars, quite literally, as it’s outdoor!

Coffee place? Place to watch people?

Giacosa caffè, bought by Cavalli, it makes the best cappuccinos; Golden View, right next to the Ponte Vecchio has for sure the best view on The Uffizi Museum and the river Arno. I also enjoy Gucci Museum terrace on Piazza della Signoria. From the terrace you can observe stylish people going to a museum and the frenzy ballet of tourists all surrounded by beautiful renaissance palazzi

Favorite shopping place?

My Italian vintage attires come from DESII and EPOCA, for cheap and fashionable articles, I like Midinette from my friend Filomena, or Dixie, a small Italian brand. For shoes, I prefer to buy few but good stuff, therefore I shop at Sergio Rossi or Altuzzara Firenze. I went once to the Mall outlet and my bank account is still recovering, so I’ve forbidden myself to go!

Favorite Italian Designer ?

Dolce & Gabbana forever! I love everything, from the prints to the fit. I receive for my birthday a beautiful black lace cocktail dress, my favourite piece in my wardrobe. I also like Missoni Mare with colourful caftan for summer.

Souvenir to bring back ?

Did you know that perfumes are actually from Italy and not from south of France? In Florence there is a long tradition of perfume creation and I love modern brands such as Dottore Vranjes for interior perfumery (beautiful Duomo shaped bottle) or Aqua Flor Firenze, in Santa Croce. The bottega is worth the visit and my friend Sileno Cheloni can create a personalized perfume just for you.

Best view on the city ?

Go and have a Spritz on the Continentale rooftop bar or the Sesto terrace. For a memorable experience take a hot-air balloon ride from the Four Seasons garden! It’s the largest private garden in the city.

Best way to visit Florence?

Definitely by bike.

What should you eat before leaving Florence?

Bistecca alla fiorentina if you’re a meat lover, Crostini alla toscana, Panino al lampredotto (the best is in San Frediano, Florentines eat it at 9 AM!), papa al pomodoro, and delicious pasta like Papardelle al cinghiale. Don’t forget the red wine! Tuscan one is very strong.

Outside of Florence, where to go in Chianti?

Cantina Antinori is a brand new wine cellar and it’s an architectural piece of art, only 20 min from Florence. Val D’orcia has breath-taking landscapes and colors… Go to the Fonteverde Thermal Spa resort and eat pasta for lunch in “La Pace” trattoria in Colle sul Rigo village. That is my dream Saturday!

Favorite spa ?

Four Seasons Spa with Arangara beauty products, a line from Calabria (I did a Freschezza Mediterranea treatment and my skin is still saying thank you everyday in the mirror). I dream to try Villa la Massa new spa with Santa Maria Novella products.

Speaking of SMN, best product to bring back from the historical pharmacy?

Morning Face tonic called Aqua di Maggio. I apply it on face discs and put them in freezer. Best way to awake my face in early morning. Latte corpo al melograno (Catherine di Medici favourite scent), super rich dermo- protective oil, Rose candle.

Where do you recommend to stay ?

RoomMate Hotel, a small boutique hotel; Palazzo Guardiani on piazza Santo Spirito, all Ferragamo hotel design by Florentine superstar architect Michele Bonan and the new Grand Hotel Amour where Scott Shuman from The Sartorialist stayed during Pitti!

Bio : Ali Marchi is a French blogger, founder of www.alidifirenze.fr reporting exclusive spots and interviews from Tuscany, sharing her Italian lifestyle and travel inspiration. Ali collaborates with star Michelin chef Vito Mollica on monthly recipes to valorise seasonal ingredients and with small Italians manufacturers, for her, the beating heart of Italy.

You can contact her for Personal Shopping, event organization or travel planning. [email protected]

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