Forte dei Marmi has long been the chic seaside getaway for Florentines (and beyond). The Hamptons of Tuscany...
Just an hour away by car, it offers a variety of beautiful and trendy boutiques, tasty seafood restaurants and many a bar to relax and enjoy a before-dinner "apertivo." Situated between the Mediterranean Sea and the Apuan Alps, the town is incredibly picturesque. It gets it's name, "Fort of Marble", from the 16th century Fortress which you can still find in the main square, originally used to defend the coast from intruders. Later in the 19th and early 20th century the world renowned Carrara marble which was quarried from the nearby mountains used to be stored in the town before being shipped off. (When I first visited Forte dei Marmi I thought the white of the mountains was snow before finding out it was actually marble!)

The beaches are lined with private "bagni", or facilities where you can pay to spend the day at the beach. Some are more exclusive than others and offer you a spot on the beach with an umbrella or tent for shade, various chairs, lounge chairs or lawn chairs to relax and sunbathe on, sometimes a swimming pool, your own changing room (for an additional fee) and a restaurant. Many of these places also have their own paddle boats that you can rent by the hour. 

​As for the shopping, the town is famous for the market they host 2 times a week on Wednesday and Sunday morning until 1:00pm. Here you can find some designer name brands for less as well as shoes, bags, belts, cashmere, fur coats, linens and houseware and decor.  
For those who need shopping therapy, you've come to the right spot! My favorite store at the moment happens to be Fiachini. There are 3 of them here, but I prefer the one on Via IV Novembre. A couple of months ago I bought a lovely black and white Self-Portrait dress that I just wore to a recent wedding and was pleasantly surprised when they gave me a discount at the cash for no apparent reason. They definitely know how to create customer loyalty! The store is trendy and tasteful, and carries designers such as Chloé, Isabel Marant, Self-Portrait, Givenchy, Saint Laurent and so much more! If anything, it is definitely worth a wander. 

Over the years I've used this undefined, vintage/ concept/ treasure of a store called Desii Vintage, as a consignment shop where I can sell some of my designer clothes and accessories that have taken a back row seat in my closet. Although the commission is high, (they take 50%) I figure it's better to get rid of the old, make room for the new, and get a little cash along the way! 

There are two separate shops side by side; one for men and the other for women, where brand-name items are prevalent...some old, some new, some vintage and some blue (of course!), ranging from Hermès to Isabel Marant. The store feels current, with a great mix of classic and trendy. 

The manager, Carlo Alberto Andreani, is a distinct character of small stature, reserved demeanor and a long salt and pepper beard who had always come across as being somewhat unapproachable until I went in one day with my friend, Beatrice and they happened to have history. No words. Another man came out!  He evolved into a friendly and energetic storyteller. 
He mentioned to me that he'd worked at Salvatore Ferragamo for many years and was the creator of our SKU, which is the code we use to identify style, color and fabric of every singular item. What do you know! 

Visit Desii Vintage on Via de Conti 17/19r or just look for the patriotic green, white and red chairs. 

​Hudson and Drew. It was love at first sight. Both available at Luisa Via Roma, Florence. 1,350€ - 1,590€

 (PraticalYou've all had that feeling when you see something that so perfectly represents you... Maybe it's a car, a watch, a house... For me, it's the Hudson bag. (With the Drew Rosace Patchwork bag being a close runner up.) But it doesn't stop there. The current Chloé handbag collection is one masterpiece after another; there isn't a bag I wouldn't wear. Here are my top 5.

1. Hudson (Classic version as above in black)
2. Drew (Especially the Rosace Patchwork animation) 
3. Haylee (Even the new Nano version is beautiful and has a reasonable price)
4. Jane (Fun and fashionable for the fashionistas!)
5.Giorgia (Practical, everyday, messenger style with a great price point.)

If you are lucky enough to have ties to the Ferragamo family or even to an employee at Salvatore Ferragamo in Florence, you may have been able to get into the Family Sale that's been happening at their headquarters at the employee outlet in Via Mercatali in Osmannoro. 

​Every employee has access to the sale and can invite a number of guests (max 3 per day) for a scheduled shopping time frame, from either 12:00-2:00, 2:00-4:00 or 4:00-6:00 which has to be reserved beforehand by email. 

I was lucky to be able to go yesterday, after the Spring/Summer 2017 Sales Campaign finished, and found some great things at amazing prices. Shoes at 40€, Wallets at 60€ and beautiful dresses at 80€ each. Of course with these prices there were also limits to how many pieces you could buy in any one category of merchandise. I, as many took advantage of these prices and I got home with just under the maximum quota of 6 pairs of shoes! :)

Today will be the last day of the sale, then the outlet will continue to run with regularly discounted prices. Available again to only employees or accompanied friends and family. 

When summer rolls around, I somehow want to change from the jeans and black leather biker chick, to a fluid and flowery, romantic and feminine, boho girl. These are the summer dresses I want now!

This Chloè kaleidoscope dress makes my heart go pitter-patter. I see Greek Goddess. Botticelli's Primavera. Even if I were fortunate enough to have the 4590€ to buy it, I'd need another few thousand just to vacation in Capri or Saint Tropez to give it the backdrop it deserves. 

The color and the to-the-floor length are heavenly, but what really won me over are those long, little tassels...
​(Available at Luisa Via Roma)

This Zadig & Voltaire dress with it's uneven hemline is bound to be my next purchase. If I can only find my size! A touch of bohemian with a touch of femininity, I see this dress best with gladiator sandals, or with Isabel Marant style brown Dicker ankle boots. Accessorize with a few silver bracelets and a long, tiny, colorful, beaded necklace like the ones my fabulous friend Carlotta crochets by hand. As soon as she opens up shop, I'll be first in line!
​(Ranil dress, 240€ available at Zadig & Voltaire, Via della Vigna Nuova, Florence)

​​I love The Mall. As it turns out, I only go a handful of times a year but even as I'm writing this, I'm asking myself...why? I should go more!!!!
​Even just for a look...
(Yeah right. Look.) For me, looking means buying, at least 9/10 times! Although maybe I could leave my cash and cards at home?... Forget it. I've tried and just ended up having to drive back the next day with my wallet!
​
The Mall has changed so much over the years. From just 3 simple rows of luxury brand stores it's turned into a neighborhood.
Prada has it's own building, Moncler has a sweet little spot all by itself, perched up above the roundabout. Gucci has moved from the main strip to a massive 3 level building with includes a restaurant and lovely terrace.
Not to mention Saint Laurent, Coach, Moschino, Ermanno Scervino and Alberta Ferretti all grouped together in yet another 2 story complex next to Gucci. Further behind, adjacent to the biggest parking lot you can now find more commercial (and less populated) outlets such as Nike and Michael Kors. The newest series of outlets, Versace, Philipp Plein, Etro, Alexander MQueen are situated on the other side of the main strip behind Burberry. This was all new to me. Etro had some gorgeous pieces, but unfortunately still quite expensive.

I have to say my favorites remain in the main old strip. Lanvin, for it's necklaces, Stella Mcartney and Balenciaga for everyday, special pieces, and Valentino accessories.

Asian tourists have, for the most part taken over. I have nothing against Asians, myself being half Chinese, but it made the line to pay at Prada unbearable. They all need to fill out duty free forms and the lines JUST DO NOT MOVE. Happy note: I was able to politely ask the cashier if I could quickly pay cash while the current customers were filling out their forms. No problem. Definitely worth the try because I was actually 4th in line behind several other Asians! There really needs to be a fast lane for locals!

You can definitely spend a whole day here. Be sure to include time for a lovely lunch and wine on the rooftop Gucci terrace where it feels like you're on holiday even if your not!

I'm already looking forward to my next visit. :)


​
​