Wanderlista

In the Spirit of Capri

Capri. Last summer, I spent a week here in a darling apartment on Via Camarelle. Days were spent at Fontelina beach or toying around the blue waters on a boat. Evenings were aperitivo at Hotel Quisisana watching the world go by. Inspiration comes easy here, as it did for my Dea Rosa SS2011 collection. A magical place, Capri looks like Central Casting came in with a magic wand and, poof! Beautiful people, gorgeous clothes and a handful of characters tossed in to make it all a bit interesting. It’s one of those places that is so small, that walk through town sometimes feels like you really are in a film…you see the same people (and often it’s too often, really to the point of embarrassment). The town also employs its very own teams of paparazzi that will snap your photo while you’re heading to dinner or back from the beach only to give you the opportunity to purchase the next day. But somehow, it just all works here.

Last night I ventured uptown to the Akris store on Madison to attend an event hosted by the lovely Téa Leoni. The evening was to celebrate my fave publisher Assouline and their book, In the Spirit of Capri. In a colorful tribute to the isle adored by literary icons and the jet set alike, author Pamela Fiori delves into the effortless charm of this fabled and chic destination. The Swiss fashion house had created signature pieces with photos of classic Capri scenes in their SS2011 collection. A scarf with the well-known walkway down to the Faraglioni. A dress with a photo of La Piazzetta. “That one is coming home with me tonight,” Leoni said to me. “I love it.”

Me and Téa Leoni after flipping through the racks of gorgeous clothes at Akris. She was super chic in head-to-toe cream. 

The Akris store on Madison Avenue, New York City.

Assouline’s gorgeous book.

AMPR Account Executive Maggie Hund and me.

The dress (Leoni’s fave) printed with a photo of Capri’s La Piazzetta.

Shuttling across the globe with my family from a very young age, I developed a wanderlust that defines my life today. 

Stepping off a plane into lush, humid air, or strolling through a vibrant market, my yearning grew for far away cultures and evocative experiences punctuated by intriguing design. A Wanderlista craves these tastes, sensations and scents, and learns how to make them her own through a common thread, which at first can seem so foreign, yet ultimately, weaves a strong fabric for a lifetime. 

Being a Wanderlista is not defined by budget, or scope of travel, but by an attitude - being barefoot beachside in Vietnam is as easy as an evening at La Scala; gifting alms to Buddhist monks in Laos one day and Thanksgiving dinner with family the next. A Wanderlista knows how to blend into her surroundings, evoking an effortless style that magnetizes the people around her.

My life has been shaped by a strong, open-minded family and their constant encouragement to absorb the positive things I encounter, and today, my world is directly influenced by the substance and sensibility of my travels.

In this blog, I aim to tap into the Wanderlista way of life and share with you my favorite people, places and pieces - hotels and handbags, dining and designers, watering holes and watches, hidden gems and real gems. Voluntourism in South Africa? Parfumeur in Paris? Roadside taqueria in Mexico? Recording studio in Jamaica? How about where to stay and what to do in Cambodia, oh, and what to pack? I’m here for you.