Giovanna the Great

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Once upon a time, while browsing on The Sartorialist during one of the major fashion weeks, I came across a picture of a beautiful Italian woman wearing a short-sleeved chinchilla fur with a simple top, long knit gloves, a black and white printed skirt, tall black boots, and an electric blue clutch. I wondered who this might be, but didn't think too much about it. The next time, she was wearing luxurious chocolate brown fur, a sparrow-print blouse, a tweed skirt, and wonderfully gaudy alligator or snakeskin boots. Needless to say, I was in love with her bold sense of style. This photo really sealed the deal. I immediately took to Google and found out she—Giovanna Battaglia—was the fashion editor at L’Uomo Vogue (Italian Men's Vogue). Luckily for me, she's been chronicled by nearly all of my favorite street style photographers, most notably in a fabulously colorful Marni printed coat, a perfectly pleated Alaia dress, a vintage color-blocked dress, in artfully clashing leopard print, and most recently in some fantastic Fendi boots (this photo was the catalyst for this post). There's just something incredibly compelling about her. While her style has shifted a bit from the more stereotypically Italian looks that immediately caught my attention, she oozes Italiana and a passionate spirit without appearing to try. Both Scott Schuman, The Sartorialist and Tommy Ton of Jak & Jil have frequent beautiful representations of the captivating woman. My current favorite Garance Doré features her occasionally, more often and endearingly in videos (see 2:05ish). They are certainly worth the look, though you may find yourself irrevocably distracted. Now, I am off to get dressed. Let's just hope Miss Battaglia has rubbed off on me.