Bista and the Book

Bista (Giovanni  Battista Giorgini) - the grandson of the pioneer Mr.Giorgini who started 'Moda Italiana' happened quite by a surreal co-incidence. I was sitting and working one late June afternoon in my appartment in Florence and my landlord came over to run some errands, and we got talking. He kindly said 'you must go and meet bista"- that he was his neighbour in his country house. Well, I knew he was the grandson of the historical man who started the movement of 'Moda Italiana'.                                       But, hearing a first hand account of how Mr. Giorgini galvanised a whole movement was innovative, bold and courageous. He convinced Bettina Ballard, Carmel snow, Neimun Marcus and other buyers from the leading American department stores of that time to come to Florence. He asked the italian designers of his time to come up with original designs, and not copy the french.  The first fashion show was at his house. It was successful, the next one was at the Sala Bianca at the Pitti Palace and the movement became a force to reckon with. It created a billion dollar industry, and made In italy became a brand in the world. What began as a fashion show in a residence, became a week long calendar on the fashion weeks which is attended today by the fashion world's who and who.                                               The first hand account of the historical movement by Bista in the apartments on the lungoarno made me visualise that era in the early fifties and I see it as a beacon, a sign for me, if you may.        Bista, said he had gifts for me, after he finished narrating the story.                                   He gifted me 2 books. Both rare books to find. What is more precious it that it is hand-signed. " to Simrita, wishing all the success possible".                                 What a torrential gift from the universe. Thank you Bista and Baldo !