Many studies have proven that people are more willing to buy brands that are “Made in Italy” because they associate a higher standard of production with the country of origin. However, before you jump to buy the first product with “Made in Italy” labeled on it, do some research to find if it is really made in Italy or just packaged there. Made in Italy is threatened by counterfeit products, Italian sounding names, and Italian companies that have been acquired by foreign entities. For example, large producers of pasta often get cheap grain from Canada and ship the pasta to Italy where they package it so they can label the box “Made in Italy”. What makes true Italian products so great? Here are some reasons why made in Italy and packaged in Italy is such a vast difference in quality.

Italian Elegance and Aesthetics

Italians take pride in their rich history and display flashes of elegance and luxury in the most conspicuous spots throughout the cities. The sidewalks in Bologna and Milan were made of Marble and covered by intricate archways that were supported by enormous pillars. Walking through alleys you could find beautiful ceiling paintings or amazing views of historical landscapes and architecture.

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This elegant presentation is also put into the production of clothing and food here. Whether it be the woman who makes each shoe and belt by hand, stitch by stitch, providing videos to the customers of their shoe being made. Or the beautiful display of something as simple as cheese slices covered in 25-year-old balsamic.

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Italians not only take pride in their handmade productions, but enjoy the beautiful natural landscapes and medieval architecture that they are blessed to be surrounded with. The pride in the aesthetics present in their everyday life is reflected in their passionate production of some of the highest quality products in the world.

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Italian Traditions

As I previously alluded to, Italy has a rich history, and each region continues to produce their products identical to the process that has been passed through the family for generations. Many Italians highly value regional products, “Buyers who like zero kilometer goods often patronize farmer’s markets, where the products are local and sold directly from the farmers” (Parasegoli 205).

Traditions are most prevalent in the foods of each region. We learned to make pasta from a woman who shared the process that has been practiced for multiple generations. Starting from scratch, we made the dough, perfected the thickness and shape for an hour, then individually stuffed the pasta and cut it into different types of pasta. There are no machines that mass-produce the pasta, a woman cuts every single piece of pasta and spends countless hours creating an aesthetically pleasing (and amazing tasting) meal.

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Italian wine is world-renown and after seeing the process, it’s easy to see why their production is superior to other countries. Each bottle is made with fresh grapes, local to the region, and the wine is curated in different types of regional wood barrels to add a different flair to the taste. Small farms and vineyard’s like this one are often closed due to the industry giants stealing their clients. There has been a recent push to support the small, traditional businesses, “the aim of Slow Food Movement is to take back the role of small rural communities in the production of goods” (Basilico 2).

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Reflection

After almost a month in Italy I better understand why Italians like local food without preservatives like we are used to, “The majority of Europeans are extremely apprehensive about eating anything that is genetically modified” (Parasegoli 208). Next time you’re in a store, do research on whether the brand you are buying is truly made in Italy. Authentic Italian food cannot be faked; organic ingredients, local traditions, and an elegant presentation are what define true Made in Italy products.  

This week we were tasked with creating a video that captures the essence of Italian food and wine. Over the course of the past three weeks, I have noticed many differences in the way that meals are presented in Italy versus America. Italians treat meals as an event that should be cherished, it’s a vehicle to express emotions and build camaraderie between everyone sharing the meal. Unlike in the United States, patrons are never rushed to leave their seats after a meal. In fact, if you don’t ask for the check you will be sitting at the table all night because the servers never ask if you are ready for the check. Italian restaurants want everyone to fully indulge in the atmosphere and fresh food for as long as possible. This project also encouraged me to find out where the food I was eating was from. It was amazing to ask store owners where the plates and ingredients came from because they were almost exclusively local products. People were extremely proud to say their products were locally grown and would even go to the extent to explain which region grew. In the United States, we have foods with so many preservatives, we miss out on authentic food like I have been lucky to enjoy while in Italy.  Below I have attached the link to the video.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TB7crc9RiZFz3ck9MttzKoLPEJHQM4GF/view?usp=sharing

After two spending two weeks in Bologna, it is time to share my newest adventures in Urbino. It has been a pleasant change of pace to be surrounded by college students, with astounding views of the mountains at every corner you turn. We have spent our first two days here exploring and found some awesome places inside this small city.

La casa di Rafaello

We were surprised to find that the late famous painter, Raphael was born in this very house close to the main square. It has been turned into a small museum, but was closed when we went to visit.

The best view of the Ducal Palace

Walking down one of the small alleys that are common in Urbino, we were shocked by the amazing view that seemed to come out of nowhere. Luckily we had a tour guide who tipped us off on the location or we may have never seen it!

The most popular Thursday night spot

We decided to ask which bars were the best bars on the weekends, and although the question was very subjective, we concluded that Pub Underground is a popular spot for students to hangout on the weekends. Unfortunately we went around 2pm so the bar was closed.

American Breakfast fast food stop

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The Canyon bar is one of the few American fast food places in town. It serves eggs in the morning, which we have found to be extremely rare in Italy.

Popular Clothing Brand

Throughout the trip we have seen an overwhelming amount of Napajiri coats. I asked a student what the brand was and he said it is like their version of The North Face. I tried to be sly while taking a picture of this random guy wearing one but it was pretty obvious and if you look closely he even tossed up a subtle peace sign.

The Most Popular American Stereotype

We found this to be the most difficult challenge. We stopped multiple students who said they didn’t speak English and one who said “I don’t know what to say”. Luckily we came across a woman who ended up being an intercultural perspectives professor. She told us that the most common stereotypes she hears from students is that Americans only eat fast food, are boisterous and arrogant, and believe that America is better than every other country.

Reflection

I enjoyed this challenge because we were forced to walk around all parts of the town and interact with students to figure out where places were located. While we were exploring the city we found some breathtaking views along with some breathtaking (literally) steep alleys and sidewalks. I was very interested in the American stereotype section. Although we were only able to receive an answer from one woman, the stereotypes she presented were understandable. I believe that understanding the stereotypes that are held against us is a great way to be conscious of how we behave and carry ourselves while in another country, and an opportunity to break the common stereotypes. I was certain that I wouldn’t like Urbino because it is on the side of the mountain, seemingly disconnected from society. I was in shock when I heard the nearest train station was an hour bus ride away. However, my previous conceptions of this town could not have been more wrong. I’ve only spent two days here but being surrounded by people my age, the livelihood of the community, and the beautiful architecture and views have already made this one of my favorite spots in Italy. There is a very authentic Italian feel because most people speak very little English, and there are few tourists. I am excited to continue exploring the city, and will miss the town when it is time to go home.

Eco & Gea is a Rome-based clothing store that sells products that are made of recyclables and other environmentally friendly processes. Green stores are becoming more popular throughout the world, as more people understand the societal repercussions that arise from fast fashion and other forms of cheaper clothing. Green stores produce longer lasting clothing using companies that comply with labor laws and do not exploit their workforce. The goal of green stores (including Eco & Gea) is to create fashionable clothing while simultaneously improving the planet, respecting all living things, and ending slave labor.

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The store was proud to describe their unique products, and had many signs throughout reinforcing their values and what materials they used.

Immediately upon entering the store, customers walked past this chair made of recycled boxes and wood. When we asked the lady working about the piece she said it was to showcase the innovative designs and products the company creates. There were very interesting, yet fashionable pieces made from purely recycled material.

Recycled Clothing

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Eco & Gea had a surprisingly large selection of clothing, prior to the visit I figured a company with recycled clothing would have a skimpy selection due to material restrictions. I was also amazed that the products felt like normal clothes that I own and that they were stylish. The pricing was higher than I would normally consider, but these clothes are built for durability unlike the cheap fast fashion clothing that is so prevalent throughout the world.

Shoes/Accessories

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The shoe selection was relatively small compared to the clothing section, but there was still a selection ranging from sandals to boots to choose from. The shoes were also fashionable and the materials were tougher than the average shoe. The accessory section was very small but there were eye-catching products. My favorite accessory was the wallet made out of recycled tires.The wallet was extremely stout and definitely would handle wear and tear for years down the road.

Thoughts

My perception on recycled clothing has done a complete one-eighty after visiting the green store. I was able to see firsthand the high quality products that are produced, and have gained a better understanding of the positive impact green clothing has on the environment. The staff was very friendly and glad to explain the materials in their products and walk us through their values. I think that if people understand the mission of green stores and the value of long-lasting fashionable products, more people will be willing to spend extra money to support these types of brands. This experience has made me more conscious of my own purchasing behaviors and less willing to buy from fast fashion stores.

Italian design and style is often the benchmark for quality and fashion throughout the world. Ever since the 1950’s, Italian clothing has had many Americans captivated by the eloquent designs and the quality of the fabrics used. In the 1980’s the Italian fashion industry created ready-to-wear fashion which was the distinguishing point when Italian design separated itself from other countries’ styles. Ever since Italy’s explosion into the fashion scene, many designer brands have been founded in Italy and many other brands across the globe design clothing aligning with the current Italian style. I decided to look into a brand more affordable than the typical designer products, Piazza Italia. This brand offers the same fashionable Italian look for a fraction of the cost, and incorporates some beautiful Italian architecture in the store. Piazza Italia has locations scattered around Northern Italy, Rome being the furthest south the store goes.

Piazza Italia – Store Aesthetics

The store itself had an Italian feel to it that is uncommon to find in the United States. The first thing I noticed was the shadows of the suit jackets in the windows above the sign, which served almost as artwork when approaching the building from the street. Next, I was amazed at how large the glass doors were to enter the building. The glass walls gave the store a sleek and modern feel, which contrasted the intricate spiral staircase I found inside.

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The staircase led to all 4 floors of the store and made for an aesthetically pleasing walk from floor to floor. I have been blown away by the size of some stores in Italy, they scale multiple stories and have a wide selection of Italian designed or inspired clothing.

Italian Clothing Design

From my experience so far, I have observed a decent amount of differences in Italian clothing from the typical American clothing. The most prominent difference is the size difference, European styles generally run much smaller (around a full size). Natives to Italy often wear tighter clothing, rarely will you find a person dressed in baggy clothes.

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As you can see, another design difference is the length of the pants. Italians often cuff their pants, or when it is warmer they wear capris. The cuffed pant look has recently become a stylish movement in the United States, but we have yet to adopt the male capri widely.

The final design difference I have noticed so far is how Italians love to accessorize. In America, we may see a male wearing a watch or a hat, but it does not compare to the extremes that Italians like to accessorize. The photo above is a small section of the accessories in Piazza Italia. It is very common to see more men wearing scarves in the winter than not, and I have seen many people wearing different types of hats to complement their outfits. Men also can be seen carrying leather bags of various shapes and designs, which is an uncommon trend in the United States.

Takeaways

Italy sets trends for many different fashion industries, including the United States. It is interesting to see how we have adopted many of their trends, and predict what trend will make its way to our neighborhoods next. Observing differences in the styles of people out for casual walks, shopping, or dining has opened my eyes to the importance of fashion in the Italian culture. As we have discussed in class, Italy has a high power distance, meaning the people generally value socioeconomic influence and status. This notion of power distance is noticeable when viewing how well everyone dresses for all occasions, it is rare to see someone wearing baggy sweats and hoodies no matter the circumstances. I enjoy the sense of style that most Italians share and look forward to learning more about the Italian Fashion Industry.

Bar Paneburro

We went to the Paneburro bar in Bologna. The bar had inside and outside seating with a variety of coffee, food, and alcoholic choices. There was one bartender working with about six other patrons there as well. There were a couple patrons enjoying their coffee in the outdoor area, despite the cold weather.

There were some noticeable differences between an American coffee shop and the Italian bar. Interestingly, there were two slot machines in the back of the bar. When we asked the bartender about it, she said they were very popular. There were no people on laptops in the bar, the other patrons were socializing. Although our visit was around noon, there were a couple ladies who were enjoying wine in the back room. The bartender also said the most popular drink that people ordered was an espresso. There were some small containers containing sugar packets, but there wasn’t sweetener like you may find in America. We found it interesting that there was only one size for all the drinks and it was cheaper than coffee at home. For example, the cappuccino was $1.59 USD which is substantially cheaper than the options in the United States. Another interesting observation was that although people spoke broken or no English, the bars consistently played American music.

Going forward, it is important to keep in mind that culture influences every place in different countries. Somewhere as simple as a coffee shop is very different in Italy than it is in the United States. As we continue to experience new places, it is important to keep an open mind and be aware that every place is going to be different from what we are used to. Ordering in Italian was originally uncomfortable, but as I have practiced more it is rewarding to successfully place my order. When in a new country, you have to be able to step out of your comfort zone and be willing to experience the norms of different cultures. Fully immersing yourself in the new culture allows you to learn more and have a more meaningful experience.

Thanks for joining me!

 

During my trip to Italy I am hoping to gain a deeper understanding and respect for the Italian culture. By actively participating in class and paying attention to my surroundings, I will be able to achieve this goal. My other goal on this trip is to stay safe while exploring a foreign country. To accomplish this goal, I will make sure to travel in groups and be aware of any potential dangerous situations I could be affected by.