Italians celebrate the holidays seriously, with a combination of carefully scripted food rituals, reciprocal social visits, and ornate festivities that start at the end of November. Our alumni association in Italy deeply respects these national traditions, while keeping an eye on the international character of our host country. To that end, we offered two events of world-class level — first, a guided tour of Rome's finest jewellers, led by designer Imara Ruffo di Calabria, and second, a charming evening of cocktails with international alumni. 
Imara Ruffo di Calabria Photo Paris Bermudes
The jewellery tour met at the Pantheon and proceeded, at a brisk pace, to select jewellers who master artisanal traditions. First stop was Percossi Papi, and a vision of enamel and gold earrings crafted from precious and semi-precious stones. Next stop was Lucia Odescalchi, one of Rome's best-known names in the area of wearable art. And art it is, as her sculptures, many with a near African touch, attest. A mix of new materials, corals, bronze, strong shapes, combine to a personal vision which is unique to the creator, and has won Lucia accolades from all the world over. https://www.luciaodescalchi.com Last stop was Fabio Salini, fornitore to the international jet set, whether movie stars or heads of state. Here too, we were able to don necklaces and bracelets, and pick up ostrich eggs turned into silver and shell table decorations. A genteel staff, carefully trained to handle each bijou, was more than kind to our small and enthusiastic entourage. www.fabiosalini.com
Imara Ruffo is most at ease when presenting the work of her friends, and it is only with insistence that we hear about her own creations — she is a master at creating pearl jewelry, and has an infallible eye for the potential of stones and forms to suit the female body.
We closed the evening at the home of a Venezuelan journalist friend, where confidences among women flowed freely, as did the wine.
Which brings us to the actual holidays, or close. A few days before Christmas, a group of alumni and friends, met for some (well, pricey) cocktails at the venerable Grand Hotel Plaza, on via del Corso. But what better theater can one ask for? And the tales told by our eclectic group — we spoke of Venice, of Mongolian visiting dignitaries, of Harvard architectural history, and literature between the wars — enthused an international group composed of people from Japan to Poland.
Looking forward to a heady mix of events and conversation in 2020, we close the year with fervent best wishes for a healthy, happy, and peaceful holiday season.
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