I didn't get a chance to blog about my day yesterday until today. I'm currently on a train to Lucca then will be going to Pisa with some of my roommates, but I will blog about that later.
Yesterday I got myself out of bed early and went for a fun. Since it was a lot earlier than the one on Wednesday, it was a lot less crowded and much cooler, which was great! I found my route along the river and a good time to go, so I won't have to find a gym. After my run I went to test out another class. It about the history of Italian Fashion. Since I am in the Fashion Design studio art class my teacher recommended that I take this class too because the two complement each other. During this Fashion History class we will be walking around touring the various historical fashion spots in Florence and learning about the development of fashion and textiles. Two museums I am excited to go to are the Gucci museum in the Palazzo Repubblica and the Feragammo museum, two major Italian designers. I'm excited for this class because ill get a change to walk around Florence and visit places, which is different from the other one where I mainly work in the Studio.
During class today we learned about the beginning of fashion in Italy. Because Italy was divided, each region had their own specialty that they were most skilled at (leather, textiles, silk, etc.). When Italy was unified these specialties remained, but everyone then had access to them. The designers took advantage of this, so if they needed their leather gloves made they would send their designs to Florence. If they needed their silk scarves made they would, for example, send them to Como. We learned more history in class and then about high fashion. The first assignment for this class is to go into a high fashion store in Florence, pick out our favorite piece from a high end fashion collection, then write a paper about it. My teacher said to watch out though because the workers can be snobby.
During my Fashion Design class we learned how to sketch fashion poses. This was so fun! We learned a specific technical way to draw a figure. I will post pictures of my work from the day. The fashion poses we drew will later be used to draw our garments on and to design a whole outfit.
After class I walked into a store to get a few tops, since I am already running out of clothes to wear surprisingly. Because it is hot most of the time and you do a ton of walking, clothes get dirty fast.
Once I got back to the apartment I went to a panini shop. I waited in line for a long time, but it was totally worth it. I got a caprese panini with prosciutto. It was delicious! After the panini I got gelato at a nearby store that was the best I have had so far. I then went back to the apartment, only to leave later at night to walk around a little with my roommates. Even at 11:30 Florence is still crowded and has a lot going on. There was an orchestra playing in one square and street performers in another. I will post about my trip today when the day is over!