Maria Callas Foundation at the Terrazza Martini in Cannes
The Maria Callas Foundation hosted a cocktail party at the Terrazza Martini during the 62nd Cannes Film Festival. Vogue Gioiello also sponsored the event, which marked the 40th anniversary of the movie "Medea", by the late Italian director Pier Paolo Pasolini, in which Callas starred in the title role.
A collection of photos of the Diva's Dolce Vita days was on show for the first time, Callas with Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly, Sir Winston Churchill, plus photos taken during the shooting of the movie. Precious necklaces worn by Callas were on display, including a priceless Dior necklace consisting of a double row of pearls, emeralds and diamonds. Such jewels are gorgeous, but hardly the thing people would think of wearing nowadays in public. Precious gems of this kind are for royalty on formal occasions, Film Festivals with tight security or ladies living in harems, times have changed in this respect. The "Medea" necklace, on the other hand, could definitely be worn on an SBD (simple black dress) and look stunning, though only on a very tall person.
A collection of photos of the Diva's Dolce Vita days was on show for the first time, Callas with Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly, Sir Winston Churchill, plus photos taken during the shooting of the movie. Precious necklaces worn by Callas were on display, including a priceless Dior necklace consisting of a double row of pearls, emeralds and diamonds. Such jewels are gorgeous, but hardly the thing people would think of wearing nowadays in public. Precious gems of this kind are for royalty on formal occasions, Film Festivals with tight security or ladies living in harems, times have changed in this respect. The "Medea" necklace, on the other hand, could definitely be worn on an SBD (simple black dress) and look stunning, though only on a very tall person.
In the midst of the hustle and bustle of "beautiful people" at the Terrazza Martini, overlooking the Bay of Cannes, whilst sipping a Martini cocktail during live TV broadcasts in a glorious sunset, I met Mr. Bruno Tosi, Founder and President of the Maria Callas International Association, and interviewed him for 360Fashion.
Q. When did you start the Maria Callas Association, Mr. Tosi?
A. I started the Association in 1992, but my passion for opera, and Callas in particular, dates further back. I have been doing much collecting, have written books on her, I come from journalism, and I have taken my exhibition of Callas memorabilia across the world, to cities that have a long tradition of opera theatres, such as Paris, Rome, Tokyo, London and New York. The collection consists of 20,000 pictures, stage costumes and jewels, and all her recordings. The organizers of the Cannes Film Festival wanted to pay a tribute to the movie, its director and exceptional star, so I was asked to contribute, the necklace you see on display is one of the six originals she wore in the film.
Q. I take it Callas was a personal friend of yours?
A. Yes, she was, I first met her as a journalist and we remained friends all her life. I have decided to donate my entire collection to the city of Venice, which will host it in a special museum.
Q. To pay homage to the great Diva Callas was?
A. Yes, she was a Diva, THE Diva "par excellence".
Q. When did you start the Maria Callas Association, Mr. Tosi?
A. I started the Association in 1992, but my passion for opera, and Callas in particular, dates further back. I have been doing much collecting, have written books on her, I come from journalism, and I have taken my exhibition of Callas memorabilia across the world, to cities that have a long tradition of opera theatres, such as Paris, Rome, Tokyo, London and New York. The collection consists of 20,000 pictures, stage costumes and jewels, and all her recordings. The organizers of the Cannes Film Festival wanted to pay a tribute to the movie, its director and exceptional star, so I was asked to contribute, the necklace you see on display is one of the six originals she wore in the film.
Q. I take it Callas was a personal friend of yours?
A. Yes, she was, I first met her as a journalist and we remained friends all her life. I have decided to donate my entire collection to the city of Venice, which will host it in a special museum.
Q. To pay homage to the great Diva Callas was?
A. Yes, she was a Diva, THE Diva "par excellence".
Maria Callas was one of the last stars of our time, and not surprisingly she is portrayed here with some "colleagues" - something from the past, fashions that have seen their day, and by "fashions" I mean ways of projecting your image, interesting for young people to see, though out of place in today's world.
New glamour does not have the same connotations, it's more down-to-earth on a planet we are all desperately trying to save by contributing to help others...that's what today's stars are doing, and I say "chapeau" to them!
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