All About Royal Families

In a world full of fashion, the House of Gucci made the difference.  Who were they? And what is/was their connection with the royals? History Gucci was founded in 1921 by Guccio Gucci in Florence, Tuscany on  7, Via della Vigna Nuova in Florence, Azienda Individuale Guccio Gucci where he sold imported leather luggage.  He also opened a small workshop to have his own leather goods made by local craftsmen. Eventually, a larger workshop had to be acquired to house Gucci's 60 artisans. In 1935 the invasion of Ethiopia by Mussolini led the League of Nations to impose a trade embargo on Italy. Leather became scarce, pushing Guccio Gucci to introduce other fabrics in the composition of the products, such as raffia, wicker, wood, linen and, jute. The rombi motif, a Gucci signature, was created. The Gucci's developed a new tanning technique to produce "cuoio grasso", which became a Gucci trademark. In 1937, Gucci launched its handbags. Guccio's wife and children all worke

Giorgio Armani is an Italian fashion designer born on 11 July 1934. He formed his  company Armani in 1975. By 2001, Armani was the most successful Italian fashion designer.  Source picture: Book Cover Giorgio Armani was born in the northern Italian town of Piacenza, where he was raised with his older brother Sergio and his younger sister Rosanna by their mother Maria Raimondi and father Ugo Armani. During the secondary school at the liceo Scientifico Leonardo Da Vinci in Milan,  Armani aspired to a career in medicine, particularly after reading A.J Cronin's  The Citadel. He enrolled in the Department of Medicine at the University of Milan. But he left after three years and in 1953 he joined the army. Due to his medical  background, he was assigned to the Military Hospital in Verona.  Finally he opted luckily for another career path. After the army, Armani found a job as a window dresser at La Rinascente, a department store in Milan in 1957. He went on to become a seller for the  me

Recently I bought a royal book from the library in Sint-Niklaas. I received a hint from a wonderful colleague and he discovered a real treasure. It is a book about Princess Marie-José of Belgium, who became the last Queen of Italy and her royal wardrobe.  Source picture: Bookcover Who was Princess Marie-José of Belgium? Princess Marie-José of Belgium was the third child and only daughter of King Albert I of Belgium and Queen Elisabeth (born Duchess in Bavaria). Her brothers were the  later King Leopold III of Belgium and Prince Charles (Regent of Belgium). Princess Marie-José was born on 4 August 1906 in Ostend (Oostende). During the First World War she was evacuated to England and later she attended the College  of Santissima Annunziata in Florence, Italy. On 8 January 1930, Princess Marie-José of Belgium married Crown Prince Umberto of Italy. They would have 4 children. She became president of the Red Cross in Italy. During World War II, Princess Marie-José became a diplomatic channe

In Monte-Carlo, Monaco, the Monte-Carlo Fashion week takes place from 14 till 18 May 2021. It is a festival of fashion and style. Designers from all over the world show their designs for the following seasons. This event is organized by the Fashion Council of Monaco together with the government.  Monte Carlo Monaco - own picture taken in 2013 All the prominent people in the fashion industry as well as stylish icons, including the royals attend the Fashion Week. More about the Mont-Carlo Fashion Week on this link  and on this link as well.  History In 2013 the Monte-Carlo Fashion Week was created by Frederica Nardoni Spinetti, the president and founder of the Chambre Monégasque de la Mode. More about the Chambre Monégasque de la Mode on this link .  Nowadays The Monte-Carlo Fashion Week is Under the High Patronage of  H.S.H. Princess Charlene of Monaco.  own pictures taken in 2013

Diana Spencer was born on 1 July 1961 at Sandringham in Norfolk, United Kingdom. She was born into the British nobility as the youngest daughter of John Spencer, the 8th. Earl of Spencer and Francess Shand Kidd.   In 1981 Lady Diana married to Charles, Prince of Wales and the Crown Prince of the United Kingdom. The royal couple had two sons: William and Harry but unfortunately things didn't turn well and their marriage ended in a divorce in 1996. On 31 august 1997, Diana, Princess of Wales died in Paris after a tragic car crash.  A style icon as well as a legend was born.  Source picture: book cover Summary  Diana: Style Icon showcases her fashion evolution with illustrations of over 60 of her most loved looks and the stories behind them. From 80s ruffles to memorable red-carpet classics, exciting off-duty outfits and her confident, considered revenge look, which emerged after the break-up of her marriage.  This book is a celebration of the Princess of Wales, her love of fashion of

Angela Kelly has worked with The Queen and walked the corridors of the Royal Household for 25 years, initially as Her Majesty's Senior Dresser and later as Her Majesty's Personal Adivsor and Curator (The Queen's Juwellery, Insignias and Wardrobe) and In-house Designer. The Queen even gave Angela her blessing to share their extraordinary bond with the world. This was written down in the book: The other side of the coin. Queen Elizabeth II Elizabeth Alexandra was born on 21 April 1926 as the eldest daughter of the Duke of York and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon.  On 6 February 1952 she became Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth Realms. She is perhaps one of the most powerful women on earth.  My review In "the other side of the coin" tells Angela Kelly about her time as  Her Majesty's senior dresser and her other functions she had. She speaks openly about her work, which is extraordinary and she lifts a tip of the veil about who The Queen really is.  It is n

A decade of Modern Royal Style Recently, I saw an interesting book on Amazon. Although it wasn't about royal history, I was keen to read it, just because the main topics were fashion and style. It was a lovely book with lots of amazing pictures from the Duchess of Cambridge, born Catherine "Kate" Middleton. A picture of the Duchess of Cambridge a decade of modern royal style picture: book cover The author mentioned on which occassions the Duchess of Cambridge wore her most stylish clothes.  Anyway it is a lovely book and a quick read with mostly pictures, clear chapters and an easy language.  Besides that, it is well written and the author has done a lot of detailed research.  If you are interested in the British Royal family and in the Duchess of Cambridge then, this book is a must-read!  In 2022 The Duchess of Cambridge became the Princess of Wales. 

"A crown is merely a hat that lets the rain in."  This was quoted by King Frederick the Great of Prussia. History  Since 1987,  the Belgian Fabienne Delvigne has specialized in the  design of Haute Couture Hats, jewellery and headgear. After  studying Marketing she launched her own company and she became one of the most influential hat designers of Europe.  In 2001, Fabienne Delvigne became Royal Warrant holder of the royal family of Belgium. Then Albert II and Paola were King and Queen of the Belgians.  At the inauguration of King Philippe on 21 July 2013, Fabienne Delvigne made for Queen Mathilde a wonderful symbolic hat.  King Philippe also granted Fabienne Delvigne a royal warrant.  The shop of Fabienne Delvigne is located at: 8 André Fauchille Street 1150 Brussels - Belgium.  Royal clients: * Queen Paola of Belgium;  * Queen Mathilde of the Belgians; * Princess Elisabeth of Belgium; * Queen Máxima of the Netherlands;  * Marina Windsor wore one of Fabienne Delvigne's

One of the most noble dynasties in Belgium is the prestigious Ullens de Schooten Family. Besides a lovely coat of arms, the family Ullens de Schooten really has a nice history linked to an illustrious royal. History It was King Charles II of Spain who granted three sons of the family Ullens a noble title. Only one of the three sons had descendants. This was Antoine Ullens, the son of Jean-Baptiste, married to Marie van Delft, who continued the noble line. In 1816 their title was recognized in the Belgian nobility. Many descendants of the family Ullens de Schooten became famous. - Cornelius Floris Ullens was mayor of Schoten from 1830 till 1847; - Charles Ullens de Schooten was member of the Chamber of Representatives in   Belgium (1892 - 1908) Royal link 👑 Countess Madeleine Bernadotte   the wife of Charles-Albert d' Ullens de Schooten was the daughter of Prince Carl Bernadotte. He was the son of Prince Carl of Sweden, Duke of Västergötland. Prince Car

On January 20th. 1973, Mathilde d'Udecem d'Acoz was born in Uccle (Belgium). Her parents were Count Patrick d'Udecem d'Acoz and Countess Anna Maria Komorowska. Her grandmother was the Polish Princess Zofia Sapieha.  She married Count Leon Michael Komorowski. On December 4th. 1999, Mathilde married , then, Crown Prince Philippe of Belgium. She received the title Princess by her marriage. King Philippe of Belgium and Queen Mathilde Screenshot They have 4 children. In 2013, King Albert II of Belgium abdicated in favour of his son. Philippe became King on July 21st. 2013. Mathilde now is the Queen Consort of the Belgians. Own picture: Screenshot of Queen Mathilde

Oscar de la Renta Short history: Oscar de la Renta was born in 1932 in Santo Domingo. At the age of 18 he left the Dominican Republic. He studied at the Academy of San Fernando in Madrid (Spain). He was trained by Cristóbal Balenci aga  (famous Spanish Fashion Designer). Later Oscar de la Renta left Spain and moved to Paris (France). There he worked at Lanvin. From 1993-2002 Oscar de la Renta worked for the house of Balmain. He was the first Dominican to design for a French Couture House. Nowadays the designer creates a lot of things: - Bridal wear; - Homeware; - Accessories line; - Fragrance.... He even designed Tortuga Bay , a boutique hotel at PUNTACANA Resort & Club. Royal Clients: The Spanish Royal family is a huge fan of him. King Juan Carlos of Spain offered Oscar de la Renta two awards: - Gold Medal of Bellas Artes; - La Gran Cruz de la Orden de Merito Civil. Oscar de la Renta is the chairman of the Queen Sofia Spanish Institute