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The Italian Trade Commission will host a month-long cultural extravaganza from Oct. 4 through Oct. 29 at the South Coast Plaza. A celebration of Italian arts, culture, manufacturing, design, along with food and wine thrown in for good measure, it will feature exhibits on fashion, textiles, leather and costume design. Many of the displayed items were worn by stars in memorable movie scenes.
The Plaza's Jewel Court will be transformed into an Italian piazza with traditional product demos and vehicles from Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati and Vespa.
The over 30 Italian boutiques and other Plaza retailers carrying “Made-in- Italy” products will host special events, fashion previews and trunk shows throughout the month. The Plaza’s Italian restaurants will offer special regional menus and wines.
Launching the expo will be a stunning giant traditional Italian infiorata — an outdoor mosaic made of thousands of petals and other organic materials — depicting Michaelangelo's fresco “The Creation of Adam.” Designed by a team of Sicilian masters and executed by local community and arts organizations, it will be on display Oct. 4-5.
The expo will be open to the public, free of charge.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 28, 2007. Read the original PDF.