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Rome – the capital of inspiration

Maybe it is not quite the caput mundi or ‘capital of the world’ that it once was, but Rome is certainly one of the most visited and sought after holiday destinations in the world.  Ancient reminders of the empire it was once head of are almost ignored by the locals, who zoom around them with mad driving skills in tiny cars or – famously – Vespa scooters.  The fantastic architecture of these antique buildings give the city an atmosphere that is something far more than the usual metropolis feel of smog, people and haste.

It is certainly a place for history lovers to visit, but anyone with even a slight interest in fashion or clothing should be rushing to get their plane tickets.  Since the 1950s, Italy has become the world’s forerunner for fashion, rivalling old favourite, France.  Since then, Rome has slowly overtaken traditional Milan as the capital of couture, with designers, boutiques and haute couture collections making it their home.

Every year, AltaRoma – a company well known in fashion circles – holds an event known as the AltaRomaAltaModa, which presents collections of haute couture from both established and new designers.  In fact, Rome has a number of fashion shows throughout the year, and while most are closed to the general public, there are those – such as Donne Sotto le Stelle, an open-air catwalk on the Spanish Steps – which are open to everyone and provide a fascinating look into the world of fashion.

Rome is the beating heart of Italy’s inspiration; of that there is no doubt.  With beautiful buildings, beautiful clothes and beautiful people, its mark is already firmly in place.