Stylist’s features editor Hannah Keegan discusses art, underwear and how to live la dolce vita in Europe’s most romantic country…

When it comes to romance and drama, nowhere does it better than Italy. Prior to last month, I’d visited just once in my life – an indulgent trip to the Amalfi Coast to celebrate a family member’s engagement – and I have memories of long lunches, limoncello cocktails and lazy afternoons perched under an umbrella on a Positano beach.

Also read: Hairdresser turns up to work in lingerie as people warn ‘don’t let your husbands here’

It was a dreamy, relaxed atmosphere, but one ultimately marked by a sense of being away from ‘real life’, and so when the opportunity arose to visit Verona and Venice with a famed Italian brand, Intimissimi, the idea of seeing the country through the eyes of locals sounded ideal.

It’s thought that the first modern bra was invented in France in 1889 (making its debut appearance in a corset catalogue) – but while the French may have been innovators, it’s the Italians that really infused it with a sense of glamour.

Verona, the setting of Shakespeare’s most romantic play Romeo And Juliet and where Intimissimi’s headquarters are based, is steeped in history, glamour and storytelling.

This comes across inside Intimissimi HQ, where each prototype for every one of their intricate bras is designed and created in-house and where moodboards full of lace patterns and colour swatches sprawl across tables in the design room.

Italians famously take good craftsmanship incredibly seriously – one bra can be comprised of up to 30 separate pieces and take over nine months to develop.

Among many of the brand’s newer pieces, there is also a heavy focus on lingerie as outerwear, too – items beautiful and robust enough to be quite literally worn as a top (think a lacy bodysuit or bralette worn under a blazer).

When it comes to style, feminine touches are a through-line – in their ‘pretty flowers’ collection lacy petals creep around the straps and cups, while their silk baby doll slips are floating and delicate.
In Italy, life imitates art…

Art, of course, plays a huge role in Italian culture – there are plenty of galleries to explore in Verona itself, from the Castelvecchio Museum (Verona’s main museum, housed inside a 14th century castle) to the Modern Art Gallery, which exhibits more than 150 masterpieces.

But the real treat of the trip was in Venice, where I visited the Breasts exhibition at Palazzo Cavalli-Franchetti (which is fittingly sponsored by Intimissimi).

Showcasing the works of mostly female artists – big names such as Louise Bourgeois, Chloe Wise, Anna Weyant and Cindy Sherman feature – it reflects on a range of themes from motherhood, empowerment and sexuality to body image and illness.

In the pink-hued rooms of the gallery space, the exhibition asks you to explore how breasts are seen, both culturally and personally by each artist included.

“The breast, functioning as a cultural signifier, occupies a space of profound personal and political significance,” writes the curator Carolina Pasti, a point which becomes more and more evident as you journey through the space, finishing on a video piece which depicts childbirth.

It turns out, three days in Italy can pack a punch – there is so much to see and experience about Italian life and culture.

One evening, we visited the opera at the Arena di Verona – a magnificent Roman amphitheatre in Piazza Bra where you’re seated in the open air (and in the very same space that was used to host music and celebrations during the time of the Roman Empire).

We saw Aida 1913, a three-hour long production created by Italian director Gianfranco Bosio, which was part of the 101st Arena di Verona Opera Festival, which happens annually in Verona, and is simply awe-inspiring.

Food and drink were also a huge part of my time there – particularly wine. We visited the Signorvino vineyard in Valpolicella, where we learned about the fermentation process and tasted a range of wines produced at the vineyard.

While in Venice, soaking up the history of the place is a must (its population has dropped below 50,000 for the first time in over 300 years, and learning how to be an ethical tourist while you’re there is necessary).

Try a gorgeous gondola trip to get around as opposed to a speed boat (as this is better for the environment), and take in everything the brilliant Biennale has to offer if you’re visiting at this time of year.

A magical place, it’s no wonder that so much of Italy – particularly lingerie – is infused with romance, it’s literally everywhere. La dolce vita, indeed.

Kourtney Kardashian-Barker is many things: an influencer, a reality tv star and a wellness entrepreneur among them. One undeniable part of her legacy? Her status as a style icon. I mean, who could forget her micro mini lace wedding dress and show-stopping veil for her Italian marriage to Travis Barker?

And since revealing her pregnancy earlier this year, she’s doubled down on her fashionista status – debuting a maternity wear wardrobe that is truly one for the (fashion) history books. Some of our fave looks include a sheer crop top and motorcycle-style separates, a grungy fishnets and denim ‘fit and Barbiecore cutout pink dress.

Now, she’s covered Vanity Fair Italia in a bump-baring, extra daring look. Specifically, Kourtney is depicted almost naked in this photo shoot – bar a black latex bra and a pair of matching gloves, styled by Chloe & Chenelle Delgadillo and sourced from latex and lingerie label Busted Brand.

She also rocked jewellery – including wavy, gold earrings and chunky rings – from the brands Simuero and Veneda Carter, and in some images is wearing a sheer veil.

In the interview accompanying this gorgeous shoot, Kourtney opened up about her health and spoke about keeping positive throughout the pregnancy, in light of recent health scares.

“I think all this caution made me a little afraid because, in the past, I never had to be so careful. It took me a while to let go of the fear,” she said, also adding that she has “stopped worrying” since being rushed to hospital with complications.

“Now I talk to the baby every day, have a positive mindset, keep my head straight, and say a lot of prayers. I feel really lucky and grateful. I have a lot of gratitude,” she concluded.

A hairdresser has gone viral after footage emerged of her going about her day job in raunchy underwear as a ploy to turn heads and get people through the doors of her salon

While there are many marketing ploys available to get customers into your business, a Thai hairdresser took it to another level when she started wearing lingerie to work.

Last week, the beauty salon owner’s “special tactics” were revealed in a video that made its way to social media.

And while her methods would definitely not be encouraged at beauty school, there’s no denying that her content has generated a lot of attention.

The advert, which has gone viral, shows the hairstylist, working with a customer, wearing nothing but bright red lingerie. The caption read: “Come on, let’s do my hair. I’m ready. ”

Some rather randy gentleman, clearly taking to the video, joked that they needed to get their hair done, while a concerned woman suggested: “Wives, do not let your husbands go here! ”

Ultimately, the woman, who works at the Madame Hair Colour in Phetchabun, Thailand, and has rendered wives around the globe terrified, made her choice in order to gain customers during the rainy season, which is a particularly difficult time of year.
Not many hairdressers wear lingerie while they work

The filming itself occurred on a day that not a single customer had walked through the door. Together, the crew started to brainstorm, and lingerie is what they landed on.

However, one could argue that she’s luring men in under false pretences as she doesn’t actually dress like that when she’s on the clock, as the lingerie was worn simply for marketing purposes.

Therefore, customers wanting to see her wearing that particular attire may be rendered disappointed when they see her in standard clothing.

And while, on occasion, she receives the odd, strange look, it doesn’t bother her as she tries to concentrate on the customers’ hair and not put too much thought into anything else.