Calling all local style heroes! Feasting just got seriously fashionable

Purveyors of luxury libation, Peroni Nastro Azzurro, have been hosting Amici Di Peroni, a series of unique Italian dining experiences in cities across the UK celebrating Italian style, good food and great company. And who better to host this unique slice of Italian glamour than Gianluca Longo. Previously fashion director at the Evening Standard, Gianluca has helped to define what it is to be a stylish Italian in London. During his career he has styled iconic images featuring everyone from Naomi Campbell and Linda Evangelista to Tilda Swinton and Emma Watson and now turns his gaze to exploring the fashion great and good across the UK.

“Travelling is always so fascinating. It really gives you the possibility of comparing cultures and way of living among places. In my specific case, I like to observe the fashion that people wear in different cities or countries, and it amuses me to see if catwalk trends are really interpreted by some people there and/or the originality of others”

Amici Di Peroni was held last Wednesday in the lively city of Liverpool in the stunningly lit and ornamented Liverpool Cathedral. The event witnessed the gorgeous outfitting of some of Liverpool’s best dressed and was a success with lots to take your fancy. As for the decadent atmosphere, the Cathedral had extreme lighting illuminating the detailing and interior structures of the architecture itself. Drapes, chandeliers and a generously adorned eating area created a sumptuous background to the evening’s conversation. It seems no expenses were spared at Amici Di Peroni, from high fashion clothing to interior ambience!

The night consisted of crafted Italian beer perfect for toasting the night, exquisitely clad attendees – made up of 20 of Liverpool’s most influential bloggers, designers and fashionistas, all handpicked to attend – and even a waiter in chef-whites presenting the ‘Pièce de résistance of the night- a scrumptiously caramel-coloured, slow roasted pig! Among the wealth of guests were Kirsty Doyle; fashion designer extraordinaire showcasing her vintage skirt and superbly sequined jacket, the individualistically dressed Sarah Milner, sporting leopard print in a stylishly fun way, the cool, tomboy-esque Rosie Tobin and a street-savvy styled Greg Davenport. Joining that lovely lot were Rosaleen Gallagher showcasing her cute and colourful side, the dapper John Paul O’Dea, regulation hottie Paul Doran and any designer’s dream Nadya Duke; effortlessly stunning from head to toe.

Gianluca was charmed by the fashion forward Liverpudlians, declaring the evening a “delicious -fashion-teaser”. The night was stimulating, suave and sophisticated. We say cheers to Peroni! Amici Di Peroni Manchester, in the Manchester Art Gallery gave Liverpool’s lavish evening a run for its money. A more sleek, chic and clean-cut character could be found at this location. Again the Peroni branded, squeaky-clean, shiny red motorcycle was on display and the guests were just as eccentric!

Alix Walker had a sharp, khaki checkered suit on to match his impeccably styled facial hair design and tilted hat, which oozed swagger. Shaw Atkinson, the smart, urban male fashionista, the sparkly, talented blogger Shameena Komdar, Ellis Michael – the personification of dainty in lace, English-dressed 70′s striped Clare Potts and our trendy country chic male, David Tester. Even Gianluca was surprised and impressed to discover how such a city retained and created an individual sense of fashion. All in all, Peroni delivered suave Italian dining at its best and an eclectic and imaginative bunch of attendees for both turnouts!

The following week, the finale of the four national events took place at London’s iconic Tower Bridge on April the 17th; doing what Italians do best, the evening revolved around fine dining and fabulous company. Again hosted by Gianluca Longo, guests from London’s fashion and art elite immersed themselves in a melting pot of the capital’s most fashion forward dinner table dialogue. Inspiration for the dinner came from the Renaissance ‘Salone’ which saw gatherings of the like-minded under the roof of an inspiring host, with participants seeking to amuse one another while they refined their tastes and increased their knowledge through the course of an evening’s conversation. The night was attended by fifty handpicked attendees, including some of today’s most respected fashion designers, models and actors as well as selected trendsetters from London’s exciting sartorial scene.

For more information on Amici di Peroni, please visit http://peroniuk.tumblr.com/

To send your style questions directly to Gianluca, please e-mail amicidiperoni@77pr.co.uk