Rome was always in fashion

Rome. Everyone talks about Rome. Rome is in fashion. But wasn't it Lisbon? Yes, it was! But if you really want to be a chic nomad, you should buy a ticket to the city of La Dolce Vita. It may sound absurd to ask why when tourists (millions) already come to Rome to immerse themselves in 2,000 years of civilization. Isn't the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo's frescoes, or the Colosseum enough? Yes and no. For years, the Eternal City lived submerged in a deep sleep where Romans, oblivious to the tourist invasion, seemed to have nothing new to teach.

But something is happening, several major Italian fashion houses began their commitment to the city, investing millions in the preservation of the most emblematic buildings. While Diego Della Valle, founder of the Tod's house, has been financing the restoration of the Colosseum, Fendi decided to take charge of cleaning the Trevi Fountain and support a prestigious research institute dedicated to Caravaggio. Bulgari recently contributed very generously to save the Spanish Steps, which had begun to crumble. And even the Spanish group Inditex remodeled the facade of the Palazzo di Spagna, headquarters of the Spanish Embassy to the Vatican.

And if the big brands have added a new sparkle to the city, there is also a palpable buzz coming from a young group of designers, gallery owners, and hoteliers who have fallen in love with it or are returning to it partly for its tranquility, but also for its sense of old-world glamour and its love for tradition and the past without complexes. An example is Gucci's creative director, Alessandro Michele, originally from Rome, who has just moved into the Palazzo Alberini-Cicciaporci, a jewel of Renaissance architecture.

vivirdemais discovers Chez Dédé. On Via di Monserrato, surrounded by magnificent Renaissance facades and very close to Palazzo Farnese, this workshop-gallery-shop is located, with an unmistakable French chic inside the historic Palazzo Capponi Antonelli. Elegant travelers from all over the world come here, betting on craftsmanship and on people who make something magical out of their work, in search of new treasures.

Founders Daria Reina and Andrea Ferolla create limited edition collections of home wear, bags and other accessories handmade in Italy from natural materials. The famous Chez Dédé bag, a canvas fabric bag with leather handles inspired by fabulous vacation spots: St. Tropez, Porquerolles, Biarritz, Taormina, is a must-have accessory for the Italian fashionista who carries it from the beaches of Punta del Este to the Met Breuer museum in New York. "Sublime for the beach", "Light for the plane", "Perfect for the city" are the messages that immediately give a clue to the thousands of followers on Instagram. Chez Dédé is also a cabinet of curiosities of unique brands and select luxury pieces such as Linda Rodin, Ferolla's glamorous illustrations, La DoubleJ's vintage dresses, coats from the small Neapolitan label Giuliva Heritage Collection, Capri's ultra-desired espadrilles, Zabattigli, Assouline art books, Trudon candles or Astier de Villatte ceramics.

When it's time to retire, go straight to Hotel De' Ricci, take a velvet armchair in the Charade Bar and contemplate La Grande Bellezza. You will understand that Rome was always in fashion.

Featured images: 1. Model at the Fendi Rome 90 Years Anniversary fashion show at the Trevi Fountain. (Photo by Venturelli / WireImage) 2. Interior of the Chez Dede store, Rome. Image taken from the store's website.