Wanna feel what it’s like to be in Italy? Now is the time to witness the fashion, food, and culture of Italy. Italian Trade Commission-Manila, Rustan Commercial Corp., Rustan Supermarket, Stores Specialists, Inc. and Metrobank Credit Cards have organized this 2009 Italian Festival, Amore. There would be fashion shows, workshops, wine tasting, and cooking demos to let everyone see the best of Italy. The opening of the festival happened last June 2, 2009, but there are series of events that are scheduled for the entire month of June. Check them out below. 🙂

Who doesn’t love Italian food? Pizzas, pastas, wines… Ooooh… Now, I’m craving! 🙂 Anyway, for the 2009 Italian Festival, the Italian Food and Beverage show will be held from June 17 to 21 at World Trade Center. Also, witness cooking demonstrations by famous Italian chefs from 4:00 to 6:00pm on the following dates and venues: June 13- Rustan’s Supermarket Makati, June 20- Rustan’s Supermarket Rockwell, and June 27- Rustan’s Supermarket Shangri-La Mall.

And of course, every fashionista knows that Italy is well-known in the fashion scene. The latest in Italian high fashion will be shown at the following dates and venues: June 9- Rustan’s Makati, June 19- Rustan’s Alabang Town Center Corte de las Palmas, June 20- Rustan’s Tower, and June 27- Rustan’s Gateway. To be presented on the runway are the creations from A/X Armani Exchange, Bulgari, Emilio Pucci, Ermenegildo Zegna, Fendi, Fratelli Rossetti, Furla, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Tod’s. Other luxe brands to take part in 2009 Italian Festival are Bottega Veneta, Bresciani, Diesel, Franco Sarto, Giorgio Fedon 1919, Giuseppe Zanotti, Gordon Rush, Gucci, Hogan, LAI, Marlboro Classics, Orciani, Prada, Sergio Rossi, Sigerson Morrison, Superga, To Boot New York, and Via Spiga. Now, isn’t that exciting?! I’d love to go, especially during the fashion shows, but I’m guessing this would be exclusive (?). I’m not so sure about that. I still have to research, but I’m sure that the fashion presentation on June 9 at Rustan’s Makati is by invitation. 🙁

The luxe fragrances will also be participating in the festival. Some of the brands to take part in the event include Acca Kappa, Aqua Di Genoca, Aqua Di Parma, Gucci, Monotheme, and Santa Maria Novella.

The latest collection of jewelries from Roberto Coin will also be revealed at Rustan’s Makati on June 17. Leo Pizzo, Pianegonda, and Toy Watch will also be participating.

Now, if you wanna know how to live the Italian way, brands, such as Egregia Decor and Religious Figurines, Soprani with its religious articles, Luigi Bermioli and its crystal stemware, DeLonghi and its kitchen appliances, TVS Cookware, Kartel, Artemide and IW home accents and dinner ware, will be at Rustan’s Makati Home department at June 25.

Wait there’s more! There’s more reason to shop… Hehehe! 🙂 For every Php 3,000 worth of purchase at any participating Italian brands at Rustan’s Department Store and SSI stores, you will be given one raffle ticket. If you shop at Rustan’s Supermarket, you are also entitled to one raffle ticket for every Php 800 worth of Italian products. So what’s the grand prize??? Two round trip tickets to Italy! Weee! I wanna go back to Italy!!! I want! I want! I want! 🙂 You can also get special prizes from the different Italian brands participating in the festival. And for Metrobank cardholders, you can get triple reward points if you use your credit card in your purchases in any SSI brands and Rustan’s Department Store from June 15 to Sept 30.

For more information, visit Philippine Star’s website.