An Italian Palazzo, Vintage Party Dresses, and a Pasta Dinner in NYC
What’s on the menu for October
I kick each month off with a little life update by way of a Sample Platter: What I’m reading, something I recently bought, something I’m looking forward to... An amuse bouche to set the tone for the next few weeks.
Something I’m looking forward to: I usually end Sample Platters with a thing I’m looking forward to, but I don’t want you to get bored halfway through reading this and miss the news: I’m hosting a Pasta Girlfriend dinner in New York on October 24th! I’m taking over Pasquale Jones for a night and it’s going to be very, very fun. Book a table with a friend or a few, join us for a five-course meal, and shop exclusive Pasta Girlfriend merch while you’re there. I’ve got some surprises up my sleeve, too.
Tickets are available on Resy for both the early and late-night seating. (Gluten-free and vegetarian PGFs are welcome!) Hope to see you there!
House I wish was mine: Palazzo Scapucci, an 800 year old home in Rome owned by former Gucci creative director (and current Valentino creative director) Alessando Michele. I don’t even know what to say about this place except for that it is truly insane.
I think this excerpt from Michele’s Vogue home tour says it all:
We cross through the dining room, where the table is piled with pens and books, including a thick anthology by the late poet and musicologist Amelia Rosselli. Then to the bedroom, with a beautiful Venetian door frame he’s reworked and adapted as a headboard. Next is Alessandro’s studio, accessible via a series of corridors, which is a work in progress, populated by boxes and perfectly organized archives of things like old Indian glass paintings and marionettes. Alessandro lifts a ladle out of nowhere. “It’s crazy, I started opening boxes the other day and found this ladle collection. I can’t believe how many of them I have.”
I truly can’t imagine living in a place like this, or being responsible for maintaining it, but if anyone on this planet can do it it’s Alessandro Michele. I only wish we could see more of the real life stuff in the home, like where he keeps his TV.
Recently purchased: I think it was former At the Table With guest Annie Meyers-Shyer who recently posted on Instagram about Undo Hairware, an Italian-made hair accessory company who have somehow managed to make plastic claw clips seem like little works of art. I ordered two in a size 1.5 and was pleasantly surprised at how great they are—smaller than your average claw clip and perfect for my bob-length hair. I wore one all day yesterday and didn’t fuss with it even once.
On my wish list: I don’t have a ton on my wish list right now—I have a lot of fall clothing I’m excited to wear but can’t yet because it’s 95 degrees and it’s making me miserable. I was gifted this very basic gray sweatshirt from Buck Mason a couple of weeks ago and I’ve been wearing it a ton, so I’ll probably end up buying it in another color because it’s that good. (The matching pants are great, too.)
Random Etsy find: I’ve amassed quite a collection of taffeta party dresses that I’ve worn over the years, like this hot pink number, this polka dot one, and this red dress that actually was not vintage—it was from Anthropologie. I think I’m ready to hand over my Etsy search terms, though: “vintage taffeta dress,” “vintage silk moire dress,” and “vintage organza dress” are sure to deliver a dress perfect for holiday parties. Grab one now so you have time to get it altered before it’s too late. This is my most recent favorite find:
Book on my nightstand: I’ll be honest, I haven’t read so much as a book title since last month’s Sample Platter. Not All Fours, not Intermezzo, not Blue Sisters… Nothing. I feel out of the lit girl loop but I’m sure I’ll breeze through something on my flight to New York.
An artist to know: Glassblower Alexander Kirkeby. I came across Kirkeby’s work by way of Australian design showroom Pan After recently and I think it’s really special. I’ve never really seen anything like it.
In addition to Pan After, Bergdorf Goodman, 1st Dibs, and ABASK carry bits and pieces of Kirkeby’s work. Follow him on Instagram here.
Currently working on: Cute stuff for the Pasquale Jones dinner, Pasta Girlfriend’s holiday offering, and a really special passion project I can finally reveal in just a few short weeks. Plus, client work for an interior designer, a homewares brand, two beverage brands, a floral designer, a brand that makes art kits… The list goes on, and I’m very grateful for it.
Speaking of, I’m booking branding projects for the start of next year, which will be here before we know it. If you’ve been thinking about reaching out to work together, hello@alilabelle.co is where you’ll find me.
Next week’s Side Order, my monthly shopping curation, is just for paid subscribers, so upgrade to paid if you’d like a peek!
x
Ali
In case you missed it:
Fall A to Z
Back in June I wrote a post called “Summer A to Z” during a week when I was supposed to share a mood board, but I was feeling uninspired and needed to mix it up. Sure enough, heading into fall I’m feeling similarly spread thin, albeit for different reasons, so I’m resurrecting it for round 2!
Room Recipe: A Scandinavian Dining Room in London
Welcome back to Room Recipe, a new column on À La Carte where we stare at an image of a room we love for a very long time, then break down its “ingredients” into specific items and themes. The goal is never to copy, but instead to get to the bottom of why certain rooms just *work* and to understand how we can translate that inspiration into real life.
At the Table With: Jamie Haller
At The Table With is a monthly interview series that explores the ideas of creativity and personal taste through the eyes of my friends (or people I would like to be friends with.) This month’s guest is the very talented fashion, shoe, and interior designer, Jamie Haller.
I feel so connected to everything you wrote about here! ☺️ I love the silk taffeta dresses on you! And the black one is totally nuts.
A lovely autumn sample platter! 🍂 And congrats on the Big Salad feature today, so exciting! xx