Category Archives: Culture

Inside Ca’ Sagredo Hotel, A Venetian Palace

I first caught a glimpse of Ca’ Sagredo on a cold foggy afternoon during  Christmas of 2018, while taking a water taxi on the Grand Canal.  As I gazed up through the  Gothic Byzantine windows, I could see the dimly lit room with beams running across the ceiling. A large Murano glass chandelier hung in the center of the room, and  massive murals covered the walls. Visions of the Vampire Lestat from the Ann Rice novel raced though my mind. How many centuries could one live here and go unnoticed… what a dream it would be to go inside.

man with umbrella
Standing outside Ca’ Sagredo, Venice, Italy

While visiting Venice this spring for the opening of  the 60th  Venice Biennale, I embarked on a spectacular behind the scenes tour of Venice.  I was gifted this private tour by Nadia Friend in Venice, who specializes in these  tours. It was a belated wedding gift from our 2019 nuptials, also in Venice.  As we entered the building, Nadia pointed up to the sign that said ‘Ca Sagredo’ and said, Ca is short for home. Home of the Sagredo family. We entered into the quiet lobby with its red and white checkered floors. She spoke with the front desk for a moment, and then whisked us over to the Grand Staircase. I took a few steps, looked upward,  and  saw the massive mural Fall of the Giants. It dates back to 1732 and was  painted by  Venetian artist Pietro Longhi.  I was in complete aw.

Staircase Fresco
Grand Staircase Mural, the ‘Fall of the Giants’, by Peitro Longhi, 1734, Ca’ Sagredo Hotel, Venice, Italy

The staircase was designed by architect Andrea Tirali and completed around 1732. At about the same time, the work on the mural began. Gerardo Sagredo spearheaded the renovation,  including the halls of the building and restoration of the facade. The two marble cherubs are by Francesco Bertos, a Venetian sculptor who worked in Rome, Venice, Padua, Turin and Florence.

Marble Cherub
Marble Cherub by Francesco Bertos, Grand Staircase, Ca’ Sagredo Hotel, Venice, Italy

I reached the top of the steep staircase, and took a peak into the Il Portego, the broad salon that connects the entire first first floor to the facade overlooking the Grand Canal. I was speechless. This was the exact room that I’d seen nearly 6 years earlier from the water taxi. The grandeur of the room with its Murano glass chandeliers and  massive wall murals was beyond anything I’d ever seen before. And the terrazzo floors reminded me of those at our wedding venue in the Ridotto ballroom. I nearly sprinted to the balcony to catch a glimpse of the Grand Canal below.  As I looked up, I could see four  quatrefoil windows which look a bit like four leaf clovers.

A quatrefoil is a four sided representation of a flower with four petals or a leaf with four leaflets. It’s also a hallmark of Gothic architecture.  You might  recognize the shape if you’re a fan of Louis Vuitton, as it’s frequently used in their jewelry and leather motifs.

Portego Hall with Venetian Chandelier
Portego Hall, Ca’ Sagredo Hotel, Venice, Italy
Gothic Window
Portego Hall, Ca’ Sagredo Hotel, Venice, Italy
Seating Area
Seating Area in Portego Hall, Ca’ Sagredo Hotel, Venice, Italy

Next we headed into the Music Ballroom, massive and grand in scale, it sets the tone for a true Venetian Palace. The frescoes covering the walls and ceiling are attributed to Gaspare Diziani. The chandeliers are truly gilded, as they’re covered in pure gold leaf. The terrazzo floor is embellished with the Sagredo family’s coat of arms.

Music Ballroom
Music Ballroom and ceiling fresco, Ca’ Sagredo Hotel, Venice, Italy
Ceiling Mural
Ceiling Fresco, Music Ballroom, Ca’ Sagredo Hotel, Venice, Italy

The palace itself dates back to the 15th century, and was built by the Morosini family. It’s been modified several times throughout the centuries. It’s hard to imagine such an elegant world having been created, long before the pilgrims ever landed on Plymouth Rock in 1620.

In the 17th century, the palace was purchased by the Sagredos, one of the most prestigious families of the Venetian Nobility. Their family name dates back to the 11th century, with the most notable family member being  Doge Nicolo Segrado. He was the 105th Doge of Venice.

Ballroon
Romi Cortier in the elegant Music Ballroom, Ca’ Sagredo Hotel, Venice, Italy

What an absolute pleasure it was to take a seat in a Royal Venetian Palace… a guy could get used to this sort of thing. And check out this amazing gondola cover below. Thank you Nadia for the thrill of a lifetime. If you’re interested in one of her private tours you can find her at: Friend in Venice Tours.

Gondola Cover
A vintage gondola cover in the lobby of Ca’ Sagredo Hotel, Venice, Italy

Learn more about Ca’ Sagredo Hotel here.

Barbie’s & Bubbles, a Housewarming Event

Judy Ragagli
Artist Judy Ragagli, and Host Romi Cortier. Photo: Andrew Cunningham, Soulology Studios

Meet Artist Judy Ragagli, the inspiration behind Barbie’s & Bubbles, a housewarming event.  I first met her at a Gallery opening in the heart of Malibu Village, in the early 2000’s. The show  featured nearly a dozen of her hyperrealistic paintings, and in that moment, I became a fan for life.  As an artist myself, I greatly appreciated her unique skill. Working from only 7 tubes of oil paint, she’s able to create all of these exquisite colors, which is quite challenging when it comes to flesh tones. And her ability to create an image that looks like molded plastic, is even more impressive.

brown and aqua barbie painting
Aqua Sheath Barbie, Oil on Canvas, by Judy Ragagli, Photo: Andrew Cunningham, Soulology Studios

Within a few years I commissioned Aqua Sheath, an original oil painting, for my home in Palm Springs.  Barbies chic sense of style is so mid-century, so she’s always in fashion in Palm Springs…  it was a perfect fit for the desert. Eventually  I sold the home and put the painting in storage. I moved into a larger home at the beginning of this year, and made sure this painting was one of the first ones I hung… along with Barbie in Hollywood.

Barbie Painting
Barbie in Hollywood, by Artist Judy Ragagli, Photo: Andrew Cunningham, Soulology Studios

I’d waited years to buy her from Judy, as Judy wasn’t ready to sell it. As an artist, you sometimes wait for the perfect collector when it comes to one of your babies. You know when it’s meant for someone who truly appreciates what you’ve poured into it. It’s not just the hours of painting, but the hours of contemplating as you flesh out the details,  bringing it to life, pushing through the barriers in your mind. It’s a very heartfelt process.

When the Oscar nominations came out this year, it thought it was prophetic that Judy had seen Barbie on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in her minds eye, so many years ago. That’s when I got the idea for my themed housewarming party. I wanted to celebrate strong women and female empowerment through art. I texted Judy to see if she was up for it, and asked if she would speak to my guests about her inspiration. She also agreed to bring in a few more paintings for the party.

3 Barbie Paintings
Original Barbie Paintings by Artist Judy Ragagli, Photo: Andrew Cunningham, Soulology Studios

When the evening finally arrived, my guests went crazy for all of her glorious art.. and a few folks even brought their original Barbies.

Madmen Barbies
Madmen Barbies & Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Barbie
party guests
Stephanie Zeni, Romi Cortier, Sharon Lawrence, Jason Zeni & friends, Photo: Andrew Cunningham, Soulology Studios
party guests
Recio Young, Christianna  Lockhart-Triolo, June Lockhart-Triolo, Romi Cortier, Jane Wilson. Photo: Andrew Cunningham, Soulology Photos

In keeping with an Art Salon themed event, I spoke about a few of the works in my collection featuring women who’d blazed a path for themselves such as Francoise Gilot, or the up and coming Kenyan photographer Thandiwe Muriu. From there I introduced Judy and enjoyed watching her interact with all of her new fans and admirers.

Party Guests
Barbies & Bubbles, a housewarming event. Photo: Andrew Cunningham, Soulology Studios

The evening couldn’t have been any more perfect. Everyone was laughing and smiling, even as they walked out the door. I loved introducing these strong women who were friends and clients, to each other. It was a dream come true for me.

Judy's Champagne
Artist Judy Ragagli at the Barbie’s & Bubbles housewarming event.

Judy, thank you for being the amazing woman that you are. You’re so intuitive and insightful, not to mention madly talented. It was such an honor to have you in our home.

Learn more about  Judy Ragagli’s  Barbie art at  Vintage Barbie Art

 

A Reunion at Fiji’s Nanuku Resort

Nanuku Resort, Fiji. Photo: Romi Cortier
Nanuku Resort, Fiji. Photo: Romi Cortier
Nanuku Resort, Fiji. Photo: Romi Cortier
Nanuku Resort, Fiji. Photo: Romi Cortier
Nanuku Resort, Fiji. Photo:Romi Cortier
Christmas Dinner, Nanuku Resort, Fiji. Photo: Staff

Christmas dinner in Fiji at Nanuku Resort, that was our plan But it was no easy journey. We spent over 24 hours traveling to Fiji from Los Angeles.  Double masked for the duration, we arrived 4 hours early to LAX, only to learn that our flight had been delayed 4  hours. Strong headwinds added extra time to our 14 hour flight, add in customs and a 2 hour drive from Nadi to Pacific Harbor, and it felt like the trip that would never end.  By the time our driver pulled up to the Pearl Resort in Fiji, the same resort we’d gotten engaged at in the summer of 2016, we were absolutely exhausted.

My now husband, had been working on the reality show Kicking and Screaming during  the spring of 2016. After his show wrapped, I joined him there and made the proposal with the help of the hotel staff.  During his six week stay there, Recio had  become great friends with the resorts GM,  Ms. Natalie Marletta. I knew she’d be the perfect point person to help make the proposal spectacular, and she delivered. Hand cut flowers, a bottle of Veuve Clicquot, a spectacular dinner on the patio of Seduce restaurant, with a panoramic view of the South Pacific… this was no Gilligan’s Island. This was Fiji in all it’s glory,

Our friendship with Natalie has grown over the years. She attended our wedding in Venice, Italy, along with her husband, and she frequently visited us in Los Angeles when she was in town on business. And the last such time that she did that… Thursday March 13, 2020.  We were texting with Nat as she boarded her flight to LA, I said:  are you sure you should be coming to the states, they’re starting to shut things down. She said: Oh no honey, I’ll be fine. Twelve hours later as she exited her first class flight, the world had changed. She’d expected to be in LA for a week. However, she was informed that she had to return to Fiji the very next night, as LA was going into full lockdown on Sunday.

If we only had one night in LA for fine dining, then it had  to be at one of our favorite spots, so we headed to the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel. We arrived with our little bottle of hand sanitizer, to a nearly empty dining room sprinkled with guests. We had an amazingly long and luxurious dinner, and also ran into George Hamilton. At 80+ years of age, he knows how to turn on the charm, and  graciously took a photo with us. It seems we always run into celebrities when we’re with Natalie… she’s our good luck charm.

Dinner at the Polo lounge
Romi Cortier, Natalie Marletta, Recio Young, Polo Lounge, Beverly Hills, Ca.

When we said goodbye that night, none of us could have imagined how long it would be until we’d see each other again. While our lockdowns in the states were intermittent over the next year,  Fiji would remain closed until December 1st, 2021, over 21 months.

So was it worth it to make such an exhausting journey just three weeks after Fiji had reopened? You better believe it was. After a gazillion  phone calls, whats app chats, texts  and emails, Natalie was finally standing in front of us, in the flesh. Her gorgeous smile and radiant blue eyes were soup for the soul. Since we were four hours delayed arriving at her resort, she grabbed us, threw us in the Hummer, and hightailed it  down the road to Nanuku Resort, where her family was patiently waiting.

We arrived at the resort, hopped out of the SUV, and walked down the long log colonnade to an outdoor dining area with ocean views. It was divine!! And there was our dinner table lined with familiar faces, her husband, her kids, and a few new friends she couldn’t wait to introduce us too. We ate and drank for  hours,  basked in the warm Fijian air, and showered the kids with gifts that we’d brought from LA.

Christmas is Fiji is so much simpler than in the states. No over the top tinsel decorations from Target, Costco or Walmart. Just hand made displays nodding to the spirit of the season. It’s simpler, relaxed, and exactly what we needed to wrap up 2021. We’d missed that Bula Spirit, and were so happy to be back at our second home.

 

Bula, Nanuku Resort, Fiji. Photo: Romi Cortier

 

Branded image by pool
Nanuku Resort, Fiji. Photo: Romi Cortier

 

 

Gucci Garden Inspires

Little did I know that  when I walked into Gucci Garden,  it would be a huge source of inspiration for my own blossoming brand. Located in the heart of Florence in the historic 14th-century Palazzo della Mercanzia, it’s part museum, part retail, and home to Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura.   Creative director Alessandro Michele conceived it as a living, collaborative space which expresses the evolving aesthetic and philosophy of the House.

Couture Gown
Kimono, Gucci Garden Galleria , Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier
Kimono
Kimono, Gucci Garden Galleria , Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier
Sequin Dress
Sequin Dress, Gucci Garden Galleria, Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier

Ideally its best to start on the third floor, and work you way downstairs to the retail boutique. The top floor begins with vintage Gucci pieces that will  tantalize your eyes. The sumptuous colors and hand beading are simply beyond.  I particularly loved all of the Chinoiserie inspired pieces.

Pink Jacket
Couture Jacket, Gucci Garden Galleria, Florence, Italy, Photo: Romi Cortier
Pink Dress
Couture Jacket, Gucci Garden Galleria, Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier

This pink and black jacket  screams Jackie O with a  twist. The bold black trim and massive rhinestones drew me right in for a closer look. It’s beyond dramatic, and takes black piping to a whole new level.

Python Jacket
Python Jacket, Gucci Garden Galleria, Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier

And this python overcoat is in a category all by itself. The colors are exquisite, and the use of the bold patterning is  dynamic.

Gucci
Gucci Garden Boutique, Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier
Kimono
Kimono, Gucci Garden Boutique, Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier

Once downstairs in the boutique, I was fascinated by the beautiful use of fabrics and tassels in the displays. It made me think about my own wedding that I’d just designed. My instincts were spot on.

Sunglasses
Sunglasses, Gucci Garden, Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier
Shoes
Shoes, Gucci Garden, Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier

And then, there were the amazing Gucci Pillows! Wow. So stunning,  so Inspiring,  so deluxe, so… extra.

Gucci Pillows
Gucci Pillows, Gucci Garden Boutique, Florence, Italy Photo; Romi Cortier

The biggest surprise in the boutique were the limited edition chairs. They start at $2600, and top out at  $5500.  The ottoman is $3500, and the tv / side tray is $1450.

Chair
Chair, Gucci Garden Boutique , Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier
Chair
Chair, Gucci Garden Boutique , Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier
Chair
Chair, Gucci Garden Boutique, Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier
Ottoman
Ottoman, Gucci Garden Boutique, Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier

I certainly couldn’t leave empty handed, so I purchased a new iPhone case in the bookstore. From what I understand, the phone cases are only available at  this one of a kind boutique in Florence.

iPhone Case
iPhone Case , Gucci Garden Boutique, Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier
Gucci
Romi Cortier, Gucci Garden Galleria, Florence, Italy Photo; Recio Young

Gucci Garden Galleria is a real and imaginary place, the translation of a vision that stretches through the first and second floors and is filled with history, objects, anecdotes and geographies. A series of rooms unfolds from a story that begins in 1921, to today, ready to be reactivated, according to philosopher Walter Benjamin, ‘in future-rich constellations in which the past can meet the present’. 

Continue the Gucci experience HERE 

 

Our Rehearsal Dinner on the Grand Canal

 

My idea for our rehearsal dinner on the Grand Canal  started out as a simple meet and greet kind of concept.  Something casual,  low key,  and intimate.  A place where our guests could break the ice and get to know each other,  before we were married the following day. However,  things didn’t quite go in that direction.

Mandy Forrester-Jones
Mandy Forrester-Jones, Viva Travel, Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, Ca.

Our wedding planner from Australia, Mandi Forrester-Jones of Viva Travel, was coming to LA for a few days on her way home from Italy.  It was the perfect opportunity to get together for dinner, and to discuss  how the plans were coming along.  Besides working on travel accommodations for our guests, she was also working to help us find a small venue where we could  have pizza and gelato near the waters edge. After weeks of emailing and contacting several small cafes, the options just weren’t coming together. It was either going to be a long  walk from our hotel, or a venue  packed with lots of tourists.  It just didn’t feel right, so she suggested that I check with our hotel to see what options they might have.

Simona Miranda
Recio Young, Simona Miranda, Romi Cortier, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy
#RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

I reached out to Simona Miranda, our event coordinator at the Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal. We’d had our initial interview with her during Christmas of 2018, while scouting wedding venues. We loved her, and we loved the venue, which is how we’d gotten this far. I emailed  Simona about the idea of a cocktail party on the terrace. Time was running out, as there were only six weeks left until the wedding. After a few emails back and forth we decided that it was a go.  She quoted me a price per person, gave me some food options, and then asked if I’d like a printed menu… a printed menu? for a cocktail party? Sure, why not.

Terrace
Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

I think something got lost in translation. When I arrived on the terrace about 20 minutes before the party, I was surprised to see a sit down event. It was complete with tables and tablecloths, candles,  wine glasses, and a full wait staff ready to attend to our every need.  And of course,  there were those fabulous little  menus, placed gently on the plates, along with the cocktail napkins I’d designed for the cocktail hour.

Ms. Taylor
Ms. Taylor and Recio Young, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding
Ms. Natalie Marletta
Romi Cortier and Ms. Natalie Marletta, Hotel Monaco & Grand Hotel, Venice, Italy Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

Our guests began to arrive, all 35 of them. They were thrilled at the elaborate layout,  as they too expected a simple cocktail hour.  It was turning into the perfect Venetian evening.  Glowing guests, a balmy 75 degrees, the full moon reflecting across the lagoon… you could feel the magic in the making.

Ms. Davis
Recio Young, Ms. Davis and Romi Cortier, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding
Guest Arriving
Romi Cortier, Recio Young and Ms. Ibay, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy. Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding
The Youngs
Ms. Young and Isaiah Young, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

Everyone was so excited to finally meet the people whose faces they’d  only seen on social media. Friends from Fiji and Australia got to meet our families from Chicago and Seattle. Our friends from Texas were introduced to friends from San Francisco. The wine was flowing, as trays and trays of appetizers glided onto the tables.

The Sisters
Ms. Bigelow, Ms. Puckett and Recio Young, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding
Jud Nichols
Recio Young, Jud Nichols and Romi Cortier, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

Dinner entrees included a course of 3 types of spaghetti: vegetarian, seafood and beef, all  made with the freshest Italian pasta. The flow of food and delicacies lasted for at least three hours and included  an assortment of deserts, cappuccino and did I mention, more wine?

The Ladies
Ms. Chan, Ms. Harville, Ms. Forgue, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy. Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

True to form,  Recio gave one of his epic toasts. He always knows the right emotional tone to hit. He’s generous in his praise of people, thanks to his astute observations of who they are. He makes friends for life and wants to see everyone become their best selves, and live their best life.

The Toast
Romi Cortier, Recio Young and Guests, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy. Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

What started out as an idea for a casual evening of pizza and gelato, turned into the most amazing 5 hour evening of love, laughter, and celebration. It’s an evening we’ve come to value even more during this time of Covid, because in the end, Love Wins.

Romi & Recio
Romi Cortier and Recio, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

 

Mandy Forrester- Jones can be reached at Viva Travel

Simona Miranda can be reached at   VIP Service Italia