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- Herausgeber: Phasar Edizioni
- Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
- Sprache: Englisch
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Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024
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Cover
Title page
Marco Radice, Chiara Zamariola
Lasiuly Moore
FOR-GIVE
Phasar Edizioni
Copyright
Marco Radice, Chiara Zamariola
Lasiuly Moore. For-give
Literary property reserved.
© 2023 Marco Radice, Chiara Zamariola
© 2023 Phasar Edizioni, Florence.
www.phasar.net
Reproduction and translation rights are reserved.
No part of this book may be used, reproduced or distributed by any means without written permission from the author.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and events narrated are the fruit of the authors’ imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.
Photographs (including the one on the cover): Chiara Zamariola
Cover creation: Gabriele Simili, Phasar, Florence
ISBN: 978-88-6358-830-9
Index
Foreward
A fairy tale factory coming true is the dream we can all be a part of.
Lasiuly
A fairy tale factory is a place where there is no time or borders. It produces the most valuable goods in the world: dreams that come true.
That is why, since that September 27 opening, everyone loved Lasiuly and Marice Entertainment. That is why the streets everywhere glowed with a new passion and enthusiasm and the colors and shapes of life never ceased to amaze.
It was as if Lasiuly had a wand and magic happened everywhere. She felt joy in it, a joy so intense that only Virginia could understand. Virginia, after all, was not only a good collaborator, but also a friend, the friend to whom she was bound by an unbreakable red thread. The other part of herself, Lasiuly would say.
The real feat was to perform magic on tiptoe and always evolve. So, Lasiuly was not just an inspiration; she was possible life, a beating heart willing to be the protagonist of a fairy tale.
The goodwill powder she scattered everywhere shone like stars in the dark night, had special effects, kept hopes alive and supported positive thoughts.
Lasiuly had finally shown virtuous beauty to the world, and this grace had pervaded all who received her message. She would continue on her path, with her humility and her desire to learn and improve, in the unfathomable that suddenly can reveal itself as the future to be written.
She had no other goal but to surpass herself and disperse her magical seeds.
That’s why she put herself on the line, that’s why she never stopped, that’s why she employed her resources and energy, that’s why she was willing to risk even her peace of mind. But giving her whole self was not enough; she wanted a baton to pass from hand to hand to create more fantastic adventures.
With all her heavy baggage – including her anxiety – Lasiuly was travelling the world to give everyone an opportunity to take.
This is the story of a power, a power we can all have since she began to roam our places, to enter our existences, to wink at us from a shop window or to tell us more about her passion.
This is the story of a woman named Lasiuly and what she can inspire each of us to do. And every time you feel Virginia’s presence you will feel the favor of fate, what we can learn to create, day by day.
The glittering world of fashion, on the other hand, will be like a backdrop, as exciting and engaging as what we enjoy and delights our souls.
Made in Italy
The thrill of a scavenger hunt is what drives us to search for it.
Lasiuly
The production of Marice collections – clothing, accessories, and jewelry – required energy and considerable attention. The Marice team was strong and competitive from every point of view: management, design, innovation, marketing, logistics… but Lasiuly wanted more for her business. As she had always said – and continued to repeat – you can always improve.
Moreover, she was still giving seminars and holding classes on communications and marketing for top managers in the United Stated and the United Kingdom. She was living what is called a fast-paced life, sticking to a busy schedule of major commitments and new projects, and trying to find her balance in a perpetual work in progress. Lasiuly really seemed to be able to keep up with life and everything, and even always find new incentives and opportunities.
And, during those delirious days, weeks and months, she had managed to put her personal growth, business development and even pleasure on her schedule, and balance everything with her usual enthusiasm.
The first required stop for her business development was Italy. Italy, with its lovely spring colors and scents, its lifestyle and fashion brands, its art, culture, and amazing cuisine was the perfect land to explore to find inspiration and learn more about that exquisite craftsmanship that has become so popular all over the world.
She had landed at Malpensa airport to reach Milan and its fashion district, the so-called Quadrilatero della Moda: she couldn’t wait to find out more about the famous ‘Made in Italy’ and current trends in the Italian fashion industry, enjoy its magical atmosphere and seize all the opportunities that could come out from the business meetings she had already arranged. Via della Spiga, Via Montenapoleone, Brera, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, the Duomo, Via Dante and the Castello Sforzesco had soon become her headquarters, but also places to admire and from which to draw inspiration during her pleasant walks.
Pragmatic, fast and dynamic, Milan had not disappointed her expectations, both in terms of emotions and achievements.
The next stop was Rome. At the consulate she had been able to collect all the information she needed for establishing a branch in the Bel Paese, while at the Convention Center she had given a seminar on modern leadership soft skills. She had just taken a couple of days for herself, to discover the Eternal City, visit the Altare della Patria, St. Peter’s Square, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, stroll along Via dei Condotti, spend a few hours at the foot of the Spanish Steps, and toss a coin in the legendary Trevi Fountain.
Leaving a trail of her favorite fragrance as she walked, against the backdrop of what looked like a huge film set, Lasiuly had enjoyed the gentle seasonal breeze on her cheeks and tried to capture and absorb the Italian essence and its multifaceted creativity. Sicily – her next stop – had been the perfect combination of business and pleasure. She fell in love with the region, with its lovely beaches and its mountains, its scents of citrus blossoms and fruits, its sun, and its contradictions. The perfect place to explore with Virginia, who had just landed there to visit the Valley of the Temples and the stunning Siracusa and enjoy the beaches and their blue sea with her inseparable friend.
Sicily, after all, with its colors and positive vibes, was the perfect place to relax and recharge their batteries before jumping headlong into Marice activities.
Lasiuly had a lot to tell Virginia, and not only about what she had managed to accomplish or start in Milan and Rome, but also about her plans for the following fall. She had decided to take a course, or rather a new path, or something more: advanced executive training for managers and professionals eager to increase and develop their managerial skills. She wanted to expand her marketing skills by focusing on marketing technology and improve her communication skills, to keep pace with current business and market scenarios and evolve along with those scenarios.
“My personal evolution will also be the evolution of Marice, do you know what I mean?”
Virginia couldn’t be happier to hear those words, as the course would be held in London, October to May, and this would mean having Lasiuly at her place every two weeks, but she was also proud of her amazing friend!
“Of course, I do! And I am proud of you, as usual. Keeping up with everything will not be easy, you know? And you already have so many things to deal with… But with your enthusiasm and your energy I am sure this will be another incredible success. For you and for Marice, of course!”
“I know, I know! I need to plan everything in detail, or I won’t be able to handle all this stuff! But you will be my right-hand man and I know I will have your support, no matter what…”
Under the warm sun of Sicily, Lasiuly was happy. Happy for those carefree days, for her job, and for being with Virginia, who was happy just like her.
Lasiuly had planned that trip in detail, not just her meetings, but also her days with Virginia, just like she had planned the future of Marice, leaving nothing to chance. But she knew that even when it came to business, she needed to perk her ears, use her sensitivity, so as not to miss a single nuance of nature and humanity. And Virginia was of the same mind. Italy, with its hospitality, incredible food, and strong traditions, had been a good source of inspiration, but also an incredible adventure and an opportunity to strengthen their friendship.
They could get bursts of creativity even when doing absolutely nothing, like enjoying their Sicilian-style breakfast with granita. And, with their effortless allure, their bright and friendly faces, their blatant complicity, and that smooth communication made of gestures, they certainly did not go unnoticed. All the rays of the Mediterranean sun of Sicily seemed to reflect on Lasiuly’s long chocolate brown hair and on Virginia’s brunette bob, brightened by copper highlights.
Draft memories of summer
A track is not just a clue.There is a whole world of emotions inside it.
Lasiuly
Lasiuly always managed to find a few minutes for her sketches. She would draw a dress, a hat, a small detail… She had done them in Italy: in Rome, in a little restaurant near Piazza Navona, after strolling along the Lungotevere while enjoying the playful atmosphere of William Wyler’s Roman Holiday, making her feel like Audrey Hepburn; in Siracusa, on Fontane Bianche beach, before Virginia’s excited eyes. Back in Manhattan, she had reopened her sketchbook and immediately jotted down that thought: ‘A track is not just a clue. There is a whole world of emotions inside it.’
When she sketched something with her colored pencils or blended black and white, it was because she felt this need to capture emotion, something that had caught her eye, or that she was feeling in her heart. A piece that finally became a garment, after finding the right material and adding all the required details, and after being cut out and assembled, was not just a garment: it was a message, a hint of her thoughts, a story to tell, the memory of a place or a feeling.
There was room for improvement, of course, but she was on the right track! Her summer at NYC parks – the only place in Manhattan where to cool down and beat the heat – was going to be intense and creative… That’s what she was thinking about as she was relaxing on the armchair in her room at The Jewel Facing Rockefeller Center Hotel, the same room down the hall, on the right, 11th floor, that she had reserved for years. Wearing a lilac robe over a white silk nightgown, she was working on her laptop while enjoying an infusion of lemon and ginger, when she noticed a message from Virginia on her smartphone: “Is everything all right, Lasiuly? Did you get to The Jewel yet?”
“Yep! Already curled on my armchair and working! Thanks for everything, my friend, and have a good night!”
From Italy, Lasiuly had flown to New York, while Virginia had returned to London. They both had a lot to do.
Virginia was busy dealing with some stuff that had to be ready for some fall Marice presentations, while Lasiuly had to put together the pieces of a challenging puzzle: talk to her team to prepare them for her absence, when she would often be in London, prepare the material for her classes, both in the States and in the United Kingdom, finish her sketches, and stick to the Marice schedule. There was no time to waste but strolling through New York’s beautiful parks and enjoying their vibrant atmosphere would be a good source of inspiration.
The fabrics and leathers she had seen in Italy, as well as the interesting and fruitful meetings she had had there, had given a new impetus to her ideas. But she needed a strategy. She needed to plan her moves in detail if she wanted to seize those opportunities, calculate time and cost of implementation, and make sure her team was on schedule, after getting their opinions and feedback. She used to get to the bottom of every single issue, figure out what each person’s contribution could be, identify the elements of the right combinations, but she knew it would not be easy. She needed to stay focused and channel her energy for positive outcomes.
Virginia was right. As usual.
She was biting off more than she could chew, and she needed a break. Relaxing in the park was exactly what she needed. Moreover, being too tired would not turn to her advantage.
After all, she had had the opportunity to improve her skills in London, but, more importantly, she had learned to manage her strength, she had improved her awareness and embraced her evolution. She suddenly smiled when touching her red bracelet: she was going to make it.
Looking out the window, she could not see the lights of her Christmas Tree, as Christmas was far away, but she could imagine them. Imagine them and feel the same joy. That’s what she had to do: she had to see what was not yet visible!
When Virginia was not around, the only thing she could do was to cheer herself up, and she had become pretty good at it. She had also taught that ‘trick’ to her students during some of her motivation seminars. Believing in herself and being her own biggest fan was effective and made her feel better. It was not arrogance – something that Lasiuly could not stand. It was an excellent incentive to take action.
“It is important to question ourselves, but this does not mean we have to lose faith in ourselves”, that’s what she used to repeat to encourage other people.
Taking out a sketch of a handbag, she began to define its shape from different perspectives and design its inside with multiple compartments and zippered pockets, trying to imagine it as part of the outfit of a busy woman balancing business and family life. She wanted to design something different from a workbag or a traditional shopper bag. Nothing too stylish, but an essential everyday accessory with a unique style. This would mean no shoulder strap and no handles: it had to be a shoulder bag.
But two hours and a cup of infusion later, she had not found a solution yet. She finally decided to leave her room and go downstairs to get another hot drink, but she would not get to sleep without clearly defining the lines of that bag first. And there was something else to finish: her weekly schedule. Without doing all the stuff she had planned for the week she would not be able to plan the next months.
She did not mind working late into the night. She loved the silence and the warm lights in that room, where she could feel at home. Moreover, she had the privilege to do something she really liked, and staying up late did not bother her at all.
Around midnight, she finally decided to close all the open windows on her screen and put away the papers scattered around her, along with her pencils and sketches. There was only one last thing to do: send a message to Virginia!
“My friend, always remember that I love you. I will take your advice and, starting in June, I will take time for myself. I will call them draft memories of summer. Good night.”
Some nights ended that way, with creative puns. Genius puns, just like Lasiuly.
A message that Virginia had immediately read because – what a coincidence! – she was also still awake trying to plan her schedule, although the many yawns were suggesting her it was time for bed.
“I have always loved the way you use words! Draft memories of summer… I can imagine you enjoying the summer while trying to create new models, as fresh and light as summer itself. How could I not love you in turn? But you should go to bed now.” How much complicity and wit there was in those messages and emails! Something that was moving and funny at the same time.
Collections
What you put together with symmetry and order is always valuable.
Lasiuly
It was going to be a hot summer. And not just for the weather. Lasiuly was working on multiple ideas, and she was excited about all the things she had to do for Marice Entertainment.
For that matter, somewhere in the world, there were other people, like her, with great expectations and great missions. Lasiuly had spoken with her team to inform them of her plans for the next fall and winter. She had asked them to share their opinions and suggestions for smooth and timely organizational management that would consider her absence. She had informed them of the outcomes of her business trip to Italy and left them some notes with points to be developed and appointments to be arranged.
It would not be easy for the team to handle everything, but they were used to working hard, staying connected all the time with social intranet software and Skype calls, and had learned to work independently. They knew that Lasiuly would always be there for them, but they were also happy to stand on their own two feet.
She wanted them free to give their best, and she was sure the success of Marice would depend on that. She, on the other hand, was particularly good at thriving in chaos. Not knowing what was going to happen was exciting.
But she had to give shape to that energy and her vision. A shape that could explain how much that project meant to her, the beauty that she could see in the world, the dream she was living. In other words, her work style.
It was like writing a symphony. A matter of passion, art, and dedication, but also of symmetry and order, Virginia would say. And her friend Lasiuly had everything that was needed to write a memorable symphony.
She loved to find symmetry and order in all things she saw and did. She would always identify a method, a rule, some reassuring consistency, and she liked assonances. Her life, after all, was a series of collections, and not because she used to collect items, but because she loved putting things together.
Chaos was the unpredictable becoming possible.
That is why she was so obsessive in the way she took care of her drawings, her folders, her designs, her colored pencils, her files… It was a value she added to their value.
And, even when she talked to her students, during her classes, she would carefully choose the words to use, focusing on the effect of their sounds. So, her speeches were also collections, like the beautiful lines of Marice.
Imprints she had passed on, by her example, to her whole team, intent on putting notes and pieces together with serene zeal, inspired by that elegance and those challenges. In fact, all the Marice team members often talked to Lasiuly about how thrilling a challenge was. Challenges made them happy. They give them a reason to be cheerful and give their best. Each with their own contribution.
Lasiuly liked to emphasize that everyone could contribute and make a difference. It was her way of spurring on the whole team and each of its members. This was her powerful leadership style.
Fabrics, leathers, sketches, production, fashion shows, business activities, marketing strategies, logistics, financial studies, budgets, procedures, timelines, promotion, and events: all the pieces of the Marice puzzle were supposed to fit together perfectly. Daily reports and feedback dictated the pace of the entire team, whose continuous interaction was directed by Lasiuly. And then, there was Virginia, with her skills and her role within Marice, on the one hand, and her incredible support as a friend, on the other. Far, but close.
Virginia, who in that crazy summer, while drawing on all her resources to give her contribution, waited patiently for Lasiuly’s trips to London, the first of which was scheduled for October, when the course Lasiuly was about to take as a student would begin. Virginia, who was tied to the other end of the red thread, offering her support every single day.
“Lasiuly, my dear, the Marice team is getting stronger and closer and gives off good vibes. I can feel it. It is exciting, you know what I mean? Everything is going well… It is no easy, but we are determined, and we are putting our heart into it.”
“I know… it is so exciting! We are different… This is not just work, this is passion! And I know I do not have to explain this to you, because you get me. What about London rain? It’s a sunny day here, and I’m wearing my aqua green organza small dress under a lovely blue jacket with flower buttons: this June really feels like summer, and the parks are so beautiful! It’s time for me to chill out in those parks!”
