How to live (and dress) the Italian Bella Vita style – A 48-hours friends & family trip through the beauty of the new Italian place to be: Salento

All the way south, towards the lowest heel of Italy. A destination increasingly visited – and loved – internationally, in a travelogue narrated by the elegance of Loro Piana, embodied by Charlie Siem, worldwide known violinist, and his best friends. An elegant and sophisticated sweet life in true Italian style, represented by an iconic wardrobe essential – the André shirt.

The blue sea, the fresh air scented with citrus and jasmine, entire fields full of colorful flowers, long pink sunsets, table set at all hours of the day. Puglia, and in particular Salento – specifically Santa Maria di Leuca with its glorious lighthouse – is the land of meditation, contemplation and pleasure. In a mix of Apollonian and Epicurean that characterizes the art of Italian lifestyle (and Italians). A region that captures the values of this land, in the summer more than ever, and becomes a symbol of La Dolce Vita. A place that speaks of beauty in all its forms, from its historical heritage and unspoiled nature to the typical dishes of the tradition, among the most envied in the country. Salento: cradle of the most precious local treasures, place to be for an Italian holiday, in true Italian style.

Even on a slow weekend, to be savored with taste. Et voilà, the guide to experiencing the best of Salento from sunrise to sunset, narrated by a 24 hours visual journey in the life a group of very special friends. British violinist Charlie Siem, his sister – artist – Louisa Siem and Viola Arrivabene – together with friends Seba, Caterina and Samie. A close entourage of Family & Friends, turned to Puglia to discover the essence of Italian style – and lifestyle. An elegance of living – and dressing – marked by the natural rhythm of the sun’s flowing.

Hour after hour, an elegant yet concrete wardrobe – contemporary and timeless at the same time – defines the new essentials of the summer wardrobe – all Loro Piana, of course – inspired by the poetry of the colour-changing sky. As for the André by Loro Piana shirt. Timeless evergreen, initially only for men – with buttons or polo cut – the style is today also known in variations for her, with a caftan, chemisier or godet, as a flirty-dress.

Defined by great elegant men and connoisseurs as the impeccable informal, the André shirt by Loro Piana stands out for its clean and linear line, with the peculiarity of the collar: with invisible seams yet extremely well structured (the secret is the construction without the internal placket, supported only thanks to a highly calibrated placket, worked by folding the fabric to make it double). The rounded cuffs, closed with double Australian mother-of-pearl buttons, ensure that the sleeves remain well ironed. Finally, two small side folds on the back offer total comfort and allow freedom of movement. For an easy and versatile garment, on all occasions.

Ideal travel companion for our 48hours in Salento, where the day starts off with the most evocative of shows. The sun rising over the sea – the Adriatic coast side – admired by the sheer cliffs of La Guardiola. The sweetest of awakenings for both the body, and the spirit.

As soon as the blue hues of the sky begin to intensify, it is time to move on to the sea. Direction: Porto Badisco. The colors of the water meet those of the sky and frame the landscape in a postcard-like shot. Turquoise, dusty blue, intense cerulean: the nuances of the sea color the André collection in outfits that visualizes the beauty of summer shades. The excellence of Linen Infinity extends to light shirts, soft dresses and wide trousers in silhouettes that combine both tailoring and comfort.

After a dip in the most magical of waters, lunch moves to Palazzo Daniele. An aristocratic mansion built in 1861 in Gagliano del Capo. Palazzo Daniele, now more than a simple luxury hotel, is a retreat for artists and cosmopolitans, elegant travelers and art lovers from all over the world. Gathered around the table to eat homemade pasta for an en plein air lunch by the pool. Located in the extreme south of the Salento peninsula, Gagliano del Capo is now making headlines, also earning the pages of international magazines such as the New York Times, thanks to important artistic initiatives hosted in the setting of its dry-stone walls place and the historical monuments of the city center that recall the color of Italian beaches.

The afternoon moves on to a walk on the Salento coast to visit the tower of Sant’Emiliano, a 16th century construction located on the coast of Otranto. With fields of poppies and thistle flowers overlooking the sea, the landscape combines the freedom of the countryside with the freshness of the coast. A natural theater ideal for contemplation. And for “Recitativo und Scherzo-Caprice, Op. 6”, also the name of the composition with which violinist Charlie Siem paid homage to the beauty of this remote corner of Italy, by performing.

A sense of freedom and lightness that can be found in the André Loro Piana capsule. The new Arizona linen becomes the undisputed star of the collection, declined for men in refined pastel shades and light micro-stripes. Clean lines and soft fits define the women’s collection in garments that capture the elegance of formalwear in ease of informal style, even in a lady-like interpretation.

While waiting for the sun to set, the view of the sea moves on to Santa Maria di Leuca, in an experience that evokes all the senses. Now heading to Punta Ristola, in a wonderful residence on the extreme tip of Italy (cartographic researchers say that this is the southernmost house of Puglia).

An all-white mansion that becomes the background of a violin concert played with absolute mastery by Charlie Siem. The picture is completed with a chromatic combination of total white and intense blue – of the landscape and of the shirts and chemisiers of the André collection by Loro Piana – in perfect Mediterranean style.

Clouds fading from pink to orange mark the arrival of the most romantic moment of the day: the sun is greeted at sunset at the “Poets’ Bay”, overlooking the calm Ionian Sea. The peculiarity of this extreme strip of Italy, in fact, is the changing seas (from the Adriatic to the Ionian), of light, landscapes and nature.

A land dominated by the excellence of simplicity, the elegance of beauty and the charm of freedom. A place that speaks of relaxed elegance, just like the André collection by Loro Piana. A summer style statement, now and forever, for endless – dreamy – summers.

Photography by Carlotta Manaigo

Images supplied.