Milan Calling

Is Boulder ready for a truly Europolitan experience? Italian fashionista Elena Ciccone asked herself that very question when she first opened her high-end Italian designer boutique in the West End area of the Pearl Street shopping district. As it turns out, the answer was yes: Six years later, the place is still going strong. And now she's got a new feather in her chic chapeau: the recognition and sponsorship of the Italian Trade Commission. A celebration is in order! Ciccone and her West End neighbors are closing off the street to throw the first annual La Dolce Vita Festa Italiana and Benefit, which kicks off tonight with an indoor reception at 6 p.m. and über-modish outdoor fashion show at 7 p.m. A storefront screening of Fellini's La Dolce Vita will provide a fitting backdrop, along with live opera and Brazilian music on the street and a combo of house/opera/film music spins provided by DJ Jahsonic. For the ultimate experience, opt for a special three-course Italian dinner offering rooftop and patio views of the fashion show at the nearby and newly opened Bacaro Ristorante Italiano, 921 Pearl Street. The momentum continues at Ciccone's boutique on Saturday and Sunday, with afternoon trunk shows, cocktails and gelato from noon to 6 p.m. each day; Roberto Coin jewelry and design houses Alviero Martini, M Missoni and Les Copain will be in the spotlight. Fantàstico!

Related Content

• Lola and West End Tavern birthday parties: Tomorrow's a red-letter day for Big Red F
  October 26, 2012
• From A to Z, Alamo Drafthouse to Zanitas: Restaurant roll call for March
  April 1, 2013
• West End Tap House opens today on north Tennyson Street
  March 22, 2013
• Beer calendar: high hopes and heavy hops appear for Rockies opening day
  April 3, 2013
• Tom Cruise leads an all-star sing-along in Rock of Ages
  June 14, 2012

More About

• Elena Ciccone
• West End
• Dolce Vita Festa Italiana
• Ethnic and Regional Cuisines
• Fashion and Style

Elena Ciccone is at 947 Pearl Street; silent auction donations plus a percentage of the weekend's sales will benefit Blue Sky Bridge, an advocacy center for children. For details, call 303-544-0554 or visit www.elenaciccone.com.
Fri., May 4, 7 p.m.