By Meredith Hoffman
DNAInfo Reporter/Producer
MEATPACKING DISTRiCT — Bongiorno, Big Apple!
Italophiles will be able to enjoy fashion and food deals this around the city this month thanks to SHOP ITALY NYC, a promotional event organized by the Italian Trade Commission.
On Wednesdays and Thursdays beginning tonight, upscale Italian retailers around the borough will host trunk sales, prosecco-tasting parties, and other activities. The first week is in the Meatpacking District, following two on Madison Avenue in Midtown, and the final week in SoHo.
Shoppers can start their evening at a "VIP tent" for event information, nosh on free hors d'oeuvres at Ninth Avenue and W. 12th Street, and then wander to Massimo Bizzocchi, La Perla, and other surrounding stores.
"What we hope is that American consumers continue to buy Italian goods," said Aniello Musella, Italian Trade Commissioner for the United States. This year's event is much larger than the last, which was limited Madison Avenue.
Musella boasted of last night's VIP kickoff event and panel, in which fashion experts discussed the benefits of Italian fashion.
"Italian designers have the expertise and tradition of doing things like no one else is able to do," said Musella. "One point I like in the panel, is that a lot of American stylists go to Italy for the textiles and the finished product, because Italy makes things on the highest level."
SHOP ITALY NYC goes from 5-8 p.m. each Wednesday and Thursday night for four weeks through July 7.
