"The Pope doesn't wear Prada; He wears Christ".
At first everyone thought it was a prank. Earlier this week, one of the official newspaper of the Vatican, L'Osservatore Romano, made a statement addressing the rapidly-spreading rumor that Pope Benedict XVI wears vestments and shoes designed by Miuccia Prada's house.
Representatives from the Holy See absolutely denied that the pope's distinctive red shoes were made by Prada, apparently an urban legend that had spread like wildfire since Pope Benedict XVI visited the United States last April. They are peeved that such misappropriations are floating around, and are p^ssed that the Pope is surrounded by such claims.
The Pope's trademark red shoes are actually made by a Novarese artisan, Adriano Stefanelli, who has been making shoes for both Benedict XVI and the late Pope John Paul II from his boutique in Novara. The Pope's shoes are made from sheep leather in the summer, and baby calf or baby goat in the winter. omg that kinda makes me sad, but at least those baby barn animals died doing what they loved: being slaughtered to encase the Pope's feet.
We can't help but wonder how Frengo Zeffirelli is taking the news, since he's so tapped into the Pope's style. The Vatican has yet to deny the other circulating rumor that the Pope is a huge fan of Emporio Armani's mens underwear. Ew. TMI.
PS In the photo above, check out the insane 3-wheel moped, the Ape ("Bee", in Italian) that Piaggio has donated to the Pontiff for the Lord knows what -- we somehow cannot imagine the heavily-guarded Pope Ratzinger joyriding the streets of Rome late at night, blasting some Haydn on the moped's stereo system and going for those famous Roman slurpees at his favorite grattacheccaro.
He likes Armani underwear?
Perhaps he will condescend to do a shoot in the style of Mr Beckham. That ought to do something for the cause.
Posted by: CrewMantle | June 30, 2008 at 03:11 PM
Crew....what a brilliant idea!
but I think the majority of the Roman population - no! make that the Italian nation will probably protest to such an act...now that would cause chaos! HAH!
Posted by: flipstinger | June 30, 2008 at 07:09 PM
They should be more media savvy.
Look what Madonna was able to achieve by wearing a cross and underwear at the same time while singing 'Like a virgin' early in her fabled career....
Posted by: CrewMantle | June 30, 2008 at 08:41 PM