Glamour, gripes as celebs head to Venice for exclusive Bezos wedding
The tech magnate and journalist have reportedly invited about 200 guests to their multi-million dollar nuptials in the Italian city, which are expected to kick off Thursday and end Saturday with a ceremony at a secret location.
The security details are under tight wraps amid rumours the rite may take place at the historic Church of the Abbey of Misericordia, or at the Arsenale, a vast shipyard complex dating back to when the city was a naval powerhouse.
Bezos, 61, and former news anchor and entertainment reporter Sanchez, 55, are said to have booked out the city's finest hotels for a star-studded guest list rumoured to include Leonardo DiCaprio, Mick Jagger, Kim Kardashian, Oprah Winfrey, Orlando Bloom and Ivanka Trump.
At least 95 private planes have requested permission to land at Venice's Marco Polo airport, the Corriere della Sera said.
And Bezos' mega-yacht, Koru, is likely to moor off the iconic San Giorgio Maggiore island, which sits just opposite St Mark's Square and has reportedly been booked in its entirety for the period.
Star-studded
The lavish celebration has sparked much soul-searching in Venice, where some fear so many A-list guests and their entourages will make life worse in a city already drowning under the weight of holidaymakers.
Around 100,000 tourists overnight in peak periods, while tens of thousands descend just for the day, many hopping off cruise ships for a quick Bellini cocktail, while the city steadily depopulates.
Venice happily hosted the star-studded nuptials of Hollywood actor George Clooney 11 years ago but protesters say Bezos -- one of the world's richest men and founder of a company regularly scrutinised for how it treats its workers -- is different.
As environmentalists questioned the guests' carbon footprint, Greenpeace slammed billions spent on hedonistic partying while the fragile city is "sinking under the weight of the climate crisis".
Sanchez has also been criticised for saying more must be done to tackle climate change while also taking part in a space flight in April on a rocket developed by Bezos's space company Blue Origin.
Activists unfurled a giant banner in St Mark's on Monday, with a picture of Bezos laughing and a sign reading: "If you can rent Venice for your wedding, you can pay more tax".
'Private ballroom'
Built on islands in a lagoon, the city has imposed a controversial ticket policy for day-trippers but locals say more must be done to protect local businesses and tackle the housing crisis.
Tommaso Cacciari, 47, who heads the No Space for Bezos movement, said the protesters object to "the use of Venice as if it were a very private ballroom, rather than a real city with inhabitants, with frailties, with problems".
He told AFP such events were "condemning Venice to a definitive death" by driving out remaining residents, but protesters were ready to kill the romance by throwing "our bodies, our boats and inflatable animals" into canals as guests pass.
The couple's Sicilian wedding planner Lanza & Baucina said they have been instructed to minimise any disruption to the city.
And Simone Venturini, Venice's tourism city councillor, denied it would disrupt daily life, telling AFP it was just "one of many events that the city hosts on a daily basis. It is also relatively small in terms of the number of people involved".
The couple, both divorced, have made charity donations to support the city and are employing historic Venetian artisans.
Venice's oldest pastry maker Rosa Salva is baking 19th-century "fishermen's biscuits" for party bags also expected to contain something by Laguna B, renowned for its handblown Murano glass.
While disgruntled citizens hoping to make a splash ready their swimming costumes, others flattered by Bezos's decision to celebrate here have set up a counter-group called "Yes Venice Can".
"It's a fragile city, that's clear, it's not like you can do everything all the time, no matter what -- but events like this don't create any problems at all", said 50-year-old local Michele Serafini.
The wedding "brings money to the city of Venice", and that can only be a good thing, he said.
© 2025 AFP
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France 24
7 hours ago
- France 24
Glamour, gripes as celebs head to Venice for exclusive Bezos wedding
The tech magnate and journalist have reportedly invited about 200 guests to their multi-million dollar nuptials in the Italian city, which are expected to kick off Thursday and end Saturday with a ceremony at a secret location. The security details are under tight wraps amid rumours the rite may take place at the historic Church of the Abbey of Misericordia, or at the Arsenale, a vast shipyard complex dating back to when the city was a naval powerhouse. Bezos, 61, and former news anchor and entertainment reporter Sanchez, 55, are said to have booked out the city's finest hotels for a star-studded guest list rumoured to include Leonardo DiCaprio, Mick Jagger, Kim Kardashian, Oprah Winfrey, Orlando Bloom and Ivanka Trump. At least 95 private planes have requested permission to land at Venice's Marco Polo airport, the Corriere della Sera said. And Bezos' mega-yacht, Koru, is likely to moor off the iconic San Giorgio Maggiore island, which sits just opposite St Mark's Square and has reportedly been booked in its entirety for the period. Star-studded The lavish celebration has sparked much soul-searching in Venice, where some fear so many A-list guests and their entourages will make life worse in a city already drowning under the weight of holidaymakers. Around 100,000 tourists overnight in peak periods, while tens of thousands descend just for the day, many hopping off cruise ships for a quick Bellini cocktail, while the city steadily depopulates. Venice happily hosted the star-studded nuptials of Hollywood actor George Clooney 11 years ago but protesters say Bezos -- one of the world's richest men and founder of a company regularly scrutinised for how it treats its workers -- is different. As environmentalists questioned the guests' carbon footprint, Greenpeace slammed billions spent on hedonistic partying while the fragile city is "sinking under the weight of the climate crisis". Sanchez has also been criticised for saying more must be done to tackle climate change while also taking part in a space flight in April on a rocket developed by Bezos's space company Blue Origin. Activists unfurled a giant banner in St Mark's on Monday, with a picture of Bezos laughing and a sign reading: "If you can rent Venice for your wedding, you can pay more tax". 'Private ballroom' Built on islands in a lagoon, the city has imposed a controversial ticket policy for day-trippers but locals say more must be done to protect local businesses and tackle the housing crisis. Tommaso Cacciari, 47, who heads the No Space for Bezos movement, said the protesters object to "the use of Venice as if it were a very private ballroom, rather than a real city with inhabitants, with frailties, with problems". He told AFP such events were "condemning Venice to a definitive death" by driving out remaining residents, but protesters were ready to kill the romance by throwing "our bodies, our boats and inflatable animals" into canals as guests pass. The couple's Sicilian wedding planner Lanza & Baucina said they have been instructed to minimise any disruption to the city. And Simone Venturini, Venice's tourism city councillor, denied it would disrupt daily life, telling AFP it was just "one of many events that the city hosts on a daily basis. It is also relatively small in terms of the number of people involved". The couple, both divorced, have made charity donations to support the city and are employing historic Venetian artisans. Venice's oldest pastry maker Rosa Salva is baking 19th-century "fishermen's biscuits" for party bags also expected to contain something by Laguna B, renowned for its handblown Murano glass. While disgruntled citizens hoping to make a splash ready their swimming costumes, others flattered by Bezos's decision to celebrate here have set up a counter-group called "Yes Venice Can". "It's a fragile city, that's clear, it's not like you can do everything all the time, no matter what -- but events like this don't create any problems at all", said 50-year-old local Michele Serafini. The wedding "brings money to the city of Venice", and that can only be a good thing, he said. © 2025 AFP
Fashion Network
11 hours ago
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Fashion Network
11 hours ago
- Fashion Network
Milan menswear: Montblanc, Qasimi, Tod's, Sease and Etro
An action-packed weekend in Milan menswear included the brilliant revival of Montblanc, pashmy power at Tod's, a cool Qasimi moment in cloisters, Etro paisley, and even a tennis tournament from Sease. Montblanc: Traveling and writing with taste This season's prize for the classic brand most on the move should go to Montblanc, where designer Marco Tomasetta has injected lots of excitement, ideas and new products into the mix — all while respecting the brand's DNA as the most famous writing instrument of all. Take his smart new ready-to-wear made in Italian vitello and agnello leathers, with slim breast pockets for the famed pens, or sleeve inserts for sunglasses. Or a remarkable new monogram suede shirt that felt to the touch like cotton. Looks seen in the house's second campaign shot by Wes Anderson – Montblanc Voyage of Panorama. 'Wes has this element of nostalgia and humor which seems to be perfect for Montblanc, which is about the art of travelling while writing,' explained Tomasetta. A highly experienced talent, Tomasetta did stints at Fendi with Karl Lagerfeld, Miu Miu with Miuccia Prada and Vuitton with Kim Jones before joining Hamburg-born Montblanc, where he feels very much like a designer in the zone. Elegant Alpine Scenic Railroad train carriages that Anderson had built for his film were also the ideal backdrop for Tomasetta's savvy new ideas. Excellent desks in palissandro wood and leather made from the same supplier as Gio Ponti; admirable Montblanc Writing Traveler bags with flaps that unfold to reveal an ingenious portable writing desk. Montblanc has also developed new wheelies in a smart graphic leather; and weekender bags and totes in a great new denim double MM monogram named 4810. That is the height of Montblanc in meters. 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At least they are at Sease, which debuted a new tennis kit capsule collection with a mini tournament and an exclusive pop-up at Antonia, the happening multibrand boutique. To celebrate the new line, Sease took over the huge courtyard of the Portrait Hotel, and installed a real tennis court done in the brand's signature salmon red. 'We got the idea from a tennis competition my brother Giacomo and I dreamed up each summer with pals in Portofino,' explained Franco Loro Piana, CEO and founder of Sease. 'It's emblematic of our community and the authentic sporting spirit,' added Franco, whose Portofino fest grew into a campaign starring Feliciano López. López also serves as tournament director of both the Mutua Madrid Open and the Davis Cup Final 8. Sease's goal is to seriously revamp tenniswear – sweatshirts, vests, soft linen jackets – to be worn on and off the court. Using natural materials – like merino wool, hemp and linen – along with Sease's signature fabric Solaro. The iridescent herringbone fabric much loved by patrician Italians like Gianni Agnelli, first developed in the UK, but perfected on the peninsula. 'We are not a sports brand; we are a lifestyle brand. Between mountain and sea, and for everyday urban essentials, yet tennis represents our values,' insisted Franco. The brothers — scions of the family that sold Loro Piana to LVMH — certainly have deep pockets. Founded in 2016, Sease has enjoyed rapid growth, opening with stores in Milan, St. Moritz and Cortina, and now including London, Paris, Gstaad, Courchevel, Florence and Dubai. The brand also boasts more than 80 wholesale accounts, including Harrods and Bergdorf Goodman. 'We are about to blossom… We are about redefining tradition through design and performance,' insisted Franco, who, however, declined to reveal annual turnover. Etro: Polished paisley power Paisley power at Etro in a pretty and polished presentation, staged in the brand's historic headquarters on Via Spartaco. Nothing spartan about these clothes — full of joie de vivre and celebration. The collection featured excellent pale blue denim paisley jeans and shorts, perfect for a Mykonos sunset cocktail. When things got chilly, there were some very natty cotton safari jackets embroidered with fabric cacti and flowers. The brand's silk pajamas and dressing gowns looked like ideal billionaire leisurewear — perfect for Jeff Bezos ' upcoming wedding in Venice. All told, lots of lush menswear luxury — even if one could not help noticing the absence of the house's designer, Marco De Vincenzo, from the event. But at least everything was complemented by the fine dining, catered by Michelin-starred restaurant Il Luogo, with delicious riso al salto alla Milanese and the best prosecco of the season.
