The GrowlersWorld Interviews

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The GrowlersWorld Interviews are an ongoing quest, bringing you closer to successful and creative people in all walks of life.

Rawle Austin presents...

A conversation with Anna-Maria Barone - Bringing Italian Style to the World!

Anna-Maria Barone is the very definition of the word 'style'. I spoke with her to get an insight into her life. Rawle Austin: Could you briefly introduce yourself to Growlersworld.com readers? Anna-Maria Barone: My name is Anna Maria Barone and first I want to say that I'm a very lucky person. I have a lovely family, we are very strong and we always give support to each other, no matter what the situation. It's a very traditional family.

RA: How would you describe your childhood in Italy?

AMB: I was born in Arezzo (Tuscany) which is an ancient town. At the age of four moved to Roma.

The emblem crest of the town is the Comune di Arezzo. The town is famous for its gold, antiques, jewellery and furniture.

My mother is also from Tuscany and my darling papa is a classic gentleman from the south of Italy.

He's very protective which is typical for the region and has an authentic Italian temper and I love him very much.

RA: You were also raised by Catholic Nuns, can you talk about the time spent there? AMB: I was very lucky to be there at the time, and I love to remember the important things that I learned. They taught me how to play the piano, ballet, painting and sewing and I feel these are very precious skills for a girl nowadays. I can see the benefit, it's a good exercise to help become a classic role model in society. RA: You went to study in a college for girls in Roma. What did you learn there? AMB: The college was called Istituto Magistrale Erminia Fua Fusinato.

It's a very old institute, and I did study lots of books by classic authors in subjects ranging from History, Arts, Philosophy, Geography and of course Latin, French, English.

I also discovered the works of the master of Anthroposophy, Rudolf Steiner (1861 - 1925).

He is the founder of anthroposophy, a movement based on the notion that there is a spiritual world accessible to pure thought through a path of self-development.

I studied this and many of its practical applications which I felt was very important for my education.

RA: Your mother taught you style, can you introduce her and explain her teachings?

AMB: My mother is a Countess who descends from very ancient Tuscany lineage. She is very sweet and a charming, disciplined lady. The lessons she taught me were invaluable and I always carry them with me. These included the advice that style is a habit of mind that puts quality before quantity. It puts noble struggle before mere acheivement and honour before opulence. Also, style is not only how you dress, it's how you choose to view the world. RA: You lived in Canada for a while, what did you do there?

AMB: I was in Canada for four years working as in public relations for a European company. In my free time there I did modelling for an Italian jewellers based in Toronto.

I met lots of famous people and had a good time. I'm in the UK now and I think it's a great adventure.

RA: You have a passion for classical culture, can you talk more about this?

AMB: I have a passion for paintings and my favourite painter is Botticelli.

This is because where I was born I got to see many classical objects including antique jewellery.

My passion for antique jewellery came from my great grand father who was a great antique dealer and was very famous in Tuscany at the time. RA: You are currently learning to be a Legal Executive by doing Paralegal study with ILEX college. Why do you want to enter this profession and what other plans to you have for the future? AMB: This is a very good question, I think I'm going through a time where I want to learn more about careers where I can help people.

Also, I would love to start to a Magistrate course which is quite interesting to do. I think we can always do more for our lives.

We shouldn't stop doing good things for ourselves and other people.

Oh, at the moment I'm trying to write a book. I just started it a few months ago.

I'm going slowly but I think it will be good when it is ready to read.

It's a love story between an ex SAS Englishman and an aristocratic Italian girl!

I already love it. RA: Who are the Knights of Malta? AMB: Well, I cannot say much regarding that Masonic Society in Italy because they are a secret society. Also, this is a men only society, women are not allowed but they can participate in some charity events.

I went to such an event as a relative invited me to it.

RA: Your brother is very successful in Italy, please tell us more about him.

AMB: My brother lives in Calabria in Southern Italy in a town with many medieval characteristics including a castle you can visit.

He is an ex Italian Special Forces officier. He retired some time ago after lots of years of dangerous living and is happier for that now.

He is an entrepreneur and financial advisor. He's also a member of the local Green Party.

This year, 2007, he is running for the mayor of the town of Pizzo. He's a philantropist and does a lot of work in his local area to protect the environment and he's the president of the area where he lives. This is a very busy role as he has to keep the area protected and safe for the local people. Every year he organizes lots of events for charity like fireworks on the beach with a barbeque and a big Christmas tree on the little square with a Santa collection for the good little children. I think he is having a good time. The good news from him at the moment is that he has succeeded with his 27 Million Euro project.

This was to build a factory to produce aluminium to export overseas, which is marvellous.

What more can I say about my dear brother Chicco (which is what I call him at home)?

He has a lovely family with a nice adorable little sweet daughter named Melissa Maria Francesca who is 20 months old now.

I love him very much and I wish all the best for him in the future.

RA: What was the last good book you read?

AMB: At the moment I'm studying so I don't have much time to read but the last one was a historical biography. It told the love story of Diane de Poitiers, King Henry II of France and Catherina De Medici. The author is Princess Michael of Kent and the title is 'The Serpent and the Moon'. Its a very good book. RA: What else do you like to read?

AMB: I like to read in English and this includes lots of newspapers. During the week I like to read the Evening Standard. I also like to read in Italian sometimes.

I like Sotheby's books as they focus on antiques. I also like biographies and articles by a few Italian journalists.

I like reading about politicians like the former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

RA: Tell us about your voluntary work. Why do you like to do it?

AMB: I like to do voluntary work for society (or 'Nobles oblige' as we say at home).

I started in Kent a long time ago but even before that I worked in Italy for Crocerossina which is the Italian Red Cross.

They have a long history of caring for people and worked on the frontline of the Second World War.

Working for them is a passion and a mission and I think I will carry on for as long as I can.

It should be a duty for everyone, to help those in need.

Help your first family La Famiglia and also the elderly, the lonely and children. I believe we need to have compassion for people.

RA: And finally, any last words of wisdom you'd like to leave us with?

AMB: This is an old saying from a Latin senator, "Contra Potentes nemo est munitus satis" which means 'Nobody is safe from powerful people.'

Darren Walsh - Talking Passionately about China>

<Bob Harris - Appreciating the Wonder of Creativity

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