A series of sensual impressions just came together in my mind, representing a strong design sensation of past and present, classicism and modernism, feminine and masculine principles.

I adore what I termed the ‘sensual, rational disorder’ of the new (2009) CRYSTALS luxury shopping complex in Las Vegas. It’s a modern-day temple to the world’s most prestigious brands, most of them conceived in Europe. Tom Ford is one exception.

Looking at Daniel Libeskind’s architectural images, my mind connected to this just-posted impression of Raquel Zimmermann | Mario Sorrenti | Darker is the Memory | Vogue Nippon Oct 2010, photographed in Naples, Italy. I trust you see the resemblance. LOL.

Even though Italy is notoriously sexist in many ways, the culture visibly honors female principles to a far greater extent than America. I’ve written extensively about France and Italy worshipping older women’s sensuality and female shapes generally, and this tendency is reflected in the visual culture and historic architectural design of both countries.

Consider that France and Italy haven’t sought to dominate their landscapes, like America and now the great cities of the Middle East. New York and Dubai, and most certainly Shanghai, are built on masculine principles, macho ones seeking to populate landscapes and cities with buildings that are giant phallic symbols.