On the Conquest of the Mediterranean, songs from bewitching mermaids and stars falling from the night sky are some of the host of memories of a magical and timeless journey lasting seven incredible days.- seven too short days - blown too fast by a mischievous and playful north-westerly wind. The sea-faring success of the most original Italian fashion house is repeated. 9.2 by Carlo Chionna wants to amaze and enchant, astonish and astound. This year again, the Bologna businessman Carlo Chionna has wanted to enfold the whole of Italy in a single unique grand embrace, taking customers, guests and friends on a new adventure aboard the luxurious MSC Orchestra.

The desire for the open sea and a salty wind are the key to understanding this new rendez-vous with entertainment and events under the 9.2 name: a journey around the most beautiful coasts of the western Mediterranean to come into contact with the more authentic spirit of an out of the ordinary, sincere and humanized fashion.

From 1 to 8 June the crazy rabble of pirates guided by Captain Chionna ploughed the waves of mare nostrum, invading the Italian boot and its neighbouring Iberian cousin with joy and music. Starting from the fascinating fishermen's Genoa, they visited royal Naples and the Vucciria and Mondello areas of Palermo. After a brief look at ancient Tunis they set sail again towards Palma de Majorca and cosmopolitan Barcelona, before ending with a final promenade amongst the sailors of the port of Marseilles.

The grandiose and ambitious project involved some 1300 guests who, spoiled and indulged, could make the most of every single moment, thanks to the thousand events organized on board ship and in exclusive locations in the ports visited.

To complete the continuous madness of the nights spent sailing, between crazy aperitifs in perfect Chionna style and exclusive parties in the disco, there were many shows organized exclusively for the 9.2 world.

In order not to lose that incredible mad desire to laugh and joke, directly from the stage of Milan's Zelig cabaret theatre came the exhilarating cabaret artists Paolo Migone and Paolo Cavoli, accompanied by Andrea Vasumi who put on an evening of high comedy! The town councillor Palmiro Cangini and Migone's black eye came to life on board the ship, arousing curiosity and surprise amongst the large audience.

As if wanting to pay homage to the beautiful women present, the historic Stadio group saluted the port of Tunis with its finest romantic ballads. Un disperato bisogno d’amore, Sorprendimi and Ti mando un bacio were some of the tunes which, in Gaetano Curreri's rough, deep voice, made them fall in love and touched and stirred memories.

Songs, music and entertainment were all sideshows to the most awaited and longed-for moment. In a sunny Palermo, within the former railway engine depot of S. Erasmo, space was found for the new Spring-Summer 2009 collections of the 9.2 by Carlo Chionna, Madame Grillet and 9.2 Kids by Carlo Chionna lines. The final surprise was the brand new range of 9.2 shoes. The event was dedicated to and designed only for those employed on the job and presented as a private preview to the press and those working in the sector. The real novelty was the 9.2 total look. The celebrated brand of trousers has branched out into the world of shirts and outerwear, "abandoning" the symbiosis with its alter ego Carlo Chionna brand.

The epic conclusion to this journey over the seas was an evening beyond all expectations: Gem Boy's music and entertaining and provocative lyrics created an amazing show, which sent those present into an unimaginable frenzy.

The guests on board included many friends from the world of sport and show business who did not want to miss out on this magical week of a thousand and one nights. Shining like stars in the firmament were beautiful TV celebrities Ramona Badescu, Natalie Caldonazzo and Justine Mattera; Stefano Masciarelli and Walter Santillo inundated the passengers with endless witty remarks; for the joy of all the women, Fabio Galante, Vittorio De Franceschi and Fabio Borriello could not miss out; neither could old friends Ciccio Graziani, Lallo Circosta, Er Patata, Monica Scattini, Idris, Gianni Ippoliti and Tiberio Timperi. Daniel Ducruet added a tone of Monegasque class to the company, whereas the Big Brother youngsters, Serena Garitta and Andrea Bellumore, and all the many other guests brought a wave of cheerfulness up and down the ship's decks.

A feeling of sadness and nostalgia for the return home brought this special week to an end, which had been the scene of small and great emotions - sincere and genuine emotions, which left those present with a sweet taste on their lips as they remembered an adventure written together, a fascinating and enchanting diary of life on board which would keep alive a dream and a star - shining like Made in Italy.

For more information :

Licia Manfredi: licia.manfredi@carlochionna.it - 051/19986500