La Siciliana
Until now, all of my collections have been inspired by my adopted home, Spain, but his time, I’m taking you across the turquoise seas of the Mediterranean to steamy Sicily, Italy. I had a deep urge to go to Sicily (season two of The White Lotus definitely added to that), so off I went last summer for some exploring and to visit a family in Catania who handmake stunning little ceramic adornments that beautifully capture Sicily. While I savoured the gelato their mum brought into the shop for me (which took me back to my Chai Tea in shops days in India), I knew I was onto something perfectly Sicilian, and La Siciliana Collection was officially in motion.
To add to this new collection, some Saturday Campari Spritzes in the studio of my friend, Oscar Carrillo, inspired a collaboration between us: a practical, hands-free, pickpocket-proof, stylish, modern bumbag (aka fanny pack), which can also be worn as a crossbody bag or as a clutch. Each one is custom-made by the talented Oscar using locally sourced Spanish leather. There is no going back for me — I haven´t taken our first prototype off.
I´ve always been an Italian vintage lover, I´ve scoured every market and store I´ve come across for years on end hoping to find some Italian treasures. So for this collection I upcycled a vintage Italian belt. I had the plastic coloured jewels removed and I replaced them with top quality mother-of- pearl pieces. I also found some gorgeous clip-ons from the 90´s.
I’ve always admired beautiful Italian women with their silk headscarves, big sunglasses and red lipstick flying around on their Vespas. I even bought myself a little Vespa when I last lived in Brisbane. I wasn’t as glam, obviously, but I had little glimpses of what it must feel like to be one of them. Sicilian women are never shy about celebrating fashion, feminity and sensuality, but at the same time they’re strong and matriarchal and I wanted to capture that spirit in this collection.
I felt instantly at home in Sicily — maybe it was the takeaway Campari Spritzes on every corner or that sultry, humid breeze that reminded me of Brisbane. The history there is immense, dating so far back it’s hard to get your head around. I loved all the myths, especially the story of the ceramic Sicilian head pots (Teste di Moro) — a tale of passion and revenge.
The landscapes were stunning, with rocks and lava spilling into the sparkling sea, always with Mount Etna huffing and puffing in the background. I spent my days huddled under an umbrella with my friend, making up for lost time while cooling ourselves down in the crystal-clear sea. We explored the cobblestone streets and made daily trips to the supermarket — my happy place. I’ve never been anywhere where the food tasted so damn good. The Prosecco was exceptional and we made lavish picnics for the lingering golden sunsets.
Take me back! My dream is to have a little apartment on the water in a village where I’ll be greeted with Ciao Bella day in, day out. Like the Spanish, the Italians know how to live. Their positive language and larger-than-life hand gestures make you feel like you’re truly living. I hope this collection tickles your Sicilian fancy or becomes a souvenir that perfectly captures your experience there.
With love from Spain,
