I am Italian, and yet learning Italian was actually very difficult for me because in my house we spoke Sicilian dialect. The only class I EVER dropped in University was Italian because it was so difficult. When the Prof said "mela" (Italian for apple), I was convinced it should be "pumu", when the Prof said "loro" (Italian for they) I thought it should be "iddi", pronounced eee - dhee!
I could go on and on...it was like going to a Spanish class thinking you know Spanish but all you know is Hola! I was a lost cause!
What does this have to do with anything you ask?....Well, there are a few things. I'm officially launching my own accessories brand in 2016 along with a Men's line I've been working on with my husband for the past two years. Designing leather goods is a LONG, EXPENSIVE and FUN process, and so I'm going to start bringing you in on the journey with me and sharing more about who we are, what we do and the trials, tribulations and excitement about creating a luxury leather accessory brand from the ground up.
Feel free to follow along on Instagram where I'll be posting designs from the sample collection as they are finished and asking for your input! I've already added some new styles based on feedback from Retro Chic Mama and a few other bloggers, so THANK YOU!
In other news, after my crisis/confession post I've decided that the blog will be more fashion and travel focused and start taking a clearer direction. This means there there will still be a wide range of topics but at the core of everything will be WHAT TO WEAR!
I'm also going to be producing a little magazine...think of it as a long newsletter with a monthly theme. It is a lot of work, so I have to see if monthly is sustainable or if this will become quarterly. The first edition comes out next week so feel free to sign up!
Dolce and Gabbana Inspired
Now back to what I was saying about my Sicilian roots!
Some couples talk about the news while they eat dinner, others politics. My husband and I talk "moda" meaning "fashion"!! Last night we had an hour long conversation about Dolce and Gabbana, who are our new clients at the factory for a special project the brand is working on which is SO EXCITING!
I have always loved D & G, everything about their collection speaks to my aesthetic. Maybe it's because they are Sicilian and my mother is Sicilian and I was raised with a very traditional 19650s Sicilian mentality. I still have my grandmother's beautiful leather bags from when she was young, and it so happens that one of them is VERY similar to the Dolce and Gabbana Miss Sicily bag.
Last week I was contacted by Farfetch for their blogger competition to create a style board inspired by this bag! I have no problem creating sets based on Dolce and Gabbana because if you know me, you know they are my absolute favorite designers, I even follow Stefano Gabbana on Instagram!
I love the fact that they embrace their Sicilian roots and incorporate Sicilian decorative crafts in every single collection. They have a vision, a theme and a passion that is so feminine. The other day I was thinking to myself that there are so few designers that design for WOMEN'S BODIES, and yet here are two gay Sicilian men who not only embrace women's bodies but also mothers! I loved their whole collection dedicated to moms and mother daughter fashion, and their runway show with a very pregnant Bianca Balti (who I have a girl crush on)!!
My own line, although different stylistically from D&G, will take inspiration from them. I'm going to stay true to my own aesthetic and design what I LIKE instead of focusing on what is "trending" at the moment.
Miss Sicily... No, that's Mrs. Sicily to You!
This Set features the small 'Miss Sicily' shoulder bag in a black texture grain leather with gold chain which I've paired it with two of my own photographs. One is of lemons which always make me think of Sicily and the other is a ceramic Sicilian vase.
In my nonna's (grandmother's) house there were so many beautiful ceramics from Sicily. They were some of the ONLY things she brought with her to Canada when she immigrated by boat for the 40+ DAY journey. She left almost everything she owned in Italy, however, her precious chandelier in ceramic and a few other items made the trip unbroken, carefully and delicately packed away. Can you imagine leaving your home, with the thought of never being able to return and choosing only a few items with which to create your new life?
I shipped 8 boxes to Italy when I moved here and it seemed like so little. And yet, along with her precious ceramics she also kept her perfectly kept leather bags!
Sicily My Love
This set shows one of my looks inspired by D&G in a vintage Baroque style black lace tops with a black python belt of my own design tied at the waist. Worn with a Yosa flower necklace, cropped pants, Ruco leather boots and black Velvet coat. The only thing missing was black leather gloves so I've added in this beautiful pair hand made in Italy, which I've featured in this post:
10 PERFECT GIFTS ( UNDER $100) FOR THE ITALY LOVING FASHIONISTA!Here are some of the looks I've featured on the blog which have all been inspired by Dolce and Gabbana:
1) This D&G Inspired Winter Look
2) This Lady in Tuscany Look featuring a Dress Mavens Custom Made Dress that I had created as inspired by the Dolce and Gabbana current Collection:
3) This Summer Look with a midi skirt worn in Tuscany this August.
Who are your favorite designers? Am I the only one who loves the romantic flare of Dolce and Gabbana....I should start a movement #BringBackFemininity! I know I'm not alone in my love for them because they are currently one of the TOP selling Italian brands. I think in Milan's luxury shopping district they have 4 different STORES right beside each other!
I hope you'll join me by signing up for the newsletter and thank you all for your encouragement so far on this new journey!