In a small street in the "centro storico" of Trani, Puglia is an elegant shop with an intriguing array of handcrafted clothes and bags. Made to perfection by stylist Marianna dell鈥橝quila using cashmere, silk, linen and cotton, Tamzin Hardy donned her best outfit and met Marianna in her shop to discover exactly how the stylist produces such appealing designs whilst juggling a busy family life.
The elegance of Marianna鈥檚 welcoming shop is apparent. It鈥檚 almost like entering a cavern with its small tiles on the floor that exude a stream of colours. In the centre of the shop is a table adorned with fabrics, and by the table stands a little fake dog wearing one of Marianna鈥檚 cashmere jumpers that she makes especially for pets, which has gold sequins down its middle. At the back of the shop is a comfortable chaise longue where I鈥檓 invited to sit and take in the surroundings. Marianna鈥檚 handmade designs decorate both walls; there鈥檚 anything from cardigans to bags to shawls with either silk trimmings or flowers, all ideas that Marianna herself thinks up.
Having always had a passion for clothes, Marianna declares that she鈥檚 a 鈥渇ashion victim.鈥 She began her career studying at the European Fashion School in Milan after winning a scholarship. It was here that she proudly says that she met designers such as Versace and Armani who dedicated time giving advice to the students. However, it was during her teenage years that her passion really took flight. As a school girl in Barletta, Marianna spent her free time watching her mother produce knitwear for the family shop. 鈥淚鈥檓 very creative so it was only a matter of time before I followed in my mother鈥檚 footsteps鈥, Marianna explains, 鈥淎lthough my mother never really had much time to teach me, I taught myself simply by copying her鈥.
Marianna laughs when talking about her first designs. 鈥淭hey were multicoloured pullovers with no stitching鈥. Once finishing her designs in a mere couple of weeks, now she doesn鈥檛 so much design as 鈥渢ranslate鈥 her ideas with the help of a small team of ladies who work alongside her to actually produce the items. 鈥淚鈥檓 not one to sit down and draw鈥, She explains, 鈥淚 prefer to imagine something and then explain it to my team who manage to make it to perfection鈥.
Not only does Marianna enjoy coming up with ideas for clothing, she also produces a line of household items. In fact I can鈥檛 help but notice the lamp with a black and white cashmere lampshade on the floor to my left. 鈥淐ashmere is such a wonderful material to work with鈥, she says, 鈥渁nd using it means I can create a high quality product鈥. Buying the material twice a year from the Pitti Exhibition in Florence, Marianna is happy to declare that she鈥檚 a perfectionist which is why her clients, who come to her when they want something luxurious made, are always very happy with her method of working. 鈥淭hey explain what they want and I give them ideas and suggestions. The whole process usually takes a week from start to finish. It might take a little longer however if they want a particular colour that I don鈥檛 have in my storeroom鈥.
When asking Marianna how she manages to balance a busy working life with home life, she simply smiles. 鈥淚t鈥檚 very difficult but somehow I manage to organise everything! I have three children from the ages of two to eleven so I鈥檓 always rushing around between the shop and my children鈥檚 commitments. It鈥檚 tiring but nevertheless I enjoy what I do and although I鈥檒l never solve everyone鈥檚 problems, I basically just want to create a little fashion world鈥.
Before leaving the cashmere cavern of Marianna鈥檚 shop, I can鈥檛 resist touching some of her products and realise how her attention to detail is paramount to her success in this field, and who knows, perhaps one day I might also have to ask her create something for me.
Marianna can be contacted via her website or via Email
