The charm of Sicilia - by Bruna Harrison

 

Owner and Buyer of Harlequin Market shares her travel experiences, inspirations for collecting, buying & designing unique vintage and collectible costume jewellery for her store with you. 

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Left: Santa Maria del Monte, Caltagirone, Sicily, Italy, Right: Benedetta Barzini in a dress by Oscar de La Renta. Photographed by Henry Clarke in Palermo, Sicily for Vogue, 1967

Throughout my years of travelling, collecting, buying & designing unique vintage and collectible costume jewellery for my store here - Harlequin Market in Sydney, nowhere has had the influence and impact on my own creativity, than my  ancestral country of Italy.

Sicily is where my mothers family migrated from; a family of hands on hardworking, highly creative members who excelled at weaving, embroidery, lace making, stitching, making and creating beautiful things, my mother is no exception to this type of work.

Now in her late 80s, she is still able to turn her hand to creating with perfection any item of clothing or handwork one could imagine, hence growing up surrounded by this creativity has left an indelible mark on my psyche.  She remains a constant influence and inspiration in my life and in particular in my ability to create and seek out beautiful items from the past in order to recreate for now, and for the future.

The colour, the language, the vibrancy and the passion of this southern region of Italy will remain in my soul forever as it is me.

Currently I am drawing inspiration from the Dolce & Gabbana Summer 2015 collection where they have dipped into the Sicilian region to draw inspiration for their designs.

For me, the religious icons of crosses, florals, laces and exotic prints all add up to the drama and vibrance which is Italy.

 

Catania University, Catania, Sicily

 

Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2015 earring designs.

 

Bruna shopping at the markets in Sicily.

Left: Accessories backstag at Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2015, Right: Bruna in Italy.

 

Mr. Dolce and Mr. Gabbanas challenge was to convey the Spanish influence in a non-conventional and literal way. They achieved this thru the use of very simple shapes matched with very rich details and embroideries. The result is a collection full of joy, love and sexiness. #DGSS15 More on www.dolcegabbana.com

So, it is with great pleasure and excitement that I introduce our collection of dramatic Sicilian inspired pieces available the shop online at Harlequin Market, or visit our Double Bay store in Sydney. Over the coming weeks we will be adding to our already iconic, one of a kind pieces exclusive to Harlequin Market.

   

William Griffiths Large Florentine Heart Earrings.William Griffiths Sterling Silver Swallows and Baroque Design Necklace.

 

  

     

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