May 29, 2013
Spotted on the Streets of Southeast Sicily:
Mama’s Pride and Joy,
Mama’s Glamour Boy.
Is there a mammone (mama’s boy) in your life?
***
|
|||
|
May 21, 2013 After Debora’s runway show, I wanted to photograph her in better lighting conditions. She arrived at my home one evening with an armload of her designer duds. We shot outside on the street, the late sun pouring down like molten gold. She kept running back into the house to change. The neighbors seemed curious. They hung from windows or gawped from cars. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
May 15, 2013
If you’ve been following this blog for a while, you may remember Debora Lo Magno. I discovered this bejeweled goddess on the church steps near my house. When we met later, she told me about the long hours she spent in fashion school during the week, her weekend job as a clerk at Benneton, and her long nights sewing Swarovski crystals, like oversized raindrops, onto her misty grey dress. The inspiration for her work? Her nonna, who was a seamstress, and the lush spring Sicilian countryside.
*** In late March, Debora had her first runway show! It was evening, in a town I didn’t know. I arrived late and there was a crush of Sicilians in the hall. I had to beg for a seat. Her brave designs pranced and strutted down the stage, bringing to mind Anais Nin’s words: “Life expands or contracts in proportion to one’s courage.” I could feel Debora’s life expand.
At the end, awards were given. Debora won the prize for Giovane Promessa, Young Designer with Promise and she stepped out on the stage to receive her award. Brava, Debora.
*** September 5, 2012 L’onuri è fattu a li robbi. Sicilian proverb: Honor is determined by your dress. *** Summer is running out of steam. Before nostalgia sets in, here is a quick glimpse at what they were wearing this season. And speaking of clothing, Debora Lo Magno from a few posts ago was very touched by your comments. She sends you a note: Sono Debora. Grazie per tutti i vostri commenti sul mio abito.
(To speed up the 10-image slideshow, click on the photo to make the next one appear. Hope it works this time!) August 13, 2012 Meet Debora.
I found Debora Lo Magno at a wedding, exuding cocktail glamour. She has, in spades, that incredible Italianate ability to transform oneself into a work of art.
*** A few weeks later we met at the bar. I didn’t recognize her right away because her real hair flows down her back in waves. *** “I am 23, a stilista, fashion designer,” she says. “I have another year of design school before I look for a job as a designer. I spent a year making this dress, working at night, sewing everything by hand. Including the crystals. They’re Swarovski.” “Swarovski!!!!” Indelicately, I ask what they cost. “The material, the jewels, everything for the dress: around €2,500.” That’s over $3,000. (Not counting labor.) How can a 23-year-old Sicilian woman afford this? “Besides going to design school I have two jobs. Monday through Friday, I work as a secretary for an accountant, staring all day long at a computer screen.” (She crinkles her nose when she tells this.) “On Saturday and Sunday I work at Benetton. And all night I sew my clothes–usually till 3 or 4am.” Giancarlo, her fidanzato, confirms this with a nod of the head and a roll of the eye.  “My nonna, grandmother, was a seamstress. She was my inspiration. I must be courageous. But following my dream is not so easy. People here do not understand me.” We are, after all, in the hinterlands of Sicily. Good luck, Debora! You blow me away! 38% of young people in Sicily cannot find work. Oh, Domenico Dolce, you of D&G fame, son of Sicily, won’t you give this passionate and talented young Sicilian a break? *** Debora’s shoes: handmade in Rome. She tottered for 13 hours on them the night of the wedding resulting in feet so swollen she could barely walk the next day. Debora’s hair: When she showed her hairdresser the dress, he said she needed a very special “do” and came up with this Japanese anime style using synthetic hair extensions. Debora said the faux hair gave her such a headache that she had to pull it out the next day! Debora’s purse: Tied to her wrist with Swarovski gems.
|
         |
||
|
Copyright© 2009-2015, Baroque Sicily.com - Sicily Stories, Travel Tips, & Photography by Jann Huizenga - All Rights Reserved Powered by WordPress & Atahualpa |
|||
