Park ‘N Match in Sicily

June 6, 2013

Everyone knows that Italians have a more highly honed sense of aesthetics that the rest of us.

Bella figura and all that. Toenails match belt. Glasses match watch.

But did you know Italians also match their vehicle to its parking spot?

Matching Truck in Sicily, copyright Jann Huizenga

Matching Cars in Sicily, copyright Jann Huizenga

Matching Van in Sicily, copyright Jann Huizenga

Matching VW in Sicily, copyright Jann Huizenga

 

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Direct from Central Casting

May 29, 2013

Spotted on the Streets of Southeast Sicily:

Mama’s Pride and Joy,

Mama’s Glamour Boy.

Sicilian Mama with Son in Sicily, copyright Jann Huizenga

Sicilian Man with Mama in Sicily, copyright Jann HuizengaSicilian Man with Mama in Sicily, copyright Jann HuizengaIs there a mammone (mama’s boy) in your life?

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Debora, Redux (Part 2)

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.

Debora Lo Magno Collage, copyright Jann Huizenga

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  • Debora takes her exams in Milan next month and will then be rarin’ to go as a bona fide stilista, fashion designer. 
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Debora, Redux (Part 1)

May 15, 2013

 

Debra Lo Magno, Sicilian Fashion Designer, copyright Jann Huizenga

 

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.

 

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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.

Debora Lo Magno, Sicilian Fashion Designer, copyright Jann Huizenga

Debora Lo Magno, Fashion Designer, copyright Jann Huizenga

Debora Lo Magno, Fashion Designer, copyright Jann HuizengaSeveral other student designers were also in the show.

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.

Debora Lo Magno, Sicilian Fashion Designer, copyright Jann Huizenga

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Flower Man, a Forever Friend

May 9, 2013

I hope to see him again. I have something to say.

Sicilian Man with FLowers, copyright Jann Huizenga

He is an old friend, though I never learned his name.

He was stepping into his green door when I asked for a photo. “Of  me???” he said. “Me?”

Suddenly he was foisting the freesias on me. “No! no!” I yelped, backing up, hands high.

But it’s impossible to refuse a Sicilian Random Act of Kindness.

Sicilian Man with Flowers, copyright Jann Huizenga

I will tell him how he filled my heart that morning.

Flowers, copyright Jann Huizenga

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