Juliana Scerri Ferrante is not one to wait for things to happen.  She shakes the trees and inspects the bushes and invents work for herself. Apart from being a capable lawyer she is also Vice-president of the Italo-Maltese Chamber of Commerce which has offices in Latina, Rome as well as Malta.

Fashion has always been Juliana’s hobby. She loves it and until this year, organized a popular fashion show – Ferramoda – which has been on the social calendar for a number of years now. For these fashion shows clothes were imported from that other great love of hers, Italy, where she also studied forensic law. For Ferramoda  she collaborated with local models, who were often friends of hers who have model proportions.

This year there was no invitation for Ferramoda and I assumed it was because Juliana was busy preparing for her imminent marriage to Franco. However, it turns out that in fact, she has something bigger in the pipeline. First of all on the law side Minister, President-to-be Coleiro had involved her in the Child Protection Act which was presented a few weeks ago. At the same time she was working on a fashion show which was baptized Made in Maltitaly. Ferramoda and Fersani together with the collaboration of the Italo-Maltese Chamber of Commerce and the Instituto Italiano di Cultura, under the patronage of the Italian ambassador presented three collections on 20 March. The haute couture designer Nino Lettieri brought out his designs on behalf of Ferramoda for the occasion, Fersani presented her spring collection themed Faith, Love and Forgiveness and Alvaro & Correnti presented their exquisite jewellery from Sicily.

A couple of members of the Italian press were present for the event and will report it all.  

The night before the show Dott. Salvatore Schirmo, Director of the Istituto Italiano di Cultura invited those involved in the fashion show to dine at Ristorante Fumia  which specializes in seafood and a Sicilian cuisine. I love their whitebait polpettine best of all, perhaps because they remind me of my mother. I was first introduced to a salad of oranges at this restaurant. They were cut in thinnish slivers right across the orange but this time round the oranges were peeled and cut in smaller mouthfuls and mixed with some greens. Very refreshing and a delicious accompaniment to fish. It was a lively party too.

The following evening the Istituto’s sala, with its beautiful Cali murals was teeming with guests. It seems that everyone who received an invitation had accepted it. Alvaro & Correnti who have two jewellery shops – one in Messina and the other in Taormina – had set up three show cases at the entrance to the sala. I had a good look at them on my way out, after the sfilata and managed to speak to Sig. and Siga. Alvaro and their son and his girlfriend who had come out for the show.

The fashion show was compèred by Juliana who was wearing a sophisticated green printed dress which she had brought back from Rome, on one of her many visits there. The Alvaro & Correnti  jewellery was presented first. The models all wore their hair pulled back (courtesy of Toni & Guy) and came out with plain black dresses so that the audience focused on the stupendous jewellery which was very much admired. There were rings, pendents, watches, brooches, necklaces, bracelets of a beautiful rich gold and precious and semi-precious stones. They reminded me of ancient jewellery I had seen at the Victoria & Albert Museum. As Signor Alvaro told me afterwards,  each piece is made by a company of craftsmen with a constant attention to the traditions of the refined art of the goldsmith. ‘We do not confine ourselves to trends but devote ourselves to the uniqueness of each piece. We research techniques and find aesthetic solutions which go from the design to the creation of the jewel. Our team is experienced and artistic.’ I did not need to be convinced for the evidence was there for us all to see. It is a pity that the display only lasted a couple of days so that there wasn’t much time for those who did not attend the fashion show to go and see it.

Nino Lettieri’s clothes followed. His designs take us into a world of fantasy, and that is what haute couture fashion should do, surely. Each piece was a surprise. Many clothes presented are wearable, however, some with huge pleated frills can only be worn by those of a size 8, or at most, a size 10 and who have the height of the average model.  And then only if they have a very special red carpet occasion for the designs are extravagant. But it was a fabulous show and the audience was mesmerized.

I loved the materials – silk, taffeta, chiffon, organza  – all of the finest quality. The attention to detail was evident. I especially loved the black and white ensembles whether they were dresses, or a combination of top and Capri pants worn with a feminine flourish. The effect of pleats, taffeta, silk, chiffon, lace gave the instant impression of refined luxury. Ultimately in fashion, it’s the romance, detail and cut that count.  And who isn’t fascinated by fabrics, textures, prints? We get little of these in the fast world of ready-to-wear.  Fashion is never cast in aspic. It is changing all the time but quality and workmanship inevitably show.

Mary Grace Pisani of Fersani has a love affair with lace. Her crisply tailored clothes came next. She herself was wearing beige lace. Black lace especially is opulent and cries ‘to hell with austerity.’ She loves working with it and I loved what she designed. A couple of models let nothing come between them and their lace except a thong – one even wore a white thong. Some dresses were lined in beige. I have no idea what the priest sitting in the front row though of all this. However, I am sure his conscience was appeased when Mary Grace presented him with the sum of Euros 800 or so for his charity.

There was a reception afterwards during which most spoke about fashion. It spilled right into St George’s square with some of the audience looking like models themselves. The Italian ambassador was present and Dr and Mrs Herrera too. Mrs Herrera always looks elegant and has a neat figure and is so very pleasant and very much herself. The reception was sponsored by Lattughi, Andrea Lattughi’s fairly new boutique catering establishment. As I was coming in and queuing to get to my seat he emerged from nowhere and helped me find it. His canapés are a reflection of him – refined.

Juliana is now ready for the next Maltitaly show in May which will take place in Rome and the lucky Mary Grace Pisani will also be taking her designs there.