Thursday, November 08, 2007

OF KNITALY AND PRADA AND HOW JANE GOT EMPOWERED

Autumn remnants

Imagine a Tee-shirt beaded in semi-precious stones

For most of the last week I've been powerless. Hurricane Noel, plunged my wee house into darkness for days on end, leaving Pioneer Jane to revert back to cooking on a woodstove, hauling water and abstaining from all things electronic. Of course I could still knit (deep sigh of relief) but in all other ways,  I did not enjoy the primitive state. Finally, last night at 12:00 am, the power company (whose name I cannot evoke without an abundance of colorful language), kindly removed the tree slung in a net of power lines over the road in a total of 15 minutes.  That's all it took after five days of suffering for 15 minutes labor. Anyone looking over our way last night would have seen the Thornley house rocking a power surge as my hubby and I raced around doing dishes, washing laundry and getting cuddly with anything electronic. Pathetic.

But, what I really wanted to tell you about brings us back to Tuscany and the AUNTIE FROM PRADA. Last year when Knitaly was still in the planning stages I asked Serena at Castillo de Gargonza if she knew of any artisans who might be available to meet with my knitters while we nested in Tuscany. Well, lo and behold, brilliant and helpful as always, Serena mentioned that her auntie had recently retired as a knitter/embroiderer/designer who consulted with Prada on some of their designs and would I be interested. Interested? Have a chance to meet a master artisan who's worked with Italy's great couture houses (Guicci, too)?

Maria models her glorious Prada designs

 That is how we had the pleasure of having Maria and Mario as our guests during one of our workshop days. In they came bearing some of the most exquisite couture clothing I have ever seen up close: beaded vests, handbags, collars and skirts. Beautiful designer items each with the rich, intricate detailing that spells Italian. And Maria, as gracious as she is talented, allowed us to model her gorgeous works of art as she shared our enthusiasm for yarn and beautiful things.  Over the course of her illustrious career, she has collaborated with some of Italy's top designers and her portfolio is both inspirational and impressive. And, Mario is not just a pretty face either; he is responsible for some of the finishing on the bags. What a team!

Though Maria bemoans being unable to fit into a few of her teenie-tiny skirts (size 2?), she looks so great, I just know all her designs turn heads any time she wears them.

Maria models my Medici Coat pattern knit by Nancy Nickerson

Louanne dons a leather scarf!

Pat and I play bag ladies

A Close up of Beaded Splendor

Maria and Mario have been invited to join us for Knitaly08 and I can't wait to see them again.