The Sicilian shawl represents an icon of popular costume, used for different purposes than just covering up; it certainly originates from the Greek and later Arab tradition that dominated Sicily for centuries, transferring indelible parts of a culture that today still persists in our customs. From a poor element of cover or work for housework or in the fields to become a garment of elegance the step is very short: just change the fabrics, embellish with embroidery and lace and still become an object of seduction when lowered on the garment shows only the eyes and the look, like women who turned to men to be courted in search of marriage.

The simple shawl in its triangular and almost votive shape that recalls the divine triad of Catholicism, is for a woman an element that lends itself to many uses: from covering for cold or too hot to a veil of marriage to mourning, the colors and meanings change but surely this is a tool that has its own precise language made up of silent words and punctuation. Just like the folding fan, another icon of Mediterranean costume, the shawl almost obsolete in the city is still an inevitable object in countries where it is still worn and handed down from mother to daughter; today it is moving towards a new future, that of recovery which becomes beauty and a cult of elegance, an object to show and admire.

Sewing one is, therefore, a gesture not only of school to learn but an act of knowledge of an element that belongs to an ancient culture to be saved and handed down even to those who are not from the places, who indeed can appreciate something that remains after a trip, an unforgettable experience that can be replicated at home in all possible ways, including the art of yarns between lace and crochet.

After a small welcome drink with tea and local biscuits, you will learn how to sew your own Sicilian shawl under the guidance of an expert local designer.