Maria received her art and design degree from the Institute of Art in Sicily, Italy, where she majored in Textiles. Her early career was spent creating works in a variety of materials. Maria had-painted on fine fabrics – linen, silk, high quality cotton – to make bedding sets, curtains, tablecloths, cushion covers and soft furnishings. Her hand-stitched embroideries provided the finishing elements. Maria also designed and created a line of jewelry. She restored Sicilian artifacts, particularly terra cotta objects such as Sicilian carts, moor’s heads, and statuettes. When the owner of a fabric factory gifted Maria with textile remnants, she explored making hand-crafted handbags. Inspired by antique Sicilian Coffa bags — practical, strong and versatile bags skillfully woven by hand from palm leaves or dried herbs and used for everyday purposes. Generations ago, the village fête was one of the few opportunities for Sicilian women to dress up. Just as her ancestors decorated their bags for these occasions, Maria envisioned re-purposing these traditional hand-woven bags as fashion bags embellished with decorative materials. Sicily’s colors and traditions are her muse. Using trimmings, lace, small studs, bells, and hand-painted medallions, Maria developed her own style and collections – each bag a unique design exploding with color and joy. Maria takes special pleasure in customizing her designs to meet customers’ requests.

Maria received her art and design degree from the Institute of Art in Sicily, Italy, where she majored in Textiles. Her early career was spent creating works in a variety of materials. Maria had-painted on fine fabrics – linen, silk, high quality cotton – to make bedding sets, curtains, tablecloths, cushion covers and soft furnishings. Her hand-stitched embroideries provided the finishing elements. Maria also designed and created a line of jewelry. She restored Sicilian artifacts, particularly terra cotta objects such as Sicilian carts, moor’s heads, and statuettes. When the owner of a fabric factory gifted Maria with textile remnants, she explored making hand-crafted handbags. Inspired by antique Sicilian Coffa bags — practical, strong and versatile bags skillfully woven by hand from palm leaves or dried herbs and used for everyday purposes. Generations ago, the village fête was one of the few opportunities for Sicilian women to dress up. Just as her ancestors decorated their bags for these occasions, Maria envisioned re-purposing these traditional hand-woven bags as fashion bags embellished with decorative materials. Sicily’s colors and traditions are her muse. Using trimmings, lace, small studs, bells, and hand-painted medallions, Maria developed her own style and collections – each bag a unique design exploding with color and joy. Maria takes special pleasure in customizing her designs to meet customers’ requests.