The purse-maker - Giusi Vanini. This attractive lady, Giusi Vanini started making cloth purses five years ago when a girlfriend showed her a cloth bag she had bought in Paris. Giusi took on a challenge and copied it better. From then, nothing will stop her when she is inspired. On these days, she might get up at 6 am and work right through till 9 pm, even forgetting to eat. Giusi also enjoys scouting for fabrics, ribbons, beads, cords and any other accessory she can use in her creations, like hats and antique clothes. She can custom make you a purse from your own fabric or transform your ideas into reality. This is her hobby and she only sells to friends, or friends of friends by appointment, in her villa amidst the olive groves of the hillside near Lucca. Giusi also has a stall at some of the charity fairs. The next fair is in Milan at the Floritalia fair in Piazza San Marco, September 27th and 28th, profits from the sales will benefit one of the charities of the parish Church of San Marco.Contact: Giusi Vanini – mpvanini@gmail.com
The coin purse. These fabulous ethnic inspired purses were made from ceremonial antique dresses of Turkish children.
The coin purse. These fabulous ethnic inspired purses were made from ceremonial antique dresses of Turkish children.
The bucket bags. Giusi has such a wild imagination. Look at these bucket bags, with feathers, with fabric petals and with faux gold Gucci inspired “bamboo” handle.
The Belgium army surplus shirt. Giusi buys new Belgium army surplus shirts at the popular Livorno market. She then washes and washes them until all the stiffness has gone out of the fabric and they look slightly faded. She personalizes them with pretty striped fabric on the inside cuffs, with applications of amusing bits of fabrics on the pockets and with ethnic ribbons and baubles on the back half belt. Each one is different and very handsome. The shirt is also an ideal summer “jacket” when the weather gets a bit chilly.
The drawstring purse. Giusi loves to discover petty fabrics, beads and cords for her purses. In the background, a mirrored patterned shocking pink Fez hat was turned into a purse.Note: the different use of patterns between the outside and the inside of the purse, as well as the heavy glass bead on the drawstring and the beautiful cord handle.
The Fez purse. Giusi custom-made this drawstring purse with a Fez hat for Vicky Ceschi a Santa Croce.