The Sican Network: partners
In Santo Stefano Quisquina
the ancient art of embroidery
declined in unique jewelry
Precious from “Orange Blossoms”
sold throughout Italy, London
and very soon in China as well
Thirty-five years old, an occupational psychologist, a new mother of little Vincenzo since ten days, as well as a councillor for productive activities and tourism of the Municipality of Santo Stefano Quisquina, Francesca Alferi ‘s passion for embroidery she inherited from her mother, Mrs. Lia, who already from the age of thirteen taught her all the secrets of chiacchierino lace. “An ancient technique,” says Francesca Alferi, “of French origin, with a name that refers to the chatter of ladies devoted, during embroidery, to the wildest gossip.
Since 2019, the passion for this particular type of embroidery has become a full-time job that has also involved Francesca’s sister, Marilena Alferi, only a year younger and also an expert in the art of chiacchierino lace. Five years ago, in fact, the artisanal workshop “Fiori d’Arancio Sicilia” was born, and today the original jewelry and accessories made by both of them are sold not only in Sicily, but also in several stores on the Peninsula, in London and soon in China.
“The name Fiori d’Arancio,” says owner Francesca Alferi, “is meant to be evocative and emblematic of Sicily; in addition, the F the A correspond to my initials: it seemed auspicious. It all came about thanks to a grant as part of the Resto al Sud project, but after ten years of studying and working in Palermo, I had long cherished the idea of returning to live and work in Santo Stefano Quisquina; the grant only accelerated the timing, it made me realize that this was exactly what I wanted to do. I longed to return to my small village with just over four thousand inhabitants, to its slow pace, to the silence that gives you the space and time to think, instead of running from morning to night, without understanding what you are doing. Here, the passion for embroidery was rekindled in one of these moments, as an anti-stress valve: in the end, I had done so much work that it seemed absurd not to show it… Thus was born Fiori d’Arancio, first and foremost from the desire to try.”
A homecoming to find oneself, then; but without shutting oneself up in a little old world, on the contrary, opening up and taking one’s creativity around international trade fairs.
“Our representatives,” says Francesca Alferi, “get Orange Blossom jewelry and accessories all over the country. Last July, we also participated in the Pure London international fair, dedicated to fashion and fashion, and now our products are also arriving in Great Britain. Finally, we are about to close a contract that will get them to China as soon as possible.”
Included in the itinerary of the last edition of the Borghi dei Tesori Fest, the Santo Stefano Quisquina craft workshop, which is part of the Sicani Rural Quality District, aroused great interest among visitors, who were able to learn in detail about the various steps in the process. Because if embroidery is an art, Francesca and Marilena Alferi’s innovative use of it makes it sparkle, and not only because of the use of Swarovski crystals. Wisdom, mastery and creativity are the ingredients of original and unique objects. Upcoming challenges include a collection dedicated to Santuzza, or Santa Rosalia.
“On the occasion,” says Francesca Alferi, “of the fourth centenary of the discovery of the sacred cave and the epigraph of Santa Rosalia alla Quiquina, we thought of making a special collection for next summer dedicated to this important anniversary that tells a lot about our territory.
Text by Editors
