Last February I discovered a shop at the airport in Lamezia, that was selling beautiful textiles from local craft men.
I was fascinated from a white cotton bed cover with a simple red but decorative local embroidery pattern. I liked the shop and started to talk to the sales woman. She gave me a business card from the textile producer with a website address.
Some business men passed by, well dressed in dark suites, on their way back to Rome. One stopped at the shop and said to his colleague: "Look, this is what I used to have in my child's room. This is typical embroidery from my area. My Mamma used to have a lot of these...."
I was impressed. Although I used to come since several years to Calabria, I never saw them promoting local textiles. Of course local products are promoted, like local ceramics and above all local specialities like pepperoncini (chili), Vecchio Amaro del Capo (a herbal liquor that is served straight from the freezer), tuna, onions from Tropea, tartuffo ice cream from Pizzo etc.
Back home I thought I have lost the business card of the shop and all google researches never brought me back the factory name. Only a couple of weeks ago, in a side pocket of my trolley, I discovered the name card and now, I can present the name:
BOSSIO, fabbrica tessile
in Via P. Mancini, 3 - 87060 Calopezzati (CS)
(near Sibari)
www.fabbricatessilebossio.it
I wish I would have taken a photograph from the beautiful bed cover, because the website is not very professional. The pictures are too small and not very attractive. It looks a bit old fashioned (I guess it is) - but this need to be changed!
I think the shop at the airport, that presents some of the textiles is a good step forward. I wish I could be a little helper.
In the meanwhile I will post some of the pictures I have chosen from BOSSIO.
My cousins show their pottery in the Lamezia Terme airport, you may have seen them. One is by L'Altre Arte and the other is Figulus. they are both located in Nicastro and have AMAZING pieces. Every time I visit I bring stuff home with me and I always get asked where I got them from. If you need pottery for decor check them out :-)
ReplyDeleteCiao Maria,
ReplyDeletewhen I arrive at the airport I am rushing out. And when I am leaving Calabria, usually my bags are full. Any hints for ceramics to buy during my stay?
Grazie & saluti
Hi Suzie,
ReplyDeleteI have two cousins that own ceramic/pottery stores in Nicastro and they have fabulous pieces. One is called Figulus Laboratorio, you can do a google search on it. His name is Francesco Serratore. His sister, Anna Maria, owns a larger place, more like a warehouse because she handles work with large businesses. Her place is called L'Altre Arte also in Nicastro. I always buy pieces from them when I'm there, they are very unique and you will not find the same piece twice. They make everything from caraffes, to vases, to clocks to lamps. I hope you can find them. Good luck.
These textiles look amazing! I'm so happy I found your site. I'm currently living outside of Naples and recently had a bed made incorporating antique tiles I found at a market in Catania, Sicily. One of these spreads would be ideal! Looks like we'll have to head south one of these weekends (preferably after the Aug holiday crowds!).-- Karen
ReplyDeleteToday I too found the textile shop at Lamezia airport - what a gem and what lovely things!Stella was a mine of information about local crafts people and also showed me a beautiful alpaca scarf.What a coincidence - I breed alpacas just over the Calabria border in Basilicata and also produce alpaca yarn. I shall follow up some of her contacts in the hope that my yarn might be used by local weavers and knitters.
ReplyDeleteIf anyone knows of local people who might like to do some hand or machine knitting or weaving for me please let me know!
My website is www.zarza-alpacas.com
Hilary
Ciao Hillary,
ReplyDeleteI am glad that this post was usefull for you and might bring you some connections!
I was back at the shop about 3 weeks ago and I was told, that if I am interested in some other colors or sizes of e.g. bed throws, they could ask Bossio to deliver it to the shop, so I would not have to drive all the way to their main shop. I could choose from what I like. What a customer service!
And I found also another brand (have to check my notebook and will post later about it with pictures), that are handweaving / stiching towels, so beautiful (but also really expensive).
Until later!