Dinner and Cessani fashion show at Corinthia Palace I
n October there are at least five national days which are celebrated, often with a concert as well. After the long hot summer when very few ‘public’ social events take place, there are concerts, launches and lunches, several on the same day, throughout October. It has been hot and humid and one can only do so much. What with the traffic and parking problems wherever I go, I am not encouraged to do very much which is beyond the call of duty. At last it looks as if the heat and humidity are finally slowly but surely taking a back seat. It rained enough to dirty our window panes and cars but we need more rain. Let us hope it will come.
So, encouraged by a cooler evening, I went to Mary Grace Pisani’s fashion show at the Corinthia Palace where I have been so often, over the years, that some of the staff who have been doing their job so well, come and kiss me. Affectionate kisses are never to be spurned, ever. I am as fond of the ‘old’ members of staff as they are of me.
Mary Grace has been doing some rebranding and the original name of her business Fersani has now been rebranded to Cessani. There were two collections that evening: the spring-summer 2017 collection and the Presidential Collection 2016/2017. Everyone could see the beautiful models (hair by Dean Gera) while comfortably sitting at table, in between eating one delicious dish after another.
The Corinthia Palace has its own character and elegance now subtly improved by CEO David Woodward who has used his magic wand to make small but significant changes. Under his leadership there are Stephen Cordina’s perfumed candles lit up in the evening and a very happy staff, many of whom have been there for so many years.
I was sitting at Mrs Michelle Muscat’s table and between Perit Jesmond Mugliett and fashion designer Mary Grace Pisani. She told me that she would be opening her boutique in PAMA soon. In fact the opening took place on Friday.
Perit Mugliett and Karen are a beautiful couple and both gracious and with their heads on their shoulders. Deborah and her husband Ivan, (Winter Moods), Grech need no introduction. They are a happy, productive couple. His band and compositions are top favourites. Melanie Abela, Minister Carmelo Abela’s pretty wife was on the same table. She has always impressed me with her creativity and good taste. She sometimes makes her own clothes and I have had the good fortune to see some of her creations. She keeps a very low profile and is very much loved in Zejtun where they live.
Mrs Muscat who was wearing an ‘old’ but classic Fersani creation gave a very good speech and I say this not because I consider myself to be an old friend for I have known her since she was working in public relations well before she got married. Her speech, delivered without a single scrap of paper was mostly about Mary Grace. She referred to the unpleasant business of the prisoners making curtains which, ridiculous as it was, made the headlines some time ago just because there are those who will rake up any story to put a dark shadow on the present government. I never doubted, for one minute, that those prisoners were going to be paid for their work. Payments take time. We know that. I am very happy that Mrs Muscat is promoting local talent and especially women who are gifted and always need a helping hand.
Mary Grace Pisani was born with a gift. She is naturally elegant herself and produces clothes which are attractive and wearable. We all have our sartorial likes and dislikes but I have to say that I found most of her designs wearable and appropriate to our climate. Most of us only wear at most, fifty per cent of our wardrobe regularly. In summer especially, we like comfortable clothes but which have some sort of style. I loved her use of turquoise which is so attractive with a tan. Asymmetric clothes are now fashionable and she had a couple of these. I don’t like anything asymmetric but the young, tall and slim looked marvellous in these designs. They are mostly for those who are prepared to be noticed. Cessani’s craftsmanship is superb with embroidery and lace inserts which are delicate and appear to be untouched by human hands. She creates pieces which are integral to the wardrobe of a real, fashion-forward yet practical woman who enjoys compliments but also wants comfort. She must have a gifted team of seamstresses working in her atelier but ultimately it is her direction and designs which are behind it all. Her handbags, leather, are made in Spain and there are plans to export her creations to that country. I am sure Net-a-Porter, too, would be happy to sell her garments. Michelle Muscat does well to promote her while at the same time raising money for the Marigold Foundation. It is a happy collaboration. It is useless for those who do so to snigger. A thankless task. Mary Grace has a gift and will have the last laugh.