Behind the Cessani brand there is talent and drive

I’m surrounded by ‘creatives’. Most I haven’t met except on email and Facebook.

The Malta Independent

has always supported them by pubicising their work.

We are all born creative I suppose but it is obvious that there are those who have Art, Music, Singing etc. in their DNA and don’t have to put in much effort to do what they like doing best. Others get there through sheer determination, studying and taking courses and, it goes without saying, hard work. These are to be admired, too. Others still, ignore the talent they have been given, don’t develop it at all and choose to follow a different journey altogether.

And so I come to the subject of my diary today.

Many years ago I was at a reception accompanied by a friend. There were many receptions in those days and I went to most of them. As Features editor it was not only expected of me but I felt that these were important opportunities to keep contact with the world of fashion, beauty, culture...and to meet people face to face rather than just speak to them on an anonymous phone. So, I was on the trot several evenings a month.

At one point at that reception, my friend discreetly pointed out an elegant brunette and asked me who she was. I had absolutely no idea. I had never seen her before in the usual social circuit.

Eventually I was to find out, through some magazine perhaps, that it was Mary Grace Pisani of, at the time, Fersani. She has since rebranded her company, which is now, the well known Cessani brand and which she has developed so diligently.

Later on, in 2016 I attended a fund-raising fashion show and dinner at the Corinthia Palace, Attard. I did not have the opportunity of speaking to the designer for she was busy backstage. Fersani was behind the beautiful clothes that evening.

Soon Mary Grace’s name and brand became a household word especially with the opening of a couple of shops, interviews etc. Her recent presence in the popular Notte Bianca in Valletta, where she launched a new line of costume jewellery, further enhanced her reputation.

Lounelle, Mary Grace and Maria Grech

Lounelle, Mary Grace’s daughter

A couple of weeks ago a friend invited me to accompany her to a small reception at Mary Grace’s in Maghtab where the family home is. I had no idea that this part of Malta had developed with some attractive villas. I have always associated it with an unsavoury rubbish dump. But lo and behold it is much more than that.

Apart from the family home on the same grounds there is Mary Grace’s atelier and shop. Her daughter, Lounelle, also grooms dogs in an outhouse. This family loves animals. Just looking around left me in no doubt. The evidence is everywhere with at least a dozen or more cats and some four dogs lolling and lazing around under the trees.

The previous owners of the complex were British, I was to learn.

The Major of Naxxar Anne Marie Muscat Fenech Adami

At last I met Mary Grace face to face. She is natural and straight forward with a natural elegance. We chatted as James mixed cocktails for us at the bar and an Indian waiter served us delicious finger food which she had prepared herself. I discovered that this gifted designer is, like so many of us, a fan of Chanel. She comes from a family of talented dressmakers so was handling pins and needles ever since she was very young.

I wanted to see her shop of which I caught a glimpse and her atelier. So she took me round to satisfy my curiosity. You could see an artist is behind it all. Everything is in its place. She is a perfectionist. Her daughter Lounelle also designs and as I admired some ceramic pots, she told me they were designed by her and then made locally. Mary

Alexia and Keith Demicoli

The writer Francis Galea

Grace also designs costume jewellery. Very striking. Also leather bags which she has made in Spain. Clothes are bespoke. Designed by her but executed by the five seamstresses who work for her. She has a great deal to say for herself, is so full of ideas which she will no doubt execute in time. I was in the presence of a very determined lady.

At present she is busy preparing for a fund-raising fashion show taking place on the 17th of this month the proceeds of which will go to support voluntary organisations dedicated to helping animals in need.

I spoke to Keith Demicoli and his wife Alexia, both with much to say for themselves. As the evening drew to a close they left as Alexia works for Hospice and they wanted to go and help with the setting up of tables etc. as on the morrow there was to be a fund-raising dinner.