The Three Sisters in Naples
A 3rd generation of hand crafted umbrellas
A 3rd generation of hand crafted umbrellas
Tre Sorelle
Naples May 2015: It was another national holiday and to avoid the massive crowds on Via Toledo, I detoured down the side street of the Spanish district. You step back in time on these side streets and into the lives of the Italians who live here. There is laundry flapping overhead, the corner Madonna shrine has dried flowers and electric candles, the local merchants have their stands half way into the street and Vespas weave among the pedestrians.
On such a street I discovered the Three Sisters who now manage A.Talarico’s.
At first I was not going to enter this small local store until I saw the
umbrellas. Hung from the ceilings, lining the walls, umbrellas in designs
I had never seen and others that were hand painted. Everywhere you look
there is another design to catch your attention.
Olga, Monica and Maria were all working in the store and greeted me warmly, trying
to understand my very limited Italian. I was shown many of their
finest umbrellas, each a work of art. Until I returned to my
computer I did not realize I had visited a family business dating from 1860’s, creating
handmade umbrellas! A. Talarico’s has been hand crafting
umbrellas for 3 generations.
I asked Monica who paints the wonderful artwork on the umbrellas:
Has anyone asked to learn the technique of hand made umbrelllas?
"While (he was) still alive, my father had a request from a German girl who wanted to learn from him as she was building an umbrella.
Today we have not, however, the new generation of apprentices, Monica's daughters, Barbara and Francesca, have inherited the gene and aunt Maria's artistic attempt to paint on scarves "
Hand
painted designs make each umbrella a one of a kind.
The sisters are now the design and
marketing force for the business, after the passing of their father.
In addition to umbrellas they have a
wonderful selection of handbags. All crafted in Italy, selecting one was
a difficult choice. Their non pressure sales approach was a welcome change
from the techniques of the street market vendors.
The quality of a Talarico umbrella
has been praised online by several fashion editors and other writers. On
my next visit I hope to take a closer look at the
workmanship. According to one
article "these umbrellas feature an 'unshaved' staff and distinctive
handles. All the umbrellas are finished with polished horn tips.2
The cramped quarters only allows for
a very small space for the work bench. The shop also carries silk scarves, stoles,
small leather accessories. If you don’t
need an umbrella, visit the Three Sisters to select a handbag. Prices and styles are impressive and they
offer a range of colors within each model.
The cramped quarters only allow for a very small space for the work bench.
The shop also carries silk scares, stoles, small leather accessories.
Talarico’s
Vico Due Porte a Toledo 38/40
Napoli 80134
