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Marella
Ferrera was born in Catania
In January 2013, new line of clothes were presented celebrating the new Bernardo Bertolucci’s muse, Tea Falco from Catania, the protagonist of the video clip “Testamento” from Franco Battiato last album “Apriti Sesamo” by Universal Music Italia.
The music video entirely shot in Catania, Palazzo Manganelli and Orto Botanico, shows for the first time three native citizens of Catania together, Battiato-Ferrera-Falco, under the guidance of Beniamino Catena, well-known film director of fortunate TV fictions.
She creates a new “Collection of High Fashion for summer 2013 in occasion of 20th anniversary of her first appearance on national scene of Haute Couture, “20th ANNIVERSARY – That’Sicily”, celebration of more beautiful and cultured Sicily.
In March, the Russian magazine Italia-Made in Italy makes a special dedication in a form of a set of numerous photos and an article written by a Russian journalist, coming directly from Moscow to visit her Atelier-Museum.
In occasion of the Exhibition “I Grandi Capolavori del Corallo, I coralli di Trapani del XVII e XVIII secolo” for the Fondazione Puglisi Casentino in Catania, for the period of two months of the exhibition, a spacious room of PalazzoValle was used to exhibit fashion creations inspired by corals, the theme always present in her collections of High Fashion.
In April, she organized “La Notte dei Coralli”, an evening event inspired by the Exhibition using 50 models of all ages as live statues; Tableaux Vivants admired by thousands of visitors in less than two hours.
In May, she was awarded by the “Premio Ambasciatore della Natura 2013” given to those who are involved a great deal in protection of environmental, natural, ecological and landscape patrimony of Italy and in the world.
She was invited to present her Collection of High Fashion at the Fashion Week in Malta.
Revival of the “Macbeth” at the Teatro Lirico in Cagliari, which she designed costumes for.
In June, she is a guest at the Road Italy, a TV programme at Raiuno, where Italy in crossed on the board of the “Ape Calessini” and treasures of our country are explored. The guided tour of the MF Museum displays to video cameras of Rai experiments with materials that characterise her unmistakable stile.
In July,“Etna, Patrimonio Unesco”, the Exhibition of Photographs of Antonio Parrinello, celebrates the “Mountain” with an installation; a dress as a sculpture with the pieces of volcanic stone in pottery to underline the relationship between the volcano and inhabitants, using black woollen tulle together with the “oil” of the famous Sicilian painter Antonio Sciacca representing the Triquetra MF.
In August, she was invited to “The Look of the Year 2013” event at Teatro Greco in Taormina, where her last Collection of High Fashion was presented by aspirating models and was awarded for the life-long carrier.
In September, she received the “Premio Trofeo del Mare” award in Pozzallo that celebrates it’s XIII Edition, “… to have described using his art in colours, shades, elegance of Sicily, represented as the most fascinating and luxuriant woman, unifying beauty, harmony, excellence , history and soul in force of primordial elements and promoting an enriching stimulus to re-read contemporary history of Sicilian people.”
She has been invited to Favignana on the “Tonnara Florio Fashion Event”, where latest creations were presented inspired by corals celebrating Sicily and it’s biggest craftsmanship.
At Grand Hotel Timeo in Taormina she organized an event “Welcome to Sicily” for a group of international VIPS; a journey across Sicily getting across the most emblematic experimentations worn by models-living statues.
In October, for three days, MF Museum&Fashion changes into a set of new series of TV fiction “Squadra Antimafia 6” on air at Canale 5 in September 2014.
In January 2012 for the first time after 20 years in the Atelier-Museum and not in Rome the new Haute Couture collection, “Re-Chic-Couture” will be presented with a whole new attitude, costumes: ethical, critical , responsible, sustainable, ecological, biological, fair, supportive, recycled and vintage.
In February, it starts the collaboration with the Sicilia Fashion Village, which offers room for more events and exhibitions. New-born “Space M – Temporary Art Gallery Store” presents “I love Ri-Chic-Lo” II Edition of the exhibition-trade of recycling.
In March, in the Theatre Stabile di Catania directed by Joseph Dipasquale, presents its marked costumes for “The Ship of Brides”.
At the MF Museum&Fashion she opens the Exhibition “Author’s Eggs”, sixty ostrich eggs, sixty works of art, creations of dozens of artists from the world of art, music, film, design and of 'Haute
Cuisine. The musician Giovanni Sollima for “Placenta” did not hesitate to paint and to stage his first cello at the “Mandolovo” by Carmen Consoli who wanted to evoke the mandolin and the memories of the father. From “N' Uovo Piano Score” by the composer Nicola Piovani to the “Young Ostrich” by Franco Battiato. The unusual “creative brood ” includes works by artists such as Alberto Abate who died recently, designers like Mario Nanni, directors like Gianpaolo Cugno, actresses like Donatella Finocchiaro and Lucia Sardo.
In April, the Space M organizes the V Edition of “Civita in Bloom”, renamed for the 'opportunity' “Village in Flowers” exhibition-market floral path eco-chic flavors and scents of the island.
In May, the UK production company Pilot Productions, winner of over 30 international
TV awards and with a global audience of over 30 million viewers worldwide, it records at MF Museum&Fashion for "Bazaar" program of culture, art, shopping and lifestyle in general, which aims to promote Sicily in the rest of the world through major television networks around the globe.
In June, receives private visit in her Atelier-Museum the Princess Sayyida Susan Al Said Sultan of 'Oman to start the collaborate with the Bait Muzna Gallery in Muscat, recently transformed by the same Princess into a modern trendy space for 'art and culture.
Space M pays tribute to the most beautiful Sicily with “Best of Sicily” event that brings together artists ranging from Sicilian tradition and innovation by creating new languages for design. National preview presents the “That'Sicily - Sicilian contamination”, a project “Made in Sicily” that creates a new image of “Sicily-Souvenir”.
Has invited to the Exhibition “The Genius of the Two Sicilies”, the IV Edition of the Palermo Design Week.
In July, she received the “Premio Aurora” by Rotaract Club Catania, the “Premio Rosa Balistreri” from Fidapa Giardini-Naxos and the national prize “Pergamene Pirandello 2012” in front of the “Casa Museo Natale” of the writer in Agrigento on the occasion of the 145 anniversary of his birth.
In September, she presented as a Special Guest the preview of new Bridal Collection 2013 in Sicilia Fashion Village.
From November to December, she is the “creator” of the “Best of Sicily”, Sicily to be tasted, to be worn, to be smelled, to be explored, to be found in every corner of our households: “Art Gallery Temporary Shop” will be the guest at the MF Museum&Fashion in Catania.
Fashion, Food and Design, works of “creative Sicilians” who weave wefts and warps on a loom representing contemporary visions of Sicily that is lacking its presence within tradition and innovation. New languages designed to tell unpublished paths. “Best of Sicily” is a celebration of the Mediterranean.
Companies like Coca Cola and Oranfrizer are involved in series of charity events in favour of the S. Egidio community.
In January 2011, the Haute Couture Collection for Summer 2011 “The Ship of Brides”, will be presented in Rome, inspirited by the texts of Lucia Sardo and Elvira Fusto, dedicated to the drama of the Sicilian emigrants who departed in the '20s for a “new world” hoping to settle in the United States, arriving at Ellis Island, the Isle of Tears.
A ship full of women and children, married by proxy...
The “Ship of Brides” through the dresses tells memories... pictures, phrases, words hard as rocks... thoughts fluid as the sea... are woven strands of life, hopes, dreams and lights.
In June, receives from the Lions Club of Taormina the “Taormina Prize for the Arts and Sciences”, the XXV Edition.
In July, debuts with its costumes designed for the “Pathos”, The Tragedy of the Trojan Women by Euripides and Seneca on the Ravenna Festival, at the Theatre Alighieri, with two exceptional protagonists as Lindsay Kemp and Mariella Lo Giudice, and directed and choreographed by Micha Van Hoecke.
Among the features of the tragedy, the timelessness that is also reflected in costumes.
In Licodia Eubea receives the International Prize “Golden Wolf”, called the Nobel Prize in Sicily not only for the intrinsic value of the medal but also for the thickness of the winners of the previous editions, including two Nobel Prize winners from China.
"Concept Creator" with an original and evocative layout of the show “Pieces of History, Benedictine and Biscari textile collections in an unpublished between the sacred and the profane” to the Castello Ursino Civic Museum, organized by the municipal Department of Culture and events and by the Superintendence for Cultural and Environmental Heritage of Catania. On display for the first time the extraordinary textile collections of the Biscari princes and Benedictines already admired by Goethe during his trip to Italy in 1787, merged in 1934 in the Civic Museum and since then never shown to the public.
In November, at the MF Museum&Fashion organizes the “BRIDE LOOK”, a “trunk show” in which the preview of the latest Bridal Collection with free tests look will be presented, completed with hair and makeup, and advices on Wedding by the top artists of the field.
In December 15 artists from various countries, from New York to London via Italy will unify, different but united by the same brilliant obsession for ethics and aesthetics: Turning waste, municipal waste, exceptional jewellery and handbags all made of leftovers . The result is the“Re-Chic-Lo” I Edition of the trade show on the theme of recycling.
In February 2010 the Collection of High Fashion for the 'Summer 2010 "Goddesses" dedicated to the recent experience of Acroliti of Morgantina will be presented in Rome. A vertical journey to the womb of the Mother Earth, visions of Goddesses: “Demeter and Kore, the most precious gift that this land has wound”. Clothes worn by the “Appassionante” singers will be used in the advertising campaign for the German airline Air Berlin.
The second edition of "Civita in Bloom", and exhibition of floral market is organized in March in the heart of Civita di Catania . Flower designers, experts and famous fragrance of garden nurseries prepare an imaginary garden under a transparent marquee similar to a large greenhouse.
Over 50,000 visitors in eight days decreed the success of the event.
In April, the MF Museum&Fashion organizes the exhibition "The Culture passes through the Goddesses."
Tunic-dresses, jewellery, photos but also Modica chocolate and raisin created ad hoc, all with a common denominator: Demeter and Kore.
In May at the Municipal Theatre in Giardini Naxos, the first Greek colony in Sicily, the Prize “Shadow of Dionysus” will be given, for the rewriting of myths and their symbolic value, during the ceremony the “Teocle Prize for Classical Culture” will be entrusted.
The Mayor of Catania, Senator Raffaele Stancanelli will call a new City Council, exclusively made up of “technicians” who do not take part in any political party, such as the Head of Culture and Major Events.
In June, on a proposal of the Prefect of Catania SE Dr. Vincenzo Santoro, who will be awarded by the President of the Republic Giorgio Napolitano as the “Commendatore” of the' Order of Merit of the Republic.
Only a month from the nomination, the billboard “Catania Summer” with the slogan “Together for Catania” will be presented carrying a rich program full of events scheduled from July to September in which he manages to involve all relevant public and deprived citizens along with internationally renowned artists such as Franco Battiato, Francesco Cafiso, Carmen Consoli, Tony Esposito, Roberto Cacciapaglia, Etta Scollo, Micha Van Hoecke, Marta Marzotto.
In August revival of “The Bacchae” by Euripides will take place in the scene at the “Stone Theatre” of Segesta, Acre, Tindari and Morgantina, inserted in the first edition of the “Circuit Epicarmo - Theatres of ancient Sicily” designed by Filippo Amoroso and organized by Mauro Lo Monaco, under the artistic direction of Enrico Stassi, to enhance the archaeological and cultural heritage of Sicily. Archaic and modern costumes essential and always present.
Important international presence: invitation to the “Bidvest Annual Awards Dinner”, one of the most important events held annually in South Africa at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg organized by the Bidvest group led by Mr Brian Joffe, one of the Top 5 Businessmen of '92 chosen by the Sunday Times, who was elected to be the Top Manager in South Africa in 2002.
The best of MF style for 1500 guests from the 5 continents. Best managers of the group discerned during the year in a spectacular evening filled with elegance and charm will be awarded.
The whole event is replicated for two days for another 3000 guests with a fundraiser for Hospice Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.
In September, on the occasion of the reopening of the Villa Bellini of Catania, which was closed for five years, “Civitas in bloom- Special Edition”, a special edition of the event “Civitas in bloom” takes place. It has already enjoyed great success in the two previous editions.
A garden designed as a journey of the “Music in Bloom”, a “labyrinth sound”, dedicated to the great “Swan” Vincenzo Bellini.
In October, she dresses 15 girls of the ball scene of “gattopardiana” remembrance in “The altruista”, the new TV commercial spot of the Condorelli Company of Belpasso (CT), famous for its nougats, made in Bagheria in beautiful ancient halls of Villa Palagonia, which will air on national networks by Christmas 2010.
In December it “marks” the uniforms of the new airline Eagles Airlines which has chosen Catania for its scheduled mid-and short-range as the only base in Sicily. A sheath dress from the strict and clean line that recalls '60s with bodice and skirt tasmania gold forest green, much like the colours of the British company, a hood worsted wool, preferred to the classic jacket, and a funny and innovative cape knee well waterproof hood give the new look to the uniforms, refined and elegant.
In February 2009 The high fashion collection for summer 2009 “ Dreams of a Baby” was presented in Rome, dedicated to child memories of Barbie to celebrate her 50 years. Women like children for an atmosphere without time; the dress like a toy, in a cage full of memories...
In March Marella received the “ Bianca di Navarra European Prize” from the Honorary consul of Spain, a prize to recognize and celebrate, in name of a women symbol for vitality, beauty, strength of soul, the most important female personalities which have contributed to with their presence in the field of arts, trades and professions, to make it modern in the social-cultural view of Sicilian tradition.
In April she was invited to “Domenica In” on “Raiuno”, where her latest high fashion collection “Dreams of a baby” was presented live.
In May received the “4 Canti Award” from the Rotary International District 2110- Sicily and Malta “...to gain recognition for her work the land of Sicily...”
In July She made her debut at the XX edition of the Ravenna Festival, at the Alighieri Theatre, with “Baccanti” by Euripide in which she designed the costumes, modern and archaic at the same time, with direction and choreography by Micha Van Hoecke. Also part of the cast were two divas of the theatre Pamela Villoresi, already Strehler's muse and the beautiful, mysterious Chiara Muti, daughter of the Orchestra Director Riccardo. She was invited to Romania for the fourth Edition of the summer event “Fashion and Music under the stars”, in the prestigious and suggestive location of the majestic Roman Atheneum of Bucharest famous all over the world for its historic and cultural importance, that has become part of the event's scenery.
In September the revival of “Baccanti” at the first edition of the” Bellini Festival” at the Roman Theatre in Catania.
In October she made the costumes for the video of the new single by the queen of rock “made in Sicily” Carmen Consoli “Non molto lontano da qui”. The video was set in a belle epoque “brothel”, like the Parisian ones from the beginning of the 19th Century and recreated at Palazzo Biscari in Catania. Sexy Basque, fish net tights and precious jewels in an intriguing and sensual musical video.
In November at the Benedettini Monastery she presented “Fimmini” the new book by Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, columnist of Panorama and historic journalist of “Foglio”.
In December organised in the heart of Civita in Catania, “Civita in Fiore” the first flower show and market, where thirteen excellent Sicilian florists arranged a complete garden. Over 10,000 people in three days determine the success of the manifestation. The Stylist was charged by the Cultural Board of Enna “to dress” two goddesses and give “ Body and Soul” to two Acroliti of Morgantina of the 6th Century BC recently returned from the USA. The two works of stone - that represent the Goddess Demetra, wife of Zeus and the daughter Kore – were presented to the public at the Archaeological museum of Aidone on the 13th of December, before acting on a journey to a great return heading for the “Tesoro d'Argento” in 15 pieces which will be delivered in 2010, to a climax with the restitution of “Venere di Morgantina” in arrival for the Californian Paul Getty Museum in 2011.The same year, it received formal recognition and notification by the Ministry of Heritage and Culture that MF Archive "... it is of historical interest particularly important and therefore subject to the regulations of Legislative Decree 22 January 2004, No. 42."
In January 2008 Marella Ferrera is invited to Raiuno, in prime time, with her sculpture clothes from the historical archives in the new programme conducted by Carlo Conti “ I Migliori Anni”, a contest between two decades, representing the 90’s.She presents her Haute Couture Collection –Summer 2008 in Rome “Letter to a Museum 1758-2008”: “volcanic” fire-like sirens with very sensual embroidered skirts, very low waist Saracen trousers, pure gold braces, unstructured armours, hunting scenes, male and female, solid and liquid, iron and muslin, goddess and warrior, gold and silver in the 18th century embroidery like old tales rewritten on bodies…bodies of women travelling in time searching for old lost mysteries, perhaps found in the works of Goethe or in the notes of Mozart…in their voyage… She labelled more than 130 costumes for the “Macbeth” represented at the Oviedo Opera in Spain.
In May MF opened the “MF Museum&Fashion” in Catania where she moved her Maison headquarters. In the city historical center, her new museum concept tells a story of emotions, of past relationships and particular signs. A gift given to her city to present two intersecting worlds, fashion and art, during an imaginary journey following the travels of Goethe and Prince Biscari.
It is through past memory, that the designer has brought back, with an artistic experience rich in contaminations, the Biscari Museum 250 years after it had been founded by Prince Ignazio Paternò Castello, V Prince of Biscari.
In these elegant, essential surroundings, full of sober opulence in the mix of references, MF presents “Beyond clothing…the Thought". A “carnet de voyage”, a virtual book that evokes imagination ,dreams and thoughts in 28 pages.
The exhibit is open until 31st December 2008.
In June, MF received an “Award Certificate for her Career” added to her previous 1997 “Mela D’Oro” during the XX Edition of the Marisa Bellisario Prize at the Piccolo Teatro Strehler in Milano. She realizes the costumes for the theatre actress Mariella Lo Giudice and the singer Carmen Consoli in the show directed by Guglielmo Ferro and the writer Angelo Scandurra “Scupa!”, a homage to the Sicilian culture and inspired by the playing cards, presented in Catania at the Benedettini Monastery.
In July in the worldly city of Mamaia, near Costanza on the Black Sea in Romania, MF is present at the “Moda e Musica Sotto le Stelle” event, at its third edition in Piazza del Casinò.
She receives the prestigious Literary Prize “Ninfa Galatea – Lido dei Ciclopi” in Aci trezza.
Again a prize, the “Sicily Award” at the Kempinski Gardens of Costanza in Mazara del Vallo, during an evening event presented by Nathalie Caldonazzo.
In September MF signed the costumes for the “Macbeth” at the Opèra Royal De Wallonie in Belgium.
She inaugurates the restored Norman-Arab Castle in Salemi, invited by the newly elected mayor Vittorio Sgarbi. Fashion mingled with art and history in Tableaux Vivants, rich in visual and scenographic impressions for a cultural event where the artistic creation of clothes is solely a pretext to recall to memory the Sicilian history and art. A performance changing the meaning of a fashion parade: the models do not move but the spectators along a path are gifted with the extraordinary beauty of the castle.
In October hosted MF Museum&Fashion a presentation by Rassegna Teatrale 2008/09 “ Gesti” by Guglielmo Ferro.
In November at the same location presents together with Pietrangelo Buttafuoco the book “Alla Corte Di Re Moda” by journalists Daniela Fedi and Lucia Serlenga at the presence of the same authors.
In January 2007 she presents the Haute Couture Summer Collection 2007 in Rome “Homage to Lady Chatterley”, inspired by the book “Lady Chatterley and the Mule-Driver” by the writer Gaetano Saglimbeni from Taormina.
We dream of a woman taken from the pages of a very famous book who becomes harmony and style in her apron-like dresses and precious collars.
In June for the Romanian Unimpresa and supported by the Italian Embassy, Marella Ferrera presents her latest Haute Couture Collection during the “Fashion and Music under the Stars” in Del Mare Square in Sibiu, capital of Transilvania and European Capital of the 2007 Couture.
In July Marella Ferrera presents the new Beachwear Collection during “The Night of the Sirens , on Raidue, from the Arena on the Reggio Calabria Strait.
A “Beach-Couture” made of raffia, coral, string and silk threads but also of very precious swarovski crystals.
Exceptional testimonial the “Appassionante” soprano trio singing “Maestrali”, a piece composed for the special occasion and soundtrack to the same fashion show.
In September Marella Ferrera receives the prestigious “Salvo Randone” prize in Mazara del Vallo, for her theatre costume designer activity.
A celebration that has the Theatre as protagonist and where Enzo Garinei and Mario Scaccia receive career prizes.
During the VIII Edition of Fashion Tales Marella Ferrera holds her fashion show in the Palazzo Gonzaga gardens, in Volta Mantovana.
Then, three prizes: the “Madeinmedi” for intrepeneurs, in Catania; an international prize, the “Golden Curl Image Award International” in Tivoli, awarded by Canada for “Career Merits”; and at the end of the month , an acknowledgement entitled to the Catanese physicist Ettore Majorana in Militello during the “Grand Galà of Science and Art”.
In October Marella Ferrera is invited, together with the most important chefs on the island, to the Costanza di Mazara del Vallo Kempinski Garden in a refined Fashion and Gastronomic union called Gastronomic Collections giving life to “sensorial contaminations: clothes to taste and plates to wear.”
She receives two more important acknowledgements: “The Literary Prize - City of Leonforte” in the province of Enna and in Palermo, the “International Prize for Sicilian peculiarities- Pigna d’Argento”, historical prizes added to the already rich palmarès.
2006. At the end of January, MF presents in Rome her new 2006 Haute Couture Collection called “Hammam”.
Inspired by the 19th century oriental painting it is a representation of the soul, spirit and culture.
A voyage through the Algerian, Tunisian, Moroccan and Sicilian-Arab hammam with an ethnic French accented language.
In
March Marella Ferrera dresses the three very beautiful models – Laura
Barriales, Pamela Camassa and junoesque
Natalia Bush in the famous television show “I Raccomandati”
presented by Carlo Conti.
In
June she receives a “Special Prize Region Sicily” during the 9th
edition of the Kore- Fashion Oscar, broadcast by Raiuno, for the
continuous emphasis on historical-cultural traditions of our territory.
In
July Marella Ferrera presents her new Beachwear Collection during
“Notte delle Sirene” broadcast by Raidue.
She
is invited in Romania, where she presents her last Haute Couture Collection
during the Event “Moda e Musica sotto le Stelle”, in the Atheneul Roman
square in Bucarest.
Again
abroad in Germany, in Monaco di Baviera where she represents Italy with the
“Best of” her collections at the first International Fashion Galà, “Metropolis”,
during the Unicef 60 years event.
At
the end of the month she is Guest of Honour at the “Premio Aci and
Galatea” where she receives a prestigious acknowledgement from the mayor of
the city of Acireale.
In
September she again flies to Monaco di Baviera for the “Galeria Award
2006”, member of an international jury with the delicate task of
establishing the winner of a young stylists’ fashion parade.
Marella
Ferrera was for one month at the “Angeli & Angeli” Exhibition held at
Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome, presenting a special new creation dedicated to
her friend paraglider Angelo D’Arrigo, recordman for international crossings,
who recently died in an accident. She “intertwined” textile emotions,
sentiments and sensations on paper giving life to “Abito del Ricordo”.
She
was present at the 67th Edition Fashion Show for “Miss Italia”,
broadcast by Raiuno, where 20 girls competing for the title of Miss Italia
2006 wore her Haute Couture dresses. Aida Yespica was the very beautiful and
exceptional Testimonial for the event.
In October, at the 58th Edition of Prix Italia, Marella Ferrera dresses the three “lyrical-pop” sopranos of the Appassionante trio for their performance broadcast by Raiuno and held at the Goldoni theatre in Venice.
In November Marella Ferrera’s Haute Couture clothes are worn by the Miss Sudtirol 2007 finalists in Merano.
In December she dresses the “Appassionante” trio in red for the Christmas Concert, in the Montecarlo Grimaldi forum, broadcast by Raidue.
2005. In January Marella Ferrera “signs” the dance “scenes” of the New Year’s Concert directed by Maestro Georges Prètre, broadcast by Raiuno from the Fenice theatre in Venice. Twenty ballerinas dance to the notes of the Gattopardo Waltz, the Vespri Siciliani, Traviata and Can Can, all set in the most suggestive places of the lagoon city: from Hotel Danieli to S. Marco Square, from Florian Cafè to Labia Palace, from Ducale Palace to Bovolo Scala. All this was filmed, as a journey in the city. Thirty (30) dresses were created for the suggestive choreography of the most important concert of the year. “Fashion and Theatre”: at the end of January MF presents the new Haute Coiture Collection for Summer 2005 called “Waves”, entirely inspired by the tragical events in South-East Asia. The earnings obtained by selling some dresses were entirely allocated in favour of the children struck by this terrible tragedy. After the Roman fashion show, Marella reaches the Goldoni Theatre in Livorno where the same day, she makes her debut as costume designer creating more than 200 costumes for “La Gioconda”, a melodrama in four acts by Amilcare Ponchielli, set in Venice at the end of 19th century.
In
May Marella was present in the “Futurismo in Sicilia” exhibition
opened at the deconsecrated Carmine Church in Taormina, where more than 100
works by artists as Balla, Marinetti, Depero and the Sicilian Pippo Rizzo were
shown.For this special occasion Marella creates two futurist male and female
waistcoats, inspired by Rizzo’s works “Il ritorno” and “Pescatore in
lotta”. The exhibition visited by many people, ended in October. The
same month Marella receives a prize for her creativity from the Fidapa in
Catania.
In June she produces more than 150
costumes for the “Faust”, a five act opera by Charles Gounod taken from
Goethe’s novel set in the desert by the choreographer-director Micha Van
Hoecke opening the XVI Ravenna
Festival Edition. The costumes,
influenced by the “temptation” of the beginning of the century
oriental world, are exploding and sparkling in “Notte di Valpurga” which
is set in the colourful world of the Lidò and Moulin Rouge.
In July MF receives the fascinating prize “Il Satiro d’Oro” in Mazara del Vallo. That night she pays homage to her land with a performance dedicated to the “Satiro Danzante”, a bronze statue of Greek origin found in the Sicilian Canal in Spring 1998 becoming today the new symbol of Sicily. The Belgian Choreographer-director Micha Van Hoecke presents, in an atmoshere of ecstasy, the movements of the eight models who “catch” in their fifty-metre long net the Satyr interpreted by an exceptional Testimonial: l’etoile of the Scala di Milano Luciana Savignano, dressed only with a golden leaf and terracotta scales.
In September MF was invited to China, at the Dalian International Fashion Festival 2005 organized by the Chinese government in the most beautiful city of Dongbei, a northern region better known as Manciuria; here MF represents the Made in Italy with her best Haute Couture dresses deserving the appellative of “ Fashion Experimenter”. More than 3000 people, among whom the most authoritative Manciurian politicians are present to both of her fashion-shows and visit her stand prepared for the occasion; they receive a strong emotional impact, fascinated by the strong and evident Mediterranean matrix. In Sicily MF receives a new acknowledgement in Palma di Montechiaro: “Donna del Gattopardo 2005”.
In November, at the Greek National Opera Theatre in Athens, MF created more than 200 costumes for “La Gioconda”.
MF receives a prize in her city, the “Gabbiano d’Oro”, and at the end of the month, is invited by the Sicilian Region in Caracas to present a Collection of her “historical” dress models before important authorities.
In December, she is again an international presence in Malaysia and guest of honour at the Kuala Lumpur International Batik Convention and presents in preview her 2006 Beachwear Collection utilizing Malaysian batik with Sicilian lace.
Back in Italy, she immediately starts giving her stylistic contribution to the “Appassionante” three exotic-Mediterranean girls gifted with a remarkable artistic talent who interpret a lyrical/pop music genre and make their debut with their first album starting a long European tour.
2004. – Hadrian’s Temple in Rome, Marella Ferrera presents her High Fashion Collection dedicated to the Taormina Cinema Festival of the 50’s with an applauded performance. The short stories by Verga and Pirandello brought to life by the celluloid artists as Visconti, Antonioni, Zeffirelli and Taviani give breath to the women in the Sicilian Cinema; not as Hollywood stars but strong and determined heroines , rich “inside” conveying precious messages.
In March, Marella signs an agreement with the Regional Economic Development Department of Caltanissetta to make the most of “Embroidery in the Province of Caltanissetta”. During the first three months, the project gives way to a qualifying and professional course, tutoring and assisting women embroiders in the provincial territory.
In April the Verghian inspired clothes are present in the exhibition entitled “Verga da vedere”, in the “Museo dell’Immaginario Verghiano in Vizzini which lasts throughout August.
In June Marella receives the “Paladino d’Argento” in Palermo from the Sicilian Region during “La Notte dei Campioni” on television Raidue.
In July Marella made her debut at the Ravenna Festival with her costumes for Verdi’s “Macbeth” that the choreographer – producer Micha Van Hoecke set in the mysterious and fascinating samurai world, in a Japan full of rituals, being inspired by “Trono di Sangue “ by Akira Kurosawa.More than 130 costumes, praised by the specialised press and produced in the Catania theatre laboratory by the costume-designer stylist who also created them are in bamboo, wood, copper, pumice and lava stone mixture.A great co-production of the Ravenna Festival artistically directed by Cristina Muti , the Teatro Comunale in Bologna and the Teatro G.Verdi in Trieste where “Macbeth” will be represented in 2005.Again costumes for “Danse du Sabre”, produced by the Ravenna Festival, where the old samurai myths are revived.For dances and fights, the Belgium Van Hoecke draws his movements and techniques from martial arts giving birth to an enthralling scenic performance.
In September Marella Ferrera is awarded the “Sicilianita nel mondo” prize by the Kiwanis Club in Caltanissetta for her attention towards craftsmanship in the province of Niscemi and for having created new working opportunities in the territory.
In October presents the best of her historical High Fashion creations in a Gala organized among the suggestive ruins of the Palais Bedi in Marrakech, closing the Convention Sony in Maroccos.An “Arabian night” during which Maestro Andrea Bocelli accompanied by 60 orchestra elements, acrobats from the Cirque du Soleil and enraptured dervishes performed.Before the Royal Family and more than 1.500 guests, twenty models walked in cork and python clothes, bustiers adorned with copper wire crochet and ceramics from Caltagirone, skirts in rope batik textile and laser embroidery.
2003. In March at the Cosmoprof in Bologna, she presents her new perfume ”Zè” of an oriental appeal.
In April she invites “Vogue Japan” troupe and “Class” magazine to her new home situated in a Sicilian orchard.
In May the “Rai” troupe arrives and organizes a programme for “Unomattina”.
In June she makes her debut at the “Piccolo Teatro Strehler” in Milano with the “Passage” costumes together with Luciana Savignano and the corps de ballet of the Teatro della Scala, for the direction and choreography of Micha Van Hoecke. More theatre at the Ravenna Festival, with precise stylistic interpretations in “Maria Callas” for the direction and choreography of Micha Van Hoecke. She realizes the wedding gown, a very beautiful patchwork of 60 Sicilian embroidery pieces, for the Countess Franca Tasca d’Almerita. On the 14th July, in Rome in a 15th century deconsecrated church, she celebrates her first ten couture years with a flash-back entitled “ Beyond clothing…….the thought” which is the faithful mirror of her poetic universe situated in the Sicily of myths, from the Odissea to Verga, from the Gattopardo to Pirandello. The basic materials that characterize the MF style are exhibited: lava, terracotta, ceramics, paper, cork, pumice stone, papyrus, oxidized copper, prickly pear peel. The President of the Roman Province Enrico Gasbarra and the President of the C.N.M.I. Cav. Mario Boselli and the journalist Mariella Milani were present at the official opening.
In September Marella received two new acknowledgements: the Cisterna d’Argento and the Venere d’Argento. The fashion show "Beyond the Dress... the Thought" presented in Milano Moda Donna had a great success not only on the pubblic but also on the specialised press.
In December Marella Ferrera designs the label on the Moscato produced in Syracuse by the Barone Nino Pupillo. She gives birth to the "Solacium by Marella Ferrera" in a limited number of 1000 bottles.
2002. In January the “historical” clothes with ceramic and terracotta decorations are in an exhibition organized by the “Regional Ceramics Museum” in Caltagirone and the Sicilian Region; the mentioned exhibition was taken over to England, Tunisia, Cyprus and Greece.
In February Marella continues her role as costume designer. She makes her debut at the Teatro Massimo in Palermo with Ute Lemper in “ I Sette Peccati Capitali” by Weill-Brecht, directed by Micha Van Hoecke, realizing more than a hundred costumes. Soon after she realized other costumes at the Stabile in Catania for the drama by a Sicilian author Pier Maria Rosso di Sansecondo “ Tra Vestiti che Ballano”, She continues with dance-theatre in the Ravenna Festival,
in June, with the costumes for “Il Paradosso Svelato” based on an idea by Cristina Muti and the Belgian director Van Hoecke.
2001. In February for the first time she is present in the prêt-à-porter, in Milano Collections, with a new line style produced and distributed by Erreuno. She wins the Minerva Prize.
In May she produces more than 120 costumes for the Les Maries de la Tour A Paris, for the Belgian choreography director Micha Van Hoecke, represented at the Teatro Massimo in Palermo. She receives the Paladino prize from the International Kiwanis in Sicily, and in September the prizes – Ara di Giove, la Rosa d’Argento e la Torre d’Argento. She creates the wedding gown for Princess Elvira Grimaldi di Nixima, Princess Carolina’s of Monaco cousin, utilizing the same 16th century Grimaldi family lace.
2000. She starts working for the Stabile Theatre in Catania, directed by Pippo Baudo, realizing the actors’ costumes for the new season Pellegrini del Giubileo, directed by Micha Van Hoecke, choreography director for twenty years with Bejàrt. Protagonist in a documentary that the BBC took in Sicily. Awarded the Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary. She receives two other prizes: the Acitrezza Verga from the Lions, and the Posidone d’Argento from the WWF.
1999. She presents her first MF Beachwear collection in Modamare Positano, signing her second license. She is awarded new acknowledgements: the Timone d’Argento, the Leone d’Argento and the Zagara d’Oro, Sicilian awards, and the literature prize “Nino Martoglio”, l’Athena d’Argento.
1998. She wins the Ago D’Oro as best couturier. She donates a gown embroidered in Caltagirone ceramics to the Boncompagni Ludovisi museum in Rome.
1997. She receives the “Marisa Bellisario” prize, the Mela d’Oro for fashion business.
1996. She presents her MF perfume characterised by a peculiar fragrance in a crystal and stainless steel bottle. She receives two prestigious prizes for representing the Sicilian spirit: the Polifemo d’Argento and the Telamone.
1995. In February she opens a studio atelier for brides in an old 17th century building and the city Mayor cut the red ribbon.
1994. In July she organizes her fashion show on the Trinità dei Monti steps, in Piazza di Spagna, accompanied by Princess Michela Rocco di Torrepadula and Princess Mafalda di Savoia Aosta. She designs the wedding dress for Her Royal Highness , Mafalda di Savoia Aosta for her marriage to Alessandro Ruffo di Calabria which was “the Wedding of the year.”
1993. In January for the first time she presents a High Fashion collection in the official C.N.M.I. in Rome and is acknowledged as the revelation of the year.
1978. She attends the Costume and Fashion Academy in Rome. Then she moves to Milano where she opens a showroom, but it is in the Atelier in Catania opened by her parents in 1958, that Marella still continues to care the production of her creations.