Wearable Art Meets Italian Tradition in a Unique Accessory Collection
If you’re looking for unique handmade gifts from Italy, or love wearable art inspired by travel and tradition, my latest collection might just capture your heart.
Created for L’Ulivo che Canta Gallery in Ostuni, this collection of hand-painted glasses holders is a tribute to the enchanting southern Italian town and its unexpected residents — the cats of Ostuni.
Before starting to paint, I took a quiet walk through the historic center of Ostuni, often called the “White City” of Puglia.
I chose a time of day when the streets were nearly empty, allowing me to absorb every detail: the ancient doors, the twisted alleys, the interplay of white walls and southern sunlight.
But the real surprise came when I noticed the cats. They were everywhere — sitting on stone steps, strolling down alleys, basking in the sun like they owned the town. And in many ways, they did. These elegant and independent creatures seemed perfectly at home in Ostuni’s timeless atmosphere.
That moment sparked the idea for this project: to blend Ostuni’s architectural beauty with the lively presence of its feline guardians.
The result? A collection of miniature artworks — functional yet poetic — that you can wear or gift.
Each piece in the series is a clip-on glasses holder designed to hang from a bag like a charm, transforming a simple accessory into a small canvas of Italian life. With every detail hand-painted, no two holders are exactly alike. You’ll find scenes of cats relaxing under arches, peeking from behind potted plants, or lazily watching the world from a doorstep — all against the iconic whitewashed backdrop of Ostuni.
This is wearable art: everyday objects turned into stories you can carry with you. Ideal for lovers of Italy, cats, and handcrafted details, these glasses holders make perfect artistic souvenirs from Puglia, or thoughtful Italian handmade gifts for those who appreciate something personal and original.
Through this project, I wanted to share a piece of Ostuni’s soul — its quiet corners, its four-legged residents, and the way beauty lives in the simplest moments.
If you want to have a look to the full collection you can check here:
You will also find other hand painted accessories with different topics.