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Positano Fashion: Centuries of Colors and Creativity

The Fashion of Positano Endures

Every September, the doors of the fashion world open up to the unique and rich fashion culture of Positano. Positano is a small town perched on the coast of Amalfi in Italy. During the early 1900s, there was a boom in the shops and small businesses that provided highly creative and colourfully designed clothing, which helped characterize the inimitable Positano fashion.

Positano fashion is characterized by plenty of colors and a particular class of materials. The early production of Positano clothing focused mostly on the use of silks and jute canvas. Styles and designs were far-ranging; the more creative, the better. What’s important is that the attractive and fascinating look was achieved. The look of the Positano is one that commanded attention and turned heads, thanks to its use of bright colors and a lot of delicate tissue-thin materials adorned with a lot of sparkles. It brought to mind the sparkles of the Orient and the mysterious feel of sheer and soft fabrics, but with an earthly feel that represented the laid-back and simple life of Italy and the Mediterranean. This relaxed feel is also achieved by the carefree styles of Positano clothes, with shoulders bare and with free-flowing skirts. The attention-grabbing colors and adornment were symbolic of the Italian women’s confident and brazen manners, with their eyes to the world and not on the ground, and with vibrant smiles reflected by the shiny accoutrements of their clothing.

The birth of Positano fashion and its development was an answer to the tastes of holiday vacationers on the coastal town mainly because it was a mixture of sophistication and outlandishness. The vacationers, wanting to be free from their uptight routines, longed to lounge around in soft fabrics and loose clothes, and Positano clothing allowed them to enjoy this luxury without stripping them of their fashion sense and sophistication. Due to this, Positano fashion also expanded, soon including sea dresses and beach robes with soft gauze materials. This caused even more shops selling Positano clothing to open and more and more ideas joined the creative foray.

The seductive aura of the Positano fashion eventually caught media attention and sustained it for decades. It didn’t take long, thus, for Positano fashion to evolve. After all, even at the beginning, this Italian fashion culture had much potential for growth. For the next 60 years following the war, Positano fashion received an immense growth. What started out as a clothing trend blossomed into a much-awaited yearly fashion season that included not just clothes but also handbags, shoes, accessories, and costumes for both men and women. But despite such growth, the fashion of Positano still gave much importance to the strict use of known Positano fabrics to retain their authenticity.  Through the years, Positano became known as a shopping icon with a twist.

As the new millennium emerged, however, there was a significant decline in the popularity of Positano fashion as the overall fashion culture continued to veer towards more classic and modern pieces. Several shops in Positano closed and only a few remained to continue the once beloved fashion tradition. Presently, Positano fashion still survives. In fact, it has recovered some of its former glory. The fashion culture has given rise to several different brands offering authentic Positano pieces as well as a string of imitators.

One of the authentic brands offering genuine Positano fashion pieces is Moda Positano. Moda Positano is a famous brand producing Positano clothing and other products. Various genuine Moda Positano pieces can be bought along the streets of Positano. Tourists staying all over the town including those lodged nearby at Hotel Poseidon can easily indulge their creative fashion sense with the creative offers of Moda Positano, which are scattered all over the town.

Despite the large number of brands of Positano fashion, Moda Positano manages to stand out. The brand offers genuine Positano fashion but mixes this with the new requirements of modern fashion. New fabrics and beautiful embroidery were added to the mix. Now, Positano fashioncontinues to live on, but enduring brands such as Moda Positano have managed to make it adaptable to the changing tastes and needs of fashion aficionados.

Now, Positano fashion not only provides the perfect getup for the modern man or woman on a vacation. Thanks to the innovativeness of authentic brands like Moda Positano, the fashion trend has become a fashion season, and the classic styles that represent true Positano fashion now make an appearance on modern clothing so much so that Positano has managed to incorporate itself into the wardrobes of modern city dwellers.

And now, once every year, the fashion thrives again. In September, the Positano season begins. In September, all the colors, the sparklies, the gauze, the sheer, the flowers, and the creativity comes out of hiding and once again makes up the classic Positano fashion.

Positano Excursions


Articles Index: Positano Hotels, Historical Information, “Spring in Positano”


In Positano itself, you can go on an excursion to some of the world’s most famous sites. Choose a Positano hotel wisely so you are within easy reach of these attractions. When in the scenic coastal town, be prepared to stroll through the picturesque streets of the old city which still bears remnants of its glorious past. Go through the town centre and see Positano at its liveliest. After that, don’t miss the Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta. This is one of the most famous attractions in Positano. The old church, boasting of a majestic dome, was built in the 1920s and is the location of the famous 13th century Byzantine icon, the Madonna di Positano.

From Positano, you can also take the time to visit Ravello, another breathtaking location along Amalfi Coast. This historical neighbour offers fascinating views and has lured and inspired several famous writers such as Gore Vidal, a long-time resident of the coastal town. While in Ravello, one place you must visit is the Villa Rufolo with its sprawling gardens and Villa Cimbrone with its views overlooking the coastline. You can also catch a bit of the town’s history at the Saint Panthaleon Cathedral topped with a 13th century bell tower.

Continue your excursion in Amalfi. The main town, which bears the name of the coast, is located at the mouth of a ravine found at the foot of Monte Cerreto. Due to its location, the town affords visitors with a great view of the coast and of cliffs rising all around. The whole city is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering several significant and historical attractions. These include the cathedral of St. Andrew from the 11th century and the iconic Cappuccini convent where Southern Italian art is blended with unique Byzantine elements. Some distance away lies the Piazza Duomo, which is considered by many as the heart of Amalfi. Do not miss the beautiful white columns and arches of the Chiostro del Paradiso.

If you haven’t had enough of the wonders of Italy, continue your excursion by heading towards Pompei. The ruined and buried Roman city bears an extraordinary past. Now, it is considered as one of the most popular UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which attracts up to 2 million visitors yearly. It is encompassed by the Vesuvius National Park, and offers various points of focus such as Herculaneum, Villa Poppaea, and the Stabiae.

Don’t forget to allow a day for pure relaxation. Just lounge around in your Positano hotel room with a view and admire the wonders of spring. Spring in Positano is not just a season; it is an event that should not be missed, especially with the scent of lemons and oranges lingering in the air. The ambience is a typical Positano ambience, one that residents and tourists enjoy every spring in Italy’s Positano.


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Spring in Positano


Articles Index: Positano Hotels, Historical Information, “Positano Excursions”

 


Experience the Flowering Season like in No other place of the world

Spring is the season of colours and flowers.  It’s a most wonderful season indeed; during this time, nature is at its finest and fullest form.  And nowhere else is the season more beautiful than in the quaint Italian town of Positano.

Positano is a small picturesque town with splendid coastal views.  The town makes up part of the world-renowned Amalfi Coast located in Campania, Italy.  The town itself is perched on an enclave on the face of a hill and winds down towards the waters of the Amalfi Coast.  Naturally beautiful, Positano attracts thousands of visitors every year.  Several travellers have described it as a dream place – one that gets etched into your memory with its unique and colourful houses climbing up the face of the rock.  This is why the town’s prime industry is tourism.  All year long, the town is always full of people longing for some time away on a dreamy coastal location – the exact picture that Positano paints.  But if you are planning to visit Positano, it would be best to schedule your trip during the spring season.

Spring is definitely a great time to travel to Positano;  in spring, the whole place blossoms with greens and colourful flowers.  Summer and winter are generally the more popular vacation seasons, so spring isn’t exactly considered a peak season for the tourists.  But since it is the peak season for nature itself,  your trip will be memorable.

In fact, you’ll be glad to know that Positano hotels even cost much less in spring than in any other season.  If you are looking for a hotel, you can even afford yourself a couple of luxuries since prices are quite low.  To fully enjoy your vacation, make sure you choose a Positano hotel that completes your Italian coastline experience with a homey and coastal ambience.  And since hotels are quite affordable in spring, even luxurious villas such as the cozy Hotel Poseidon, with its 48 rooms, 2 suites, and a rich garden surrounding it, will offer an unforgettable holiday at a price you can afford.

Aside from that, spring offers excellent weather so you can make the most out of every single day you spend in town.  No time will be wasted due to weather concerns. The season is simply perfect for your planned sightseeing trips and other unforgettable excursions around Positano and its neighbouring towns.


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Positano Hotels


Articles Index: Historical Information, “Positano Excursions”, “Spring in Positano”



During my vistit to florence I visited several hotels. Amongst theese, I recommend the followings:
Hotel Poseidon Positano
Hotel Le Sirenuse
Hotel Il San Pietro


Hotel Poseidon Positano

The Hotel Poseidon, once a beautiful Mediterranean villa in the heart of Positano, is today a hotel in a green area overlooking the “ vertical village “ and the Amalfi coast, one of the most beautiful and picturesque places of the world.
Official website

Hotel Le Sirenuse

The Style of Le Sirenuse hotel is very unique. The Sersale family lives and entertains in the hotel and keeps it very much still as it were their private home. The architecture is Moorish baroque, typical of the area, with white washed walls, arched and vaulted ceilings and hand made tiles on the floors. Old paintings and prints are hanging on the walls and antiques and period furniture are decorating the many living rooms and all the rooms.
Official website

Hotel Il San Pitro

This hotel is the dream child of Carlino Cinque who was passionately in love with this place and commissioned a villa on a promontory with breathtaking views. In the course of time, this dream grew as did the hotel. Today, it boasts 61 rooms, each with a private terrace and a wonderful sea view.
Official website



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Positano history


Articles Index: Positano history, Legend of Positano, Positano Hotels, “Spring in Positano”, “Positano Excursions”

Positano02The legend tells that Positano was founded by Poseidon, Neptun, the god of the sea, for a nymph he loved, Pasitea. Phoenixes and Greeks, during their journeys, landed in this territory, maybe inhabited at that period by Piceni and Oscans.

Roman conquerors built a rich villa near Spiaggia Grande: on that place there are now gardens and Santa Maria Assunta church. With the fall of Roman empire, Positano entered the Repubblica marinara of Amalfi and lived a very prosperous period thanks to commerce with other Mediterranean towns.

Norman invasions started a period of decadence. After that, there were other sad periods, especially under Angevins and Aragons, with the terrible invasions by Sarancen and Turk pirates. To defend themselves, the inhabitants built three towers in Fornillo, Trasita and Sponda and other smaller towers in the town.

In 1492 Positano was a feud of Giovanni Miroballo and then of Mastrogiudice and Cossa families: this was a terrible period made of plagues, famine and frequent sea-quakes that made many people die.

During XVI and XVII century the fast and strong ships of Positano traded with the Middle East bringing home spices, silks, and precious woods. During this period many Baroque houses were built with nice terraces on the sea. XVIII century was a prosperous one and many other rich Baroque houses were built.

Positano03After the Unity of Italy many inhabitants of Positano went to look for their fortune in America. During the First World War, many citizens died. Many Russian and German artists and writers went to live to Positano and thanks to their works of art made Positano famous all over the world.

After the Second World War film directors, painters, writers, enchanted by the beauty of this place, by its magic atmosphere, seduced by the way of life of fishermen, decided to restructure the old houses, the monasteries, and to move there. They built wonderful villas. It’s “moda Positano” time: a variegated, polychrome, exotic fashion.

Its little climbing streets have been walked by John Steinbeck, Alberto Moravia, Pablo Picasso and Dino Buzzati, in a funny microcosm that still today combines snobbism and simplicity, art and natural beauties make Positano a most desired destination of travellers from all over the world.

by Stefania Maffeo

The legend of Positano

Studio144The legend recounts, with great minuteness, that one night a Saracen sailing vessel that had stolen a precious Painting of the Madonna suddenly found itself in the midst of a furious storm off the Positano coast. The south-west wind was threatening to make the mainmast come tumbling down any minute, the fury of the sea and of the rain beset the vessel sweeping men and objects overboard.

The men of the crew had abandoned their duties and were running frantically from stern to stern on the high-prowed ancient Byzantine vessel, when all of a sudden the sailors heard a mysterious voice rising above the terrifying creaking of the foremast. Out of the howling gusts of the gale, a crystalclear voice apparently born of the wind repeatedly said: “Posa, posa!” (Lay me down). The Madonna, weary of roaming the seas, was asking to be brought to rest on land.

The sailors understood and decided to obey, in the hope of reaching safety and with the premonition that they were face to face with a new reality: a miracle.

PositanofrombeachAll of the crew, converted to the Christian faith, got down to work like slaves, some went to the helm, others strove to get landward wind to fill the canvas of the one and only square sail: but miraculously every effort was superfluous because the vessel, as if propelled by a will of its own, started gliding towards the small bay where the Madonna was laid down on the small crescent shaped beach which nowadays is a favourite haunt of families on vacation.

The storm had abated and billows were gradually receding. On the water line, still black from the early morning rain, the Byzantine Madonna shone out brightly from her cedar-tree tablet where a skilful artist of distant Greece had depicted her: and there she was found at dawn by the first fishermen going out to sea. The pious inhabitants of these shores built a temple on that very site and since that day the village took the name of Positano from the “Posa, posa” uttered by its Madonna.


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