Belgioioso is a fairly unremarkable town near Pavia in the north of Italy. Its most notable feature is the enormous 14th century Castello di Belgioioso.
The castle was begun in the second half of the 14th century by Galeazzo II and the town grew around the beautiful grounds. The castle is impressive.
Now the Castello is the site of the Vintage Fair which is held twice a year, in April and October. It is one of the largest in Italy and it is amazing. I defy anyone to go there and not come out with something fabulous.
At the entrance of the fair was a display of clothing and accessories by Giuliana Camerino. She was a Venetian designer who was most famous for her distinctive velvet handbags popular with Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, Farrah Fawcett and other famous names.
She has been credited with creating the concept of the “It bag”. She also designed clothing with some of her fabrics woven on antique looms, which helped support local industry in post-war Italy. Her label was Roberta Di Camerino.
Her clothes and the handbags in glass cases were not for sale, but there were quite a few of her bags for sale in some of the stands inside the fair. Here is one with her signature trompe l’oeil buckles.
There were magnificent rooms full to the brim with clothes and accessories from decades past.
The next Vintage Fair will be held in April 23 – 26, 2015 . If you are interested in vintage clothing and accessories you will love this.
Belgioioso is about 1 hour from Milan. We arrived by train from Bologna. It involved a couple of train changes which were not too difficult. From the lonely little train station (don’t be alarmed when you appear to have been dropped off in the middle of nowhere) it is only about a 10 minute walk to the Castello.
I’ve never been here, thank you so much for sharing! Putting it on the calendar for a girls day out from Milan 😉
By: Heather Carlson on November 20, 2014
at 12:39 pm
It is huge. Take money, not all the traders take credit cards.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 20, 2014
at 12:50 pm
And how much money one should take? For a dress for instance?
By: Jeroen de Haan on November 20, 2014
at 6:04 pm
The prices vary according to the age and condition of the clothes. I bought a Valentino coat in perfect condition for €200. The banana necklace was €120, the velvet bag €250, the plastic earrings and brooches around €90. I didn’t actually price a dress, but I think you can get the idea.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 22, 2014
at 3:39 am
Hmmm, that sounds like reasonable prices. Thank you.
By: Jeroen de Haan on November 22, 2014
at 6:46 am
Absolutely beautiful! I can still remember those trompe-l’oeil handbags. Thanks for sharing your outing with us.
By: Mulino Dominillo on November 20, 2014
at 12:59 pm
I don’t remember the handbags…how did I miss them?
By: Debra Kolkka on November 20, 2014
at 8:48 pm
Oh my I would love to go there, it looks fab! Trouble is my husband would not be interested so I would have to lose him somewhere!
By: janetknight57 on November 20, 2014
at 1:59 pm
Leave him somewhere else and go with a friend.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 20, 2014
at 8:49 pm
I love this post so much. 🙂
By: spotlightontravel on November 20, 2014
at 8:12 pm
Thanks, it was a fun day.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 20, 2014
at 8:50 pm
What did you buy?
By: Liz Litzow on November 20, 2014
at 9:28 pm
A Valentino coat and some early plastic earrings. It seems I needed them.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 22, 2014
at 3:30 am
We love vintage fairs but I mostly buy homewares over clothes for some reason!
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on November 21, 2014
at 11:48 am
I love the homewares too, but this was mostly clothes. There was some great stuff on offer.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 22, 2014
at 3:33 am