"Greetings Belles!
Sicily’s energy is something else - raw, unpolished, and unapologetically sexy. Picture a gritty 1970s film set against crumbling cliffs and a blistering sun.
Sicily is disgracefully Italian, yet it possesses a fierce, unforgettable identity entirely of its own. And we loved it!
This island demands you to live out loud and that unapologetic spirit is woven into every single seam. Pour yourself an espresso (or a Campari), and take a look at how we are styling the new future arrivals with the classics available to shop right now.
With love from Sicilia,
Jodie-Leigh"
Jodie has returned from Sicily, sun-kissed, full of stories, and (as always), with a suitcase of Olana treasures mixed with her favourite vintage pieces.
Before she'd even unpacked, she caught up with us in the studio to recap her Sicilian family adventure of fun, precious moments and unforgettable dinners with the family friends whose company rounded off the end of the trip.
The reality of a week away in Sicily? Serene solo swims before anyone else has stirred, chaotic family splashes that left everyone breathless with laughter, plates of something delicious passed down long tables and the best company that makes saying goodbye hard.
Naturally, we had a lot to catch up on, starting with what exactly made it into that suitcase. Here's the full debrief:
Stories Shared in the Studio
Story One:
" After handing my morning over to a VAT return inside the apartment, I finally escaped to join my husband, Dan, and the kids at the beach. Ready for some serious relaxation, I drifted off on an inflatable in the sea. The kids, however, had other ideas. They hatched a tactical plot with Dan to flip me straight out into the waves while I was sleeping. I ended up drinking a gallon of seawater, followed quickly by an Aperol Spritz to wash it down, before diving right back into the kiddy chaos! "
Story Two:" Sicily is rugged, vibrant, and incredibly fiery. We witnessed a fierce argument echoing from a tiny workshop down a side street - an exchange so intense my daughters clung to us in fear. I was secretly thrilled and tried to romanticise the drama to them like always - though I failed completely. "
Story Three:
" As we wandered off the beach one afternoon, we had every intention of stopping by a charming little wine bar on the walk back to our apartment. I was desperate for a glass of my new obsession: orange wine. But my eldest, Olive, stage-managed a protest. She insisted that she and Audrey would create our very own wine bar on the terrace instead. So, we rolled with it. Nothing could have prepared us for the sheer effort the girls poured into their surprise. They emerged dressed entirely for the part, wearing their linen jumpsuits styled with oversized shirts straight from mine and Daddy’s wardrobes. They tied it all together with the little cotton neckerchiefs I’d found for them in a Somerset vintage shop on a recent trip to Frome. They looked absolutely spectacular.
Our quirky apartment happened to have an old bell, which the girls gleefully rang to announce that "service" had begun. Armed with a properly chilled wine bucket, their best posh-waiter impressions, and impressively steady hands, they welcomed us to the terrace just as the sun began to set.
Honestly? It easily beat any wine bar I’ve ever been to. (Though for the record, we did finally make it to Enoteca Le Petit Tonneau a few nights later for a delicious glass of orange wine on their terrace - but the girls still held the title!). "
Story Four:
" On day six, some of our closest friends and their kids flew out to join our chaotic little adventure. It timed perfectly with the Festival of San Salvatore! We got to watch the local fishermen tackle their legendary, century-old sea game right from our balcony. With glasses of wine in hand, we spent the afternoon loudly betting on the winners while the kids picked their favourites - including a crowd champion they affectionately nicknamed 'Avocado.' "
Story Five:
" Pasta & Pasti. Nuff said! It required a decent walk - which the girls complained about every single time we dragged them there (all three times, to be exact!). But goodness, it was worth it. Authentic, fresh Italian pasta washed down with a six-euro half-carafe of house red. Mamma mia! I'll dream of this little lunch spot forever. "
Olana Styled the Founders Way
True to form, Jodie didn't style a single Olana piece on its own, everything found itself tangled up with her own beloved summer pieces. A vintage pink-stripe linen shirt, soft from years of wear and care, became the effortless cover-up thrown over the white Belle, a refuge from the Sicilian sun. A full vintage look built around a lace cotton dress was finished with the unexpected, an Olana headscarf in rose linen, knotted just so. It's the easy styling that is so loved about the Olana pieces.
As always before a trip, a couple of Jodie's own bikinis and summer favourites went under the needle for last-minute alterations; straps swapped, back panels reworked into soft bow ties, bespoke fitting tweaks made until everything sat exactly as it should. Small changes, but the kind that make all the difference between something worn and something loved.
Which brings us to what you've really been waiting for, the suitcase itself...
The Founders Packing Essentials
1
AN ARCHIVE PICK
The Marlowe
An old friend returned to Jodie's wardrobe this trip. The Marlowe was Olana's very first dress with all the ease and elegance needed for the beautiful chaos of a family trip, it was a favourite back at the start and still one of Jodie's favourites now.
2
A FINISHING TOUCH
The Cap or Headscarf
The equal parts sun cover and standout accessory, it's the one item that turns a beach walk into an occasion. Perfect for scorching afternoons and carefree evenings.
3
A CLASSIC
The Belle
With its timeless beauty and effortless elegance, the Belle will always be our ultimate holiday dress - the perfect companion for bustling, sun-soaked days and long, wine-filled evenings.
4
A SWEET ADORNMENT
The Rose Accessory
The ultimate finishing touch. Hand-crafted in our studio by Effat, these sweet little adornments were made in red, black, and cream. Both Jodie and her daughters styled them in their hair throughout the trip - Jodie even clipped them onto her bikinis.
5
A FUTURE FAVOURITE
The Edie Vest Co-Ord
The brand new samples for 2027 were fresh off the sewing machine and HAD to be tested, what better time than an Italian holiday…they passed!
6
A TOUCH OF VINTAGE
The Vintage Cover-Up
Vintage white cottons with hints of embroidery are Jodie’s signature travel look. Slipped over a swimsuit, they look effortlessly chic and beautifully romantic.
On Instagram
Jodie shared it all on her Instagram story from the trip, vintage finds, Olana pieces and every unexpected pairing in between. If you caught them, you'll know exactly what we mean; if you didn't, you missed a masterclass in mixing old and new.
Follow [@olanaclothing] so you never miss the next one.
Usually Jodie takes you along on her journeys herself but the events in the Olana studio leading up to and following her trips are so special we just needed to bring you along with us this time.
Hattie & the Olana Team