What a Trip We Have Had!

I always knew that when we booked our trip to Puglia, it would mark the real beginning of the next chapter for Moody Merchant.
From the very beginning, I wanted Moody Merchant to be about travelling, discovering beautiful places, sourcing unique pieces and, above all, respecting the artisans who dedicate their lives to creating beautiful things for our homes.

In Puglia, I found exactly what I had been searching for not just for the business, but for myself too.

                                             

I have always admired talented people. I’m certainly not the greatest craftsperson myself (as you may have seen from my attempt in Grottaglie!), and while I’ll happily give anything a go, I have enormous respect for those who have spent years mastering their craft.

Life can feel so busy, stressful and full of noise these days that simply watching a skilled artisan at work feels incredibly therapeutic.

Puglia itself has such a peaceful atmosphere. Of course, there are the usual tourist hotspots, but once you scratch beneath the surface, you discover the history, craftsmanship and soul that make this part of Italy so special.

We spent a couple of nights in Lecce and took a walking tour through the city. The monasteries, cathedrals, churches, the castle and the ancient gates all looked as though time had barely touched them. The warm honey-coloured limestone, elegant Baroque architecture and wonderfully wonky balconies each seemed to tell their own story. I loved every minute of it.

                                 

And then there was the gelato! A little fun fact I learnt while I was there: the huge, fluffy mountains of gelato you often see aren’t actually the best. They usually contain stabilisers to create that puffed-up appearance. The flatter-looking gelato is generally the authentic version and, in my opinion, tastes so much better.

Our journey took us from six wonderful nights at the beautiful Borgo Egnazia with its olive groves, sandy tracks, incredible beach club, amazing food and picturesque villages to three nights at the Fiermonte Museum Hotel in the heart of Lecce. Between the landscapes, the architecture and, most importantly, the people, we found somewhere that I know I will return to again and again.

So, how does all of this relate to Moody Merchant?

Quite simply, creativity inspires creativity.

Being surrounded by makers, artists and craftspeople made ideas flow in a way I hadn’t experienced before.

Finding Fasano Ceramiche in Grottaglie was undoubtedly one of the highlights of the trip, and it marked the beginning of one of the collaborations I am most excited to share.

Fasano Ceramiche

Tucked away in the famous ceramic town of Grottaglie, Fasano Ceramiche is a family workshop where centuries of tradition are still very much alive.

The Fasano family has been creating ceramics for generations, with techniques and skills passed down through the family, preserving one of Puglia’s most celebrated crafts.

Walking through the workshop was one of those moments I’ll never forget. Watching clay transformed into beautiful pieces by hand, before being painted with such confidence and precision, reminded me why craftsmanship matters so much. Every splatter, brushstroke and detail is created by skilled hands, meaning no two pieces are ever exactly the same.

One of the things I loved most was that they were just as excited as I was to create something unique. Together, we’ve designed an exclusive collection for Moody Merchant, selecting our own shapes, colours and finishes that reflect both the heritage of Puglia and the timeless style I want to bring into your homes.

These aren’t pieces chosen from a catalogue they’ve been designed together. That makes this collaboration incredibly special to me. We’ll be launching a pre-order collection later this year, and I genuinely can’t wait to share it with you.

But our discoveries didn’t stop there.

Quite by chance, we were introduced to another remarkable workshop that completely stole my heart Le Costantine.

Le Costantine

 

Hidden away in the heart of Salento, in southern Puglia, Le Costantine has been preserving one of Italy’s most treasured textile traditions for well over a century.

Founded in 1901 near Otranto by two visionary women, Le Costantine began as a charitable foundation dedicated to teaching local women the art of hand weaving, giving them both a craft and an independent livelihood.

Today, that same commitment continues, with skilled artisans weaving beautiful linens by hand on traditional wooden looms using techniques passed down through generations.

Every piece is created with remarkable care, celebrating the colours, landscapes and heritage of Puglia. Rather than chasing trends, Le Costantine focuses on timeless craftsmanship, producing textiles designed to be treasured for years.

Their work has gained international recognition, including collaborations with some of the world’s leading fashion houses. Most notably, their textiles have featured in a Dior collection, bringing their centuries-old techniques to a global audience while remaining true to their roots.

Despite this recognition, the workshop has never lost sight of its original purpose: preserving an extraordinary artisan tradition while supporting the local community.
Visiting Le Costantine offers a rare glimpse into a slower, more thoughtful way of making, where history, craftsmanship and beauty are woven together in every single thread.

Alongside our Fasano Ceramiche collection, Le Costantine will be creating bespoke bags exclusively for Moody Merchant. You’ll be able to choose your preferred style, colours and patterns to create something that feels completely personal. Whether it’s a gift for someone special or simply a treat for yourself, these pieces will be made to be treasured.

I’ll be sharing much more about both collaborations over the coming months, taking you behind the scenes to meet the people and discover the stories behind every piece.

I completely fell in love with Puglia, and I can honestly say this definitely won’t be the last you’ve heard of it.

I feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to work alongside such talented artisans, preserving traditions that deserve to be celebrated. My hope is that, through these collaborations, you’ll be able to enjoy a little piece of Puglia in your own home and appreciate the incredible craftsmanship behind every item.

Thank you for following along on this journey so far. There is so much more to come, and I can’t wait to share it all with you.

You can follow along on Instagram @moodymerchant, or subscribe here on the website to be the first to hear about new collections, behind-the-scenes stories and upcoming launches.

If you've missed any of our Letters From Puglia - you can catch up here.