Marella Ferrera. The best-known of Sicilian-based designers divides her time between the offices and workshops of Ferrera Couture in Catania and Rome, with frequent forays to Milan. The innovative designs of the reigning queen of Sicilian high fashion embody the timeless artistic legacy of an ancient place. Ms. Ferrera deserves much of the credit for putting Sicily back on the international fashion map during the 1990s.

Domenico Dolce. The Sicilian half of Dolce & Gabbana has been based in Milan for two decades. Reflecting Mediterranean colours and textures, the house's so-called "Sicilian" style of design transcends simple description. It certainly reflects an enlightened visionary's perception of his native island.

Giovanni Di Francisca. Artistically gifted and technically exceptional, Giovanni Di Francisca is a master. Specializing in evening wear, the elder statesman of Sicilian fashion learned his craft from the likes of Cristobal Balenciaga, and studied in Milan just as Italy was emerging as an important force in the world of high fashion. A few of his creations are sold in the boutique at Via Carducci 7 in Palermo.

Roberta Lojacono. Representing a new generation of Sicilian designers, Palermo based Roberta Lojacono creates unique pieces for unique women.

Cesare Di Maria. The unheralded prince of Palermo's bridal fashion industry is little known outside his native country. Di Maria's atelier in Palermo's bustling centre creates some of the world's most beautiful wedding dresses.

Marilu Fernandez. Coral jewelry is strongly identified with Sicily, and this world-famous designer creates Italy's best. Her gallery is in central Palermo.

Ignazio Giambertone. Oriented to a distinctly aristocratic clientele, his work is more "traditionalist" than high fashion, but Ignazio Giambertone remains one of Sicily's definitive master jewelers, and probably the most international, with clients around the world --and each of his works is genuinely unique. He engraves rings and other pieces, specialising in coats of arms and monograms. In Giambertone's hands, a plain ring becomes a work of heraldic art. When he isn't in his Palermo workshop, at Via Parlamento 4 (at the corner of Corso Vittorio Emanuele near Piazza Marina), Giambertone collaborates with Dispenza in the creation of original jewelry.

Dispenza. Since there's no sign, it's easy to miss the austere shop in the capital at Corso Vittorio Emanuele 144 (down the street from Giambertone), in what was once Palermo's jewelry district. Space is reserved for the pieces created by the firm's own master goldsmiths, who work under the able direction of Giuseppe Dispenza, one of Italy's better jewelry creators.

Gioielleria Geraci. Though Geraci sells a number of items made outside Sicily, they also display some jewelry sold under the Geraci name, made by the firm's own expert artisans in Palermo.