With spring and summer travel upon us, I discovered a wonderful addition to a travel wardrobe for both men and women. And I found it at the Key Biscayne Farmers Market no less (though they’re available online and in Brickell as well Lincoln Road market). They’re Friulani shoes from the Veneto region of Italy, the brand Viani Milano. You can get them in over 20 colors, weigh only 8 ounces and can be “squashed” to fit into a gap in a suitcase, and work for city and beach. And when you go to the Market, lots more to see (and buy), well worth a visit.

Viani Italia is the creation of Sofia Lombardi who grew up in Key Biscayne and Lima, studied fashion design in Florence and New York and then moved to Milan where she immersed herself in the fashion world. She’s passionate about color combinations and handmade/artisanal craft. She was drawn to the Friulane for those reasons, and for their fascinating history and tradition. They began as Sunday shoes in Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy in the late 1800’s then taken to Venice by the artisans to sell them to the locals, subsequently adapted by the Venetian nobles and later gondoliers.

Her Viani friulane are made by 30 women in the region. She describes them as an Italian elevated espadrille in breathable cotton velvet with with soles made of recycled rubber from recycled bicycle wheels.  There are two styles – one two tone, with the velvet one color and the  trim braid another; or all one color. Sofia loves color and it shows. The colors are luscious – shocking pink, tangerine, baby blue, taupe, you get the idea. Just slip them on with or without socks and you’re ready to go. And better yet, they can be hand washed.Women’s shoes are $95 and men’s are $118.

At the market she works in tandem with her mother, Luciana Lombardi,  who has a brand called Lombaggi that sells Italian linen pieces for men and women, resin accessories from Florence, knotted traditional Sardinian textile bags and Vietnamese silk beads.

Speaking about the Market, which is definitely worth a visit in its own right, it’s like a United Nations of products – from Puglia and India to Colombia, and Korea. Find quality orchids, baby clothes made with Peruvian cotton, toddler clothes from colorful cottons made in Bali, hand made wooden planters, and fruit and vegetables for sale. It’s also a place to buy home made baked items for your dinner party.

 There’s a wide variety of fashion items, especially lovely and colorful maxi dresses, lounging robes and caftans.  Another favorite at the market are the wood and resin round placements with designs from nature and handsome trays made in Colombia. And while you’re there, pick up some home made lasagna, croquetas, paella, arepas or other treats for lunch or dinner.

Key Biscayne Community Church Market, 355 Glenridge Rd, Key Biscayne, FL 33149,  is open year round on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. To fuel yourself for your outing, stop enroute at Flour  and Weirdoughs coffee shop and bakery. They have an unbelievable assortment of tempting pastries, croissants, muffins and cheese bread. The blueberry muffin is one of the best I’ve ever had, and the coffee is delicious as well.