Viviana Guiliano is the lady behind VIV BAGS, the wonderfully stylish custom-made toiletry gift bag for guests. These bags are carefully crafted using the same fabrics and colours as the yacht’s upholstery including the yacht’s name and logo embroidered on them. Creating a unique and personal gift for guests to take away with them allows them to remember their great stay on board with a quality product they can use during and after their trip.
But there is much more to this clever Argentinian lady and it was really interesting finding out about her background. Having first gained her sea legs in the cockpit of a Germán Frers Grumete-class sailing boat in Argentina, Viviana travelled with her father learning how to ocean sail along with the general maintenance duties required on board. She then became hooked on dinghy-class sailing regattas and went on to achieve both national and international awards for Brazil.
During that time, Viviana started work sewing Laser sails in a sail loft in Rio and that was the first taste of her future craft. Having arrived in Mallorca in 1991, Viviana was encouraged a few years later by a close friend to go to the Caribbean to catch the season there so she left Mallorca with just a return ticket and little more. She managed to secure a stewardess job on a motorboat which was new territory due to the different motion of the yacht – and the demands of the Chief Stewardess!
After one season she returned to Mallorca walking the docks and looking for work until she landed the only option available – hammering barnacles off a tugboat – sandblasting was not in the budget! When the noise became too much for the North Sails team opposite, they sent someone to check when the work would be finished and Viv seized the moment to introduce herself and her sewing skills. Within the next few days, she managed to break her leg AND get a job offer from North Sails! Always the determined one, Viv started work the following week (on crutches) and this became a life-changing experience and the start of her career as a seamstress.
Fast forward 25 years, Viviana has her own marine upholstery business, VMG, of which VIV BAGS is just one component. VIV BAGS also offers the option of an embroidered face towel and a basic kit of eco-friendly products so the toiletry bag is fully stocked and ready to welcome guests on their arrival. What a great idea and a really nice way to keep the memories alive.
Viviana is a very inspiring woman who has led such an interesting and fun life, learning a myriad of skills along the way. In addition to running VMG, she is now enjoying working as a freelance skipper at weekends during the summer and is mastering herself as an Interior Designer. She also still enjoys sailing and racing at weekends – this sounds like a perfect work/life balance to me!
VMG / VIV BAGS
Sant Joan
07240 Mallorca
Tel: +34 633 095314
Email: vivbags@gmail.com
Web: www.vmg.com.es
Written by Lisa Thompson
