Between Venice and fashion fabrics and costumes

The fashion that fascinates, that conquest that bewitches. That makes us catapult in the past. Fashion, through its tissues, has always played a key role in Venice, which is still full of silks , textiles, tapestries, lace. A keen eye can admire the rich Venetian fabrics in churches, palaces , theaters and even in the gondolas. First stop is mandatory to Mocenigo Palace of San Stae, headquarters of the Centre for the History of Textiles and Costume which houses a wide selection of major clothing and accessories.

You can not miss the Fortuny Museum in San Beneto, former home of Mariano Fortuny Madrazo, whose walls are coated on the main floor of the precious fabrics and where you can admire original clothes. A highlight is the factory on the Giudecca, near the Mulino Stucky, still functioning. To preserve the secrets , the factory is not open to visitors , but the garden and showroom are open to the public by appointment ( 041.5287697 ) .

The route continues in Tesseria Bevilaqua, which includes more than 3500 designs of precious decorations and original 25 looms of 1700, still in working order . The production, including the warehouse and showroom are located in Santa Croce 1320. Another sensory experience is Rubelli, historical company in 1858 which is based in Palazzo Corner Spinelli. The archive is open by appointment (041.2417329) . Finally, do not miss a visit to the museum of lace of Burano, where they are exposed valuable pieces of the collection where you can see live processing techniques proposed by lace women.

For those who want to see and touch the fabrics that have made Venice famous in the world, you can visit the famous studios that reproduce strictly traditional costumes and papier-mâché masks, among them, the Atelier Nicolao (Cannaregio 2590 ), the Atelier Pietro Longhi (San Polo 2608 ), the Studio Marega (San Toma, calle Larga 2940 / b), the Venice Atelier (Santa Marina 6010).