Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Murano, Burano & the Northern Islands
Handmade lace and the world's finest art
glass.
Studio Visits
For your travelling companions who aren't sold on shopping, here's a convincing argu-
ment: in Venice, it really is an educational experience. In backstreet artisans' studios, you
can watch ancient techniques used to make strikingly modern
carta memorizzata
(marbled-paper) travel journals (from €12) and Murano glass waterfalls worn as necklaces
(from €30). Studios cluster together, so to find unique pieces, just wander key artisan
areas: San Polo around Calle dei Saoneri; Santa Croce around Calle Lunga and Calle del
Tentor; San Marco along Frezzeria; Dorsoduro around the Peggy Guggenheim Collection;
and Murano.
Glass showrooms and shelves of fragile handicrafts may be labelled '
non toccare
'
(don't touch) - instead of chancing breakage, just ask to see any piece. The person who
shows it to you may be the artisan who made it, so don't be shy about saying '
Compli-
menti!'
(My compliments!) on impressive pieces. In a world of designer knockoffs and
cookie-cutter culture, your support for handicrafts is a vote for Venice's enduring original-
ity.
Venetian Style Signatures
Italian style earns its international reputation for impeccable proportions, eye-catching de-
tails, luxe textures and vibrant colours - but Venice goes one step further, with original
fashion statements, artisan-made accessories and limited-edition sunglasses.
CLOTHING
Venice has the standard Italian designer brands you can find back home, from Armani to
Zegna, along Largo XXII Marzo and Marzaria in San Marco - but for original fashion and
better value, venture into Venice's backstreets. The odds of an office mate back home
showing up to the holiday party in the same locally designed Spilli (
Click here
) tunic,
Venetia Studium (
Click here
) goddess dress, hand-printed Fiorella Gallery (
Click here
)
smoking jacket or Arnoldo & Battois (
Click here
) sculpted silk frock are infinitesimal.
Pocket the difference in price between Venetian couture and mass-market logo merchand-
ise, and you could get a return ticket to Venice.
