Fashion shopping in Venice
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A
Banco Lotto 10
Prison orange is out and plum silk velvet is in at this nonprofit boutique, whose hand-sewn fashions are the fruit of a retraining program at the women’s prison on Giudecca. Designed and made by women inmates, the smartly tailored jackets, dresses and handbags often incorporate opulent silks, velvets and tapestry donated by Fortuny and Bevilacqua. Even La Fenice has dressed its divas in Banco Lotto ensembles. Volunteers run the boutique and purchases fund the women prisoners’ continuing career training and reintegration into society after their release.
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B
Fanny
Quit snickering about the name – when that Venice chill hits your extremities, you’ll be seriously glad you found this trove of artisan-crafted leather gloves. No need to sacrifice style for warmth here: check out the cashmere-lined purple pair with yellow piping, or those polka-dotted aqua numbers. At these prices, you might spring for a sleek chocolate bowling-ball bag to haul around your glove purchases.
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C
Fiorella Gallery
Groupies are the only accessory needed to go with Fiorella’s crushed-velvet smoking jackets in louche shades of lavender and blood red, printed by hand with Venetian wallpaper patterns and a Fiorella signature: wide-eyed rats. Prices start in the mid-three figures, but check out your reflection in the graffitied Ettore Sotsass mirror and pretend you’re not impressed. Hours are approximate; as the sign says, ‘we open sometime’.
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D
3856
Venice is usually more casual and warmer than visitors expect, so 3856 comes in handy with breezy, effortlessly hip boat-neck tees, casual printed sundresses and shapely cotton jackets for women and kids. Priced like sportswear but resort-collection style, these pieces are good to go from day to night with the addition of a Murano glass necklace.
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E
Hibiscus
Blend right in at the Biennale with Venice’s creative crossroads style, layered piece by distinctive piece at Hibiscus: easygoing Italian linen sailor pants, one-of-a-kind jackets with vintage silk embroidery panels, Japanese watercolour-patterned socks and a Maria Calderara ring that looks like a coral reef wrapped around your finger.
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F
Vintage a Go Go
Mix and match decades into a signature look in this walk-in closet of vintage, which packs a solid selection of romantic ‘50s vintage cashmere cardigans, psychedelic ’60s’ Pucci loungewear, ‘70s leather trenches and screaming ‘80s turquoise pumps. Prices are above thrift, but below eBay resale values.
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G
Pot-Pourri
Unexpected invitations to high tea on the Grand Canal call for an emergency run on Pot-Pourri, where unerring fashionista shop-assistants will suggest a crisp Italian-made baby-blue linen jacket, or shapely white jacquard silk shift that whispers when you walk. High-end service and excellent alterations at off-the-rack prices.
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H
Zazu
Be Ms Marco Polo of the fashion world, with forays into Italian-designed tapestry bags, one-of-a-kind dresses from Barcelona and chic Japanese wrap tops. Prices are above sportswear but below couture, and the sale rack in the back usually has great pieces for €50 to €100.
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I
Promod
When lagoon mists catch you without a cardigan on a Sunday afternoon, Promod offers a range of options, right by the Rialto. A snappy continental comeback to H&M and Topshop, this womenswear chain offers similar prices, with more intriguing colour combinations and richer fabrics.
reviewed