Fashion shopping in Venice
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A
Banco 10
Prison orange is out and plum silk velvet is in at this nonprofit boutique: all those sumptuous high-fashion velvet tailcoats and cocktail dresses were created as part of a job retraining program at the women’s prison on Giudecca. La Fenice has dressed its divas in ensembles made through this program, which uses opulent silks, velvets and tapestry, donated by Fortuny and Bevilaqua for smartly tailored jackets and handbags designed by women inmates. 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
Fiorella Gallery
Groupies are the only accessory needed for Fiorella’s rock-star fashions. Crushed-velvet smoking jackets in louche shades of lavender and blood red are printed by hand with baroque wallpaper patterns and a Fiorella signature: wide-eyed rats. Prices start in the hundreds of euros, but check out your reflection in the graffitied Ettore Sotsass mirror and pretend you’re not impressed.
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C
Venetia Studium
Get that ‘just got in from Monaco for my art opening’ look beloved of bohemians who marry well. The high-drama Delphos tunic dresses make anyone look like a high-maintenance modern dancer or heiress (Isadora Duncan and Peggy Guggenheim were both fans), and the hand-stamped silk-velvet bags are more arty than ostentatious (prices run from €25 to €120).
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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.
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