VELVET-MAKERS & SANTA CROCE

VELVET-MAKERS & SANTA CROCE

In few minutes, our water-taxi will take us in the district of Santa Croce, the smallest of the six historical quarters  called ‘sestieri’, to visit the only velvet factory in Venice still working with the old handlooms.

Being there is like traveling back in time, when Venice was known for the superior quality of its textiles, that, together with blown-glass objects, books, lace, and perfumes, formed the core of Venetian deluxe goods export activities. Today, velvets are made on request for the world of fashion and interior design.

A representative of the company will welcome us and introduce us to the magic world of handloomed velvet, with all its tricks and secrets. Your questions are welcome and picture taking is permitted. The ladies that work here are all extremely proud of their work and will be happy to show you their techniques.

Our gentle expert will also show us the piles of cardboard templates still today used to reproduce the patterns: some of them are inspired to ancient Byzantine velvets, and reproduce lions and peacocks; others, with tulips and other flowers have an Ottoman background. You shall see modern patterns as well, and will enjoy to hearing the stories of queens, princesses and first ladies who ordered their velvets here.

It is also possible to