VENICE
Gianni, (Le Originali Pantafole Friulane e Sandali su Misura) ischarming oldfashioned a cobbler. This easy to find (when you know how) shop specializes in slippers made in the original manner and velvet material word by the Minstrels of the 17th and18th centuries.
As picturesque as you would find straight out of the 18th century, Gianni himself is a smiling elf-like character, compete with moustache. Charmingly funny, between his broken English and my non-existent Italian, I managed to find exactly what I wanted. These slippers are a must for every upwardly mobile high flying executive (male or female) and extremely comfortable. The prices unbelievably run from lire 29.000 to 35.000. In the simplicity of the slippers you see Gianni’s talent.
Across the Accademia Bridge, take the first left, look up for the sign that simply says Gianni, and it’s on your left. When you get there, yes it is the little shoe shop with shoes hanging by string outside (I went past it twice), go in side for the treasure trove, velvet mules on a hand-sewn rubber sole. Tel. 39 041 5223502.
I am sure that all the interiors decorators across the globe know of Mario e Paola Bevilacqua, the family firms that has a weaving tradition since 1800. The shop was a joyous find. Aside from the beautiful cushions and tapestries old and modern that are on display, smile sweetly and ask Luigi or Mario to take you behind the roped off section (the 12th century part of the building) where a beautiful 300 year old tapestry hangs. Available at $300,000, sadly it was a bargain I dream I could afford.
The family owned business employs 12 weavers that work on antique wooden looms on the premises in Venice. The beautiful cushions, are all handmade from old designs: first the material is fixed over the wooden block, and then hammered onto the velvet. Cushion start at around 280.000 lire. A lovely investment for the home. Tel 39 041 241 0662 • Fax 39 041 241 5133
FOR THE HOME
HANDMADE SLIPPERS
Its always a great pleasure to me, having discovered a new artist of quality ina city, and return later to see how the establishment has grown. Two years ago I bought an album from this shop at a time when the wife of the artist proudly told me; her husband had just started their business. Each Album is handcrafted in leather the way it was done centuries ago. The particular album I got for my friends has a piece of Murano glass as its centerpiece. What I liked about the work of this particular artisan is, that you can see that every piece is lovingly made. On my return to shop in the fall of 2001 to add them to this site, I was very happy to see, how successful they have become, and still very charming and attentive to the customers needs.
HAND MADE PHOTO ALBUMS
