The best fashion and gift stores Veneto

No. 147 Corso Palladio is a sublime architectural complex that makes you want to venture in. It's a good thing the gate is open. First, enter the porch and then the inner courtyard, which holds many treasures. There are ancient remains, sculptures here and there, all under a handful of houses: a real sensation. On your left as you enter, you will find a bookstore with an old-fashioned smell. It offers its customers a selection of books in a simple and intimate atmosphere of brocante.

Both a bookbinding workshop and a selective stationery shop, this distinguished address is located in the heart of the San Polo district. As soon as you enter the shop, you immediately feel like you are going back in time. Here, everything is the result of ancestral know-how, handed down from generation to generation. Look at the choice of paper, its quality, its grain, its patterns, its ornaments, but also the colors and above all the diversity of the bindings, sublime, of all kinds and multi-supports (notebooks, notebooks, directories, books, photo albums, among others.)

Giorgio Ghidoli is a real artist! He came up with the idea of putting himself in the shoes of the great painters to imagine another Venice. What if Giotto had painted Venice? We find his characters with colored draperies, taking the shape of a gothic palace... And if Magritte had painted the Serenissima? A pleasant gallery to visit, where the arts converge through the centuries. A warm welcome from Giorgio who will be happy to explain his work in detail.

In a quiet street in the Dorsoduro district, we made an appointment to visit the "Trentottocinquantasei" boutique (which means 3856 in Italian), a number that has nothing to do with the number on the doorstep. This women's ready-to-wear store presents the original collections of the designer Elvira Rubelli. Let yourself be seduced by the chic shapes and colors, from mustard yellow to duck blue, but also by all kinds of beautiful pieces: dresses, sweaters, retro skirts, vintage hats and caps. A really special address!

This authentic generalist bookshop is a reference in the San Marco district. People have been coming here for generations, from 7 to 77 years old, to stock up on all kinds of reading material. Of course, there is no shortage of books on the Serenissima and there are many on the shelves. There is also a small stationery department, but also beautiful books on art, history, tradition and even Venetian cuisine in Italian and English. Note that the travel guides (including the Petit Futé!) are well located because they are placed directly at the entrance!

In the lively Cannaregio area, this sleek concept store with pop and colorful objects may be the opportunity to bring back an original gift, far from the products bought on the street and often fallen off the truck... The black and white store is run by young entrepreneurs and designers from all over the country. You will see a range of Made in Italy souvenirs that address as a subtle nod to Venice. These range from notebooksto printed clothing, plush toys, unusual mugs and artistic photo frames.

Daniela Ghezzo is one of those precious artisans. She has taken over Rolando Segalin's store, which has been open since 1932. Her store is an artistic catch-all of all kinds of leathers and colors, material with which Daniela makes unique shoes. An exceptional shoemaker, she has no secrets about boots, gaiters, rain shoes and ballroom pumps. She also makes more traditional shoes, for women as well as for men, with the same know-how she inherited.

The colorful window of Ca'del Sol attracts and fascinates passers-by. This traditional workshop, one of the most beautiful in Venice, makes beautiful masks of all shapes and sizes, in the purest Venetian tradition (from 2 to 1,000 €). Very often you will see the artist at work painting the mane of a lion or the wings of a butterfly lost and almost invisible in the middle of his creations. From floor to ceiling, masks cover the walls; have fun finding the ones that are made for you!

Opened in 2000, on the initiative of Florence Faval, sculptor-engraver, and Pierre Hornain, engraver and poet, this bookstore like no other offers illustrated editions for children, entirely hand-made according to old printing techniques. She has about twenty books to her credit, as many beautiful and playful printed works of art, very much appreciated by children. Enchanted tales and stories are thus illustrated by original and very picturesque images. Everyone here speaks French!

Artistic and interwoven geometries for high quality linen. Chiarastella Cattana, a Milanese woman who has settled in Venice, skilfully reinterprets the Venetian textile tradition in contemporary forms and designs. The result is a success, whether you need to decorate your Venetian apartment or simply bring back a stylish souvenir. Placemats, tablecloths, napkins, cushions and bedspreads in this sophisticated boutique in the heart of San Samuele's designer and antique district.

Designer of precious and original jewelry, Antonia Miletto offers rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings with a nod to African art that will not go unnoticed. This talented young designer imposes her style in a city like Venice, so attached to its traditions. Coral, ebony, polished woods, resins and macassar are all unusual materials worked into the most curious and elegant shapes. We love the goldfish baque and the leaf-like earrings set with diamonds.

Beautiful blown glass vases, the work of a 100% Venetian artist and lover of the lagoon. After working for the great glassmaker Venini in his youth, he started his own production in 1998; his works are now exhibited in museums and galleries in Europe and the United States. The elegant and contemporary lines of his pieces combine traditional Venetian craftsmanship and know-how with modernity and avant-garde design. Lots of style. Stop by his impressive showroom behind the Gallerie dell'Accademia.

In Piazza dei Signori, in front of the Palladian Basilica, a sumptuous store where fabrics of all kinds and colors dress the shelves and various displays with a grandiose brilliance and a meticulous order. At Manpreso, we specialize above all in artisanal know-how, in handmade sewing, in the making of custom-made outfits for women and men. The other activity of this family business is the marketing of a range of select leather goods.

A fairy shoemaker who, over the past decade, has created as many fairy tale shoes as one could imagine in a dream. Original and extravagant, for men and women, we have fun putting on these shoes with buckles, brooches, tassels or prints, so bold that they almost require a red carpet to be rolled out under the sole. For carnival or everyday wear, sculpted, feathered, decorated pieces. Each pair is exclusive. Order from Giovanna for a custom-made walking or evening model.

While passing through Calle Larga Prima, don't hesitate to take a break in this unique bookshop. Here you are in one of the oldest shops in Venice, with a lot of treasures. Although narrow, the shop is packed with old books. After browsing through the complete collection of Biennale catalogs (since 1893!) and works from the 16th century, approach the central display case to continue your reading. Here are stored works belonging to even more ancient times. Striking.

If you have to attend an elegant private masked ball or simply for your own pleasure, run to the Pietro Longhi workshop! From Casanova to Hussar, from Madame de Pompadour to Marie Antoinette: an array of high quality pieces made by the creative Francesco Broggi in the rules of the art. Indeed, this Venetian by adoption has always been fascinated by period costumes, to the point of leaving a job as a publisher to embark on this adventure. For sale or for rent, according to your desires and the use you want to make of it.

A beautiful clothing shop that sells an interesting selection of regional traditional costumes. Velvet, flounces and embroidery... If you're looking for something to wear as Sissi, you've come to the right place! But these long-worked costumes are far from being confined to folklore and are worn by the great ladies at the resort's social events. Moreover, they reach very high prices (a dirndl and her blouse can be worth several thousand euros). Without forgetting the hats and jackets of absolute (mountain) chic!

Since 1978, Signor Blum has been making hand-carved and hand-painted wooden toys and decorative objects. There are puzzles, clocks, airplanes and cherubs. Each piece is unique, the result of meticulous carving and brilliant coloring that denote true craftsmanship. Take an interest in the views of Venice, which are extremely realistic. The mobiles and animal representations are also remarkable. If you are looking for an original gift, it seems that this address will totally meet your expectations!

A star shoemaker, René Caovilla began his career at the age of 20 in the family shoe business. His creativity and audacity quickly led him to collaborate with the greatest fashion houses such as Valentino and Dior, who discovered in him a true "sculptor of shoes". His iconic models are made of leather, sequins, feathers and other materials in an upscale fashion. His lace pumps are now legendary. Almost magical shoes that, despite their price tag, are worth contemplating over and over again.

Welcome to the store of an extravagant hatmaker! Giuliana Longo's workshop would be right at home in Alice in Wonderland, so amusing is the variety of curious hats and headgear (from 20 to 3,000 €). Want a gondolier's hat (approx. 65 €) or a tricorn for Carnival? You will find it all here, made by hand and with a demanding know-how. The milliner makes creations for both the average person and the collector. A family tradition that she perpetuates since the beginning of the 20th century.

250 meters from Rialto, we meet a tiny independent workshop opened in 1965, which has remained faithful to Italian craftsmanship and fashion since its beginnings. The leather bags are the eyes of the customers, unique and high quality creations, each of which required hours of work and are identifiable thanks to the quality of their assembly and the brightness of their colors. Their singular shapes and names (Frari, Dolfin, Moncenigo, Tiepolo, etc.) could almost convince you to buy one immediately...

The showcase of the daring Rossana Righini is a whirlwind of colours: scarves, scarves, bags, bags, jewellery, ties, hats of a thousand colours. Candy pink, bright yellow, shimmering orange, cardinal red, to continue with the shades of cobalt blue . The rainbow of colours, from silk and wool to flowers and glass bead jewellery, can be seen in every shade of the rainbow. Enough to bring back a nice fashion souvenir for lady or gentleman. A colourful and refined shop just a few steps from the Basilica dei Frari.

The two Sent sisters, with their family's experience in glass craftsmanship, combine tradition with innovation in designing and producing glass design pieces. Their workshop is in Murano, but the store is in Venice, on Campo San Vio. You can find vases, earrings, bracelets, necklaces and bags, all made of glass. Some of their creations are even exhibited at the famous MoMA in New York. A guarantee of excellence. If you have trouble imagining what a glass bag looks like, take a look!

Welcome to the kingdom of quality craftsmanship. According to an ancestral know-how, the owner of the place works all kinds of objects from beautiful and old papers: small and large notebooks, pencil cases, pockets, small purses, notepads, old lithographs... and even earrings in the shape of books! The colours chosen (yellow, green, orange, red, purple, blue) enhance many objects, themselves sublimated by typical Venetian motifs (inspired by the architecture of palaces, arches, cross-warping).

The Nardini distillery is the oldest and most popular in the area. Established in Bassano in 1779, its reputation has grown over the centuries; the French and Austrians, throughout the nineteenth century, were the real pillars of the distillery. The old distillery bar, located at the foot of the Ponte Vecchio, is therefore a small piece of history, which comes alive especially in the evening. People meet there to have a glass of grappa, often moving to the bridge. There is a large selection of bottles available for sale.

Codognato has been a well-known name in Venice for over a century. Coco Chanel, Jeanne Moreau, Kate Moss, Jeff Koons and Andy Warhol, among other celebrities, have come to admire the jewels on display: the macabre creations, the snake rings, the memento-mori brooches, the precision of the designs, the stones, the settings... Excellence and uniqueness are the hallmarks of Attilio Codognato, the prince of jewelry. After his death in November 2023, designer Francesca Amfitheatrof took up the torch, alongside her two children.

In this workshop with the flavour of yesteryear, come and have your old books, notebooks, directories, albums or simply your travel notebook just put on paper bound. The owner of the house will gladly share with you the secrets of his art during a conversation. The choice of products in the store is not immense, because each piece is unique, quite simply, and requires a work of creation as long as meticulous. Rarity and authenticity are the two words that best define this place.

An enchantment, this glass factory. We find it at the end of a long alley. The business is a family one, run by Raffaele, his brother Mauro and his sister Claudia, forty-somethings who have succeeded their father, who founded the company in 1989. The workshop is located on the first floor. You may have the chance to observe these craftsmen at work. They work the glass with a blowtorch, shape it, decorate it, then place it in the oven before letting it rest. Meanwhile, on the first floor, the store welcomes customers who have come to purchase their subtle and exquisite works.

Chez Dolci Cose is the temple of confectionery. And has been for generations. Located between Piazza della Borsa and Piazza dei Signori, this extraordinary confectioner's shop is a must on the road to the historic center, and is sure to please any sweet tooth: chocolates, caramels, multi-shaped, multicolored and scented candies, or any other sweet product. Perfect for a gourmet gift. The display case and shelves are overflowing with meticulously presented sweets, usually in wicker baskets or sachets.

A brand dedicated to slippers, it does not run by the streets! All the more reason to cross the threshold of this store with a thousand and one colors, Piedàterre was founded in 1952. It specializes in the manufacture of genuine Venetian slippers, called Friulana. It sells pairs for children, for the whole family and in all ranges: in tweed, velvet, in regular or special editions, in Modigliani, Dandy, Brodsky or Grace style... Everyone has something to find here the top-of-the-range product that will make him spend a warm winter...

A beautiful fashion store with a very tasteful selection. Housed in the former Palazzo Regina Vittoria, in the heart of Venice, the three boutiques - men's, women's and home - offer a classic and contemporary fashion style, where Made in Italy is mixed with international brands. The home section (1820 Via Frezzeria) has everything to please, with tableware, bathroom items and Christmas decorations to delight. If you happen to be on a gondola ride, Pot-Pourri has a window display even along the canal!

We all have in mind the name of a children's cartoon called Kiriku, as an ode to black Africa, colours and music. In this small shop, the motifs are sober and elegant, for a collection that is essentially feminine, but full of fantasy for children. Here chic, minimalism, attention to materials and cuts reign supreme. There are already a lot of Venetian women addicts. Shop centered essentially on Italian designers; the cuts of each garment are sumptuous, as are the shoes and accessories.

At the crossroads of the paths taken by students to get from one university to another are their favorite bookstores. La Toletta is, in fact, divided into several neighboring stores: one for the humanities and sciences, another for the arts, architecture and design, and the last one more general. From time to time, certain collections are sold off. Beware, these are often damaged books. So keep an eye out before making your "good deal" to see if it is really a good deal. A reference, in any case, in Venice.

This hat shop exists since the beginning of the XXth century. It produces magnificent hats for men and women and for all occasions. Not to be missed if only to admire the incredible collection of period headwear, displayed in a setting draped in silks and velvets that evokes the couturiers of yesteryear. Among the collector's items, a colonial helmet from the 1920s and Churchill's bowler hat. Also on display are a series of prints and old archives specializing in the subject.