Venice, the enchanting city of canals, historic architecture and rich cultural heritage, recently welcomed Paul & Amy for an exceptional three day visit. Taking in some of our Italian brands - NasonMoretti, VENINI, Zanetto and Giobagnara - the trip was about new and exciting projects, unique inspiration and building relationships.
One of the highlights of the trip was the captivating exhibition celebrating NasonMoretti's centenary - a once-in-a-lifetime experience which runs until January 2024.
Immersed in the world of artistry
Arriving in Venice, Paul and Amy were instantly captivated by the city's unique charm. The adventure began with a trip to the prestigious 'Museo del Vetro' - Murano's Museum of Glassmaking to take in the fascinating exhibition of NasonMoretti's centenary. Featuring exquisite pieces crafted over the last 100 years, and charting the history of one of Murano's most famed glassmakers.
Afterwards, a trip to the NasonMoretti furnace itself, in the heart of Murano. The brand's commitment to craftsmanship and innovation is evident throughout as the pair explored the manufacture, seeing first hand the glass masters producing some of the brand's most iconic pieces. Surrounded by history, the furnace is almost a working museum, with hand-made tools and moulds in regular use, along with centuries-old techniques, handed down through generations.
A visit to the maker's showroom highlights the vast depth of the catalogue; with pieces hand crafted in every shape, size and colour imaginable.
Unveiling new possibilities
The second day of their trip took Amy & Paul to Padua, a short journey inland, where they met with the visionary creators at Zanetto. The meeting was filled with excitement, discussing new potential projects and collaborations. Zanetto's dedication to blending traditional techniques with contemporary design continues to drive the band forward, opening up opportunities and collaborations.
As it was Amy's first visit to Zanetto's workshop, Enrico Zanetto was kind enough to give the duo a guided tour. Detailing how raw materials are transformed into the creations for which the brand is renowned, showing the meticulous steps required, and the exceptional skills that craftsmen master over many years. Of particular note are the array of tools which were themselves handmade by Enrico's father, Bernardo, in the early days of the company's foundation.
There was also time to sneak a preview of some of the innovations currently in the pipeline, including some exciting additions to their flatware collections coming in the next few months.
Exploration and inspiration
The final day was reserved for exploring the creative realms of VENINI and Giobagnara. Giobagnara, now numbering three boutiques in Piazza San Marco, in addition to the original Il Prato store in nearby Calle delle Ostreghe. The newest store, designed by Giobagnara's long time design collaborator, Stéphane Parmentier, showcases travertine and rattan as a backdrop to the Giobagnara leathers.
Paul & Amy were treated to harmonic contrasts of these materials used both in the architecture, but also in Giobagnara's own product collections. The space is both iconic and sophisticated, and located next to the famous Caffé Florian.
VENINI, a name synonymous with artistic glassmaking, blends tradition with contemporary aesthetics. Its' furnace is the only in Murano which is capable of producing a palette of 125 colours. Intricate design, vibrant colours and over 100 years of tradition bring the furnace to life.
No trip to Venice is complete without a wander around its unique streets and canals, soaking up the inspiration that oozes in every direction.
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