Don’t think of overcrowded streets and touristic spots when planning your next trip to Venice, instead meet Elena Diachenko. I got to know her as PR of LESSLESS deluxe loungewear some time ago, and finally we met each other in Venice during my latest trip. Knowing the best addresses has been her job for years: she writes about style, interior design and elite travel for ELLE and ELLE Decoration. Having left her job as a fashion editor for the love of Venice, she started thinking about how to apply this vast knowledge of niche travelling. Within her project @veneziadinicchia (which evolved into Italiadinicchia.com) she organises bespoke shopping tours in Venice and Veneto exploring the most secret and authentic shops and artisans of the Serenissima for a refined international clientele.
Despite all the tourism, she still finds Venice very elegant and thinks that people who live here have great taste expressed both in their looks and in their activities, whether it’s a caffé, a boutique or a fishmonger’s stall at Rialto market. If this attitude remains, mass tourism will never ruin this city. She took me on a tour which is just proof of that.
HERE COMES ELENA’S SHOPPING LIST
A vintage, preloved archive, a well curated collection of clothes and accessories that hybridize iconic brands with high quality tailoring. A collection from a more or less recent past to invest in the future with an environmental and economic awareness.
Find all kinds of different ceramic artisanal pieces from Bassano del Grappa region, handmade and beautiful pieces to embellish your table decoration.
Sestiere di S. Marco, 3535, 30124 Venezia
Sigfrido Cipolato uses authentic 17th century techniques to craft his jewels. He is inspired by jewels, objects, and curiosities of different periods, in particular the 19th and early 20th century, that he combines with Venetian traditions, and the study of different materials.
A fine optician with an inhouse handmade collection that collaborates with different artist for their outstanding selection of sun – and optical glasses.
Two other one of a kind vintage stores that carry interesting stock, one more casual and the one close to the Gritti Palace more luxury brands. They are known for their great archive of the Italian designer Roberta di Camerino.
KIRIKÙ
A selection of Italian design collection with an emphasis on sustainable fashion with an artisanal aspect, accessories, shoes, bags and ready to wear, 1729 S.MARCO, VE 30124, 30124 Venezia
ALESSANDRO DE ANGELIS – PALWER
Alessandro De Angelis – Palwer worked long with Parisian brands and has been the creative director of fashion brand Ungaro for over a decade before he decided to design jewels. Alessandro also founded a furniture and accessories company called Suite 307 making the headlines of international design magazines. We love his little ship which only opens from 10 – noon
http://www.palwer.com
Chiarastella Cattana is a fabric designer and her work weaves traditional craftsmanship together with contemporary colours and patterns. By mixing different threads, she can give her creations a life and texture that are her signature made at a South Tyrolean weaving factory.
Besides table wear she also carries her own capsule collection of cloths, glass objects and other beautiful things for daily living.
A small jewellery shop that carries all kinds of antique jewellery from around the world, Indian, African, Asian, and of course European jewels, that are all one of a kid. They are famous for their glass beads and chains from Venetian glass manufactures .
THE MERCHANT OF VENICE
Opulent bottles, Murano glass candle holders and a selection of creams and perfumery accessories are available in their shop in one of the oldest pharmacies in Venice.
A selection of beautiful handmade lamps by the designer Silvia Finiels who uses vintage Murano pieces to create new designs for her table lamps, all one of a kind.