Based in the lagoon since 2018, Elena Diachenko is in the know of the coolest new venues in the city – partly obliged by her journalistic work for the likes of Vogue and ELLE Décor, but mostly due to her endless passion for constantly rediscovering her adoptive city. She’s sure that Venice is brewing with young talents turning the place into a contemporary laboratory of art, design, fashion, and culture, and she is eager to promote this new inspiring movement worldwide – as she does with her bespoke tours as @veneziadinicchia. She shared her address book for those visiting La Serenissima during the Art Biennale.
Put these galleries on your map
I keep returning to Fondazione Masieri, mesmerized by this hidden gem of a building designed by Carlo Scarpa in 1968 where the Parisian gallery Negropontes is holding its exhibition, Armonia Metis. Barbati Gallery in Campo Santo Stefano is the favourite of the local crowd that never misses out on an opening. Palazzo Diedo by Berggruen Arts & Culture is a huge historical palace now restored to host major contemporary art exhibitions – a must to see their Janus show for the Biennale hanging around immense, frescoed halls. I’m curious about visiting Wentrup, a Berlin gallery’s outpost in Venice, in a beautiful palazzo with a garden that previously belonged to the iconic Venetian designer, Giuliana Camerino.
Shopping contemporary
You can buy the trendiest Lido swimwear on the likes of Net-a-Porter, but trying them on real-life in Venice is a different experience. Recently seen on Gigi Hadid and a long-time favourite of Il Pellicano’s Marie-Louise Scio, Lido has just opened a beachy-cool pop-up store in Calle de le Boteghe close to Campo San Barnaba filled with quiet luxury swimsuits, towels and linen coverups. A few meters further, Laguna B is the hypest address for the cult brightly coloured, chunky Murano glasses. For chic Murano tableware, Giberto’s new outpost on Rialto Bridge is a must-shop for its elegant vases, jugs, and glasses. Yali Glass is another favourite for refined interior glassware. For ceramics, you need to move to Giudecca where Adele Stefanelli has her showroom and atelier – I adore her minimalist pastel bowls, plates, and moon jars. To pick up a couple of design books or artsy independent magazines, head to Rupture on Giudecca, the chicest little bookstore in town now hosting a personal exhibition of the artist Chiara Capellini. Back to Zattere, don’t miss a pop-up by 1 + 1 gallery, opened only until May 10 – the owners offer the best selection of hand-picked Mid-Century Modern treasures. In search of present-day hand-made furniture, Lunardelli is the top – especially for their wooden chairs with cushions in Bevilacqua’s precious velvets.
By appointment only
For the Biennale, Fortuny opened its headquarters in a historical palazzo on Giudecca with the showroom hosting the company’s collaboration with Parisian interior designer Chahan Minassian. Vintage and custom furniture dressed in iconic Fortuny textiles, custom Murano glass coffee tables in art deco aesthetics, and objects of art create an enchanting space worth booking an appointment. In the Castello neighbourhood, there’s now an opportunity to visit the atelier of Angie Power, a couture little brand founded by a Venetian who also has an outpost in London. Ask for a visit to her palazzo-based atelier to order a special occasion dress (the wedding attire is particularly requested), or to buy some chic ready-to-wear boho blouses, corset tops, or evening pouches.
Chill with a glass of wine
Natural wine has suddenly become everyone’s primary choice, and it guides the drinking itinerary. The most popular spots are Vino Vero and La Sete in Cannaregio, Ozio in Castello, La Bottiglia or Stappo in Santa Croce, and Adriatico Mar in Dorsoduro. Hanging out in contemporary hotels is another big thing. You will always spot some hip locals having a coffee or lunch on Palazzo Experimental’s sunny terrace at Zattere, or sipping cool cocktails at their Experimental Cocktail Club on late Friday night. Venice Venice Hotel with its splendid Grand Canal outdoor sitting is the place for a chic but relaxed dinner with an unbeatable view. For a more casual yet spectacular gastronomic experience, Osteria Giorgione with its chef blending Venetian and Japanese cuisine is the locals’ favourite. Another fresh address to check for an al fresco aperitivo or a well-thought dinner is Pietra Rossa in Castello.
