Ten years of Venice Fashion Week: fashion, sustainability, and innovation in Venice, the city of high craftsmanship
The 10th-anniversary edition of Venice Fashion Week presents sustainable fashion with events, presentations of fashion and research projects, collaborations between international designers and Venetian master artisans, initiatives to revive training in artisan workshops, and itineraries to discover Venice, fashion landmarks, tailors, and emerging designers, from October 19 to 28, 2023.
Venice Fashion Week is a widespread event created by Venezia da Vivere that promotes ethical and sustainable fashion, enhances young talent and master artisans, and develops inclusive projects in fashion, tourism, and lifestyles.
Five special projects for the ten years of Venice Fashion Week
Mano a Mano – Thursday, October 19
Mano a Mano is a training program curated by Venezia da Vivere for Fondazione The Place of Wonders and the Londra Palace Venezia hotel. The objective of the project is to train young people in artisan activities: with Mano a Mano, artisans, designers, and students will work together between now and 2024 to create travel-dedicated accessories and lifestyle objects, which will make conscious travelers the new ambassadors of Venetian high craftsmanship.
A Dress for Venice – Friday, October 20
In the spaces of the 5* hotel Ca’ di Dio, Venice Fashion Week presents the third edition of A Dress for Venice, a project of fashion, research, and sustainable innovation created by Venezia da Vivere. Inspired by the city of water, the clothing collection was designed by eco-designer Tiziano Guardini and illustrated by artist Jacopo Ascari. Created with Bemberg™ by Asahi Kasei yarns, certified for their biodegradability, and by artisan companies from Venice and the Veneto region identified by the Tavolo Veneto della Moda, the capsule is produced by Martina Vidal Venezia, a Venetian brand that has also enriched the garments with Burano lace elements. Project partners include the global platform C.L.A.S.S. (Creativity Lifestyle and Sustainable Synergy), Garage Milano by Marina Guidi, sustainable fashion project consultant Marina Iremonger, and Camera Buyer Italia, the national association representing the best multi-brand stores.
Following Friday’s presentation to the press and public, the capsule will be exhibited on Saturday, October 21 and Sunday, October 22 at the Atelier Martina Vidal in Burano, on the occasion of ApritiModa, the initiative where historic fashion houses open their spaces to the public.
Upskill Venezia – Saturday, October 21
In the spaces of the 5* hotel Palazzo Venart, Venezia da Vivere, Michele Bugliesi, and Stefano Micelli will present Upskill Venezia, the project dedicated to cultural and artisan enterprise that connects new technologies and know-how. The project is promoted by Fondazione di Venezia and Upskill 4.0, a spin-off of Ca’ Foscari University of Venice.
During the meeting, the project managers of Upskill 4.0, coordinated by Selena Brocca, will present a selection of innovation projects realized in the two editions of Upskill Venezia. The following artisans will be present: Martina Vidal Venezia, Micromega, Ramosalso, and Tabinotabi. At the end of the event, it will be possible to try the developed technological solutions and meet the artisans.
Le Mani Sapienti – Sunday, October 22
A central moment of the Venetian fashion week is the appointment at Palazzo Sagredo with the haute couture of tailoring houses and master artisans, united by the common thread of high craftsmanship in the monumental spaces of the 5* hotel Ca’ Sagredo.
Dreamy dresses, spectacular techniques, ancient gestures: while fashion artisans share the tailoring secrets used in their sustainable collections, writers and creatives will tell stories of beauty and life to view fashion from different perspectives.
The award for the transmission of know-how, The Blue Artisan, is the recognition of sustainable artisan excellence that has successfully passed its knowledge to new generations. Created by Venezia da Vivere, the award is crafted by Pierpaolo Seguso of Seguso Vetri d’Arte, a Venetian company founded in 1397, and will be conferred upon Master Tailor Franco Puppato, Master of Arts and Crafts and Best Tailor in Italy for Arbiter, who will also present some of his iconic garments.
The soundscape for the event will be curated by Enrico Coniglio, a Venetian composer and sound artist.
Tessuti Connettivi
During Venice Fashion Week, the Tessuti Connettivi project will also be launched.
A human lab will bring together fashion talents, sustainability experts, and artisan excellence in Venice for one year to create new products between upcycling and new lifestyles. With Tessuti Connettivi, Venice is the place for dialogue between artisans and new-generation emerging designers to create together “stories to wear for conscious consumers,” products and collections of clothing and accessories for sustainable living. Creatives are tasked with designing a garment, an accessory, or a collection that will then be presented in September 2024 as part of a special edition of Atelier Aperti.
The project will conclude during Venice Fashion Week 2024.
Sustainable Fashion Day 2023
Wednesday, October 25 | Palazzo Ferro Fini 3:00 PM
The 2023 Economia della Bellezza study by Banca Ifis demonstrates that Made in Italy manufacturing and the work of Master Artisans generate wealth equal to 81 billion euros. Yet, the artisan enterprise system urgently needs to support generational turnover. For this reason, Master Artisans are calling for study paths involving young people, changes to current school curricula, and training provided by the artisan businesses themselves.
With Sustainable Fashion Day 2023, Venice Fashion Week addresses at Palazzo Ferro Fini, seat of the Regional Council of Veneto, the following themes: generational turnover for know-how, intangible heritage, archives, digital communication, and craft schools with Italian experts in sustainability, economics, marketing, and ethical fashion.
Art, fashion, and photography
On Friday, October 27, Venice Fashion Week meets great photography with a visit by the community of photographers and Instagrammers to the exhibition Chronorama. Photographic Treasures of the 20th Century, the display at Palazzo Grassi until January 7, 2024, featuring photographs from the legendary Condé Nast archives.
Atelier Aperti
From Tuesday, October 24 to Saturday, October 28
Among the events loved by the public, Atelier Aperti returns, featuring itineraries through places of craftsmanship, mastery, and fashion to meet creatives and discover the city through ancient traditions and contemporary insights. The itinerary also includes Venice Photo Lab, the exhibition of photographers and artists from around the world which, with the theme Regeneration, takes place this year from October 13 to 25 at two venues: the Castello Gallery at the Giardini and the Arte Spazio Tempo gallery in Campo del Ghetto Novo.
Events between fashion, craftsmanship, and Venice Cocktail Week
To celebrate the 10th-anniversary edition, Venice Fashion Week combines fashion with the art of excellence in mixology thanks to the partnership with Venice Cocktail Week, with a program of fashion shows and cocktails with designers, artisans, and botanists.
Tuesday, October 24
Venice Fashion Week and Venice Cocktail Week present Atelier Aperti Hotel, an itinerary narrated by experts in the history, design, and architecture of hospitality venues, in collaboration with architect Raffaele Dessì.
Wednesday, October 25
VFW Young Designer: Venice Fashion Week and Venice Cocktail Week promote the young designer Myss Duval, who presents the new Parfum Exotique collection at the Mirai Cocktail Bar of the Hotel Principe.
Thursday, October 26
Cocktail with the designer: Gabriele Bisetto and Alessandra Micolucci discuss herbs, scents, and colors at the 5* design hotel Heureka.
Cocktail with the designer in the carpentry workshop: Vittorio Maria Zara interprets the contemporary Tabarro in dialogue with Agnese Lunardelli at Lunardelli Venezia.
Friday, October 27
Cocktails and live music by J Milli at the Orientalbar & Bistrot of the Hotel Metropole (Riva degli Schiavoni, 4149) for Metropole White. An event open to the public with a paid cocktail (€10) created specifically for Venice Cocktail Week with mixologist Lino Marchese in collaboration with Altamura Distilleries Vodka.
From October 27 to 29, the windows of the Orientalbar will host an exhibition of clutch bags by the brand Raptus&Rose made with Venetian brocades, vintage Indian rayon, and traditional Chinese jacquards. The collaboration between Metropole and the fashion brand by Silvia Bisconti has deep roots in the Rose Room of the Metropole, a special room designed and created by the designer together with Gloria Beggiato.
For info and reservations: 041 5205044 venice@hotelmetropole.com.
A Dogaressa in the Venice Fashion Week poster
The Venice Fashion Week poster, for the second consecutive year, is signed by artist and illustrator Jacopo Ascari: “ For the Venice Fashion Week poster, I asked myself: how would the contemporary Dogaressa dress if she were the protagonist of one of my fashion illustrations? I therefore began by evoking the splendor of the city through the study of some backgrounds from masterpieces of Venetian Vedutism. I chose a view by Canaletto from the Doge’s Palace, perfect for portraying the unmistakable profile of the city, while avoiding the postcard effect.
A “contemporary Dogaressa” walks here, embodying all the qualities and values promoted by the event: commitment, passion, and the ability to dream. Wearing a magnificent tailored dress, certainly made in a Veneto atelier, our friend approaches us and seems to say: “Have fun, happy Fashion Week to everyone!”
Venice Fashion Week to promote the creativity and craftsmanship of Venice and its territory
“After the success of the Salon of High Craftsmanship at the Arsenale, Venice Fashion Week reaches the ten-year milestone – declares the Councilor for Tourism Simone Venturini – This Administration strongly focuses on craftsmanship of excellence, in the awareness that quality cannot be copied or imported. Our artisans stand out for their skill and talent compared to the rest of the world and, for this reason, are effectively ambassadors of our city, whose millennial history they tell through their creations. Fashion Week, from this point of view, is an important catalyst for ideas and visions of the future. It is no coincidence that it is among the first events to have placed environmental sustainability at the center, which has now become a predominant theme in the international fashion sector.”
“ Venice Fashion Week is not only a celebration of fashion, but also an opportunity to highlight the beauty, creativity, and artisan tradition of Venice and its territory – adds the Councilor for Heritage, University, and Territorial Promotion Paola Mar – The event presents the creations of national and international designers and brands, highlighting the deep connection between fashion and Venetian culture. The fashion shows taking place in our historic palaces and hotels are not simple runways, but true performances that dialogue harmoniously with the ancient backdrop of this city, unique in the world. We cannot ignore the fundamental role of the artisan workshops and boutiques that will host presentations during this extraordinary week. The central theme of sustainable, artisanal, and ethical fashion reflects our commitment to preserving local artisan traditions and promoting the responsible use of resources. Collaborations between creatives, designers, and local artisans demonstrate that Venice is and will always remain a city of style, creativity, and talent. We invite you to join us in celebrating fashion and Venetian culture in this extraordinary Venice Fashion Week. Thank you for your support and for contributing to making this event an extraordinary success .”
Venice Fashion Week
from October 19 to 28, 2023 in Venice
Venice Fashion Week promotes Venice as a center of production and creativity, an ideal place to live and create.
It is conceived and organized by Venezia da Vivere, an agency specialized in the enhancement and promotion of contemporary craftsmanship. It has the patronage of the Municipality of Venice, the Veneto Region, Homo Faber – Fondazione Cologni dei Mestieri d’Arte, and the collaboration of Vela – Venezia Unica.
Partners: Tavolo Veneto della Moda (Confartigianato, Confindustria, Cna, Confesercenti, and Confcommercio della Moda del Veneto), Associazione Piazza San Marco, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Upskill 4.0, Museo della Calzatura di Villa Foscarini Rossi, IUSVE, Moodart, Bellini by Canella.
Event partners: Venice Cocktail Week, a festival of mixology and culture; Venice Photo Lab, an exhibition of photographers and artists from all over the world; ApritiModa, the initiative where historic fashion houses open their spaces to the public throughout Italy; Palazzo Grassi – Punta della Dogana.
Media partner: Illuminem.com, the international platform for reporting on climate tech and consulting corporate ESG data.
Accreditation is available via GForm:
For the press
For the public
Cover: illustration by Jacopo Ascari – a detail of the Venice Fashion Week 2023 poster.
Photos by Marta Formentello, Igor Serdyukov, Judith Bradl, Settimo Cannatella, Dario Garofalo/The Place of Wonders.
