ABSOLUTE ITALY Via Maggio 35 50125 , Italy Phone: (39) 055-212877

Milan, Venice, Florence, and Rome Shopping Recommendations

MILANO

10 Corso Como Located at number 10 on Corso Como (hence its name), this store has become a Milanese institution. It is the creation of Carla Sozzani, known as a “goddess” of fashion and a discoverer of new young design talents. The store is housed in a unique Milanese building and has an almost hidden courtyard and garden. Fashions on display are always cutting-edge, and the store also offers some home furnishings and novelty items created by prestigious internationally-renowned designers.

Atelier Selene Giorgi Vicolo Lavandai 6 The boutique of this avant-garde designer is filled with interesting, cutting-edge styles. Giorgi chooses fabrics that can resemble sculpture; she uses prized threads like cashmere, linen, and pure silk to make her creations. The showroom, situated on the Naviglio Grande, is one of the most authentic locations in the city: chambermaids used to wash clothes there—in fact, “lavandai” is the Italian word for “washers.”

Buongusto Via Caminadella 2 This historic fresh pasta shop was reinvented in 2003 by Enrica Besana, whose goal was to promote authentic fresh handmade pasta. It is a place where artisanal methods fuse with modern times. There is an open kitchen, and patrons can either shop, order a take- out pasta dish, or enjoy a fresh primo piatto in the store, which now also has a restaurant.

Chantal Delrome Corso Concordia 4 Chantal Delrome is an interior designer who loves to travel, and that fact is reflected in the items she sells in her store: lively, rich colored objects that fuse various traditions, styles, and time periods. The store is designed as a house and contains prized ceramics, French fabrics, antique lamps, mirrors from the time of Napolean III, and pieces of antique furniture from the 19th century.

Ella Via Terraggio 28 This boutique was opened in 1965 by Mirela Franzoni, who still runs the store today. She selects a range of clothes and accessories that reflect her ability to identify the most recent trends, which she pairs with fun but tasteful bags and jewelry.

Franco Jacassi Via Sacchi 3 Franco Jacassi fell into the fashion world after having worked as an art collector, and he has continued his work as collector of fine objects in his vintage clothing boutique. His showroom offers an exclusive selection, said to be one of the most extensive in the world. Clothes from the 1920s through the 1980s include designs by Chanel, Pucci, Dior, Cardin, Balenciaga Yves Saint Laurent, Versace, and Ferrè. The store also boasts an important selection of high-fashion lacework, silk ribbon, trimmings, buttons, and buckles, as well as Jacassi’s own collection of original bags and necklaces by talented artisans.

Il Valore Aggiunto Via Mameli 3 A boutique with modern home fashion objects and fabrics. Patrons are often offered a cup of tea or a glass of wine by the store’s owners and can comfortably browse the items for sale, which fuse different styles and time periods into beautiful home furnishings.

Louise Michail Via Borgospesso 23 Louise Michail is an expert in archaeology and her son is passionate about the culture of the ancient Middle East, and their store contains the works of young sculptors who fuse the ancient and the modern in their creations. Persian ceramics, works in bronze and Eastern Mediterranean glass are all on display in this very interesing boutique.

MagnoGusto Via Casoretto 30a In an atmosphere that recalls the beginning of the 1900s, this small gastronomic boutique offers gourmet products from a selection of the best local producers. Prized extra virgin olive oil and sauces, chutneys, and confetture prepared according to local tradition by small local producers are found in this store that offers natural, high-quality products.

Peck Via Spadari 9 A gourmet food shop that has been serving the best of the best in terms of gastronomy since 1883. An extensive variety of the best cheeses, cured meats, extra virgin olive oil, wine, chocolate, and gorgeous fresh produce is on display in the store, which is a gourmand’s heaven. The restaurant attached to the store, though pricey, serves delicious dishes of the highest quality.

Raw Corso Magenta 95 For those interested in a range of the most diverse and unique antiques, from old signs to bird cages to tables and old counter tops worn by time—truly “raw” objects.

SLS Shopping Lifts Spirit Via Maroncelli 3 The owners of this boutique are passionate about shoes. Young promising designers’ creations are on display in footwear, as well as accessories like scarves, bags, and costume jewelry, and a line of dresses produced by SLS itself.

VENEZIA

Alberto Cavalier San Marco 2863a The Cavaliers have been making Venetian masks and other fine Venetian objects for over sixty years. Frames, mirrors, lamps, and statues are among their creations, all made by hand with wood and then decorated with silver and gold leaf. Their frames are particularly exquisite and come in many sizes and with various decorations.

Alberto Valese—Ebru Campo Santo Stefano 3471 Ebru, a Turkish term that derives from the Persian word for cloudy, is the name of a technique for decorating paper with colors that recall marble or clouds—hence the name of the technique, which originated in Japan and the Middle East and arrived in Europe in the 17th century. In 1975, Alberto Valese, who studied ebru in Turkey, brought it to Venice. His extensive studies and expertise are apparent in the beautiful paper that he sells in his store.

Archimede Seguso San Marco 143 Saguso is known as one of the greatest glass artists of the last century. The beautiful lamps, jewelry, and other fine glass objects in the store all reproduce his works of art. Saguso was from Murano, and he learned his trade by studying what his ancestors had done. He demonstrated great skill for working with glass at an early age. His originality made him world famous, and his sons continue to perpetuate his legacy today.

Giovanna Zanella Calle Carminati Unique, one-of-a-kind footwear. Zanella experiments with new materials and trends while at the same time taking inspiration from traditional, classic styles. His creations are on display in his store and workshop, where he custom makes shoes for his clientele.

L’Isola San Marco 1468 The original showroom of the famous Murano glass company Carlo Moretti. Giovanni, Carlo’s son, was president of the Consorzio Venezia Vetro (Venice Glass Consortium), as well as creator of the “Vetri di Murano” trademark. Objects for sale include beautiful vases and multi-colored glasses. Ma.Re. Glass Salizzada San Samuele 3153 A lovely glass and crystal boutique with important names like Barbini, Seguso, and Nason & Moretti. In 1990, owner Renato Manzoni obtained exclusive rights to Salviati, the oldest glass maker in Murano.

FIRENZE

Angela Caputi Borgo Santissimi Apostoli 44/46r Angela Caputi personally designs and makes her jewelry by hand following traditional Florentine techniques, and her creations fuse art and fashion. Her store also has a selection of bags, sweaters, hats, scarves, and other accessories of Italian and international designers handpicked by Caputi for their quality and originality.

Calvani Via degli Speziali 7r Truly fabulous boots, shoes, and sandals for those who want to return home sporting authentically Italian style. Those who wear Calvani’s shoes will never have to worry about someone having the same pair—styles are the essence of unique Italian design.

Casa Wolf Borgo San Frediano 77e This interesting home fashion boutique contains objects from another age found by the owners at antique markets throughout Italy. The store offers select antiques as well as new pieces crafted in styles of the past by expert Florentine artisans.

Coin Via dei Calzauoli 56r A department store in the American sense of the word where travelers in need can find an array of necessities from costmetics, umbrellas, and undergarments to clothes for those tired of boutique-hopping.

Desii Vintage Via dei Conti 19r A fabulous selection of vintage clothing and accessories—the bags are especially high in quality and condition and range from Louis Vuitton to Pucci to to Dior.

Diva Babies Via della Vigna Nuova 6 This outlet of beautiful children’s clothing offers a vast selection, from Burberry to Ralph Lauren to the Florentine designers Patrizia Pepe and Ermanno Scervino. They even create tailor-made clothes ready to wear in one week.

Geraldine Tayar Sdrucciolo de’ Pitti For twenty years Geraldine Tayar has been creating handicrafts and made-to-measure dresses for women and girls. Also on sale are accessories from handbags to belts, all made from only natural fabrics. A draw for animal lovers: Tayar even creates accessories for dogs.

Giulio Giannini e Figlio Piazza de’ Pitti 37 The place to go for Florentine paper. Founded in 1865, this family-owned artisan workshop continues a tradition spanning six generations. Known world wide for its high quality hand-tooled leather book bindings, the firm also produces handmade marbled paper, as well as a variety of traditional Florentine stationary.

Ginger Via del Corso 34r A fantastic women’s wear boutique with a variety of unique clothes from smaller and very cool design houses from Italy and throughout Europe. The owner and her staff quickly understand their customers’ tastes and are extremely helpful in finding styles and sizes.

La Bottega dell’Olio Piazza del Limbo 2 A beautiful little shop whose owner focuses on finding lovely olive-related products. Items range from olive oil itself—only the best of Tuscany’s extra virgin production—to creams and lotions made with olive oil to gorgeous cutting boards and other utensils made of olive wood.

La Rinascente Piazza della Repubblica See Coin.

Le Vanità Profumerie Via Porta Rossa 55r The Via Porta Rossa location of this chain of profumerie sells not only high-end cosmetics, hair products, and body lotion but also has a beauty center that offers a full range of services from manicures and pedicures to hair-removal and massages at extremely reasonable prices.

Locchi Laboratorio di Moleria su Vetro e Cristallo Via D. Burchiello 10 A one-of-a-kind shop where clients can restore or copy any glass object. The artisans can reconstruct precious damaged pieces using a glassblowing technique that creates new glass that is then cut, frosted, and engraved according to the style of the sample or broken piece.

Loretta Caponi Piazza Antinori 4r Loretta Caponi and her daughter design and create handmade sheets, robes, nightshirts pajamas, and children’s clothing. In this store clients find true luxury artisanship; Caponi’s patrons include members of Europe’s royal families.

Loro Piana Via Tornabuoni 36 The softest cashmere scarves and clothing in gorgeous display cases that overflow with beautiful products.

Lungarno Details Store Lungarno Acciauoli 4 This concept store dedicated to the art of living well reflects the experience in style developed over the years by the Ferragamo family hotels. The store offers limited-edition home furnishings, accessories, and gifts that are unique and worthy of the Ferragamo family name.

Marco Baroni Via de’ Renai 3 Baroni is a true craftsman and a goldsmith of great talent. His beautiful jewelry reflects originality, creativity, and a passion for the material he works with. He shuns the conformity of commercial stereotypes, and his creations are utterly unique.

Monica Lupi Via Luna 20, Via Gioberti 98r Lupi is a furniture designer who combines different styles, epochs, and traditions and fuses them into her own unique creations. She travels the world in search of uncommon materials, and her nomadic tendencies characterize her artistic production, all of which is on display in her furniture showroom in a residential neighborhood slightly removed from the tourist bustle.

Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella Via della Scala 16 This beautiful profumeria officially opened in 1612 but was originally created in 1221 by Domincan friars. The essences and perfumes sold there today are still made according to 16th-century formulas originally created for Caterina de’ Medici. Items for sale include potpourri made in ancient terracotta pots and luxurious creams and soaps.

Pegna Via dello Studio 8 This gourmet food store located around the corner from the bell tower of the Duomo originally opened in 1860 and has been an attraction for gourmands ever since. Wine, truffles, olive oil, foie gras, an amazing variety of cheese, chocolate, and pasta are just a few of the incredible products found in this very beautiful store.

Raspini Via Martelli 5r (Vintage) A very cool high-end department store with a wide range of Italian and international designer clothes, accessories, and footwear. There are various locations throughout the city including vintage “outlets” with discounted items from years past.

Roberto Innocenti Via Palmieri 29r The passion of the store’s owner is glass in the French Art Nouveau and Art Déco styles, as well as Italian and Austrian collectors’ pieces. A perfect destination for collectors of rare objects, especially in glass.

Saskia Scarpe su Misura Via di Santa Lucia 24r Saskia Wittmer specializes in made-to-measure footwear for men. All of her creations are hand-crafted and take six months to complete. Leathers used are unusual and include kangaroo, ostrich, elephant, camel, and crocodile.

Studio Puck Via Santo Spirito 28r A showroom-workshop where the ancient art of printing is reinvented with originality and creativity. Passe-partout, frames, and watercolor prints are among the beautiful items for sale.

ROMA

Bomba Via Dell’Oca 38/41 Artisanal men’s and women’s fashions, both ready-to-wear and tailor-made. On sale are dresses, sweaters, ties, bags, jewelry, accessories, and shoes, all made by lesser-known Italian designers.

Calzoleria Petrocchi Via dell’Orso 26 Founded in 1946, this store first sold shoes destined for actors of stage and screen—Kirk Douglas wore their sandals in the film Ulysses. Today shoes are still hand-crafted and made to measure.

Creje Via del Boschetto 5a A store and showroom with artisanally made accessories, from bags and wallets to belts and jewelry to cool, unique dresses that are handcut by laser and fit the body perfectly.

c.u.c.i.n.a. Via Mario de’ Fiori 65 The name of the store is an acronym for “how a kitchen inspires new appetities”—in Italian, “come una cucina ispira nuovi appetiti.” On sale are kitchen utensils from all over the world, including pots and pans made from alluminum, steel, and cast iron; salad bowls in porcelain and steel; cutting boards in every shape and size; tea cups and pots; knives, forks, and spoons; dishes in porcelain and glass; crystal glasses and decanters; cotton and linen aprons, napkins, and tableclothes. All items are extremely functional and minimalist—black, white, and natural colors dominate. Innovative new kitchen gadgets include square egg trays, porcelain pans, and silicone trays for freezer and oven.

Due Tappe Via di Villa San Filippo 36/38 A boutique that sells elegant but practical clothes—the owner defines the style she proposes as perfect for “city” living. There are choices for all budgets, and particular attention is paid to emerging brands from Denmark and around Europe. Also on sale are the creations of up-and-coming Italian artisan designers.

Iaia Via del Pie’ di Marmo 43 This retro boutique is located just a few steps away from the Pantheon. The owner pairs every piece of clothing with a particular accessory, scarf, shoe, and bag, thus transforming her store into a kind of showroom. All fabrics are natural. The quality-price ratio is notable.

Vartecchi Via della Croce 70/72 This historic paper store the center of Rome was founed in 1948 by Sergio Vertecchi, an innovator in the handmade paper world who brought foreign products to Italy, especially during the holiday season. Still today the store becomes illuminated at Christmastime with paper decorations from around the world. There is also a school associated with the store, as well as a boutique that sells high-quality pens from around the world.

Verso Sud Via San Francesco a Ripa 168 This modern boutique sells unique, innovative designer clothing, as well as bags, shoes and accessories, in a cool space located in the trendy Trastevere neighborhood.