‘Dressing the sea’: The tailor of nautical upholstery
Mar 3, 2017arts and crafts, lagoon and islands, ships0 comments
While visiting Venice, it is very likely that sooner or later you will enjoy a ride on a water taxi – something that BestVeniceGuides are highly recommending as Venice was made to be seen from the water.
Sitting on comfortable cushions and sailing along the stunning Venetian canals you will admire the beauty of the town. Probably, in a second moment, you will also realize that you are sitting in a beautiful boat. Most of them are made of wood and painted with shining varnishes and luxurious interiors. They can be considered limousines of the sea.
shining varnishes and luxurious interiors
Most of the interiors of these taxis are coming from the skilled hands of a Venetian artisan.
another example of shining varnishes and luxurious interiors
Everybody knows that Venice in the past was the centre of thousands of different crafts. Unfortunately not many are still existing and among the one surviving only the ones mostly related with tourism business are mentioned in articles and guide books.
This is not, however, the case for Paolo Munari and today I would really like to render him homage. Paolo is the owner of a laboratory, once based on the Giudecca island and now on the mainland, who since the 70’s has dedicated his time to “dress the sea” as his logo states. And I think no name could not be more appropiated.
Paolo and the rest of his team are like tailors but instead of producing dresses, skirst, trousers and jackets, they design all sorts of nautical upholstery and what comes out from their hands is absolutely beautiful.
Paolo Munari with his team
Today he is helped by his younger son and very recently also by his eldest.
Paolo is a small man, a little shy but with smiling eyes. He has dedicated his entire life to his business and sometimes not even going home in the evening in order to guarantee delivery time. With proud he has shown me around and explaining me all about his work.
Paolo showing me his work
It seems as if time has stopped as you enter his laboratory There are no modern big machines and everything is done by hand, just using old sewing machines and other instruments. Beautiful coloured water and salt resistent fabrics are stacked on shelves. The atmosphere is relaxed, exactly like that of a big family.
Nautical fabrics.
Nontheless in 40 years his company has grown and today serves not just small boats shipyards but also maxi yachts companies and he has managed to make his name well known in the whole Adriatic area.
The secret: passion, patience and love for nice and well done things. Exactly as Venetians have always done through centuries.
Susanna Rodighiero
BestVeniceGuides
If you are interested in reading more posts written by me visit my blog at www.imlostinvenice.com
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