Exhibition of historical costumes by Atelier Pietro Longhi, made by Francesco Briggi and curated by Raffaele Dessì

The exhibition “Fashion Stories” will show for the first time all the social classes that lived in the Serenissima, thanks to cross-sections of the carnivals over the centuries. The propensity of the Scuola Grande to welcome representatives of all social classes, with a large presence of women, a very rare reality in the past, inspired the birth of an exhibition that was not limited in its description only to the high classes, usually in the center of the studies given the quantity of documents and the speed with which the shapes of the clothes changed.

The prestigious venue, unique in its kind and preciousness, the summa of Venetian Baroque architecture and art opens its doors to Francesco Briggi tailor of the Atelier Pietro Longhi, who made all the clothes with their accessories, and to Dr. Raffaele Dessì who oversaw the entire exhibition in terms of contents and set-up, allowing the creation of the exhibition “Fashion Stories – Carnival tales”. This exhibition tells the story of Venice through one of the most important characteristics of its material culture: clothing and the materials connected to it.

In 20 costumes, faithfully reproduced by Francesco Briggi from original documents or taken from paintings by the most important Venetian painters, it is shown how much trade first and then manufacturing art, linked to fashion, were the fundamental engine for the development and affirmation of the Venetian myth from the Middle Ages to the mid-1700s, up to the present day with excellences that are exported from the lagoon all over the world.

Three periods were examined: the early Renaissance, with the representatives of the “compagnie di calza” (stocking companies), followed by a section of the early 1600s, ending with a section dedicated to the famous Venetian Carnival of 1700, the engine of the rebirth in the ‘ 80 of the last century.

A selection of costumes that represent almost four hundred years of Venetian traditions, tales and stories, to be enjoyed together with the beauty of the Scuola Grande dei Carmini.

Guided tour by appointment : every day at 11am and at 3pm, price 20,00€

For info and reservations call +39 328 9706572 or write an email to [email protected]

The program may be subject to change, for more information

+++ In compliance with the current measures, access to the Scuola Grande dei Carmini is allowed only upon submission of a Super Green Pass and with FFP2 mask. +++