Trend Union Trends & Textiles SS 2028 - "Venice"
The arrival by boat is magic.
The silt smell of the water, the bumpy speedboat ride over the laguna and that first encounter with thedelipidated façades and romantic waterways are each breathtaking.
Even after a lifetime of going there, this magic never stops. Venice is without doubt one of the most enticing cities in the world. Because it has it all.
There is the architecture of the palazzos, the coming and going of the vaporetti, art of past and present, ancient academies and contemporary institutions, the never-ending dizzying sloshing of the water and of course the risottos and carpaccios, pastas and pizzas, bakeries and bellinis, and gelato above all.
The glass blown in Murano, the lace needled in Burano and the paper marbled in Venice are testimony to a hunger for tradition. A city one wants to know inside out, to understand and embrace the essence of hedonism.While looking in a Venetian mirror as therapy…
Although Venice has been the greatest place for decades, it now becomes especially prominent and important again. It seems to have another purpose.
With the world on the verge of collapse and ourcivilisation threatened, this small but amazing city is a testament to the past and a steppingstone for the
future, its resilience legendary. Its location, artisan skills and particular status have made it one of the wealthiest bastions in past centuries, and its dedication to art and architecture has made it a meeting point for the cultural world in recent decades.
Today, creative spirits have chosen Venice as their home to share collections and collaborations, unique pieces, and carefully curated exhibitions, all throughout the year.
Miuccia Prada was first of course, always leading the pack years in advance, then came Pinault with his pivotal collection, then a palazzo exclusively
for Bottega Veneta’s luxury clients, a gallery by the gifted alchemist Vincenzo de Cotiis and now a rekindled palace by Dries van Noten sharing his inclusive vision of culture at large.
Diane von Furstenberg eloped early and made Venice her entertaining home, prolonging the mischievous spirit of Peggy.
All of them meeting at Harry’s for drinks.
In the past, Venice was the entry point to Europe and served as a roaring platform between the South,East and West. As the culmination point of the Silk Route, it traded in weapons, finery, fragrance, spices and textiles, inspiring Venetian houses like Fortuny and Rubelli to this day. Its links to the Middle East
and North Africa gave it ornate architecture with Islamic detailing and nomadic lounging furniture and tapestries.
The trade with the African continent also brought ivory and gold in exchange for the famous glass beads produced on the islands, inspiring a more rooted sense of form and function. Therefore, Venice holds most of the world’s aesthetic essence, accumulating influences and containing multiple ingredients,
layered with immense knowledge and intuitive skills to process all principles into the euphoric cabinet of curiosity we are so desperately in need of. We embrace Venice to experience and remember.
Learning to never let go of the genius of humanity.
– Lidewij Edelkoort July 18, 2026
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