As far as chic
shoes,
bags
and wallets go, the shops
around the
Mercerie
,
Frezzeria and
Calle
Goldoni are not as
expensive as they might
first appear, and sales
are a regular occurrence
in the Mercerie. If you
can afford the very best,
on the other hand, you
should take a look at
Rolando Segalin, Calle dei
Fuseri 4365 (San Marco) -
established in 1932, this
workshop produces
wonderful handmade shoes,
from sturdy brogues to
whimsical Carnival
footwear, such as leather
shoes with toes. Delicate
silk and velvet shoes,
bags, hats and gloves are
a speciality of Valeria
Bellinaso, Campo
Sant'Aponal (San Polo).
If money is no object,
go browsing around Calle
Vallaresso and Calle
Larga XXII Marzo, where
names such as Vogini and
Bottega Veneta uphold the
city's reputation as a
market for immaculately
produced leather goods. In
Merceria dell'Orologio
you'll find a big branch
of Mandarina Duck, whose
stylish and durable bags,
often manufactured from
rubber and heavy-gauge
nylon, have become classic
accessories all over
Italy. For something
unique to Venice, call in
at Francis Model, Ruga
Rialto 773a (San Polo), a
father and son workshop
that produces high-quality
handbags and briefcases.
