Barena

Barena Venezia takes its name and its outlook from the Venetian lagoon, a place that is not quite sea and not quite dry land. Sandro Zara founded the label in 1993, with designer Massimo Pigozzo shaping the first collection. It is still family owned and managed by three siblings, including Sandro's daughter Francesca. Design starts with the cloth: the team hunts for unusual fabrics first, then builds each piece around them, often using early 20th century patterns from the brand's archive. Stockists describe loose shapes and soft tailoring with a workwear feel. There is a Venice store on Calle Frezzaria and a permanent corner at Harrods in London.