*
Venice is all it's cracked up to be, only down part is that guys like me contribute to the very heavy "tourist" vibe. And by heavy I mean prevalent, not fat.
*
After two flights, a lengthy layover in Madrid, and a water bus ride from the Venice airport that seemed to last forever, I finally made it to the homeland of luxury fabrics. Veeral and I hopped the train to meet with Monti, the legendary shirting fabric mill that we proudly partner with for our custom dress shirts at J. Hilburn.
This coming Tuesday is the start of the Milano Unica fabric show which along with Premiere Vision in Paris showcases the best fabrics the world has to offer. If you can’t find it here, you most likely can’t find it anywhere. For product guys, it’s like turning a kid loose in the ultimate candy store. We’re ready to be inspired, shop our brains out, and ultimately put out some incredible new products.
*
Venice is high on charm, especially when get away from the gaggle of gaudy power-lux-brand shops-- riding the water taxis provides access to some pretty great views.
*
One of many water taxis that pump through the veins of Venice. These guys have a pretty sweet deal in terms of quick cash, and a seemingly pretty cool gig. Sure it has it's downside, but I couldn't see it from where I was sitting.
*
A small sampling of Monti's shirting inventory.
*
Imagine being face-to-face with three million meters of shirting fabric... it seems to go on for days.
*
More of Monti's seemingly inexhaustible stock of shirting fabrics.
*
One of the old vintage weaving looms from the early days of Monti.
*
Another vintage weaving loom from Monti, all wood and even older than the previous pic.
*
The Selvedge Yard 
Tremendous! Keep the updates of your trip coming.
Wow. Unbelievable fabric inventory. How do you even know what’s what and where? How often do you think it turns over?
Turns about 4X, I’d say.
oh wow super super heavenly. does the plastic bum you out or does it still feel so delicious. who needs a library and books. i’d rather have walls and walls of fabric any day!
lucky duck!!!!!
bess
It’s pretty incredible seeing it all in person. It would be even more impressive without the plastic wrap, but what’s one to do?
love to experience it someday.
*droool* Thank you for making my day and me sooo jealous, and setting one of my future holidays with this post. I think I whimpered a little looking at those rows upon rows of fabric bolts….
I am an affirmed fabricholic. I will spend hours in the store just touching the material and dreaming of what I could make with it. I have a stash that is huge from my days of working in a fabric store. Cottons, twills, acetates, rayons, brocades… Half of my paycheque, I swear, went to purchasing more material!
Again, thank you very much for this post! 🙂