Barena Venezia
Barena Venezia is a small, family-owned company that has significantly influenced the way men and women dress in and outside of Italy over the past twenty-seven years.
The brand’s history reaches all the way back to 1961 when its founder, Sandro Zara, got his start in the fashion industry. He uncovered original patterns and stitching books in old closed-down wool mills in the lagoon areas of Venice, which eventually became the main source for Barena collections, including those from Lanificio Cini, lately acquired by the company.
In the late 80s, Zara met Massimo Pigozzo and appointed him as Barena’s creative director, a role he still holds for the menswear. The two decided to develop a full collection of menswear, officially founding Barena Venezia in 1993.
The brand extended to womenswear in 2010 when Francesca Zara, daughter of Sandro, became part of the family business and Barena Women’s creative director.
“The main concept comes from the past, in the 19th century where the workwear dress code was: ‘elegance even when we are working the land.’