Vera Arrivabene and Vogue Italia’s Lucrezia Malavolta Toast Vibi Venezia with Vogue100

Vibi Venezia weds Italian fashion history with contemporary luxury. The brand’s signature furlane, a velvet slipper with a rubber sole, originated in 18th-century Friuli, where artisans crafted footwear from leftover fabric and old bicycle tires. Legend has it that gondoliers in Venice favored the shoes for their firm grip and boat-friendly soles. During World War II, Red Cross nurses embraced the style for its practicality. Over the subsequent decades, the furlane has evolved into a symbol of effortless elegance.

In 2015, aristocratic sisters Viola and Vera Arrivabene set out to reinvent the furlane and launched Vibi Venezia with a fresh take on the classic. Early admirers included editor Franca Sozzani and blogger Camille Charrière. The brand now counts Katie Holmes and Kate Moss among its A-list devotees. In January of 2021, Vogue’s Alexandra Michler Kopelman even credited Vibi Venezia with inspiring her to “get dressed up again” after the pandemic.

Vogue100 joined forces with Vera Arrivabene to host an intimate celebration at her boutique, a jewel box nestled on the cobbled Via del Carmine. The afternoon, co-hosted by Vogue Italia’s Lucrezia Malavolta, brought together a stylish crowd for conversation, creativity, and Venetian charm. Guests mingled over expertly crafted cocktails (naturally, mixed with Campari) and delicate canapés as they explored the boutique’s vibrant selection.