Tessitura Luigi Bevilacqua is a family textile business whose roots date back to the Renaissance. The business was officially founded in 1875 and named after its founder whose textiles adorn the walls of ancient castles and aristocratic homes. It is the last remaining weaving mill still active in the historical heart of the city. They are famous for their soprarizzo velvet, a traditional Venetian fabric with two different types of pile – curly and cut. They also weave damasks, brocades, silks, satins and tapestries using time-honoured weaving techniques.

Today, the family are still dedicated to keeping the Venetian artisanal weaving tradition alive, with Mario Bevilacqua at the helm of the company. When his son Emanuele joined the family business in 1998, he set about restoring and reinstating the original 18th century wooden looms from Venice’s old Silk Guild. Using these vintage machines, the skilled weavers of Bevilacqua recreate 18th century fabrics for international clients; one such prestigious commission was for the Kremlin.