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LO BIEN HECHO (THE WELL-MADE)

We delve into the creative universes of sisters Viola, Vera and Mafalda Arrivabene, and the 'slow' fashion of Mónica Coronel de Palma Marichalar. Four women who continue to trust in the value of the handmade and artisanal savoir-faire as a vehicle for authenticity and relevance.
TEXT: SILVIA LUENGO G. AND ISABEL SERRA

VIOLA, VERA AND MAFALDA ARRIVABENE, VIBI VENEZIA AND GIBERTO VENEZIA

Viola and Vera triumph with their Venetian slippers made in the 'modo tradizionale'. Mafalda honours that same artisanal tradition in a 'deco' key. They are sisters, friends, and share their passion for craftsmanship and the historic family legacy, to which they have contributed, with respect and humility, two thriving projects.

On one hand, Viola and Vera Arrivabene launched ViBi Venezia in 2015, a brand of handcrafted Venetian slippers that has captivated fashionistas and celebrities worldwide. On the other, Mafalda Arrivabene thrives alongside her father, Giberto Arrivabene Valenti Gonzaga, Count of Venice, through the Murano glass craft house Giberto Venezia, founded by him and to which she brings an essential creative contribution. These may seem like different worlds, but speaking with the three sisters, we discover they share the same vision of beauty, quality, and teamwork, even if their paths into entrepreneurship were quite different.

"Of course we advise each other; the three of us have very constructive dialogues, even though we work in different sectors," explains Mafalda, the youngest of the three.

Viola and Vera launched their traditional Venetian slippers in 2015 almost spontaneously: "It was completely spontaneous. I had an idea, told my sister Vera, and we just went for it," says Viola, the eldest, who handles the creative side (Vera manages the commercial side). Both knew that, to make the best Venetian slippers, they had to look in the right place. "We went to Friuli, where this type of footwear originates, and found some small family businesses to collaborate with. Within two weeks we had the first pair in our hands." Success came quickly, but the turning point arrived when Kate Moss bought a pair of ViBi Venezia and appeared in the press. The brand was not yet a year old. "The Financial Times called us for an interview and dedicated a full page to us. It was a huge boost at the time," recalls Vera.

Mafalda, meanwhile, joined Giberto Venezia organically, having always shared her father's fascination with glass. "I was captivated by the power of the objects that emerge from the furnace, an incredibly demanding and intense workplace that contrasts with the grace and refinement of what comes out of it." She oversees the brand's collaborations and special projects. When asked whether a collaboration between the three sisters might be possible, they leave the door open: "Our stories have always been a blend of art, beauty and passion," says Mafalda. It wouldn't be difficult — the three understand each other with a glance, and in case of disagreements, as Viola puts it, "we're sisters; after a little while we forget and move on, always thinking about what's best for the business. We share the same goal!" For now, they celebrate the recent opening of a new ViBi Venezia store on the Rialto Bridge in Venice. Family talent, it seems, is hard to contain.