<P> It can be argued that Venice produced the best and most refined rococo designs . At the time, Venice was in trouble . It had lost most of its maritime power, was lagging behind its rivals in political importance, and society had become decadent, with nobles wasting their money in gambling and partying . But Venice remained Italy's fashion capital, and was a serious contender to Paris in terms of wealth, architecture, luxury, taste, sophistication, trade, decoration, style, and design . Venetian rococo was well known as rich and luxurious, with usually very extravagant designs . Unique Venetian furniture pieces included the divani da portego, and long rococo couches and pozzetti, objects meant to be placed against the wall . Bedrooms of rich Venetians were usually sumptuous and grand, with rich damask, velvet, and silk drapery and curtains, and beautifully carved rococo beds with statues of putti, flowers and angels . Venice was especially known for its beautiful girandole mirrors, which remained among, if not the, finest in Europe . Chandeliers were usually very colourful, using Murano glass to make them look more vibrant and stand out from others, and precious stones and materials from abroad were used, since Venice still held a vast trade empire . Lacquer was very common, and many items of furniture were covered with it, the most noted being lacca povera (poor lacquer), in which allegories and images of social life were painted . Lacquerwork and Chinoiserie were particularly common in bureau cabinets . </P> <P> In the 14th century, many young Venetian men began wearing tight - fitting multicoloured hose, the designs on which indicated the Compagnie della Calza ("Trouser Club") to which they belonged . The Venetian Senate passed sumptuary laws, but these merely resulted in changes in fashion in order to circumvent the law . Dull garments were worn over colourful ones, which then were cut to show the hidden colours resulting in the wide spread of men's "slashed" fashions in the 15th century . </P> <P> Today, Venice is a major fashion and shopping centre, not as important as Milan, Florence, and Rome, but on a par with Verona, Turin, Vicenza, Naples, and Genoa . Roberta di Camerino is the only major Italian fashion brand to be based in Venice . Founded in 1945, it is renowned for its innovative handbags featuring hardware by Venetian artisans and often covered in locally woven velvet, and has been credited with creating the concept of the easily recognisable status bag . Many of the fashion boutiques and jewelry shops in the city are located on or near the Rialto Bridge and in the Piazza San Marco . There are Louis Vuitton and Ermenegildo Zegna flagship stores in the city . If shopping for venetian and Italian food specialties and wine you can head to Mascari or Casa del Parmigiano near Rialto and I Tre Mercanti flagship store near Piazza San Marco . </P> <P> Venetian cuisine is characterized by seafood, but also includes garden products from the islands of the lagoon, rice from the mainland, game, and polenta . Venice is not known for a peculiar cuisine of its own: it combines local traditions with influences stemming from age - old contacts with distant countries . These include sarde in saór (sardines marinated to preserve them for long voyages); bacalà mantecato (a recipe based on Norwegian stockfish and extra-virgin olive oil); bisàto (marinated eel); risi e bisi, rice, peas and (not smoked) bacon; fegato alla veneziana, Venetian - style veal liver; risòto col néro de sépe (risotto with cuttlefish, blackened by their ink); cichéti, refined and delicious tidbits (akin to tapas); antipasti (appetizers); and prosecco, an effervescent, mildly sweet wine . </P>

Venice at the peak of its power and wealth