Master Stefano Nicolao’s passion for clothes began with his first love: the theater. It was while he was on stage as an actor in the early 1970s that he was struck by the magic of stage costumes, how they were able to shape an actor’s bearing, making any moment special.

So he began to study all the secrets of high fashion and in 1975 he became the director of tailoring at the Teatro Stabile Friuli Venezia Giulia in Trieste. In the early 1980s he returned to his native Venice, where he was born, and opened the city’s first cinema-theatrical costume tailoring shop with the aim of committing himself to the philological study of materials while maintaining the artisanal workmanship also for accessories.

It is attention to detail that makes the difference between normality and extraordinary, it is a question of excellence.

(Stefano Nicolao)

Since 2008, Stefano has taught Fashion Design – Historical Cut at the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice and, with almost half a century of studies and research under his belt, he has now become one of the world’s leading experts on historical clothing.

In his immense atelier, he keeps, perfectly catalogued, over 15,000 valuable cinema-theatre costumes used for important cinematographic and opera-theatre productions, as well as rare one-of-a-kind pieces that he purchases at auctions around the world.

In his forty-year career he has worked alongside important Oscar-winning costume designers such as Maurizio Millenotti, Jenny Beavan, Sandy Powell, creating costumes for films such as Casanova, Elizabeth I, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Merchant of Venice, The Tourist, Twilight…

In addition to making costumes for leading operas, events, festivals and even commercials and music videos, such as Madonna’s cult one, Like a Virgin, shot in 1984 in Venice.

In his atelier, together with her trusted staff, she creates the precious garments that can be seen parading at the Venice Carnival parties, hand sewn with important fabrics, such as the handmade silks of Bevilacqua or Rubelli.

The atelier, in addition to making or renting the dress of your dreams, also organizes guided tours, courses and some of the most glamorous events in Venice, especially during the Carnival period. Wearing an 18th century Venetian dress is one of the most exciting experiences you can have, because if “habitus non facit monachum”, it certainly “does make a king”.

You can also admire Stefano Nicolao’s art at two other unmissable events held in Venice: the Homo Faber event from 1 to 30 September at the Cini Foundation and the exhibition he curated of Enrico Sabbatini’s original costumes from the TV drama Marco Polo, on display at Palazzo Mocenigo until 30 September 2024.

Or you can stay at Hotel Splendid in Venice and book one of the Experiences of La Grande Bellezza project which sees a partnership with the greatest Italian master craftsmen including Stefano Nicolao.

The Secret

Until the 18th century, formal dresses were so precious that, once discarded by the owner, they were divided into pieces to make other garments, which is why finding intact ones today is a real rarity. Stefano Nicolao, traveling all over the world, has managed to collect over 250 originals, including very rare jewel dresses from the Venetian 16th century.

Useful Info

Atelier Stefano Nicolao
Fondamenta de la Misericordia 2590
30121 Venezia
Tel. +39 041 5207051

Visits to the atelier by appointment: www.nicolao.com
Guided tours + overnight stay: Hotel Splendid Venice
Rooms from 32o euro