The greatest productive centre dedicated to clothing is located in the area of the Municipality of Cavarzere, which has 120 local factories, where knitted outerwear for men, women and children, suits, jackets, skirts and trousers, coats, male/female socks, evening wear, ties and scarves are produced.
The other Municipalities of the province of Venice belonging to this productive hub are Chioggia and Cona.

The fabric is mainly produced in the Venice area, where, even in the old town centre of the lagoon city, there are some important companies dedicated to the production of hand painted velvets, soprarizzi (partly curled velvet), lampas, damasks, jacquard woven by hand on reproduction looms dating back to the 18th century.

Worthy of mention is also the production of: women’s handbags in leather and synthetic material, blankets and quilts, baby clothes, cotton fabrics in segments, denim, male and female underwear, household linen, yarns of synthetic fibres, lamps covered in silk.
As regards the export of the textile-clothing sector, 2007 recorded a value greater than 267 million Euro, an increase of 6.9% compared with 2006.

The working of Burano lace, developed in the Venetian republic around 1500, should also be remembered for its historical and productive tradition. The legend tells of a young Venetian sailor who came home from faraway seas with a gift of marine algae for his beloved. Wanting to preserve it forever, using simple thread, she copied exactly the delicate surrounds and cut-work.
As the years passed, Burano lace became ever more sought after and requested throughout Europe, so much so that by the action of Caterina De Medici and Minister Colbert some lace workers of Burano moved to France to work the “Stitch in the air” (typical lace stitch of Burano). In 1665 the “Stitch in the air” became “Point de France” triggering a strong competition with the lace of Burano. Nevertheless, the French stitch never succeeded in equalling the Venetian one. The Venetians had made an art out of lacework, the French an industry.
In 1797, with the end of the Venetian republic, lace production also came to an end, becoming an exclusively domestic activity.
The winter of 1872 was very cold, and for the economy of Burano, based exclusively on fishing, it was a great tragedy. It was then, thanks also to the initiative of the Countess Andriana Marcello and the honourable Paolo Fambri that the art of needlepoint lace came back to life.
The “Stitch in the Air” and the” Pink Stitch” come back into vogue and the School of Burano lace was set up, to the extent that in the 19th century needlepoint lace became the principle economic resource for the Burano island.
The School’s production continued to grow until 1915, when the First World War broke out, which marked a fall in the demand of Burano lace, followed by a growth favoured by the demand from abroad.
During the Second World War and in the following years the School experienced good and bad periods, until 1972 when it finally closed down.
The ladies who today know the art of “needlepoint lace” are few and work in their homes. This makes the art even more valuable and its products are today considered true works of art.
To admire the development of this artistic tradition down through the centuries, consult the site Museo del Merletto where over two hundred rare and precious specimens are collected, bearing witness to its production between the16th and 20th centuries.