Passart (“Alta Passamaneria Artigiana”) is a small curtain tassel and trimmings shop on Via del Panico. I spoke with Mario Salinetti, who can almost always be found in the small shop, to get to know the workshop and its strikingly elegant and colorful products. Passart continues the legacy of its predecessor, the Pontifical Company Bandini, who had created woven art for the popes since the late 17th century. Today, Passart has worked with names like Versace, Bulgari, Gucci, and most frequently with Valentino, who employed Passart for several of their magnificent pieces for the Fall-Winter 2015-2016 show, Mirabilia Romae. Passart still uses the same techniques, equipment, colors, materials, and designs as they did in the 17th century, with only a few updates.

As a student of modern art, the ancient tradition of fabric weaving and the Renaissance art of fantastic trimmings and tassels was, at first, beyond me. Indeed, Salinetti says that modernist and minimalist interior design is a bit of a threat, but this art is part of Rome’s heritage and intrinsic style. Passart employs color, texture, and movement to evoke the passion and beauty of Rome’s artistic history. The Renaissance and Baroque inspiration for Passart’s products enter the modern world of art and fashion with reiterations of tradition and timeless beauty.