| The secret of Sferra's enduring reputation lies in its | | | | Coast from Maine to Palm Beach, and traveled |
| insistence on the finest materials. Everything begins | | | | regularly to sell his goods. |
| with first-quality fibers. Using only the natural fibers of | | | | Recognizing the growing demand for delicate hand |
| linen, textile masters apply state-of-the art technology | | | | embroideries, Gennaro decided to take the next step |
| to spin, dye and finish each individual yarn to the | | | | in building his business. In 1905, he opened Factory 5007 |
| precise specifications and stringent standards required | | | | San Severo, located in the shadow of the Rialto |
| to create fabrics of distinction. Sferra Fine Linens have | | | | Bridge in Venice. Twice a year, Gennaro returned to |
| enlivened society homes, graced the tables at White | | | | his homeland by steamer to create a new collection of |
| House state dinners, and been selected for use in the | | | | the most luxurious linens, handmade laces, and |
| sleeping quarters at the Vatican. | | | | embroideries affluent America had ever seen. |
| Sferra began as a purveyor of fine Italian lace in 1891. | | | | A generation later, in the 1940s and 1950s, Gennaro's |
| As the turn-of-the-century approached, the company's | | | | two sons, Enrico and Albert, expanded their father's |
| industrious founder, Gennaro Sferra, left Italy for the | | | | collection to include the most luxurious European linens |
| United States in hopes of attracting a market for his | | | | of the day-Ireland's reknowned double damask, |
| intricate Venetian lace cuffs and collars. He found his | | | | France's refined Alencon Laces, and the beautiful |
| clientele in the well-heeled guests who frequented the | | | | embroideries from Belgium and Switzerland. For those |
| grand seaside resorts that once dotted the East | | | | in the know, sferra became a household name. |