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