Lo Shopping - My Interview With Eating Italy
The folks at Eating Italy asked me some questions regarding shopping in Rome for their Rome Confidential series. Grazie a tutti!
HERE are my answers.
Style Inspiration For A New Client
There's some great news here at AGD. Thanks to a referral, I have recently signed a new client.I won't be posting any photos of her as she's not on Twitter and doesn't have a blog.My client's main goals are to update her work wardrobe and to buy several pieces for upcoming events. The challenge will be to find clothes that are stylish, yet appropriate for a conservative work environment.I believe American women in their 50's, and up, can look current without trying to dress as if they are still in their 20's. The other extreme isn't great either.We will be focusing on stylish classics that can go from work to dinner. My client looks great in black, white, and red. She also wants to add more color to her wardrobe.The DVF dress below would be perfect for my client. She's petite with a runner's frame. A change of accessories could easily take this dress from the workplace to drinks and/or dinner.I've pulled other images for inspiration. That board is HERE.
Officina Slowear - Preppy Chic Italian
I was invited to the Rome store opening, co-hosted by Monocle magazine, of this Milan based company. I went with my partner in fashion and art crime, Erica. We had an excellent time (and some prosecco).This men's store is fantastic. I wanted to check out Officina Slowear before bringing my client, Coach G. I thought he would like it. He did and we found some great pieces. Over the weekend I saw him wearing the polo shirt he bought and he was rocking it. Riccardo, the store manager, was super helpful and even gave Coach G a book as a gift.
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Officina Slowear is preppy chic meets Italian style and tailoring. The clothes are cut slim and made with high quality materials. Price wise, they're mid-range, more expensive than J. Crew but less expensive than a store like Kiton.Slowear has a few international stores... London, Seoul, and Paris. I think they're opening a store soon in Mexico City and you can find some of their clothes at Barneys in the United States.The store also carries interesting books and accessories. If you're looking for causal clothes with style, this is the place.Officina SlowearVia di Campo Marzo, 73Rome, Italy+(39) 06 925 95 839
Io Adoro - Wonderfool, A Spa/Concept Store In Rome
Filippo Cosmelli of IF Lifestyle Management suggested I check out Wonderfool when I asked him for some advice regarding one of my personal shopping clients.Prospero Di Veroli, a former advertising executive on Madison Avenue, has created a beautiful space dedicated to well-being and style.I've heard people rave about the spa services. Originally the store was a men's boutique and spa. In 2009 Wonderfool began to offer spa services to female clients as well. While the décor has a luxurious, understated masculine vibe, the prices for the spa are moderate.
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Prospero has a brilliant eye and finds interesting things to sell in Wonderfool. I like that he champions unique artisan designers, like Natusko Toyofuku. Wonderfool is also the only store in Rome that sells Orlebar Brown swim trunks (Daniel Craig, in Casino Royale).The scarves by Rome-based Wilma Silvestri are gorgeous and made with vintage fabrics. I must buy one of the Chez Dédé totes. I will be writing a separate post about those. There is a tailor on site who makes made-to-measure suits and shirts.I'm so glad I "found" this store and look forward to bringing my clients to Wonderfool. However, I need to stay away because every time I walk in I buy something. This is a problem.WonderfoolVia dei Bianchi Nuovi, 3900186 Romewww.wonderfool.it
Anatomy Of A Bepoke Suit - Close To The Finish Line
Last Thursday my client Coach G. and I went to Sartoria Marinuzzi for another fitting.His suit is coming along nicely. As Babs would say, "The fit is like buttah."
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The suit will be finished in a few weeks.
Anatomy Of A Bepoke Suit - The First Fitting
In an earlier post, I wrote about finding a tailor to make a suit for my client Coach G.On Friday he had his first fitting with Signor Marinuzzi.
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It's a fascinating process. I've never seen a suit made before. Back in the day, I made dresses, skirts, and one truly tragic jacket.
I appreciate the level of craftsmanship, talent, and time it takes to make a bespoke suit. I cannot wait to see it once it's finished.
Anatomy Of A Bespoke Suit - A Trip To A Sartoria
I recently started working with a new personal shopping client, Gerard, aka Coach G. One of his main objectives was to have a suit made.In the past I've worked only with women. Now I have learned more about mens' suits than I thought possible. There are so many details and decisions. Two buttons versus three buttons. Side vents versus center vents. The difference between how suits are cut in Europe versus America (Europe... slim, very slim).One great thing about living in Italy is, it's not difficult to find a sarto (tailor) who can make a suit by hand. The issue is, which one? Do you go with a local sarto or a store like Kiton, Brioni, or Rubinacci?
Bespoke suits are not cheap. They are an investment. Before paying between 1,900-15,000 + euros for a suit, do some homework.First, is it really bespoke or MTM (made-to-measure). There is a huge difference. With a bespoke suit the tailor is on sight. You have fittings with the person who is actually making your suit. A pattern is cut based on your measurements. The suit is made by hand not computerized machines. An excellent sarto will make a suit that fits your body perfectly.
MTM uses standard patterns. Once your measurements are taken, they are sent to the factory or a tailor offsite. MTM is good option for people who want to spend less than bepoke but want something that will fit better than RTW (ready-to-wear).If someone tells you that your suit is bespoke and the man who is making your suit is not there to see you in person, or the suit is not made by hand, then your suit is not bepoke and you shouldn't be paying bepoke prices.Second, get a referral and/or pull images of suits that you like worn by people who have a similar build to your own.One of my friends is married to a man who dresses impeccably. I asked her where he had his suits made and that is how I found Signor Marinuzzi.
I went to see him. He and wife do not speak a word of English. I told them about my client and what he was looking for. They showed me different fabrics and a suit in progress. I left believing Gerard would be in very good hands.Signor Marinuzzi makes suits for men and women. That's it. Only suits.Sartoria MarinuzziVia Alessandro Farnese, 12/A (zona Prati)Roma 06-3213903