The London Lounge

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1revai8KRA0

An interesting video, demonstrating two things:
1) Shoulder padding sometimes might be quite good
2) Good manners are always good, even in the most unnerving circumstances

Andrey

Very interesting video I dare say. Thanks for that.

andreyb wrote:An interesting video, demonstrating two things

And it demonstrates a third: "traduttore, traditore"
Although in this case, the interpreter was also being a diplomat.

hectorm wrote:And it demonstrates a third: "traduttore, traditore"
Although in this case, the interpreter was also being a diplomat.

?

I don't speak Italian (and hardly speak English ), so can't understand what Ricci really said. Is he harsher or milder?

Andrey

Ricci wrote:Lui sta simulando un'immagine che non gli e' propria, che non gli e' congenita, e quindi sta assicurando se stesso. Io non ho questa filosofia; io sono per la verita'. [...] L'eleganza e' dote dell'uomo, non del vestito. Con o senza spallina, lui resta pur sempre una persona elegante e gli rivolgo i miei piu' vivi e sentiti complimenti.

He is simulating an image that doesn't belong to him, that isn't innate in him, and therefore he's reassuring himself. This isn't my philosophy. I believe in truth. [...] Elegance is a quality of man, not of his cloths. With or without shoulder-pad, he keeps being an elegant person and I offer him my warmest and heartfelt congratulations.

How can a man in navy blue worsted and one in green herringbone tweed agree? Good manners on both sides, though; just different cultures. It reminds me of a cafe in Old Street, a rat running at full speed across the room and me smashing it under my foot without thinking once - an innate reflex. Dirty rat 0-1 Italy. Few seconds later, ladies crying and terrible glances from all directions.

Frederic Leighton wrote: It reminds me of a cafe in Old Street, a rat running at full speed across the room and me smashing it under my foot without thinking once - an innate reflex.

Was he anyone we knew?

Regards
Russell

PS Nice reflexes!

Frederic Leighton wrote:Just different cultures. It reminds me of a cafe in Old Street, a rat running at full speed across the room and me smashing it under my foot without thinking once - an innate reflex. Dirty rat 0-1 Italy. Few seconds later, ladies crying and terrible glances from all directions.

Same scene at an elegant tea room in Mayfair many years ago: nobody had that kind of innate reflex but the waiter, who -far from smashing the rat- started explaining out loud to the disturbed clientele that it was just "Little Peter", the house pet.

Frederic Leighton wrote: a rat running at full speed across the room and me smashing it under my foot without thinking once - an innate reflex. Dirty rat 0-1 Italy. Few seconds later, ladies crying and terrible glances from all directions.

Much as I like frequenting the "third places" around that part of London, so close to my office, that's what you get for hanging around "damn hippies"

andreyb wrote: can't understand what Ricci really said. Is he harsher or milder?

Dear andreyb,
Mr. Ricci criticizes Mr. Hackett´s coat style (particularly the shoulder padding) saying things like "If you hide your shoulders, you hide yourself" or "you must embrace your sloping shoulders". He says it nicely but comes up a bit too much straightforward which could be taken as impolite in some cultures. The interpreter is trying to convey the ideas more smoothly. Mr. Hackett notices what´s going on and takes it like a gentleman.

I think Ricci makes a good point, but I didn't like his shoulders either, or rather the very prominent sleeve head.

A video can easily miss crucial context. Based purely on what was shown, I found Ricci less than polite. Far less. And not a little bit pompous. We Italians can get that way.

We all (thankfully) have our own sense of what looks good even if it's perhaps not what we'd wear ourselves.

Although no fan of thickly padded shoulders, if I saw Mr Hackett in the street I'd be thinking ”smart man”; if I saw Mr Ricci I'd be thinking ”what a Pitti".

Regards
Russell

http://www.thesartorialist.com/photos/o ... -florence/

Ricci has quite a fondness for very prominent sleeve heads. Tutti i gusti sono gusti.

I mean the sleeve heads seem exaggerated, as though designed to draw attention to the artisan's work. As horrible as the deliberately unfastened last button on a coat sleeve. Da cafone.

Russell wrote: If I saw Mr Ricci I'd be thinking ”what a Pitti".

That´s a good one, Russell. An "original" for me. I will use it in the future.