Scenes from re-building a wardrobe: A Sicilian Adventure
Posted: Sun May 05, 2019 4:27 pm
As you folks might remember, a bit over a year ago I came to you for advise on how to “urgently” build up a wardrobe, as I found myself in a new job after years of wearing informal clothing, and after losing about 100lbs, which rendered my old wardrobe useless (post here)
Much has happened since: I found 2 great tailors I work work regularly now: Frank (aka Old Henry)in Upstate NY, who has been creating beautiful masterpieces that I just love to wear - you've seen them here, and Russell from Graham Browne here in London, who has help me put together a number of options for my day to day at the office.
In the process, I've also had some good work done by John Kent of Kent, Haste & Lachter, Edwin Deboise of Steed, both in London, and Joaquin Fernandez Prats of Langa in Madrid. All fantastic experiences that, combined with the almost daily “teachings” I get from Frank
have taught me a lot about the art of creating a suit that adapts not only to one physique, but to ones personality as well.
Yet most of these tailors are close or firmly within the English tradition. And I was still curious about the other side of the argument - the Italians. Lately, here and elsewhere, there's been a perceived deterioration of the quality of their work, yet I couldn't believe generations of tailors had simply given up. I was willing to spend some Euros to confirm or discard this theory.
Since my real boss (the wife) had selected Sicily as our Easter break vacation spot, I quickly started some research, which led to Sartoria Crimi, of Carmelo and Mauro Crimi (father and son) as the safest bet, given their online presence and ease of communication (which over the internet happens in English, even though once you arrive not much of it is spoken)..
Over the course of a week I had the opportunity to interact with them and have not one but two coats made. It was a fun, beautiful process, with father and soon working as a team, with an army of experienced coat makers and finishers “hidden” in the back of a second story apartment in Palermo.
I'll write down the experience in a few posts, that I'll share with you in the next few days.
Much has happened since: I found 2 great tailors I work work regularly now: Frank (aka Old Henry)in Upstate NY, who has been creating beautiful masterpieces that I just love to wear - you've seen them here, and Russell from Graham Browne here in London, who has help me put together a number of options for my day to day at the office.
In the process, I've also had some good work done by John Kent of Kent, Haste & Lachter, Edwin Deboise of Steed, both in London, and Joaquin Fernandez Prats of Langa in Madrid. All fantastic experiences that, combined with the almost daily “teachings” I get from Frank
have taught me a lot about the art of creating a suit that adapts not only to one physique, but to ones personality as well.Yet most of these tailors are close or firmly within the English tradition. And I was still curious about the other side of the argument - the Italians. Lately, here and elsewhere, there's been a perceived deterioration of the quality of their work, yet I couldn't believe generations of tailors had simply given up. I was willing to spend some Euros to confirm or discard this theory.
Since my real boss (the wife) had selected Sicily as our Easter break vacation spot, I quickly started some research, which led to Sartoria Crimi, of Carmelo and Mauro Crimi (father and son) as the safest bet, given their online presence and ease of communication (which over the internet happens in English, even though once you arrive not much of it is spoken)..
Over the course of a week I had the opportunity to interact with them and have not one but two coats made. It was a fun, beautiful process, with father and soon working as a team, with an army of experienced coat makers and finishers “hidden” in the back of a second story apartment in Palermo.
I'll write down the experience in a few posts, that I'll share with you in the next few days.
