Suggestions for Rome

[dopey]

I will be in Rome this summer for a week or so and am interested in your suggestions for LL-consonant places of interest.

[whyescalar]

Amble through the Villa Borghese gardens, from the touristy places to more residential areas.

[tteplitzmd]

If you have time, I would find the Rome Davide Cenci. It is not easy to find, and the address is not well known to the taxi drivers. Curiously, they have a wider range than the New York or Milan locations. Some middle range goods, especially for women. The owner's buying is a bit different for their Italian stores. They have a nice range of accessories and private label clothing. The Rome store has a lot of things you won't find in their NY shop.

I would steer clear of Battistoni. You missed them by about 30 years.

[uppercase]

As you surely know, Dopey, you need to head straight to Caraceni, the world's finest tailor, immediately upon arrival. No need to first check into your hotel nor brush your teeth.

You cannot pass up this Italian opportunity. You simply must try Italy's premier tailor if you are in Rome. You can thank me later and buy me lunch.

Ofcourse you need to train down to Napoli and have a suit made there as well.

Alden can advise you as to which tailor to employ. He has a long list of recommended Neapolitan tailors somewhere on LL.

Otherwise, I could advise Gianni Marigliano although Alden does not care for Gianni. Marigliano, a bit obscure and esoteric, also has the advantage of having a shop in Rome on Via Flaminia.

Forget Rubinacci; he's too predictable now.

I hope to see you dressed for the better a l'italiano! Say, farewell Savile Row.

[dopey]

As of now, I will be in Rome a little over a week and my days will be more or less occupied.

I would love to visit Caraceni, but don't you think a week start to finish would be a bit rushed? For me to get any worthwhile bespoke in Rome, I think I would have to extend my stay at least a few days, and without doing that, Naples would also be out of the question.

I was hoping to satisfy myself with some nice accessories, Uppercase, or maybe some shirts, but I can see that you are going to make bespoke tempting.

[ay329]

Caraceni once replied that they can make a suit in a week...with multiple fittings...as long as they have the fabric in their hands upon ordering it.

[mafoofan]

Hmm, why not Battistoni? They have a lot of snazzy ready-to-wear and accessories. Very nice bespoke shirts, of course--if that would interest you. When I was there a few years ago, they said they'd be able to get all the fittings done in a week's time so long as I planned with them in advance. They still cut a muslin collar on your body. Anyway, it's neat place to visit regardless of whether you buy anything.

Terry, I have to admit, I was extremely underwhelmed by Davide Cenci in Rome. They sell a lot of Burberry and Polo, with a giant portion of their shoe section dedicated to Tod's. The Madison Avenue store is much, much smaller, but appears to carry more of their private label stuff, which is more interesting in my opinion.

[uppercase]

I don't want you to regret in your old age that you once visited Rome but did not have a Caraceni made because you could not spare 4 more days in your long life but rather rushed back to work, concerned that your In Box was filling up.

Remember, you can only get a Caraceni in Rome.... They don't travel, they're not coming to NYC. And they don't care what you think; they're worse than A&S. And so much better.

Anyway, there is not much to see in Rome, so your time is best spent at your tailors. Plus you should not venture out in the sunlight in Summer, it is simply too hot.

Also skip the RTW schlock stores, it is all the same kvatch now every where in the world.

A man of your calibre need only consider a few choice bespoke items from Rome or Naples to be satisfied. Of course there are antiques, paintings, jewelry, leather goods, silks, houseware, design items unique to Italy but I presume that you are primarily interested in items to adorn yourself. Sahariennes, cape buffalo gloves or a rich chapeau perhaps?

I would suggest then that you send the wife off to Via Condotti with your credit card. Find a nanny for the kiddies and send them off to eat pizza, gelato and orangina; they usually enjoy that. You, sir, need to be off to 61 Via Campania, off of Via Veneto, adjacent to the Villa Borghese, where you can feast on the history of this legendary Italian sartoria.

The best of it all, you can start dreaming of your visit and commission from now.

I suspect that Caraceni could fit you in 7-10 days if they already have the cloth with them upon your arrival. Pre arrange that. If you allow them to ship the finished product to you, that would help them meet your timetable. It’s doable if you want to make it happen!

Regarding Naples, upon further consideration and given your personality, I now advise you against having a suit made there. EVER. Best for your sanity.

However, I do recommend that you make a day trip down to Naples and have a few bespoke items made which would not try your soul. Accessories. Try Cappelli or Marinella for bespoke ties. Perhaps Ambrosio for a pair of trousers. Stop by Rubinacci for some ties and such. They are all within comfortable walking distance of each other and then have a pizza for lunch and hop on the train back to Rome. But if you have the time, try to get to Capri, a short boat trip from Naples. If the sun becomes too hot, retreat to the depths of the bluest of blue Mediterranean waters. You deserve it.

[ay329]

Dopey...aren't you already a client of Caraceni?

[dopey]

Dopey...aren't you already a client of Caraceni?

No. Or, more precisely thanks to uppercase, not yet.

Since I will be staying right near the Villa Borghese and Via Veneto, I have run out of excuses. The real trick will be skipping out during the day to see them.

[Costi]

Anyway, there is not much to see in Rome, so your time is best spent at your tailors.

Haha, that's a good one!

[andreyb]

Gentlemen,

Any information on current prices -- both for Caraceni and Battistoni?

Also, anyone knows Caraceni's contact information?

Andrey

[ay329]

caraceni@fastwebnet.it

They respond once every 2-3 weeks. The phone number listed in Flusser's book just keeps ringing. Once they respond to e-mail, they will tell you which number is best to contact them and best time of day.

They do respond in English. They will provide you their prices via e-mail

I deleted my e-mails, but me thinks Guido Caraceni was the one who responded.

Cifonelli has an outpost Atelier in Rome which might be worth visiting...especially if one has future plans on visiting Paris too in order to conduct further fittings. Will has also mentioned they frequent NYC a few times a year

[andreyb]

caraceni@fastwebnet.it

Alas, this address bounces back.

Andrey

[uppercase]

What kind of suit should Dopey have made by Caraceni?

He just needs some encouragement and inspiration from you.

What would you recommend for Dopey??