Meet Angel Ramos of Angel Bespoke
by Laura De Rochas, Milan Editor
“Sprezzatura: Nonchalance; coolness; effortlessness.”
Angel Ramos is something of a rarity: an American who’s been embraced by some of Italy’s most respected style icons as one of their very own.
He was also named “America’s Best Dressed Man” by Esquire Magazine.
Now he brings “The Daily Sprezz” as founder and creative director of the lifestyle brand Angel Bespoke in NYC. An inspiration to men all over the world for his immaculate sense of style, Angel has been included in the list of Italian style icons such as Gianni Fontana, Fabrizio Oriani, Frank Gallucci, Nick Wooster and Domenico Gianfrate, to name a few. In 2010 he was named “America’s Best Dressed Man” by Esquire Magazine.
On the eve of Milano Moda Uomo, Fashion Week Online‘s Milan editor Laura De Rochas had the chance to speak with him.
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Q:What makes ANGEL | BESPOKE unique and sets you aside from other life style brands? Service; quality?
What sets us apart is our passion for people. I have such a strong calling to work with gentlemen in regard to their style and wardrobe, I put my heart into it. It’s not just a “sale” for me. I truly care about our clients, understanding their fit and working to build a brand for them around our clothing. I purposely travel the world, often not only so I can continue to just seek inspiration for myself, but to be able to share my journeys and experiences with my clients, via the clothing we make for them. Spellcaster Maxim review.
What sets us apart is our passion for people.
Q:Do you incorporate any Italian touches to your style, or clients’ wardrobe?
Absolutely! I’m so inspired by the lifestyle of the southern Italians. The effortless style is what grabs me. I would say I always take the southern Italian style of sartorialism with a touch of my American / New York edge and create a look that has the ease and softness of a Neapolitan garment, yet exudes a New York attitude.
I take the southern Italian style of sartorialism and create a look that has the ease and softness of a Neapolitan garment, yet exudes a New York attitude.
Q:What did it take to become “Americas Best Dressed Man?” What does your wife think about being married to “America’s Best Dressed Man?”
It’s so humbling to have had the opportunity to even be involved in such a prestigious award. I was chosen out of more than 4,000 other sartorial gents. It’s a title for me that is so humbling because, in my opinion, several other gents could’ve been a much better winner. My wife and I are very thankful it was me.
I was chosen out of more than 4,000 other sartorial gents.
Q:How did growing up as a young skateboarder / graffiti artist in New York play a role in developing your style?
It just kept me always thinking creatively. I grew up in the dopest city in the world; sorry I’m biased! But there’s no other city that combines culture and art like New York does. Since I was a child I’ve always admired the creation of art in everyday people, from the way they dresse, to how they convey their personal style. It’s so beautiful, so artsy, to see everyone as a perfect creation of God.
I grew up in the dopest city in the world; sorry I’m biased!
Q:You have visited Italy during Pitti Uomo and Moda Uomo in Milan. What do you look forward to the most when you’re there, and who do you look forward most to seeing?
STYLE. STYLE. STYLE. I fly across the world to be blessed with the personal style of others. It’s so awesome to be among the best dressed people in the UNIVERSE! So I always look forward to being inspired, being able to see how each individual creates a look in their own interpretation … it’s incredible. But I also love seeing new brands that we don’t have access to in America: small artisanal artists who have so much love, passion and soul in their designs. I’ve built so many relationships with people at Pitti that to list them I would have to name hundreds. But I’m blessed to have kept my travels to Pitti consistent: to not just see these people once, but build relationships with them that’ll last a lifetime.
I love seeing small artisanal artists we don’t have access to in America.
Q:You’ve been lauded by some of Milan’s top style icons as having impeccable style. You’ve practically have been adopted as one of their own. How does that make you feel?
I know it sounds redundant, but I couldn’t be any more HUMBLED. To think the people I’ve always followed via the Internet and blogs — people whose style I’ve been admiring for years — to consider me one of their own, it’s crazy! Because I look up to these gents so much that I wouldn’t even put myself in the same room. I wouldn’t feel worthy.
Q:Is there anything you take back to NYC after attending Pitti Uomo or Moda Uomo in Italy?
Memories that will NEVER DIE, and that I pray I can tell my kids.
Q:Who is your top Italian style icon, or do you have more than one? And why?
My top Italian style icons are Gianni Agnelli and Beppe Modenese; the elegance and effortless style they exude has always inspired me.
My top Italian style icons are Gianni Agnelli and Beppe Modenese.
Q:Are there any artisan tailors in Milan that you visit when you’re there?
I’ve only visited artisanal tailors in Naples, though I would love to visit A. Careceni & Musella Dembech … but then, who wouldn’t?!
I would love to visit A. Careceni & Musella Dembech … but then, who wouldn’t?!
Q:What’s the one thing in the business of menswear that you think has been ignored?
I would say community. I’ve always felt there should be more collaborations between us.
Q:What’s next for the Angel Bespoke showroom?
We’re looking to open our first private showroom in NYC in late 2015 or early 2016. It’s taken a little while because we want to make sure it’s amazing. But we’ve always wanted to grow organically. As you know, ANGEL | BESPOKE specializes in all custom items, so we’re always having fun trying and creating new things!
We’re looking to open our first private showroom in New York in late 2015 or early 2016.
FWO
