Photos by Yuki Kohara
Pitti Immagine Uomo, held twice per year in Florence, is arguably the world’s most important platform for men’s clothing and accessory collections.
Photographer Yuki Kohara sent us so many wonderful photos of Pitti #88, we had trouble choosing which ones to post. In the end, we went with these.
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FWO
Watch all the menswear videos at over at Men’s Fashion Week Live!
With love,
FWO
by Milan Editor Laura De Rochas
Let’s face it: New York (well, to be fair, the entire world) could probably take a little menswear style advice from Italy.
While New York Fashion Week: Men’s is finally making its debut this summer, Italy’s passion for menswear has a long and storied history, including a Milan Mens’ Fashion Week (Milano Uomo), as well as the menswear event Pitti Uomo.
Italy’s passion for menswear has a long and storied history.
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Gianni Fontana, aka The Style Buff, is a marketing and communications professional, passionate about clothing, menswear, and style. He’s also the principal of the Milan Style Academy, an Italian fashion school with more than 25 years in the business. He’s behind the family’s brand Fontana 1961, producing handmade ties and scarves, and Belloveso Milano for luxury leather goods.
Almost incidentally, he’s one of the best-known and most photographed style icons in Italy.
Q: Tell us about the genesis of The Style Buff?
When I decided to start my first blog, several years ago, my intention was to represent menswear style and lifestyle from the Italian point of view. A kind of observer that selects and spreads. That’s why I’ve chosen the name The Style Buff. The word “buff” was originally applied to enthusiastic fire-watchers, because of the buff uniforms formerly worn by New York volunteer firemen. Now, of course, it’s used to define a person who is enthusiastically interested in — and very knowledgeable about — a particular subject.
The word “buff” come from the original uniforms of New York volunteer firemen.
Q: What does a typical day look like in the life of “The Style Buff?”
Milan offers a frenzied life. The city is at the crossroads of business, style and art. (As is Italy itself, actually.) Being Italian, I think we have that kind of “crossroads” attitude for aesthetics. Or perhaps it’s inherited from our long history.
In any case, the day flows according to the classic formula: work, leisure and rest. Traveling frequently is when this rule is broken.
Q: You’re well-known for the amazing hats you wear. Is there a specific designer you prefer? Is there another accessory you won’t leave home without?
Yes. It’s true. Actually, “Borsalino” is more than a brand name: it’s a type of wide-brimmed hat. I like SuperDuper hats, too. Accessories, in general, are half the outfit. After hat: shoes, ties, jewelry, pocket squares, etc.
Accessories, in general, are half the outfit. Hat, shoes, ties, jewelry, pocket squares.
Q:What are the most important factors for men when getting dressed?
If my answer seems vague here, but it’s because I do not like rules. Every man should be comfortable in his appearance, looking clean and not too noisy, in conformity with his circumstance. Less is better than more, if you are not confident. In Italian “sprezzatura” is our word for that sense of imperfect nonchalance: when you do not just select items, but you melt your personality into the stuff you wear or carry.
In Italian “sprezzatura” is our word for that sense of imperfect nonchalance.
Q:Name 3 – 5 items EVERY man should own.
A blue blazer, a tie, white pants, a good pair of shoes, a suit and a hat. Not enough, but just the base. I think we can dress well with just a few good pieces. Investing in quality is always a good choice. I own very old items, or buy pre-owned, and I’m proud of it. Everyone should select a vintage item for every outfit.
Everyone should select a vintage item for every outfit.
Q: Each region in Italy has its own sense of style. What sets Milan apart?
Milan is probably more international. In Italy there are well-known cities such as Rome, Florence, and Venice, but these are more visited more for tourism. Milan is the engine of the fashion business. It’s very multicultural, and for fashion, art and design, Milan has the right mix.
Q: Pitti Uomo and Moda Uomo begin mid-June. What sets them apart? And why are they important to the fashion industry?
I’m in love with Pitti. Pitti is an outstanding event that fits nicely into the classic series of international fashion weeks. Traditionally coming between London, Milano and Paris, it plays to a different beat, almost a variation on the theme of fashion that runway shows have accustomed us to.
La Piazzetta: this is the nickname for the courtyard outside the show’s central pavilion. Piazzetta means a small square: somewhere to meet up, for talking or playing. It’s also a favorite place for photographers where, in fact, the best photos are taken, that leave Florence and travel around the world in blogs and magazines.
People meet up in the Piazzetta, talk, compare, exchange ideas, and create new projects. It’s a mood that’s difficult to find in other circumstances linked to the world of fashion. A mood that personifies that feeling that modern social networks have reduced to an exclusively virtual experience. A mood that is worth feeling at least once.
It’s a mood that’s difficult to find in other parts of the world of fashion
Obviously both Pitti and Milano Uomo are important events for Italians, not only for the menswear market. They’re just separated by a thin border that gently divides the classic from the contemporary.
Q:What makes a “style icon” or “best-dressed” man?
Clothes are what we put on, but elegance is who we are, what we have inside. There’s no way to be elegant or well-dressed if you’re not a gentleman. It’s not a matter of money or brands.
There’s no way to be elegant or well-dressed if you’re not a gentleman. It’s not a matter of money
Being a “style icon” denotes a breakthrough: when you are the hub, and others look to you for reference. But you can’t decide to become it, you have to be it.
Q:Who are your top-5 “style icons,” past and present, and why?
Style icons: Marcello Mastroianni and Gianni Agnelli.
Q:Best / top-3 bespoke tailors in Milan?
Definitely A. Caraceni and Rubinacci. They have a long tradition that goes back generations. We also have to consider non-Milanese tailors coming to town for their clients, and some of them have their own ateliers in Milan, such as Sciamat, Dalcuore or SartoriaRipense.
Q:Do you have your eye on any up-and-coming menswear designers in Milan?
All throughout MFW there are so many young and talented designers. The Camera della Moda (Italian Fashion Organization) — and big brands as Giorgio Armani and Vogue — give big support to the emergent ones. One young designer I like is Christian Pellizzari.
Q: How would you describe the difference between American and Italian men’s fashion?
It’s difficult to explain in few words. Italian fashion has a very long and strong tradition. Italian designers set the rules for more than a century. Today the world is more connected; the market has to be considered as a whole entity. There are fewer boundaries than in the past. People travel more, and the Internet sets every culture closer.
American designers are appreciated in many countries. I will say that maybe the style between Americans and Italians is still different. But even this difference is getting thinner, year after year.
Italian designers set the rules for more than a century. Today American designers are appreciated in many countries.
Q: What trends do you foresee in the next year?
We’re still living an understatement period. The economy, globally, is not strong, and fashion is affected by this, too. So “back-to-basics, without excess.”
Q: What’s next for Gianni Fontana?
I’m working on several projects right now. For me it’s really important to face new challenges. My work is divided between consulting, teaching and design. There is no time to be bored!
There is no time to be bored!
FWO
As we prep for September (and cover a little menswear in the meantime), we’ve decided it’s high-time for FWO (and its sister sites) to get a much-needed design refresh.
Yep, FWO is growing, which is rad-opolis. But after 3 or 4 years of doing this (and tweaking the design slowly, in between 1,000 other octopus-armed tasks), we thought it might be nice to upgrade our overall look. Like, maybe even use actual CSS, instead of hand-coding so much stuff in HTML, like a caveman. (And if you don’t know what we’re talking about, good for you!)
So while this story is about our makeover, we thought we’d throw a little bonus love to one of our beloved sponsors, Toni & Guy.
Once the design is done here (hopefully in the next week or so), we’ll roll it out to NewYorkFashionWeekLIVE and the other city sites.
Stay tuned; more fun to come.
Lots of love,
FWO
by Milan Editor Laura De Rochas
On our wind-up to New York Fashion Week, we’re looking ahead and backward: backward to the menswear shows of London, Milan and Paris, and forward, as we get ready for special reports from both New York and Milan ready to wear (aka women’s).
To that end, meet Charley, aka Charlene Williams, the gorgeous and talented photographer at GWD.
She is best known for capturing the stylish and fashionable images of the best dressed women and dapper men in Italy, such as: Gianni Fontana, Domenico Gianfrate, Luca Lanzoni, Alessandro Squarzi, Frank Gallucci, Lino Leluzzi, and Nick Wooster, to mention a few.
I had the pleasure to get to know Charley a bit more, and share the experience with our readers.
Q:Charley, can you tell our readers at Fashion Week Online a little about yourself. Where are you from, your background?
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I was born and raised in Trinidad & Tobago, in a little village called Les-Coteaux, the third of eleven children. I became fascinated with Italy and modeling at the age of eight, after watching a film that inspired me. After graduating from school, I worked three jobs to earn the money to come to Milan and pursue my dreams of becoming a fashion model. Currently, I work side-by-side with my fiancé, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of GWD Fabrizio Oriani. I enjoy being a mother and I sing in a choir.
I was one of 11 children. I worked three jobs to earn the money to come to Milan and follow my dreams.
Q:When did you realize you wanted to become a photographer? And what’s most important to you as a photographer?
I’ve always liked photography, but only started two years ago because Fabrizio encouraged me. I became very good, and Fabrizio confirmed that I had a great eye for it. As an amateur photographer, it’s important for me to capture a moment, which is beautiful to my eye, and share it with others hoping to transmit the emotions.
It’s important for me to capture a moment share it with others.
Q:Which social media sites have been helpful to your success or new projects?
The GWD website, Pinterest, Tumblr, Facebook and Instagram have helped me increase my work visibility as a photographer.
Q:What does your typical day look like, when working with Fabrizio at GWD?
Let’s take a typical day at Pitti 87, for instance. We start with a classic Italian breakfast in a cozy café, where we define the strategy for the day (brands to visit, exclusive shootings and events to attend).
We start with a classic Italian breakfast in a cozy café.
We arrive early at La Fortezza to shoot the people entering the fair, and after a couple of hours we go inside to cover the event. We meet new and old friends, expand our public relations network and we definitely have a lot of fun. After such a long day we meet up with friends for a nice dinner in one of the many amazing restaurants in Florence, where we relax a bit before we head to the hotel to post-produce the pictures taken during the day.
After such a long day we meet up with friends for a nice dinner in one of the many amazing restaurants in Florence.
Q:You have a new campaign featured in GWD called “Hat’s the New Black”. What motivated you to get that started?
My love for hats ….
Q:You’ve photographed some of the world’s best-dressed men: Gianni Fontana, Domenico Gianfrate, Alessandro Squarzi, Frank Gallucci, Lino Leluzzi, Angel Ramos, and Nick Wooster, to mention a few. Tell us, what does it take to capture these men on camera?
It’s about the relationship we established and mutual respect that we nourish for each other.
You’ve photographed some of the world’s best-dressed men. What does it take to capture these men on camera?
Q:How would you define fashion?
For me it’s not about fashion … it’s about finding your own style. It’s about experimenting; it’s about what makes you feel good, and it’s also about confidence.
Q:You live in Milan; who is your favorite designer for men and women?
My all-time favorite is Giorgio Armani: the cuts, the textures, the colors … I love it!
Q:What advice do you have for the next up-and-coming photographers?
Follow your heart and shoot, shoot, shoot. There’s nothing better than practice.
Q:Where can people find out more about you and your work?
FWO
Yep, we never get tired of that joke.
Anyway, thanks to the addition of New York Fashion Week: Men’s, summer is now officially filled with menswear shows from all 4 fashion capitals.
The season kicks off with London Collections: Men. You can watch a “playlist” on our front page here at FWO, or head over to our new menswear show portal, MensFashionWeekLIVE.com.
For menswear, check out our new menswear portal, MensFashionWeekLIVE.com.
Although live-streaming isn’t yet offered for the menswear shows, we have the replays hot off the presses (as it were).
Lots of love,
FWO
Updated 9/26/2015
Jump to:
New York | London | Milan | Paris
Want to buy tickets to the upcoming “Big 4” series of fashion weeks? Or volunteer, work or show your designs?
If so, we have good news and bad news. Attendance rules (and opportunities) vary by location, and are generally based on your connections to the industry. But in some cases there are alternatives for those who want to do a little legwork.
See below for information on how to attend, participate, volunteer or work during fashion week.
INDUSTRY SHOWS
Industry New York Fashion Week shows are reserved for buyers and press.
Most buyers and press outlets contact the design houses directly. Bloggers can submit for accreditation to producers like IMG. IMG registration generally opens up a few weeks before the events. Several thousand people apply, and only a small percentage are accepted. There’s also an application fee (usually around $80), which doesn’t guarantee approval. And even if your application is approved, that still doesn’t guarantee admission. It simply allows you to submit to the various designers for their consideration to actually attend shows.
[quote]There’s also an application fee (usually around $80), which doesn’t guarantee approval. And even if your application is approved, that still doesn’t guarantee admission.[/quote]
Of course you can can always watch the shows streamed live, online.
OPEN-TO-THE-PUBLIC SHOWS
More and more opportunities are being offered to the public, via prize giveaways, and opportunities to buy tickets, from people such as Macy’s, emerging designers, and more.
There are also various other companies of varying degrees of legitimacy offering “tickets” to New York Fashion Week.
[quote]In general, we don’t recommend companies selling “tickets” to New York Fashion Week.[/quote]
For the most part, we don’t recommend companies selling “tickets” to New York Fashion Week. Although some of these companies may be trustworthy, and shows may be fun, you’re essentially buying at your own risk. Find out about the company’s track record, first. There’s nothing wrong with seeing these shows, but be aware of what you’re getting.
If you go, have a great time. 🙂
For volunteer opportunities, you might want to try the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America), IMG, or individual design houses (start a-Googling).
You can watch the shows live, and interact, at NewYorkFashionWeekLIVE.com.
London’s most prominent series of events are held by the British Fashion Council. As with Mercedes-Benz’s series of events in New York, you’ll need to register on the official site (in this case, that of the British Fashion Council). You’ll also need a verified address in London to register (presumably to show you’ll actually be able to attend if accepted).
But if you can’t get into those events, you’re in luck. Because directly following London Fashion Week is a four-day, open-to-the-public series of events called London Fashion Weekend. And yes, you can buy tickets!
[quote]But if you can’t get into the official London Fashion Week events, you’re in luck, thanks to London Fashion Weekend.[/quote]
Want to volunteer at London Fashion Week? We recommend trying the British Fashion Council site. Although we’ve never seen specific opportunities posted there, if you wanted to contact the BFC, that would be the place.
You could also inquire at the London Fashion Weekend site (see link above).
To attend Milan Fashion Week, you’ll need to register at the National Chamber of Italian Fashion, which organizes the shows of Milan Fashion Week.
The Chamber of Italian Fashion has a job network where you can upload a resume or browse job opportunities. (Yes, we’ve actually seen some there.)
[quote]Milan Fashion Week has an active job network.[/quote]
Even though New York came first, Paris is still considered by many to be the grande dame of all fashion weeks (Paris having been the epicenter of fashion for most of the history of Western civilization).
As with the other fashion weeks, you can apply for accreditation, this time at the French Federation of Fashion. (You’ll note the screening process is more intense, and the language on the website a bit more stern.) You can also try emailing the designers directly, as each season the schedule is posted with each designer’s press contact.
You’ll also need a verified Paris address in order to attend.
But you don’t have to wait for fashion week to see a runway show in Paris. The Galeries Lafayette has runway “trunk shows” (showing new collections debuting in-store) throughout the year, and they’re free to attend.
[quote]You don’t have to wait for Paris Fashion Week to see a runway show in Paris.[/quote]
Your best bet here is to volunteer for any of the design houses. You can also try contacting the officials at the official Paris Fashion Week website.
We wish you lots of luck in your fashion adventures!
Lots of love,
FWO
The slate of summer menswear shows begin this Friday, with shows from London Collections: Men.
We’ll be posting replays and stories as they come in:
London Collections: MEN
June 13 – 15, 2015
Milan Fashion Week: MEN
June 20 – 23, 2015
Paris Fashion Week: MEN
June 24 – 28, 2015
New York Fashion Week: MEN
July 13 – 16, 2015
We also have interviews and stories direct from Milan, thanks to our intrepid Milan editor, Laura De Rochas (Twitter | Facebook), who will be visiting Milan Uomo (Milan Fashion Week Men’s).
Here at FWO, we truly believe there’s a sea-change coming in fashion everywhere. Beginning with a renewed appreciation for craftsmanship. You can see some evidence for this trend in our interview with Vicki Vasilopoulos, producer and director of Men of the Cloth.
Here at FWO, we truly believe there’s a sea-change coming in fashion everywhere.
We’re also going to be interviewing Brent Black, purveyor and co-craftsman of the finest Panama hats in the world. (The top he’s willing to sell goes for $25,000. But most of his proceeds go to his weaving school in Ecuador.) Better clothes; social consciousness. Who could ask for anything more?
We’re also going to be interviewing Brent Black, maker of the $25,000 Panama hat. But most of his proceeds go to his weaving school in Ecuador.
Stay-tuned. We have some fun menswear coverage coming soon.
FWO
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
To that end, we wanted to show you a film we’re very excited about, called Men of the Cloth. It’s a portrait of three Italian master tailors in the twilight of their careers … until a tailoring apprentice appears.
Men of the Cloth is an inspiring portrait of Italian master tailors Nino Corvato, Joe Centofanti, and Checchino Fonticoli. These artisans have spent a lifetime perfecting the skills necessary to construct flawless custom-made suits for their clients in New York City, Philadelphia and Penne, Italy — and their passionate devotion to their Old World craft is akin to a religion.
Now in the twilight of their career, they fear that their Old World knowledge will vanish with them. Enter Joe Genuardi, a tailoring apprentice who reflects the resurgence of popular interest in artisanal craftsmanship as an alternative to corporate mass production, providing hope for the future of this craft.
Men of the Cloth is produced and directed by Vicki Vasilopoulos, formerly a Senior Fashion Editor at the men’s newsmagazine DNR (now a part of WWD). Vicki has also had features published in The New York Times, Esquire, and Time Out New York. She received a B.A. in Journalism from NYU and has studied at FIT in New York and the Paris Fashion Institute in France.
I had the opportunity to ask Vicki a few questions about the Men of the Cloth, and this is what she shared with us.
Q:Vicki, you have a background in fashion journalism. How did you transition into filmmaking?
I’ve always loved movies and art — I’m a very visual person. I spent quite a few years producing, casting and styling fashion layouts for print. And of course I’ve written feature articles, and I really enjoy doing interviews and background research. So essentially I was able to combine my production experience with my storytelling skills in directing and producing my first documentary; it felt like a natural evolution.
Q:What sparked the idea of creating this film, and why did it actually take 10 years to film?
I had the opportunity to do a story for DNR on luxury that took me to Italy. Touring the Brioni factory in the town of Penne (in the Abruzzo region) was an eye-opening experience. Checchino Fonticoli, the master tailor there was so charismatic and passionate about his craft, it left an indelible impression. Furthermore, he introduced me to his cousin Antonio, the last remaining independent tailor in that town. I came to realize that artisans of this caliber were unsung heroes. And it planted a seed for what eventually became Men of the Cloth, a film that celebrates the individual stories of three Italian master tailors, which combine to tell the story of the past, present and future of this craft as a whole.
Just when I thought that I was done filming, one of my characters acquired an apprentice.
Just when I thought that I was done filming, one of my characters acquired an apprentice, and this unexpected turn of events necessitated going back to film additional footage of the apprentice’s journey (and having to raise additional production funds to make that possible). So that’s why the film took 11 years to come to fruition. But I’m happy that I did that, because it resulted in a more nuanced story.
A custom-made/bespoke suit is the sum total of a master tailor’s entire life experience.
Q:Other places are well-known for their top bespoke tailors, such as Hong Kong, London and Australia (to name a few) … what places Italy at the top of the list?
No one would dispute the fact that Italy has a special relationship with fashion. Indeed, tailoring as we know it arose during the Italian Renaissance and it dovetails with the intellectual movement called Humanism, which glorified the human form in art, painting and sculpture.
Q:What message did you want today’s generation to take away after watching Men of the Cloth?
I’d like today’s generation to value the intrinsic beauty and integrity of a custom-made/bespoke suit and all that it represents – it’s the sum total of a master tailor’s entire life experience – and it’s imbued with his very essence.
A custom-made/bespoke suit is the sum total of a master tailor’s entire life experience.
Q:What major cities has the movie premiered in, and where will it premiere in the future?
Men of the Cloth had its World Premiere at DOC NYC, the largest documentary film festival in America. It was the opening night film at the Craft in Focus Festival in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and was voted an Audience Favorite at the Three Rivers Film Festival in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It has also screened at the Italian Film Fest Vancouver, the Hamptons Take 2 Documentary Film Festival in New York, the Black Nights Film Festival in Estonia, the Montclair Film Festival in New Jersey, and the La Femme Film Festival for women directors in Los Angeles. It has premiered theatrically in New York, Washington, Chicago, Toronto, Melbourne, and many other cities. Upcoming premieres include Philadelphia, Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, Cleveland, San Francisco, and London.
Q:What are some ways people can continue to support the film?
It’s great if fans”like” our Facebook page and tweet about #MenOfTheCloth. And I encourage everyone to rate and/or review the film on IMDB, which currently has a 9.0 rating!
Q:Looking back at the decade of filming, dedication, time and passion it took to create Men of the Cloth, how does that make you feel today?
Making the film was a real odyssey, and I wasn’t sure that I’d be able to finish it, given the commitment and sacrifices that it necessitated. But the audience reaction has been so gratifying!
I never get tired of hearing people tell me how the film touched them or made them nostalgic or more appreciative of this glorious craft.
The men’s lifestyle magazine A & H said: “A captivating tale of an art in both remission and resurgence, Men of the Cloth is a journey across the globe unifying craftsmanship and style.” The Globe and Mail of Canada said “The documentary is an attempt to do for suit-making what Jiro Dreams of Sushi did for Japanese cuisine: A celebration of devotion, craft and, possibly, an endangered art form.”
The Boulder Weekly calls it “a small but beautiful documentary.”
Read the interview with Vicki in WWD. Master tailor Nino Corvato was interviewed in New York’s Newsday. The film continues its theatrical screenings in both North America and in Europe. Sign up for the mailing list to receive updates on screening events and the release of the Director’s Cut and the Video-on-Demand/iTunes release. Fans can request a screening in their town through the online platform Tugg (see Screenings page) or by contacting info@menoftheclothfilm.com. The festival/theatrical DVD or the poster can be ordered on the web site in North America.
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More info. at menoftheclothfilm.com
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