Interview with Frank Gallucci
by Laura De Rochas, Milan Editor
Francesco Gallucci “Frank” is an athlete, model, global style blogger, and now — at the young age of 29 — style influencer.
He was born in 1986 in Catania in the South of Italy. Growing up, Frank was a dedicated soccer player, but due to an ankle injury he wasn’t able to pursue a career as an athlete. So he made a decision to pursue an education at the University in Perugia to have a more stable career in the business world. After six years at the university, he graduated in Political and Economic Science and after that decided to move to Australia for six months, just to improve his English and explore the possibilities. Soon after, he partnered with an import and export company of Italian products based in the Netherlands … but his mind was always set on style and fashion.
In May of 2013, at the young age of 27, he started his blog, and from that point on Frank was on his way to becoming one of the youngest style influencers in the world.
He’s one of the youngest style influencers in the world.
At the age of 29, he is followed by 77k followers via Instagram, and thousands more on Facebook. He is snapped by some of the top street style photographers for his impeccable taste and immaculate style everywhere in the world he goes, and has been seen in major magazines and blogs such as GQ, Vogue, L’Officiel, Grazia, Plaza, Leon Japan, and GWD.
Frank Style
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He’s been seen in major magazines from GQ to Vogue.
When I first met Frank this summer in Milan, he was among other global style influencers and friends like Gianni Fontana, Fabrizio Oriani, Angel Ramos, Lino Leluzzi, Luigi Lardini, to name a few. Many words came to mind … elegant, classy, genuine, intelligent, well put together from head to toe without a hair out of place — really! You can’t help but wonder what this gentleman who was born in Crotone is up to. He is currently traveling, working on his website to launch soon, and planning projects with future brands. There is no doubt that this young style influencer is going places, and we want to know where and how he will do it.
There’s no doubt that this young style influencer is going places.
This is his interview with us at FWO.
Q: Hi Frank! Thank you for taking the time from your super-busy schedule to chat with me. Did you ever think as a kid that you would become this worldwide style icon / influencer? How did it feel the first time you saw your photos in print?
I am really flattered to be considered a young style icon but honestly I think to be called an “icon” you must be in this environment at least 10-15 years, and demonstrate your capacity and your innovation in terms of style. But in the end I am really happy. It’s a dream, and I am working for it. The first time I saw my picture in a magazine I was really happy and excited. I am really proud just thinking of all the sacrifices I made.
Honestly I think to be called an “icon” you must be in this environment at least 10-15 years, but I am really happy.
Q: You started your blog in 2013 and are currently launching a website; what are some of the topics you will cover on your new website, and what should we look forward to? What comes first for you: style or fashion?
Yes, it’s been two and half years since I started the blog, with a large growth in a little period of time. In comparison to my last blog I improved a lot of the graphics; now it’s much more professional. I added a city guide that my team and I are working on, where you will see a detailed guide to understand a city from the point of view of a gentleman — such as showrooms, vintage stores, cool restaurants, and hotels, etc. For sure — style! Style is a matter of mind, it’s a state of mind. I try to live my life with style and transmit it!
You will see a detailed guide to understand a city from the point of view of a gentleman.
Q: We will be seeing each other soon at Pitti 89 which is in January 2016; what’s the most exciting thing about attending Pitti?
Pitti is fantastic because you can feel and breathe the atmosphere of an event for gentlemen. It’s a unique event that’s not contaminated a lot by fashion, and this is really incredible and I hope it keeps going in this way. The other reason why Pitti is magic is because it takes place in Florence. There is just one word: “majestic.” At the end of the day, at Fortezza da Basso [location where Pitti takes place], you have the chance to go around the city and see the beauty of Florence. For me this will be the fourth edition.
Pitti is fantastic because you can feel and breathe the atmosphere of an event for gentlemen.
Q: You recently attended Paris Fashion Week and Dubai Fashion Week … what was that experience like?
I’ve been to Paris Fashion Week before: it’s really good. Paris, from my point of view, is really efficient; the shows are really close to each other. I also vacation in Paris during the year. I must say that when fashion week is “on” the city changes because its focus is different, and you can understand and see what’s happening.
Paris Fashion Week is really efficient.
Dubai? First of all, I’d like to say thanks to the great organization of Dubai (tourism department) in partnership with Vogue Italy for the fantastic treatment they gave us, and for the invitation. It was a great experience between the new world and the old world of Emirati — four days in which to better understand the culture, the habits, and the new way of style and fashion of Dubai.
I’d like to say thanks to the great organization of Dubai (tourism department) in partnership with Vogue Italy.
Q: What does “Made in Italy” represent to you?
“Made in Italy” is synonymous with quality, reliability, credibility. I am really lucky! To be Italian: it’s something you have in your DNA … we were born within beauty; everything in Italy is amazing from the point of view of architecture, design, landscapes. We have an incredible heritage, as well as an incredible responsibility. It means that the show must go on: we can’t make a mistake in terms of style. and we must not disappoint the expectations … that’s all!
“Made in Italy” is synonymous with quality, reliability, credibility.
Q: Your typical morning cannot be just a cappuccino … what’s your morning like, and how do you plan your day? How do you keep in such good shape?
I always get up around 7:30 AM, have a breakfast at home and the first thing I do is to open the iPad to have a look at Corriere della Sera: the most important journal in Italy. Then my day can start! I’m not a party boy: I like staying home relaxing, watching television or reading a good book. Sports in my life are essential. During the winter I go to the gym twice a week. I always try to pay attention to my diet! When the spring comes I am in the gym 4 times per week
Q: You were recently a guest at a conference held at Haute Future Fashion Academy. The topic of discussion was “How to Communicate Fashion and Style.” Why is this topic important for today’s generation?
For me was an honor to be invited to this academy, and so important to take part in this conference next to other great professionals like journalists, stylists and photographers! Currently this communication is so important because if you want to reach people, you have to communicate your existence regardless of who you are, what you do, or what you produce.
Q: You worked on some cool campaigns; is there a campaign or brand you dream of working with, and which brand is that?
There are two brands that I have a sort of adoration for, and you can imagine why: Brunello Cucinelli and Tom Ford.
Two brands I adore are Brunello Cucinelli and Tom Ford.
Q: Is there a possibility of a brand of your own in the future, and is U.S. a market a location you will conquer?
Yes there is! I am working on this, but at the moment I am trying to learn everything about the dynamics of various processes from production, retail, marketing, etc. The U.S. is actually one of the most important markets. If you have a brand and are not in the U.S. market, please close!
At the moment I am trying to learn everything about the dynamics of various processes from production, retail, marketing, etc.
Q: In many of your photographs you have been seen wearing Progetto Fede (by longtime friends and partners Luca and Aldo) jewelry: especially their rings, which are very popular pieces and have been seen on some of the top style icons. Tell us about your love for this brand and the connection.
Yeah, I am literally in love with those rings! Almost every day I wear those kinds of pieces because they represent for me a symbol of craftsmanship, and behind the brand there is also a value for me that’s so important: family! Behind the brand there is also Luca Lanzoni, one of the owners and founders of Progetto Fede, who became a great friend. When time permits, we hang out together to spend some time as friends outside of the industry. And believe me, to find someone like Luca, it’s so hard nowadays in this system!
Almost every day I wear Progetto Fede pieces.
Q: Many I’m sure wonder: “How did he come up with this style?” Or think, “I want to dress like that.” What can you tell someone who wants to follow in your footsteps; what are the key elements in building your own style?
So … style is too personal. Every day I try to improve, and I try to vary my style. I think that if you have more points of reference you will have more elements from which you can take inspiration, and combine your garments really well. I am the kind of person who is a great observer, and this helps me a lot!
If you have more points of reference, you will have more elements from which you can take inspiration.
Q: Off the top of your head: when I mention best shirts, pants, shoes, accessories, bags for men … what is the first brand that comes to mind for each? Your favorite and why?
Probably for each garment you mentioned I have different favorites, but in general I would say Cucinelli … yes, Cucinelli! Because it represents the essence of Italy in terms of “made in Italy,” of lifestyle, mission and vision. Cucinelli was and is a visionary, and deserves all our respect!
Cucinelli was and is a visionary, and deserves all our respect!
Q: What do you hope to accomplish in the next five years, Are you hoping to make an impact, and how?
I am used to always having a plan in my life. In a year my life changed, and honestly I don’t know where I will be in the next five years. I hope to have my own brand in the future, or to live around the world as a style business consultant. That’s my plan, and it’s not just a dream, because I think that if you want something, you should create the right predisposition to reach it.
I think if you want something, you should create the right predisposition to reach it.
Q: Your favorite quote: “Style has no rules, just personality.” How did that come about?
It came about because I really don’t understand people who think there is a single concept of style. Everyone can have taste in a different way. Thank God I am really versatile. Of course, there are some general rules that we should follow, but if you have personality and good taste, you can wear almost whatever you want.
Everyone can have taste in a different way.
See you soon at Pitti 89!
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With love,
FWO
