Tag Archives: Italy

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SCOTT POMMIER x MOTO GUZZI | 2012 MOTORCYCLE AD CAMPAIGN SHOOT

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“Shooting the motorcycle stuff really changed the way that I saw what I did as a photographer.”  

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Friend Scott Pommier recently shot Motto Guzzi motorcycle’s 2012 ad campaign — and it looks amazing. The usually stoic Canadian gets a little sappy in this behind the scenes video — talking about his early days shooting skateboard stuff for Thrasher Magazine (Scott’s a helluva skateboarder, btw.) and how getting busted on a shoot by the cops who impounded all his equipment and car for a month (LA’s finest) led to him getting a motorcycle and his passion for bikes and riding. I love it — check it out. And the photography? Well, it’s classic Scott Pommier. Spot-on as always.

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Backstage film shot and edited by Stefano Righi

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Scott Pommier photography for Moto Guzzi Motorcycle’s 2012 ad campaign, Art Director Luca Eremo

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Scott Pommier photography for Moto Guzzi Motorcycle’s 2012 ad campaign, Art Director Luca Eremo

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THE ITALIAN PRINCE OF PRINTS | RENAISSANCE MAN EMILIO PUCCI

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Emilio Pucci is a name synonymous with incredibly chic prints that rocked runways, movie stars, and rich socialites alike during the ’60s & ’70s. (Sophia Loren and Jackie Onassis were among the many fashionable tastemakers to follow him — and Marilyn Monroe was even buried in a Puci dress.) His look was so signature in its modern, graphic designs and rich colorations that you could literally spot a Pucci a mile away. Emilio Pucci’s look became iconic, and lives on as an ever-present influence in womenswear today.

His design talent notwithstanding– I’ve always found Pucci’s personal story even more colorful than his designs. Born with noble blood, the young Pucci enjoyed a life of academic excellence (earning his Master’s degree Social Science from Reed College in Oregon, along with his Doctorate in Political Science from the University of Milan), civil service (Pucci rose to the ranks of Captain and served as a torpedo bomber pilot in the Italian Army during WWII, he even befriended Mussolini’s daughter and aided her escape from Hitler’s vengeful grasp), and was an accomplished athlete who was on Italy’s Olympic Ski team. It was his love of skiing that first led him to design outfits for his team at Reed college. In 1948, while on a trip to Switzerland, Pucci’s striking ski designs this time caught the eye of a Harper’s Bazaar photographer, and set his career as a fashion designer in motion. Stanley Marcus was an early supporter of Pucci’s and was instrumental in establishing him in the US. The rest, as they say, is history.

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1959, Florence, Italy — The legendary fashion designer, Emilio Pucci, with examples of his work. — Image by © David Lees/Corbis

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1959, Capri, Italy  — The Florentine fashion designer, Emilio Pucci, lunching with his wife Christina. Pucci once had the guitarist who is serenading them flown to London to lend authentic Italian atmosphere to a show. I love this picture. — Image by © David Lees/Corbis

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DESIGNER ANDREA CAMPAGNA | KEEPER OF THE ITALIAN TAILORING FLAME

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A few weeks ago I had the great pleasure of meeting with the Italian tailor and menswear designer Andrea Campagna. I will always remember walking by Barneys that day and stopping to look at the window (a shrine, really) that they had dedicated to Andrea, and his lineage. I was profoundly struck by the incredible legacy that he is a part of– and is now passing down to his own son.

You see, Andrea’s father was the master tailor– Mr. Gianni Campagna of Sartoria Domenico Caraceni, who himself had apprenticed under the master tailor Mr. Giovanni Risuglia– whose most notable personal client was the legendary style icon Gianni Agnelli. Both men are considered to be among Italy’s finest tailors ever. When I tell him this upon our meeting (like some idiot), he says to me modestly and with a warm, acknowledging smile, “Yes. It’s a good start for me.”

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“My father, he started very young. Usually, our tailors, like my father, all start between 6 and 10 yrs old. Actually, my son is now doing some stitching after school. The tailors are kind of jealous when they teach their trade– so they teach you very slowly. What you could learn in 4 yrs– they teach you in 10 yrs. First, they want to see if you’re the right person. Second, they are a little jealous. It’s a process, that took them all their life– and they don’t want anyone to learn it faster than them.” 

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1950’s BRIONI ROMAN STYLE TAKES TINSELTOWN | SACKING IVY STYLE

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Tailor Nazareno Fonticoli & socialite Gaetano Savini founded one of Italy’s most iconic fashion brands in Rome, 1945.  The pair wanted a name that would evoke both the ultimate in luxury, as well as being short and memorable for the American, fashion-forward men they were targeting. They chose “Brioni” — a small island off the coast of Croatia (once owned by Italy), that was playground to the rich and famous.

Fonticoli’s sartorial skill and Savini’s social networking prowess proved to be a potent one-two punch that rocked the boxy Ivy League sack suit, and stuffy Savile Row, back on their heels.  Their reputation and legend grew strictly by word of mouth, as Hollywood’s biggest stars (Gary Cooper, Cary Grant, Henry Fonda, and John Wayne to name just a few) became faithful customers and highly visible spokesmen for Brioni– a brand that would not see the need or desire to advertise in the traditional sense until some 40+ years later.

Along the way, they set the gold standard by preserving and innovating the art of fine Italian tailoring. In 1978, Brioni opened what is now one of Italy’s most highly regarded tailoring schools– offering a four-year program that not only keeps Brioni’s own talent teeming, but also the world’s best fashion houses and clothiers.  Bravo!

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Brioni Roman Style S.p.A. co-founder, Gaetano Savini with handsome Hollywood icon, John Wayne.

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In 1960, the young tailor from Abruzzo and the entrepreneur from Umbria made their mark as the world’s ambassadors of Italian Sartorial excellence.  Brioni melded ancient sartorial principles with modern industrial organization, thus staying ahead of evolving fashion trends and technology. via

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TSY x GQ ITALY | STEVE McQUEEN

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TSY is honored and excited to contribute to the October Issue of GQ Italy— particularly when it’s a piece on Hollywood’s King of Cool, Steve McQueen. Check your international news stands now for their October issue and see a collection of never before seen photographs of McQueen taken by John Dominis in 1963 for LIFE magazine.  Ciao!

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Steve McQueen –image by John Dominis

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Steve McQueen –image by John Dominis

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TSY x GQ ITALY

 

I’m very pleased and proud to announce that THESELVEDGEYARD will now be a regular VINTAGE feature in GQ Italy.  TSY debuted in the March 2010 issue, selecting 10 timeless, real men of style– and we look forward to a long and prosperous partnership filled with lots of authentic goodness.

So friends– please brush-up on your Italian and follow along.

Ciao,

JP

Marlon Brando relaxing at home with typewriter, and furry little friend.  –Image © Murray Garrett

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James Dean on the set of “Giant” — Image by © Hulton Archive/Getty Images

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Steve McQueen displaying his signature, perfect balance of allegiance and rebellion.

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ITALY TOUR DE FORCE DONE | FABULOUS AND FINITO

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Piroscafo "Concordia" ex "28 Ottobre"

Piroscafo "Concordia" ex "28 Ottobre"

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It was a mighty fine trip, that’s about as plain and simple as I can put it.  Venice– a beautiful place, but they sure gouge you every chance they get, which gets old quick.  What can you say, it’s a tourist trap. Then a wonderful visit to the Monti mill, dinner with Bruno and his fine, gracious people.  Scouring the shops and alleyways for more Italian influence.  Later– Milano Unica.  Great fabric and fashion inspiration, running into a couple familiar faces, making many new & fruitful connections.

Most of all, it’s nice to be home.  Home with the family I haven’t seen enough of this summer.  It makes you appreciate those you love, and want to treat them extra well.

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Lake Como, from the "water bus"

Lake Como, from the "water bus"

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THE ITALY TOUR DE FORCE PART I | VENICE & THE FULL MONTI

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Venice is all it's cracked up to be, only down part is that guys like me contribute to the very heavy "tourist" vibe. And by heavy I mean prevalent, not fat.

Venice is all it's cracked up to be, only down part is that guys like me contribute to the very heavy "tourist" vibe. And by heavy I mean prevalent, not fat.

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After two flights, a lengthy layover in Madrid, and a water bus ride from the Venice airport that seemed to last forever, I finally made it to the homeland of luxury fabrics.  Veeral and I hopped the train to meet with Monti, the legendary shirting fabric mill that we proudly partner with for our custom dress shirts at J. Hilburn.

This coming Tuesday is the start of the Milano Unica fabric show which along with Premiere Vision in Paris showcases the best fabrics the world has to offer.  If you can’t find it here, you most likely can’t find it anywhere.  For product guys, it’s like turning a kid loose in the ultimate candy store.  We’re ready to be inspired, shop our brains out, and ultimately put out some incredible new products.

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Venice is high on charm, especially when get away from the gaggle of gaudy power-lux-brand shops-- riding the water taxis provides access to some pretty great views.

Venice is high on charm, especially when get away from the gaggle of gaudy power-lux-brand shops-- riding the water taxis provides access to some pretty great views.

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One of many water taxis that pump through the veins of Venice. These guys have a pretty sweet deal in terms of quick cash, and a seemingly pretty cool gig. Sure it has it's downside, but I couldn't see it from where I was sitting.

One of many water taxis that pump through the veins of Venice. These guys have a pretty sweet deal in terms of quick cash, and a seemingly pretty cool gig. Sure it has it's downside, but I couldn't see it from where I was sitting.

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OFF TO ITALY FOR MILANO UNICA | WARP, WEFT & WINE

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fabric prints

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Ouch.  Those belts CANNOT be comfortable, and the large-scale prints on the right are not particularly flattering on the caboose.  The things we do in the name of fashion.

Anyway… headed to Italy to visit our shirting mill, and then hopping to Milano Unica to peruse the finest fabrics the world has to offer.  We’ll be sure to report anything & everything worth reporting, and I’ll even try to squeak out a few artsy-fartsy iPhone pics just for giggles & grins.

Cheers.

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