Italian fashion

Ermenegildo Zegna Celebrates a Century of Style

Filed under: Apparel, Books, Men's Style

The subtitle of a lavish new book on Ermenegildo Zegna – An Enduring Passion for Fabrics, Innovation, Quality and Style – is an apt description of the Italian luxury men's fashion house's core values. Celebrating the famed firm's 100th anniversary, the book from Skira is divided into four chapters – Mind, Hand, Style and Environment – exploring the origins and values of the brand and the four generations of family members who have made it a success story while remaining committed to the concept of "ethical expansion". As evidence of the latter, Ermenegildo Zegna is donating 20% of the retail sales of the book to the children's educational charity Care & Share.

Each chapter is introduced by noted international writers and accompanied by images that retrace the history of the Zegna brand, from ad campaigns to previously unpublished images. "Today we celebrate one hundred years since the foundation of our Group and we look towards future global developments," notes the company's CEO Ermenegildo Zegna, "as it is our duty to continue to represent the values of excellence and Italian quality all around the world. This is the heritage that our grandfather left us: savoir faire in craftsmanship, entrepreneurship and loyalty to our ethical founding values." See the gallery for a preview.

Gallery: 100 Years of Ermenegildo Zegna

Tags: ad campaigns, books, coffee table books, Ermenegildo Zegna, fashion, Italian fashion, Italy, mens style, Zegna

Prada Launches World's First Customizable Sunglasses

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Men's Style

In time for the holiday season Prada is introducing the world's first customizable sunglasses, providing fashionistas with the opportunity to transform a classic pair of Prada shades into a gift that is truly unique. The PradaPrivate collection sunglasses feature two removable plaques on each temple featuring letters, numbers and a variety of symbols including hearts, stars and skulls. Thanks to the uniquely engineered and patented system, one can substitute the detachable symbols on the arms of the glasses with others bought either at the same time or at a later date. The frames are available in black, white and tortoiseshell in both men's (above) and women's styles starting today exclusively at Sunglass Hut and Prada boutiques in Milan, Rome, Venice, London, Paris, New York, Las Vegas, Hawaii, Dusseldorf, Hong Kong and Shanghai.

Gallery: PradaPrivate Sunglasses

Tags: custom, Italian fashion, Milan, Prada, skull, Sunglass Hut, sunglasses

New '50s-Inspired Shades from Dolce & Gabbana's Gold Edition

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Men's Style

New '50s-Inspired Shades from Dolce & Gabbana's Gold Edition

Last winter we wrote about the exclusive new collection of Gold Edition sunglasses plated in pure 18-carat gold from Italian fashion house Dolce & Gabbana. Now the duo has added some new designs to the luxe collection - whose fans include Brad Pitt – including two cool new Fifties-inspired styles (above) for Spring / Summer 2011. The slick shades starred in Dolce & Gabbana's Fall 2010 / 2011 men's fashion show in tribute to the 20th anniversary of their men's collections. There are two versions, one with rounded lenses and one square, available in black or tortoiseshell. Made in Italy, the sunglasses feature polarized glass, and a certificate of authenticity comes with each pair of glasses attesting to the originality, design and quality and the use of 18-carat gold. Each pair is presented in its own jewelry case featuring a plaque with the words "Dolce &Gabbana Gold Edition". Inside there is a portable case in black leather, decorated with a plaque and logo. The Gold Edition models are available at ILORI Luxury Sunglass boutiques with prices ranging from $490 - $580, except for the squared version which will be on sale exclusively in Dolce & Gabbana boutiques.

Gallery: Dolce & Gabbana SS2011 Gold Edition

Tags: Brad Pitt, Dolce Gabbana, eyewear, gold, ILORI, Italian fashion, Italy, mens style, sunglasses

A. Testoni Offers World's Most Expensive Men's Shoes

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Shoes, Men's Style

For the astronomical price of $38,000 per pair, Italian luxury leather goods label A. Testoni is now offering the world's most expensive men's dress shoes. Testoni, founded in Bologna in 1929 by Amedeo Testoni, painstakingly handcrafts the Moro monk-strap model in the world's finest exotic alligator skin using the techniques of Norvegese, or Norwegian construction, for durability and added water resistance. Stiched with custom-made linen twine, the shoes are lined with glove-soft goatskin and adorned with a rich but discreet gold and diamond buckle. To make the eye-poppingly elegant footwear Testoni also employs a second proprietary process, called the piuma rapid, which requires some 200 manual operations to complete. Each pair is made up, deconstructed, and then put back together again in a patented method that results in a shoe as light as a feather yet which guarantees protection from hot, cold and humid weather.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: A. Testoni, alligator, diamond, exotic leather, gold, Italian fashion, leather, mens style, most expensive, shoes, worlds most expensive

The Story of the World's Most Luxurious Fabric from Loro Piana

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Books, Men's Style

Baby Cashmere may well be the world's most luxurious fabric. As The Classicist noted when it debuted in 2008 courtesy of Italian luxury label Loro Piana, to make it the company first had to spend several years convincing Mongolian tribesmen to comb the fine underfleece of the Hyrcus goat kid when it is 3-12 months old. Each combing yields no more than 30 grams of the rare, precious and incredibly soft fiber and is only done once in the well-cared for animal's life. It takes the fleece of nineteen kids to make just one Baby Cashmere sweater. Now Loro Piana has documented the painstaking process in a lavish new volume from Skira called Baby Cashmere: The Long Journey of Excellence. Traveling through the remote and unspoiled lands where the goats are raised, the epic journey is revealed in over a hundred vibrant full-color photographs, presented in large-scale format.

Tags: animals, baby cashmere, books, cashmere, coffee table books, fabric, Italian fashion, Italy, Loro Piana, Mongolia, Skira

Speed, Style & Beauty: $760,000 Aquariva by Gucci

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Yachts & Sailing

Two iconic Italian brands – famed fashion label Gucci and Riva, the chic motorboat maker that epitomizes Dolce Vita style – have teamed up on a wicked new speedboat for the style-conscious set. The Aquariva By Gucci (above), produced along with Officina Italiana Design, will be available by special order in 2011 starting at $760,000. The boat was designed by Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini as part of the famed label's upcoming 90th anniversary celebrations. The boat's fiberglass hull and detailing are painted in Gucci's custom glossy white, offset with varnished mahogany in the cockpit and decks. The seats and sundeck are upholstered in waterproof Gucci print fabric with the fashion house's signature red and green stripe detailing. Gianni has also designed a number of Riva by Gucci his-and-hers accessories, including bags and shoes, to go along with the craft, which is powered by two 380 hp Yanmar engines for a maximum speed of 41 knots and a 150-mile range at cruising speed.

[via JamesList]

Gallery: Aquariva by Gucci

Tags: boat, fashion, Frida Giannini, Gucci, Italian fashion, mahogany, powerboat, Riva, speedboat, yacht

Bottega Veneta $53,000 Alligator Suitcase

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Luxe Italian label Bottega Veneta has come out with a new version of its posh exotic leather luggage we first wrote about last summer. This season's take on the classic suitcase, made from the world's finest genuine alligator skin, is hand-crafted in soft-finished matte black and dubbed the Nero. Priced at $53,000, the case features burnished metal hardware with reinforced corners and locking mechanisms, along with matching black alligator handles. It also has a padded lining, internal elastic pocket and a removable garment bag. Designed to improve with age and withstand the rigors of travel, it's still obviously not the kind of thing you check on a commercial flight - unless you happen to own the airline.

[via LuxuryLaunches]

Tags: alligator, Bottega Veneta, exotic leather, Italian fashion, luggage, suitcase, travel

Ferragamo Launches "Bio-Friendly" Men's Shoe Line

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Shoes, Charity, Green, Men's Style

Italian luxury fashion brand Salvatore Ferragamo is launching a new line of bio-friendly men's shoes called Ferragamo WORLD, with a portion of the proceeds going to Acumen Fund, a global non-profit venture firm addressing poverty in South Asia and East Africa. The new collection designed to be casual, sophisticated and functional, drawing on the Ferragamo tradition of "stylistic sophistication, craftsmanship and comfort". The aesthetic is "Italian City Casual", a bit less formal than Ferragamo's core offerings, inspired by Italy's traditional way of life.

The line is evocative of relaxation outdoors, of long walks in the city, of bicycles as an alternative means of transportation, of attention to detail and of a comfortable and wearable elegance. The collection consists of six models in select leathers with a rubber sole: desert boots, moccasins with or without signature hardware and sporty models with a college and tennis feel. Clean lines incorporate a comfortable step guaranteed by the unique structure of an ergonomic sole made of bio-friendly, decomposable material. The leathers use the latest generation water tanning processes and water based adhesives are also used which minimize any kind of harmful waste.

Gallery: Ferragamo WORLD

Tags: Acumen Fund, eco-friendly, Italian fashion, Italy, leather, mens style, Salvatore Ferragamo, shoes

Superyacht Style: Loro Piana Launches Regatta Collection

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Yachts & Sailing, Men's Style

Last month we told you about the Superyacht Regatta being staged this week by Loro Piana, the Italian luxury clothing company known for the world's finest cashmere, in the billionaire's haunt of Sardinia featuring some of the world's fastest sailing yachts. Now the brand has launched a complementary collection of nautical-inspired clothing and accessories in tribute to the event. The Regatta collection features a waterproof jacket, swim trunks, baseball cap, beach towel and cashmere blanket, in various colors and embellished with the name Loro Piana spelled out in nautical flags. The Regatta jacket for $1,425 is made using Loro Piana's signature Storm System-treated microfiber and features details such as visible stitching, elbow patches, protective straps, flaps and drawstrings, an external lunette bearing the Loro Piana logo, and comes in a waterproof bag. The Bay Regatta swim trunks for $345 are available in solid colors, stripes and seersucker. The plush Regatta beach towel for $750 features a sailcloth border. And for the ultimate in luxury, the Regatta 100% cashmere blanket with embroidered nautical flags costs $2,050.

[via JustLuxe]

Gallery: Loro Piana Regatta Collection

Tags: clothing, Italian fashion, Loro Piana, nautical, regatta, sailing, superyacht, yacht, yachting, yachts

Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta Set for Sardinia

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing, Events, Sports

On June 8 – 12 Loro Piana, the Italian luxury clothing company known for the world's finest cashmere, will stage its annual Superyacht Regatta in the billionaire's haunt of Sardinia featuring some of the world's fastest sailing yachts. Hosted by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, sponsors include Perini Navi, builder of the famed Maltese Falcon, in partnership with Rolex and Audi. Last year's winner, Royal Huisman's 105-ft. Gliss, will defend her title against several sailing superyachts looking to pluck the prize from her grasp during five intense days of competition. Among the contenders will be Southern Ocean Marine's 105-ft. Liara; Wally's 100-ft. Y3K.; the Ed Dubois-designed, Fitzroy built 148-ft. Salperton IV; Perini Navi's 125-ft. P2; and more yachts measuring 80 feet and up. Apres-sailing there will be an owner's dinner at the yacht club and a beach party at the opulent Hotel Romazzino, part of the Luxury Collection.

[via JamesList]

Gallery: Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta

Tags: Audi, cashmere, Ed Dubois, Hotel Romazzino, Italian fashion, Italy, Loro Piana, Luxury Collection, Maltese Falcon, Perini Navi, regatta, Rolex, Royal Huisman, sailboat, sailing, sailing yacht, Sardinia, superyacht, Wally, yachting

Trussardi Bicycle with Camouflage Leather Accessories

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Sports, Men's Style

Luxury Italian fashion brand Trussardi is offering a stylish new bicycle fitted with chic camouflage leather accessories. Priced at about $2,500, the Trussardi 1911 Citybike features a chassis made of steel and coated in a special army green paint, decorated with Trussardi's greyhound logo. It features a camouflage patterned leather seat, rear wheel guard and carrying pouch, and polished brass detailing on the headlamp, spokes, kickstand and other hardware. Also available are two detachable bags designed to withstand exposure to the elements for the front and rear of the bike, finished in the brand's signature camouflage leather as well. The front bag, in a camera case shape for about $400, features a zippered compartment in front and a detachable shoulder strap. The rear bag, for about $350, features snap closure pockets. Both bags attach to the bike via adjustable Velcro tabs, and they can also be fastened together when detached. Many other matching pieces of luggage are available in the camouflage leather from Trussardi, including a briefcase ($1,040), duffel bag ($1,500), large shopping tote ($1,050), messenger bag ($330), various wallets and more.

Source

Tags: bags, bicycle, bike, camouflage, Italian fashion, leather, luggage, Trussardi

Isaia to Launch Sartorial Sneaker Collection

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Shoes, Men's Style

Isaia, one of the world's last remaining Neapolitan sartorial brands, known for its beautiful tailored clothing, is launching a luxe new line of sneakers that bridge the gap between dress and sport. The sartorial sneakers take the classic wingtip brogue dress shoe and give it a dose of sporty sprezzatura. They will be available in a variety of fabrics combining luxurious leathers, suede, wools, and even water-resistant cashmere, in rich hues of navy, camel, chocolate brown and shades of grey, with a patterned wool option available as well. The sneakers can also be custom ordered with specific suiting fabrics from the firm's made-to-measure tailoring program. All parts of the shoes are handmade, with the leather and fabric materials matched and dyed with all natural bee's wax. The new line will be available this fall at select stores including Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue with a suggested retail price of $425.

Tags: cashmere, Isaia, Isaia di Napoli, Italian fashion, Naples, sneakers, tailoring

Tod's Launches Leather Motorcycle Helmets

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Luxury Cars & Autos

A set of super stylish leather motorcycle / Vespa helmets is the latest luxe offering from Italian label Tod's, famed for its iconic driving loafers, shoes and chic bags. Featuring a microfiber lining, stainless steel hardware and flip-up plexiglass eye shields, the helmets are priced at about $1,000 and come in glove soft, saddle stitched black, white and vacchetta leather. The helmets are made by hand entirely in Italy, in a painstaking process ensuring their quality and durability, and adhere to rigorous road-going safety standards in a marriage of timeless style and contemporary luxury. Tod's has been expanding its offerings of late and also recently introduced its first line of sunglasses. Meanwhile, the firm's dapper owner Diego Della Valle just published a book titled Italian Touch extolling the virtues of the stylish lifestyle embodied by the brand.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: Diego Della Valle, DiegoDellaValle, helmet, Italian fashion, ItalianFashion, Italy, motorcycle, Tods, Vespa

Clooney's Girlfriend Stars in New Cavalli Lingerie Ads

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

George Clooney's sexy Italian actress / model girlfriend Elisabetta Canalis, 31, has shot a hot new ad for designer Roberto Cavalli's luxe lingerie line. "I was inspired by a real woman, with appeal, charisma and sensuality," Cavalli says of the collection. "I was sure Elisabetta was just perfect for enhancing the spirit of this advertising campaign... and I was not wrong!" Shot by famed fashion photographers Mert & Marcus in a 19th-century mansion filled with gilded mirrors and baroque furniture, the campaign "pure Cavalli: sexy, decadent and feminine." Draped on a Louis XVI style velvet sofa, Elisabetta gives the camera a sultry stare sporting mussed-up hair, smudgy black eyes and a set of leopard print Cavalli lingerie. Check out the video for a peek behind the scenes.

[via Instyle UK]

Tags: ad campaign, AdCampaign, Elisabetta Canalis, ElisabettaCanalis, George Clooney, GeorgeClooney, Italian fashion, ItalianFashion, lingerie, Roberto Cavalli, RobertoCavalli

Hemingway's Great-Granddaughter Named the New Face of Gianfranco Ferré

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

Willowy blonde model Dree Hemingway, 22, daughter of Mariel and great-granddaughter of famous author Ernest Hemingway, has been chosen to star in the latest ad campaign for Italian fashion house Gianfranco Ferré. The firm's creative directors Tommaso Aquilano and Roberto Rimondi say they chose Hemingway to portray "the free and fearless nature of an utterly feminine woman" which the collection demanded. Dutch photography duo Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin shot the images for the Spring / Summer 2010 campaign. Dree has previously appeared in ad campaigns for Abercrombie & Fitch and DKNY and was featured on the runway of Givenchy's Fall / Winter 2009-10 fashion show.

Tags: ad campaigns, AdCampaigns, Dree Hemingway, DreeHemingway, Ernest Hemingway, ErnestHemingway, Gianfranco Ferre, GianfrancoFerre, Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, InezVanLamsweerdeAndVinoodhMatadin, Italian fashion, ItalianFashion, Mariel Hemingway, MarielHemingway, models