Simon Crompton and tailors
At Pitti Uomo business and pleasure mix. Take for instance the Pitti Uomo parties. Every afternoon and evening different people invite to a drink and a trunk show.
This time I attended an event arranged by Holland & Sherry, Stefano Bemer and Simon Crompton of Permanent Style. It took place in the impressive palace like Bemer shop on Via di S. Niccolò. The event started out with a discussion on the state of bespoke tailoring. Six young tailors from Europe and Asia participated. Simon moderated the discussion.
Later people could have a chat in street outside the shop.
Aleksandar Cvetkovic, part of The Rake magazine.
Jonas Sundström of J. Mueser in New York City.
Niels of Shibumi charming a lady.
After the visit at Bemer’s shop I walked downtown with a group of people to an old style apartment, where Ignatious Joseph, the shirtmaker, threw a party.
Butler, whom many online sartorialists will know, was there entertaining the whole company of people with close-up magician tricks.
I was asleep 1:00 AM.
Photos: The Journal of Style
Thank you for this report. What do people talk about at these gatherings? Is it technical details, tie knots, makers…? Also, do you compliment each other all the time as there are so many peacocks around? Sorry, no irony intended.
Who then were the most interesting people to talk with? Some of the craftsmen? Was there anything new compared to other editions for you? Sorry, I just try to figure out what it is all about, but the pictures look interesting.
Re: Mr. Cvetkovic and The Rake, I do not understand the concept of that glitter magazine. One can hardly call it journalism. Every topic, every craftsman they discuss is called fantastic. Isn’t it a pity (Pitti?) that there’s hardly any critical voice left in the “menswear scene”? Oh perhaps Tom Stubbs but he mainly offers witty reflections. In a way I miss a view behind the scenes, some questioning of the sales talks, more revealing interviews with coat makers, waist coat makers, trouser makers… that might shed another light on the bespoke world. At least there must be facets that we do not know about, but might be of interest.
You explicitly state you were asleep at 1 am. I guess you actually wanted to say you enjoyed a couple of good drinks 🙂
You are very right on the lack of critical voices in menswear, although I think the internet fora has a few. Something has to do with commercial entanglement. Something has to do with reach. Relatively few people seem interested in critical assessments. Most people are looking for shopping opportunities.
What do people talk about at a Pitti party? Clothing and business are among the subjects indeed.