A. CARACENI: THE PURSUIT OF A TAILORING TRADITION

The Caraceni name is legendary in the world of Italian bespoke tailoring with various cadet branches of the family having established reputable tailoring houses bearing the family’s great name. The Milanese Sartoria Caraceni is considered one of Milan’s, if not the world’s, great bespoke tailors with a distinguished and loyal customer base including, indeed, many notable designers and leading fashion voices rendering Sartoria A. Caraceni a designer’s designer. Those seeking classic structured elegance in their suiting , crafted from the finest Italian or English cloths might well find a second home at this Milanese studio.

In the world of fashion, Milan is an undisputed epicentre, with many grand couture houses, custom tailors, fabric mils and others located in and around Italy’s financial and commercial powerhouse city.

It is here, in this illustrious city, that Augusto Caraceni founded his eponymous tailoring atelier in 1946. Born in the seaside town of Ortona in 1893, the Caraceni family was already engaged in the tailoring trade. Augusto’s father was a noted tailor in the town. However, it would be in 1913 when his brother Domenico founded the Caraceni tailor shop in Rome that the family name began to be whispered in society’s highest circles as a tailor of distinction.

Augusto moved to Rome to work with his brothers, Domenico and Galliano, where he mastered his art and perfected his signature style embodying the Italian silhouette with drawn in waists and structured shoulders.

Augusto took his craft to Paris in the 1930s where he quickly built a client book that included many of the city’s biggest names, customers who expected only the very best in luxury, crafted to the highest standards. Thus, despite being considered a Milanese landmark, the firm was, effectively, founded in Paris in 1931. Caraceni returned to Italy at the outbreak of the second World War where he founded his sartorial studio in Milan in 1946.

The firm continues to be managed by Augusto’s descendants today, maintaining the Caraceni house tradition. A. Caraceni produces beautiful, handmade, bespoke suits selecting the finest English and Italian fabrics from the best mills. Clients have any option and whim catered to by the masterful team, with only budget and imagination being the limit.

Visitors to the firm’s indulgent showroom and store are welcome, A. Caraceni is located on Via Fratebenefratelli, opposite the luxurious Palazzo Parigi hotel. If you are considering commissioning a bespoke piece, however, we would strongly advise that you get in touch in advance of your visit and book an appointment. The firm recommends a minimum of three fittings for a bespoke suit so customers must be mindful of their arrangements. The house does cater to an international client base with occasional visits overseas. Vintage pieces can be picked up for extremely reasonable prices and little restoration or alteration required over on eBay.

Are you a customer of this great tailoring house? What’s your experience been like? Our readers are always keen for detailed and nuanced information that can help them when deciding on a new tailor so we would really appreciate your feedback in the comments.

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