Few items of apparel are as iconic as Max Mara’s camel coat, a cashmere wrap coat that is, arguably, one of the most in-demand pieces of womenswear ever produced. It has been the mainstay of the Max Mara house, founded in 1951 as a Ready-to-Wear high fashion designer. Initially focussed on the Italian marker, the Reggio Emilia outfitters offer a full range of fashions, accessories, fragrances and jewellery to an international customer base. The label has also ventured into couture and has an acclaimed bridalwear range.
Category Archives: FASHION
ZENITH
A true pioneer in the world of watchmaking, Georges Favre-Jacot and the Zenith brand he founded in 1885 was the first of the great marques to produce beautiful of timepieces with movements designed in-house and under his own watchful eye. A perfectionist by nature, Favre-Jacot believed that the greatest wristwatches could only be made if every part of the design process was controlled, thus guaranteeing their quality. It would prove to be the making of one of the world’s greatest and most exclusive horology brands.
CAMBRILLÓN
A highly sought-out bespoke shoemaker, Cambrillón makes its shoes by hand in the traditional fashion from their workshop in Almansa, the heart of Spain’s historic leather industry. In addition to beautiful, fully custom footwear, the brand also produces a range of luxury leather goods.
ZILLI: A LEATHER JACKET EMPIRE IS BORN
The Zilli story begins in 1965 with the foundation of the iconic brand which, today, is synonymous with luxurious apparel and stylish, tailored pieces, especially leather apparel. It was then that a collaboration would begin which would shape the direction of the Maison Zilli line – a collaboration between a French entrepreneur and an established Italian tailor with a reputation for sleek and elegant designs for discerning customers.
ACHILLE MANNARA: A CLASSIC NEAPOLITAN CAMICERIA
Achille Mannara is a classic Neapolitan shirtmaker, offering a range of handmade, bespoke shirting and off the rack options to a discerning, international client base. The camiceria was founded in 1995 and, over the years, has grown their exquisite product range to include various handmade silk ties and accessories to complement their legendary shirts.
LUIGI BORRELLI: FROM MASTER SHIRTMAKER TO LUXURY OUTFITTERS
Luigi Borrelli is a highly reputable menswear store, founded in Naples in 1957. The store was established by renowned Neapolitan shirtmaker, Luigi Borrelli, who sought to continue his family’s trade, having been taught his craft by his mother. His eponymous sartorial outpost became known as a haven for luxurious, handmade and beautifully tailored pieces. Borrelli today has stores across Italy and has recently expanded overseas with its first international branch in Tokyo.
JAMES TAYLOR & SON: A LEGENDARY LONDON SHOEMAKING FIRM
James Taylor & Son is a renowned British bespoke shoemaker that has been crafting exquisite footwear since 1857. Over the years, they have established themselves as one of the most respected shoemakers in London, renowned for their impeccable craftsmanship, unparalleled comfort, and timeless elegance. The house was founded by a well-regarded Norfolk shoesmith of the same name, who established himself in London, bringing with him that great shoemaking tradition for which that region of England between Northampton and Norfolk is so famous.
PERSOL: ICONIC SUNGLASSES AND THE EPITOME OF ITALIAN STYLE
Epitomising Italian cool, Persol is a heritage luxury eyewear brand that has been a go to for the great and glamorous for over a hundred years. They offer a broad range of sunglasses and other optics, including many iconic silhouettes. The brand was founded in Turin, a city synonymous with high design and luxury fashion and Persol is no exception, with a reputation for quality craftsmanship and elegant style. Today, the brand is part of the luxury eyewear behemoth, Luxottica, alongside stablemates including Costa, Oakley Oliver Peoples and Ray-Ban.
MAROL: LUXURIOUS SHIRTMAKER OF CHOICE TO THOSE IN THE KNOW
Marol is a fine Italian shirtmaker that was founded in 1959 in Bologna, that remains an inside secret for discerning customers seeking the highest luxury. The company is known for its high-quality, bespoke, hand-finished shirts. Marol uses only the finest fabrics, such as silks from Como, cotton and linen from Egypt and the Caribbean Islands, and mother-of-pearl buttons from Australia. The company’s shirts are made with 13 stitches per centimeter of seam, which is the highest number of stitches used by any shirtmaker in the world. This results in a shirt that is both beautiful and durable.
RYDER & AMIES: THE CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY OUTFITTERS
Ryder & Amies is an historic tailoring house in the heart of Cambridge that has shared an association with the University of Cambridge since its foundation in 1864. The firm has been a go-to supplier of Oxbridge academic wear (sub fusc) and was the preferred tailor, shirtmaker and robemaker to the discerning Cantabrigian student or don for much of their history. Today, they are the official Cambridge University store, providing university-related merchandise as well as outfitting the various clubs and colleges associated with the university. They are still the go-to robemaker for graduating students and for academic dress. The Ryder & Amies store also stocks a wide range of clothing and accessories for students, staff, and alumni, as well as souvenirs for visitors.
FITZGABRIELS 