Meet Cifonelli’s RTW Creative Director John Vizzone

Having served previously as Senior Vice President and Creative Director at Ralph Lauren, John Vizzone recently became Cifonelli’s Ready To Wear Creative Director in 2014.  Leading the direction of Cifonelli’s Ready To Wear line towards success, Mr. Vizzone has not only proven his awe-inspiring expertise in managing as well as designing stylish and sophisticated garments, but has also demonstrated a peerless sense of award winning design that gives Cifonelli’s new RTW department an unrivaled flair of elegance.

Cifonelli’s latest RTW line (their Fall 2017 collection) is the most recent work of Mr. Vizzone, which, as expected, featured an incredible assemblage of sartorial men’s wear pieces.  Mr. Vizzone’s latest collection follows a similar tone to Cifonelli’s Fall RTW 2016 line he designed, though exhibits an exceptionally evolved style compared to last Fall’s line.  The current collection is a true masterpiece by John Vizzone, showcasing a country-inspired wardrobe that includes tan and dark coloured pieces alongside windowpane and plaid toned designs.

We were given the honor to speak with Mr. Vizzone about his role at Cifonelli, his unique design process when creating new RTW lines, what he believes makes a great garment, and his expert style advice for the refined gentleman.

How did you first get started in design?

“While working as a buyer at Brooks Brothers I met Alan Flusser.  I started working with him in his design studio.  We worked on the first Wall Street movie together.  From there I went to work for Ralph Lauren.”

Tell us about your inspiration for Cifonelli’s current ready-to-wear collection.

“I wanted to go back to the DNA of the Cifonelli.  It was started in 1880 in Paris, but during the Dolce Vita period they became the brand for movie stars & celebrities. I thought it would be interesting to go back into that period, (my version of that period)”

Cifonelli is one of the greatest tailors in the world, with that said; what do you believe makes a great garment?

“FIT.  Nothing is more important than that.  Everything else follows.”

Are there any areas of menswear you’re looking to explore further at Cifonelli?

“Next, would be to develop a fragrance that represents the Cifonelli gentleman.  We want to evolve Cifonelli into a lifestyle brand.”

Describe a day in the life of John Vizzone.

“I always start my day by exercising.  I check emails,  get on the internet for fashion & news.  I usually have phone conferences & meeting with the team at Barneys NY.  When I’m not traveling I spend all my time with my family.”

Are any of Cifonelli’s past fabrics showcased in the current RTW collection?

“No.  We develop all the fabrics for the RTW collection.”

Style advice from John Vizzone?

“Know what looks good on you.  Keep it simple.  Be mindful of the way a garment fits.  Even an inexpensive suit could look good on you if it fits properly.”

Take us through your design process, where do you start when you’re coming up with a new line?

“First, I decide where I would like the Cifonelli man to go or be.  From there I create a movie in my head & dress the characters.”

What do you enjoy most about your role at Cifonelli?

“Freedom!  Freedom to create who I think the modern Cifonelli gentleman is.  I have full creative control.”

Where do you believe the menswear industry is headed as a whole?

“I think men are becoming more comfortable with fashion.  There is a lot more self expression than ever before in men’s wear.”

Where to next?

“We are in the process of developing Cifonelli lounges.  We believe this will create an intimate connection with the customer & the brand”

Where can we follow you?

On Instagram  @john_vizzone

and

Cifonelli @cifonelli_official

Where can we shop the Cifonelli RTW Collection?

“The Cifonelli RTW is in Barneys (several locations) & in our flagship store in Paris.”

Photos of John Vizzone by: Fernando Sanchez Alonso

For more information on Cifonelli visit:  Cifonelli.com

Huntsman Opens A New Pied-A-Terre in NYC

Huntsman officially opened an expansive, 2,030 square-foot Pied-a-Terre to meet the needs of their New York-based clients that have been expeditiously growing in number.  Huntsman has long-stood as an unprecedented bespoke tailor for the the discerning gentleman and lady as well as a personal favorite for various members of royalty and those among noble lineages since it was founded in 1849.  With over a century in bespoke tailoring, Huntsman naturally gained the reputation of being traditional yet extraordinarily innovative in creating sportswear and finely-tailored apparel throughout the years.  The recently opened New York City location, which at one point was legendary crooner Tony Bennett’s apartment, has been remodeled to perfectly demonstrate a modern meets classic design style.

The new House of Huntsman, situated at 130 W. 57th Street on the 9th floor, is an appointment-only space that is large enough to serve as a “club” that is rather similar to Huntsman’s acclaimed Savile Row location.  The Pied-a-Terre includes a zealous cutting room, a private fitting room, and a double-height lounge for client reception, which also functions as the fabric library.

The expanded square-footage was essentially due to Huntsman’s extensive effort on hiring expert staff and many skilled couturiers.  The new location even included veteran menswear executive, Ed Turco (formerly of Loro Piana), as their US Director of Operations and Huntsman’s in-house cutter, Ralph Fitzgerald, was also relocated to New York City to accept full-time cutting duties.

The interior design of the Pied-a-Terre, which features aesthetic allure throughout each room, comprises of a 24-foot bookshelf from an 18th century British castle, two 1930’s mahogany steamer trunk wardrobes made on Berkeley Street in London, a 1933 Betty Joel walnut Art Deco desk (referred as her chef d’oeuvre), and vintage Ado Chale tables.  The space includes Huntsman’s very own original bespoke measurement parchment from prominent clients such as Hubert de Givenchy, Ralph Lauren, Ronald Reagan, and Audrey Hepburn.  In addition, the space also introduces an original Andy Warhol portrait of Dick Banks and an Anthony McCall drawing.

Located in midtown Manhattan, the new Pied-a-Terre represents Huntsman’s many years of growth in producing bespoke tailoring, as well as yet another place for their increasingly enlarging client base to further grow.  Huntsman was made the go-to destination for clients looking for custom-tailored clothing, which perfectly beseemed each individual’s own personal measurements.  With no miscalculations or errors in the design, the custom-tailored clothes from Huntsman can’t feel more comfortable or more natural to wear once it has been fitted to your exact dimension.

The new Huntsman’s New York pied-a-terre on 130 West 57^th Street, allows NYC residents to schedule their appointments by email at usa@h-huntsman.co.uk or by phone at 646-590-2595.

For more information visit:  HuntsmanSavilerow.com

Limited Edition Aston Martin x Hogan Sneaker Collection

For all who are sporting the latest sneakers and are devoted fans of high-quality racing shoes, check out this new pair of super stylish sneakers.  Announced as one of the many collaborations at Men’s Fashion Week in London, this footwear project has been marked as the most eagerly expected and awaited collaboration between luxury designer brands and world-famous labels.  Presenting an extraordinary approach to street-wear style along with a superlative design only a luxury car can provide, the new limited edition Aston Martin x Hogan sneaker comes sweeping in this fall.

“Hogan’s attention to detail and passion for beautiful products, and Aston Martin’s beautiful craftsmanship made this project a natural fit,” said Sergio Azzolari, General Manager from Hogan. “It was a pleasure for us to collaborate on a shoe that reflects the attention to detailing in Aston Martin sports cars.”

Hogan with their master craftsmanship and expert knowledge on all things footwear alongside luxury sports car manufacturer Aston Martin with an aesthetic sense for speed and contemporary design, makes this new pair of sneakers a phenomenal piece of high-grade running shoes.  The new Aston Martin x Hogan sneaker was inspired by Hogan’s iconic ‘Olympia’ sneaker, additionally fashioned with full leather and nylon mesh to achieve a smart yet polished look.  Aston Martin’s artisan leather craftsmanship finely detailed the shoes, giving the same sort of elegance that an Aston Martin sports car would offer.  These sleek new sneakers portray the Aston Martin wings insignia on the tongue, which is made up of Aston Martin’s classic kestrel tan leather, greatly resembles the way a genuine Aston Martin sports car would look, well if that sports car somehow turned into a shoe.

“Collaborating with brands that share our views on quality, style and elegance is important to us,” states Marek Reichman, EVP & Chief Creative Officer at Aston Martin. “Working with creative teams outside of the automotive industry helps to broaden our designers’ minds, and this is always a positive experience for both myself and my team at Gaydon. We take inspiration from all walks of life and our work with Hogan will help to shape and inspire many aspects of our future creations”.

Each limited edition Aston Martin x Hogan sneaker is forged with the very same craftsmanship seen in Aston Martin’s British sports cars and in the Italian master’s typical pair of luxury shoes.  In addition, the sneaker is presented in four seasonal shades, offering you flexibility in an extended variety of options to choose from. The Aston Martin x Hogan Autumn Winter 2017/18 sneaker collection will be limited to just 3,000 pairs and available at Hogan flagship stores worldwide or at the Aston Martin Dover Street brand centre starting at the end of June.

For more information visit:  Hogan.com or AstonMartin.com

Panerai’s New Oil-Free Lab-ID Timepiece

Panerai’s latest release is a technological marvel, as the new oil-free Lab-ID wristwatch not only offers a 50-year guarantee, but is also introduced as a 50-piece limited edition.  Officine Panerai’s CEO, Angelo Bonati, envisions this exceptional timepiece as a turning point for Panerai, yet alone the horology industry.  “The Lab-ID is the beginning of a whole program of advanced technology innovations for Panerai,” says Bonati, regarding the Lab-ID Luminor 1950 Car­botech 3 Days. “This is by far the most technically advanced watch we have ever made.”

Bonati says, “the Lab-ID is the first watch that has brought such an advanced usage of the new carbon technologies to watchmaking.”  The Lab-ID was, strictly speaking, developed based off other companies that had demonstrated the effectiveness of silicon components and diamond-like carbon (DLC) finishes in maintaining durable, low-in-friction solutions for pivotal points within a timepiece.  Panerai constructed Lab-ID with over 60 points of lubrication in the watch along DLC coating, and other carbon-based elements.

This new class of Panerai incorporates movement plates and bridges in low-friction carbon nanotube and tantalum carbide, consequently removing the want for jeweled pivots throughout the timepiece.  While the dial is covered with a blend of carbon nanotubes for an atramentous outcome, the Carbotech case is forged with carbon fibre laminated beside a refined hypoallergenic polymer.

Introducing an extraordinary yet extensive amount of technical features, the new Lab-ID proves that Panerai is an innovator that values advancement and technological breakthroughs just as much as their longstanding design heritage.  Bonati states “It has been our brand identity from the beginning to always continue looking forward in the world of innovation, while holding onto our roots in Italian design.”  The new Lab-ID is currently priced at $53,000.

For more information visit:  Panerai.com

Thomas Pink’s New High Summer Linen Collection

Founded in London in 1984, Thomas Pink has long stood as a world-famous modern British shirtmaker, and will continue as one of the top luxury shirtmakers for the years to come.  Thomas Pink has demonstrated this very principle with their new collaboration with Baird McNutt, an acclaimed Irish linen mill that possesses over a century of craftsmanship knowledge immersed in tradition and invaluable expertise.

Baird McNutt’s century in the fashion industry creating fine linen, coupled together with a contemporary approach towards design, has assisted Thomas Pink in creating an extraordinary collection for the elegant gentleman’s Summer wardrobe.  The new High Summer collection features an array of solid seasonal colors in mélange designs.  The relaxed classic fit as well as the semi cutaway collar turn these Summer-Ready shirts into the perfect blend between casual and business attire.

The renowned linen manufacturer uses traditional Irish techniques to create top of the line, premium materials.  The family business of Baird was first established in 1912, where, at the time, their primary output was linen handkerchiefs, but changed in the late 1960’s from producing handkerchiefs to constructing luxury apparel.  Around this time, the company was given a proposal from the McNutt family in Donegal offering design services.  This resulted in the creation of the current Irish Linen Baird McNutt label.

The founders of Thomas Pink, the Mullen brothers, got their inspiration from the 18th century tailor Mr. Pink, who was known far and wide as the originator of ‘hunting pink’ – referring towards the scarlet jackets that hunt staff wore.  Currently the renowned Thomas Pink label belongs to Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton or LVMH, which the luxury multinational conglomerate company acquired in 1999.

Offering business and casual shirting as well as Made T0 Order, PINK shirts are designed using traditional methods with exclusive materials from prominent mills throughout the globe.  Thomas Pink makes their shirts with hand-turned collars and comprised of up to 14 individual pieces. These shirts come in an assortment of options such as Classic, Slim, and Super Slim Fit, while the brand also (in addition to shirts) presents tailoring, knitwear, separates, and accessories.

Thomas Pink has over 100 stores worldwide and flagships located in London’s Jermyn Street, Rue Francois Premier, Paris and Madison Avenue, New York.  The new High Summer collection is currently available at Thomas Pink stores or on their online site: US.ThomasPink.com.

Huntsman’s Spring/Summer Ready-To-wear 2017 Collection

The English bespoke tailor, “Savile Row house of Huntsman” has just released their new Spring/Summer ready-to-wear 2017 Collection, which embodies the Huntsman bespoke tailoring with all around elegance and versatility for any occasion.  Designed by Creative Director and Head Cutter Campbell Carey, the collection provides the perfect wardrobe for the coming aestival days.

The collection, which was hand-tailored in England, showcases their trademarked one-button silhouette, cut in lightweight fabric joined together by a classic bespoke design along high-performance elements.  Noteworthy pieces of the new Huntsman collection include a 100% bamboo sports jacket fashioned with rare and tenable bamboo cloth, which offers a silky and breathable outline along a luxurious appearance.

Carey introduced an array of classic designs with a peerless focus on high-performing natural fibres for weekend wear and tailored apparel prominently featured in the collection.  With pieces such as the lightweight navy cashmere blazer, the new collection also features two sports coats in soft pure linen and a traditional shade of navy blue.  In addition, the new Huntsman shirt, made from 100% Egyptian handpicked cotton (woven in Italy and hand-dyed in Europe) was included in the collection as a result of a brilliant collaboration with Jermyn Street’s Turnbull & Asser.

The Spring/Summer 2017 collection was developed through skillful craftsmanship and an uncanny touch to detail that is fundamental to Huntsman’s bespoke tailoring.  And because of this, the new season ready-to-wear collection presents a diverse assortment of elegant, versatile, and durably made menswear to turn the seasons of warmer weather into a joyous time for the stylish gentleman.

Discover more details about Huntsman’s Spring/Summer ’17 Ready-To-Wear collection at huntsmansavilerow.com

The Cutting-edge Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Moon

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso series’ has easily become a timepiece collection for the ages, as it’s rectangular-shape along with revolving case has sheltered various complication structures over the past few decades.  It is a piece that perfectly embodies sophisticated elegance and consists of nonchalant properties, as well as bold and daring elements at times.  Jaeger-LeCoultre’s latest Reverso timepiece, the Reverso Tribute Moon, is a masterpiece among its fellow Reverso dubbed creations, as it brilliantly demonstrates the true purpose and greatness of the Reverso series.

The Reverso Tribute Moon adopted it’s design codes from last year’s release, the Reverso Tribute Calendar, however, it did not include the day of the week and month calendar feature as displayed on the Tribute Calendar model.  This may feel like crucial details to include on the Reverso Tribute Moon, but because of this minimalistic configuration it gained more space on the grained silver dial and a higher up logo position in which these two windows would have made it almost impossible to accomplish.  Furthermore, most Jaeger LeCoultre full calendar timepieces are without a recess button for the quick setting of the day of the week to begin with.  This results in manually speeding up the hour hand until you get to the correct day of the week, thereafter using the quick-set pushers for the alternative indications.  And as such, the Reverso Tribute Moon allows you to manage only the date and its striking hammered moon feature with ease.

One of the most unique qualities the Reverso Tribute Moon possesses is that once you flip its case, the watch takes on another appearance all together.  On the reverse side, the dark blue dial prevails with a Clous de Paris guilloché motif, and the central part is embellished with iridescent finish that provides the time indications with a translucent presence.  This reversible dial lets you set the time for an additional time zone of your choosing via a concealed sliding trigger located at the top of the case.  The timepiece includes a graphical day-to-night feature, which not only adds esthetic allure but also serves as an important function for telling you whether its day or night when your endeavors take you airborne and conflict with your sleeping schedule or when you simply forget yourself in your work until morning arrives.

The Reverso Tribute Moon is relevantly disparate from it’s predecessor the Reverso Tribute Calendar, so in order to not cause any waves with owners of the prior Reverso model.  Jaeger LeCoultre announced Tribute Moon with a relatively reduced price, but don’t let that discourage you, this timepiece is just as valuable and as exquisite as any other piece in the Reverso collection, and may very well be the “holy grail” of anybodies watch collection.  It can also be a great timepiece as your lone Reverso or as part of a one of a kind collection sporting the most luxurious, extravagant, and peerless pieces to hit the horology industry.

Specifications include:

• Case: 49.4 x 29.9 x 10.9 millimetres in stainless steel
• Movement: Manual-winding movement
• Strap: Blue alligator strap accompanied by a folding buckle
• Complication: 223 piece complication
• Water Resistance Up to 30 metres
• Power Reserve 42-hour
• Price: USD 12,700

For more information visit:  Jaeger-LeCoultre.com

Louis Vuitton & Fragment Design’s New Capsule Collection

For this latest capsule collection, Louis Vuitton teamed up with the distinguished Japanese designer, producer, and artist Hiroshi Fujiwara, the founder of Fragment Design, to produce stylish street-ready attire.  To commemorate this incredible collaboration, Louis Vuitton established the Louis Vuitton X Fragment Popup boutique in New York City as to show their respect to Fujiwara, whose partnerships with street-wear labels such as Nike have not only sold out in mere minutes but have always ended in a huge success.

Hiroshi Fujiwara is famous for his hip-hop inspired street-wear style that he popularized into Tokyo’s highly influenced European fashion scene in the late 1980’s.  And from then on, Fujiwara continued to evolve his street-wear style, leading him to become known as the “Godfather of Streetwear” as his pieces became a widely known trend that had renowned brands enthusiastic to collaborate together on.

This collaborated capsule collection for the French marque showcases Fujiwara’s trademark seditious aspects such as, modifying the LV monogram lettering in a fierce black and gray, along with substituting standard hardware for shimmering metallic accessories of oil slicks in order to shape pieces like the monogram eclipse coated canvas and leather backpack (priced at $3,350).  Preeminent pieces of the capsule collection include a unique varsity letterman’s jacket and cardigan (priced at $2,700 and $1,020 respectively), as well as stylish Tattoo Sneakers ($725).

Louis Vuitton X Fragment Popup boutique, located on Greene St. in SoHo, Manhattan, has their doors open through June 30th.  Besides this popup boutique, the collection is also available at LouisVuitton.com, and at other Louis Vuitton X Fragment stores across the world.

Mr Porter’s Latest Collection on California Style

Producing the cool and collected sense of the California coast, online menswear destination Mr Porter developed their new Made in California capsule collection that imparts keen insight of life on the coast through the style of suave attire.  The British award-winning global retailer collaborated with 12 brands including long standing front-runners John Elliott & Elder Statesman, and auspicious designers like Amiri to construct over 140 unique pieces galvanized by the California coast lifestyle.  The California capsule collection does not only mark the largest collection of casual and beach-ready wear ever created by Mr Porter, but it also is a first to be inspired by just one explicit location.

Robert Talbott’s Newport Beach Boutique

Robert Talbott, the Monterey based quintessential California clothier has just announced the opening of their sixth boutique located at Fashion Island in glitzy Newport Beach.  On April 11th, the nearly 1,200 square foot location opened its doors to purvey a brilliant selection of high-end luxury clothing for the sartorially savvy man.

“The arrival of the Robert Talbott store at Fashion Island presents the realization of our goal to provide the full range of our men’s clothing collection to Newport Beach and the surrounding areas,” said Bob Corliss, Robert Talbott CEO. “Robert Talbott has long been recognized for our fine materials and impeccable craftsmanship, and the opening of this new location provides an opportunity to share our brand with Fashion Island customers.”

Currently exhibiting half a dozen shops around the United States, Robert Talbott has doubled their presence within the last 12 months.  The Newport Beach boutique will be showcasing the nearly 70 year old company’s famed neckwear (some of the best in the world), suits, sport jackets, shirts, casual clothing, accessories, and shoes (a recent addition to the brand).

For more information please visit:  RobertTalbott.com