Italian-style from a Dutchman!

Profuomo as a brand was started in 1985, its parent company has been around for a much longer period than that. In fact, it has been the largest tie manufacturer in Europe for the last 8 decades! So you think the Profuomo headquarters are located in Milan, Paris or London? Nope, right here in the Netherlands in the Rotterdam area. They have recently opened two flagship stores on the P.C. Hooftstraat in Amsterdam and on the Meent in Rotterdam.

I really enjoy wearing their shirts and shoes. A few weeks back I also bought their swimming shorts and I can’t wait for their jackets to come out this winter season. Their style is truly amazing! The slim-fit shirts really are slim-fit and they have the whale bones pockets open so you can insert your favorite pair of whalebones and stiffen the collar.

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Made in Italy

 If an Aston Martin DB9 is the car of all cars, a bespoke Brioni suit is the suit of all suits. If we are ever going to make a profit from this website, I would like to invest in a Brioni…. Their off-the-rack suits are approximately usd $5,000 at entry level. Bespoke Brioni suits range from usd $6,000 to up to $50,000. Donald Trump is a Brioni fan. Bobby is too….

Brioni has been around since 1945. Hero tailor Nazereno Fonticoli and his venturing partner Gaetano Savini named their brand after a resort on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. They opened a store in New York in 1954, pioneering their way into the American elite fashionistas and wealthy businessmen, celebrities and Mafioso.

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Cashmere at its best.

 ”Work, which is considered an expression of a person’s value, also becomes a part of one’s spirituality and achieves the higher aim of the Supreme Good” - Brunello Cucinelli.

Brunello’s work is done with passion from Solomeo, a medieval village where his fortress (workplace… J) with an incredible yard stimulates his and his colleagues creativity. It serves them well. And us too, we are served amazing natural shades of cashmere garments that are quite unique in its kind. Brands like these, which do not produce or sell the quantity of Ralph Lauren… are just amazing.  

I love the handglove in the pocket of the jacket, used as a ‘pocketsquare’..!!

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Art meets fashion..

Hans Ubbink is notoriously known for his unique creations. A Dutch designer with a twist. A man who sometimes comes across more of a philosopher than a fashion designer. He posts photos of his trainees and staff in a small photo cubical at a train station on his website. His authentic work and lifestyle is what friends of mine say inspire them to buy his clothing.

How are you influenced by the personality of the fashion designer when buying clothes?

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Blending classic and contemporary

When you think of pink, think Thomas Pink. Founded in London, this craftsman’s store originated from Jermyn Street, a street notable for its shirt makers. Its name came from an 18^th century tailor known for making much desired red/pink hunting jackets. Nowadays, Thomas Pink has spread it contagious enthusiasm for quality fits, fabrics and colours around the world with a collection that will even startle the most conservative suit. However, according to the shirt etiquette a breast pocket should never accompany a modern man’s shirt. Typically the breast pocket is used to keep one’s pens and glasses, which reflects a ‘worker’s shirt’ rather than a neat business shirt.

I personally love the way in which Thomas Pink manages to blend classic jacket, shirt and tie patterns, such as stripes, checks and spots, with contemporary colours.  Its famous Black Label shirt is tailored on an authentic block and consists of 38 separate components, with a 14-piece, hand-turned collar. Hungry yet?

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Oger, best shopping experience in The Netherlands?

Oger Lusink, the man behind the Oger company, brand and stores has an interesting sartorialist history.  When he was 18 years of age he started working in a suit store in Amsterdam, after which he did an internship on Savile Row (suit Mecca in London!). In 1989 he founded the Oger company, which has grown to a full suit-service venture that offers ‘corporate fashion’, ‘travelling tailoring’, the best Italian brands and their own ‘Dressed For Success’ label by Martijn Lusink who remains inspired by the youthful energetic Italian attire culture.

The new ‘Oger Lusink’ generation; Martijn and Sander Lusink.

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Your Suit, Value for Money?

Today I was in the SuitSupply store in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, to pick up a great light grey linen/wool suit. I overheard a conversation between one of the friendly and professional sales clerks and his client. His client was a middle aged man with an office job who needed a new suit because his old ones were worn out. It was his first time in a SuitSupply store and he was amazed by the quality he got for a €300,- super 100 slim fit suit with kissing buttons on the sleeves that could be opened, a floating canvas and naturally rolling lapels. His wife said; “WOW, your Hugo Boss suits look great, because it’s Hugo Boss of course. But this suit looks much better and it’s not even an expensive brand.”

On the left you have SuitSupply for a great price, on the right you will find the typical “A-brand’ suit that are often more expensive and not necesarliy better crafted accoring to the suit etiquette.

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