Sleevehead

Working on my forthcoming book on classic men’s style icons of the 20th century. I spent an absorbing and rewarding day of research in the Special Collections archive of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. Hint: If you want to write with truly unique insight on a topic, conduct primary research on proprietary source materials, especially those that ChatGPT or any other LLM model has never been trained on and will likely never be.
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Need a place to stay in Palermo? Check out the artisanal B&B Il Palchetto near Teatro Massimo. Many thanks to owner Silvia for her hospitality.

Her B&B is profiled in my new book (link in bio) and absolutely worth checking out if you visit Palermo.

Enjoying your stay in Palermo? Don’t forget to expand your mind while traveling. Stop by the independent bookstore La Stanza di Carta across the street from the Church of St Cataldo and Santa Maria dell Ammiraglio.

If you speak a bit of Italian, be sure to say hello to the owner Piero and read more about the bookshop and Palermo’s tailors in my book (link in bio).

Forward fitting for a new sports jacket at sartoria Mannone in Marsala. Both the town and its last bespoke tailor should not be missed.

Longtime readers will know that if I come back to a tailor that is a very good sign.

For more info, check out my profile of this truly rare multigenerational tailoring family in my new book (see link in bio)

After my first visit years ago, I wrote that Sartoria Crimi was the “the fullest, most intact expression of a Sicilian tailoring house today”.

It still is. Two generations of a sartorial family - father, mother and son - are still working together as a team to make fine bespoke clothing in Palermo.

For more info, check out my profile of them in my new book (see link in bio)

Putting the finishing touches on a suit jacket and pants at Sartoria Davi in Palermo. The real work of a sartoria is always done behind the scenes.

Always a privilege and a pleasure for me to see how a great tailor thinks, works and creates with his team.

For more info, check out my profile of Davi in my new book (see link in bio)

New project with maestro Palmisciano. Fabrics: Smiths Finmeresco high twist wool in midnight blue and Kiton linen in dove grey.

They will be made into a “stroller” jacket (also known as a Stresemann) and vest. Similar to the old Apparel Arts illustration above but with a couple of twists for the maestro to add.

This is obviously not an everyday outfit but for special occasions or when I feel like wearing it ;)

For more info, check out my profile of Palmisciano in my new book (see link in bio)

Fitting with maestro Antolino - one of the very few tailors still active today who started in the “Golden Age” of Sicilian tailoring.

For more info, check out his profile in my new book (see link in bio).

I’ve stopped by Samuele Gallo’s new atelier in Catania a couple of times and this time I brought a copy of my book. Certainly check him out if you’d like a fresh, youthful take on Sicilian tailoring.

For more info, check out his profile in my new book (see link in bio).