ISAIA, A PIECE OF NAPLES IN THE ROMAN SHOPPING WORLD

Isaia is a tailoring italian brand for gentlemen. Born in Naples in the Twenties, they opened last week their first store in Rome. It is a good thing for my foreigners clients who constantly ask me for a nice, italian suit. Isaia is now in via Bocca di Leone 68, not far from the Spanish Steps. Gianluca Isaia, the CEO ( Third generation by the way) said :" We are proud to bring our Napolitan heritage and personality to Rome".

 

The boutique has been designed by Ferrari Architetti and decorated by the interior designer Alberta Saladino. About 200 sqm, the boutique has furnitures coming from the Bay of Naples. We loved the red Billiard table that you can see in  the picture below. The layout of the store is divided into five main areas highlighting sportswear, tailored clothing, a Made to Measure room, an open tailor Shop and the Vesuvio VIP room. The shop is located in a Seventeenth Century palace with renovations occured later on. When you visit the store do not miss the Vaults and the wooden front door.

Isaia has two other stores in Italy: one in Milano and  the other one in Capri. I personally discovered them in Firenze during the Pitti Fair dedicated to Men's fashion. The Brand Isaia is distributed all over the world especially in USA, Canada, United Kingdom, China, Russia, Japan and different european countries. It will be  very interesting to see how italian and foreigners will react on this new tailor italian store in Rome. We will keep you posted.

TOD'S IN ROME : A FIRST GLANCE TO THE BAGS OF THE NEW WINTER COLLECTION

Tod's is one of the most representative brand of the Made in Italy. Strangely enough, in this big turmoil of the italian political situation, Diego Della Valle the owner remained silent. The entrepreneur didn't make any statement yet. It is strange because He is extremely influential in Italy, not only in the world of Fashion. He owns also Fay, Roger Vivier and Hogan. Plus he has his word in finance and has shares in the daily newspaper  Corriere della Sera. But now let's talk about shopping. In Rome the Tod's store are located in the best position possible : in via Condotti 53/A ( women) and in via Fontanella Borghese 56/A and 57 (men).

The new autumn winter collection 2018-19 will be soon in the stores.  They were shown in Milano last February during the Fashion Week. We loved the bags. First of all the so called Thea Bag. Tod's revisits the elegance of the Leather Bucket bag, transforming into a new cross body brag brimming with secrets. With or Without ribbing. This new bag is distinctive for its D-Shaped opening: for the maxi charms dangling from the zip pull on the outside pocket: for the new double shoulder strap that alternates with a leather handle.

The T shoppng uttlerly soft with a dual use. Handheld or over the shoulder. Playing with the use of lateral ties. This shopper offers a new take on the classic tote, with the detail of a giant T cut out of the leather. Fastened with a double T, made even softer by its suede lining. It holds the surprise of the side pockets concealed beneath the Zip.

You can see the models clicking on the four pictures below.  Plus let's spend some words on the capsule belt. A set of waist-bag pouches, in every size. A mobile bag, wallet bag and liptisck bag. You can wear them all together which can be fun for my clients of the roman grandtourshopping. The bags are, in my opinion the best part of this new Tod's collection. Shoes were mostly boots on suede and mocassins.

SHOPPING IN ROME AT THE ITALIAN TENNIS OPEN

Last week, in Rome, at the historical site of the Foro Italico, there were the Italian Tennis Open. In the last few years, the sport tournament improve a lot. Champions love to come there because this place was founded at the end of the Twenties, beginning of the Thirties. There aren't only historical reasons. The sponsors increased. The title one is BNL BNP Paribas but there are other important brands supporting it.

A lot of champions were in Rome last week and in a way they are like models showing the new collections. Nadal, for example, who won the tournament was wearing an orange Tshirt from Nike . The italian champion, Fabio Fognini chose a weird flash black and red shirt from Hydrogen.

There are two vintage brands that are coming back from the Seventies: Fila and Sergio Tacchini. Some people said that this is due to the film about the duel between Bjorn Borg and John Mc Enroe. The suedish used to wear Fila and the american Tacchini. In the stands of the Foro Italico it was possible to buy their outfits that are now re-make. Apparently there are extremely glamourous right now.

On the other hand there are also other interesting tennis and designers collaboration. A good example can be the one between Stella Mc Cartney and Adidas. Finally let's spend some words on the brand called Australian. They dressed the staff of the Foro Italico : the referees and the ball boys. The Foro Italico was extremely crowded last week. People were shopping all over the place especially buying the big yellow balls for autographs and, obviously tennis equipment. There were also stands for italian good food (especially from Puglia) and some delicioius small round pizzas. A lot of journalists from Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport. Tv networks such as Sky and Supertennis and the most important tennis website in Europe: Ubitennis edited by Ubaldo Scanagatta, a great champion and a tennis expert.