Interesting visit to Venanzi - Page 5

It's a historic building; they can't change it. Even if you don't like the Scandanavian design theme, at least give them credit for doing it well.

I seem to recall they had some sort of faux-classical pediment, which I don't like.

This is all very interesting, inasmuch as I just commissioned a lovely brown and bone cashmere houndstooth sport coat after concluding, over several weeks' deliberation, that the rumors of their imminent demise were greatly exagerated, and perhaps a bit of schadenfreude. To echo what has been said more than once, they have one of the best selections of fabrics, shoes, suits and accessories I've seen anywhere. Its just a fantastic place to shop for clothes; truly a sartorialist's haven -- if not heaven.

Beyond Venanzi, where else can one find such an atmosphere these days, beyond perhaps Wilkes Bashford in SF (which is a bit lacking in the overall elegance quotient)?

That's a dick move for whomever "notified" him.

I can take a guess. Anyway, it was a class move to call Foo and clarify himself.

snitches get stitches.

Did Gene "mention his name" when he called you back?

I love Bergdorf but they do not offer the bespoke since Mimmo left, I think. What is Venanzi's house style? Whenever I look at their stuff, it seems a hodgepodge of English/Italian.


I never understood this line of reasoning from the Kiton/Borrelli etc haters. Kiton sells it's interpretation of a regional style. I don't ever recall them stating that theirs is the "real" style and everyone else "fake". I would be willing to bet that most people that buy Kiton/Borrelli etc buy it because they like how it looks, not because it is some incarnation of historically correct Neapoitan tailoring. Hate them because of their prices, quality or simply because it is not your style but to say "they suck, they are not true Neapolitan" sounds awfully stupid. It's just clothes, buy the stuff that you think looks good on you and leave the historical/rules context to Manton.

Well put.

Yes, there's something in the make-up of SF and other clothing fora members that likes the search and destroy method of shopping, and I'm as guilty as others.

Based on our education that's superior to that of other consumers, we like finding deals that are otherwise passed over. Look at the love we extoll places like Bergdorfs on sale, Saks on sale, Paul Stuart's warehouse sale, Woodbury Commons, etc. We like picking through the wreckage, unencumbered by nosy salespeople telling us things we don't need to know. "Thanks, I'll pass on trying on your $2k Armani, and head to that branded jacket that happens to be made by Isaia and on sale for $500."

We'll also give a pass to places that sell known quality like T&A or Oxxford or Edward Green, especially if it can be bought at a discount.

It's the small, unique stores that sell at a premium that gets under our skins. These places subvert our independence and, not surprisingly, offer few deals or sales because they know their product in a way that the bean-counters at Barneys or Neiman's may not and often in a way that the customers do not (e.g., where the suits and shirts are made). Yet these are some very nice stores that deserve a substantial amount of support since they actually bring in products that the big boys miss and add a critical degree of style. Yes, it costs more, but it's a nice thing to have in the city.

The feelings about Venanzi remind me of Jay Kos, not to mention other rarely discussed and barely tolerated stores like Domenico Vacca or Duncan Quinn or Lord Willys.

Stanley Korshak is an amazing store with some great products and salesfolks and L'Uomo, Montreal is, pound for pound, my favorite of the bunch.

People may or may not like the price point, attitude or concept at JK or DV but I believe we all respect the quality of their offering and their taste. DQ's taste is a bit off for many of the SFers and quality varies dramatically from good to nasty. LW is in a completely different category: that place is simply horrible - they sell a crappy product, have total disregard for their customers and an attitude to top that. That place is a dump.

I wasn't referring to your post. You may start a thread, but it takes on a life of its own. There have been many posts since yours and many threads apart from yours.


I agree, it's natural to discuss such stores, and I was commenting on the nature of the discussion.