Maomao x Gaz Italian Sartorial Adventure 2012

We kicked of Day 1 early, with a train ride from Rome to Naples, arriving at Napoli Centrali at about 10AM. It so happened that it was the week of the America's Cup but unfortunately the weather was poor and we didn't take any happy snaps. Plus, we didn't want to bring too much attention to ourselves. Applying the "Shenzhen travel protocol" meant no watches, no cameras, money stashed in one's underwear and attempt to not look like a tourist. I think dressing in a blue sports coat, gray pants, brown shoes and a white shirt may have helped us blend in with the locals.

So into a cab we go, off to London House. Marianno was expecting Mao Mao and had travelled back from Capri for the fitting.​

After the fitting, Marianno insisted that he show us the rest of the London House hopsack. We adjourned to the larger bespoke room up the back where all the cloth were kept. In this room, I saw first hand the art of selling by Marianno Rubinacci. He starts of slow, pulling out a single bolt of a London House hopsack. He gauges our reaction. Upon seeing our eyes light up, he strikes. From then on, bolt after bolt of fabric, from the house hopsack to a rather strange herringbone weaved cotton denim, was flung across a large antique table with the panache of Neapolitan showmanship passed down from generation to generation.

It was there, Mao Mao suggest that I consider a Rubinacci suit over my original choice of getting another Liverano suit when we visit Florence the following day. He made several compelling arguments on price, wardrobe diversity and "well, you are here already..."

I finally committed after Mao Mao agreed to provide input on the styling and thus the genesis of my Rubinacci X Mao Mao suit.

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