Luciano Barbera Virtual Magazine

...why is a hat important...

2012-02-13T07:11:00.001-08:00

Blizzard, what Blizzard?

2012-02-07T04:54:00.000-08:00

Another freezing morning… Today, I’m wearing warm and fluffy flannel trousers… a special and unique fabric manufactured by the family mill, medium greyish. Comfortable, double pleat front, it refrains body warmth from escaping allowing perspiration though, so that I have a kind of inner tube protecting my legs…A large brown casentino coat and a cashmere scarf as orange as a brick…it’s 12°C below zero…

Thank you, Haris...

2012-02-07T01:59:00.000-08:00

...for dedicating some time to me, here

It's getting cold over here...

2012-02-05T09:27:00.000-08:00

Rubber and leather boots, big bulgy and coloured socks in cashmere, dark red large cord velvet trousers…white cotton long sleeves polo shirt, crew neck honeycomb tucked-in sweater…herringbone textured camel jacket made of wool, camel hair and cashmere, with big pockets where I can put my gloves…large striped scarf in all the shades of blue and navy blue cashmere cap safely on my head. It will protect me from this biting cold.

2012-01-31T06:56:00.000-08:00

"Even in these difficult times, the Biella Master delle Fibre Nobili Foundation, which for over twenty-five years has given young graduates an all-round knowledge of the textile/clothing/distribution process, is helping to establish Biella as the best training centre in the world in this sector. Such wealth of knowledge will never be affected by any economic and financial crisis.
As we look ahead with optimism, the Board of the Foundation would like to wish everyone the best of luck in their work and extends a special thank you to all those who have faith in our enterprise and continue to support us.
Sincerely,
Luciano Barbera
Chairman
Biella Master of Noble Fibres Foundation
Industries as workshops"

Elegance

2012-01-26T04:19:00.000-08:00

"Elegance is a synonym for beauty that has come to acquire the additional connotations of unusual effectiveness and simplicity. It is frequently used as a standard of tastefulness particularly in the areas of visual design, decoration, the sciences, and the aesthetics of mathematics. Elegant things exhibit refined grace and dignified propriety."
I've taken this definition from Wikipedia, because Wikipedia's definitions are supposed to be the result of contributions from many human beings.
Do you share it?

2012-01-17T01:54:00.000-08:00

"Dear Luciano,
In the last six years since starting The Sartorialist, I’ve been lucky enough to meet some of the most chic men in the world. Men whose style not only represents their personality, but also the culture that helped shape their personality.
In celebration of this rich tapestry of style, I thought it would be fun to gather some of my favorite Sartorialists from around the world for an informal lunch during Pitti Uomo. My own version of a “best-dressed” list, if you will, except this one involves food and alcohol!
Since I consider you one of the most chic men in the world, I am delighted to invite you to this inaugural event.
As this is a very exclusive luncheon, and seating is very limited, I appreciate your RSVP as soon as possible to plan accordingly.
Of course, being me, this event will be well documented: photographed, filmed, posted on my blog, and potentially posted on a few partner sites.
Below are the facts…
…
Looking forward to your response.
Thanks so much,
Scott

ps. some great shots of you will be in my next book!!"

Thank you, Scott.
Luciano B.

FlyHi

2012-01-12T03:57:00.000-08:00

Pitti (Florence) is for sure one of the most incredible fashion showcases in the world. What leaves me astonished is to what degree of creativeness minds can go. I’m truly wordless.

2012-01-09T07:40:00.000-08:00

2011-12-16T00:48:00.000-08:00

Back Home

2011-12-05T09:16:00.000-08:00

It has been a lovely week-end. Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, but elegance...is elsewhere.
Back home, now.

Man at Work

2011-12-01T10:21:00.000-08:00

Biella, this morning 8:30 a.m.

Paris

2011-12-01T10:05:00.000-08:00

Just arrived.
Champs Elysées are lit.
Although it's not cold at all, Xmas is in the air.
Is anybody going to recognise my hat in rue St. Honoré?

Made in Italy

2011-12-01T09:53:00.000-08:00

It's a fight. It's a long, everlasting fight against people who don't place assets where they're supposed to be placed. "Made in Italy" means and must mean that every little component, every part of the manufacturing process is done exclusively in Italy, where we have a centennial know-how and that special touch that nobody else can copy. Regardless recent Italian laws that have weakened the links and our local economy, we carry on, loyally sticking to our philosophy. "Made in Italy" means made-in-Italy and nothing else. We know well you know that we respect our engagements, but sometimes it helps reminding it...

Greetings from Mino

2011-10-31T05:06:00.001-07:00

Classics never die

2011-10-17T00:58:00.000-07:00

Luciano Barbera flies through time, smoothly. His elegance is always so naturally, simply up-to-date, yet years pass. Would you tell?

Number One

2011-10-10T06:54:00.000-07:00

Every family has a progenitor. The BarBear family has one, too. And here he is, dressed up like the founder. Have you checked with your favourite shop if the BarBears have popped in?

Made in Italy?

2011-10-03T05:22:00.000-07:00

“… as a consumer, I fully undersign your letter to the Corriere della Sera. As I’m sure you know, the issues you’re describing (true and fake Made in Italy) are more and more a concern. It’s not about battling against windmills or being against modern trade needs. It has to do with openly communicating to whom buys products. I have several Luciano Barbera products and they are amongst my favourites (most of all a knitted tie which is magically undestroyable: I can wear it all day long and when I drop it, there is no sign of the tie knot. That’s why it has become my official travel tie!). Your quality is extraordinary: when I wear your products, I feel the passion that has driven them.
Yours faithfully,
Luca, from Brisbane (Australia)”

Thank you, Luca, for witnessing. Made in Italy (the true way) is something I will never end fighting for. Luciano.

The BarBears

2011-09-12T08:01:00.000-07:00

Safely landed in NYC.
Here posing for a family portrait before heading towards Luciano Barbera's best friends.

The BarBears

2011-09-11T01:15:00.000-07:00

Seen at MXP airport (Milan Malpensa), catching a flight heading west.

Front Page

2011-09-11T00:10:00.000-07:00

Mitchell/Richards/Marshs deserve to be profoundly thanked for their F/W catalogue with Luciano Barbera on the front page. Let me borrow their claim: "Relationships that last through the years and across generations". I do agree: it's a great asset!

2011-09-01T03:38:00.000-07:00

Back from Crans, where I played golf with some old friends (quite famous, by the way).
I fell on this old ad: I do like it. So Vespa, so Italian, so Elegant!
And now, back to work!

A little help...

2011-08-11T08:00:00.001-07:00

Yes, there's a superb course just some minutes away from Mont Blanc.
The approach was perfect: any doubt?

Mont Blanc

2011-08-11T07:53:00.000-07:00

15.774 feet: the highest mountain in the European Union.
I truly love it: magnificent, imposing, so elegant.
Guess where I am now.

Some relax

2011-08-06T07:23:00.000-07:00

I love mountains: I often drive up to the Alps and that's where I am right now. Weather is not so good in these days, so I spend some time flipping through old adverts and jotting down some ideas.
I really love this old jacket. Wish I had it here: the sky is turning real grey...

2011-07-27T00:27:00.000-07:00

Portofino: wordless elegance.
Right place to wear my latest collection, with nonchalance.

Portofino

2011-07-21T08:51:00.001-07:00

Wanted to see Portofino from a different angle, so I climed up some 30 minutes and took a picture. Isn't it fantastic?

2011-07-06T23:23:00.000-07:00

Blue skies, today. Getting ready for a quick 18 hole tournament at Biella Golf Club. Really don’t know what to wear. Oh yes, I do! Have a great day!

Who's the typical Luciano Barbera wearer?

2011-06-28T02:22:00.000-07:00

The "Barbera Man" is a man who is interested in clothing, as a part of what defines his style, his persona. A very powerful means of self expression. Luciano Barbera clothing collections follow an unobtrusive, timeless, yet very distinctly stylish, point of view into the "how to build overtime" a man's wardrobe.
The Barbera man loves clothes, loves fashion. He buys them, but you can't really sell them to him.

My website

2011-06-23T05:06:00.000-07:00

Have you recently checked my site?
www.lucianobarbera.it

Pitti

2011-06-22T09:06:00.001-07:00

Friends. We both love golf and comfortable shoes: that's why we are friends.

80th Pitti Uomo - Florence (Italy)

2011-06-17T08:17:00.000-07:00

Perspectives from a successful show.
Thanks to all our friends who crossed the oceans.

2011-06-10T23:18:00.000-07:00

Introducing Mino, undisputedly elegant and ready for Pitti, Florence.
http://www.e-pitti.com/en/fieradigitale.html

My boys are making me proud ...

2011-05-11T08:58:00.000-07:00

http://www.poloblogs.com/tournaments-and-results/luciano-barbera-wins-12-goal-winter-rush-open/.html

The snow is still great ...

2011-05-11T08:57:00.000-07:00

Sorry, been skiing, enjoying putting my clothes to work, will enjoy putting my clothes in the office soon ...

If you were curious ...

2011-04-11T05:56:00.001-07:00

Yes, that is the plaza hotel ... and yes, that check is perfectly suitable for afternoon tea.

Some advice for the day ...

2011-04-09T13:12:00.001-07:00

La raffinatezza dell'estrema semplicita'.

You will have to excuse me ...

2011-04-08T05:47:00.000-07:00

But I do not need your blog to explain "Sprezzatura" to me, I have been doing it naturally for over 70 years.

G. Bruce Boyer

2011-03-30T07:18:00.001-07:00

As I do not want anyone to miss out on G. Bruce Boyer's wonderful post on Jazz, I wanted to write a quick note to remind everyone to have a peek across the top to his link.

Manner of Man Magazine ...

2011-03-21T06:56:00.000-07:00

A little PR for my recent guest post, what gents ....

http://www.mannerofman.com/

A New Day

Written by Luciano Barbera for Manner of Man Magazine and Welldressed

Just woken up.

I see my mountains through the window. There’s still a lot of snow : springtime has yet to come.

“I’ll wear it, today” I speak out loud. My wife looks at me and smiles.

So I open the wardrobe and there She is: my latest jacket.

I pull out the wooden hanger: my left hand grabs the right sleeve and my fingers start moving. I absorb the sensations that smoothness can give: a perfect balance between wool, Kashmir and camel hair.

Then I wear it: so comfy …

To read the rest ... please visit my friends ...

The Biella Shop

2011-02-16T05:56:00.002-08:00

If you find yourself in our home town of Biella or if the dark skies of Milano are keeping you down, please stop by our new store located underneath our offices in Biella.

Additional info and photos can be found in our Biella Store tab.

A Little Quote of the Day

2011-02-09T05:28:00.000-08:00

Searching around the computer this morning, I stumbled upon an amazing quote on http://dresswithstyle.com, from the infamous Hardy Amies Book, the "ABC of Men's Fashion", on page 108 we find:

"To attain style in dress, you must look perfectly happy and relaxed in your clothes which must appear part of you rather than a wardrobe you have just donned."

Splendid! I should even be so bold to say that this reminds me of my own personal mantra:

"Dress up your sportswear and dress down your formal wear."

Buona Giornata

A little bit of Spring ...

2011-02-03T05:59:00.001-08:00

Are you man enough to wear this incredible CBC red? Let me know during a trunk show ...

More nice comments from Pitti ... This time from our friends in Sweden

2011-01-26T11:58:00.001-08:00

http://www.manolo.se/artiklar/artikel/20110115/smakprov-pitti-uomo-aw-201112

http://www.slow-wear.de/2011/01/20/berlin-3/

2011-01-24T09:42:00.001-08:00

A little promo from our recent showing in Berlin and our Fall 2011 Collection ... do not want to give away too much ...

http://asuitablewardrobe.dynend.com/2011/01/moment-with-luciano-barbera.html

2011-01-15T13:44:00.001-08:00

Photo Credits - Will Boehkle

Please find the link above for a nice piece from our friend Will Boehlke of Dynamic Endeavors and A Suitable Wardrobe ... one of our very favorite blogs.

Buon Anno!

2011-01-03T13:48:00.001-08:00

A Little Spring Preview ...

2010-12-03T15:17:00.000-08:00

Baby it's cold outside ... but please find my white double breasted jacket ...

CS Premio Raffaello

2010-12-02T14:12:00.001-08:00

We are pleased to say that Mr. Barbera recently received an award for his work with "Made in Italy". Bravo!

More information can be found at www.premioraffaello.it

What A Lucky and Tasteful Customer ...

2010-11-18T01:17:00.000-08:00

Yes ... those are patch pockets.

Today, I challenge all of our salespeople to inspire, to provoke, to ignite the senses. Do your customers know that this is an appropriate and suitable alternative to blue? Do they know that as a suit, this Fabric (22100/826 if you must ask) would be a knock out? Show some quintessential Barbera, let's play ...

Quote of the Day ...

2010-10-27T09:19:00.000-07:00

" I pity the man who wants a coat so cheap that the man or woman who produces the cloth will starve in the process."

Benjamin Harrison

23rd President of The United States of America

Luciano Barbera Press Release

2010-10-19T12:57:00.000-07:00

To clear up confusion and rumors going around, Luciano Barbera and Peplo SRL have issued the following press release:

18 October, 2010
Biella, IT, Italy

Lanificio Carlo Barbera & C SPA and Ciro Paone SRL have reached an agreement on the birth of a new collaboration between the two brands and the property of the Carlo Barbera Mill. The majority ownership of this new collaboration will go to the Arzano-based brand while Mr. Luciano Barbera will be retained as a consultant and designer of new collections.

The historical heritage of the Carlo Barbera Mill remains in Italian hands and the all-important "Made In Italy" concept is further strengthened from this agreement.

The Luciano Barbera brand, which has long been managed separately from the commercial activities of the mill, is not involved or included in the aforementioned agreement between Lanificio Carlo Barbera & C SPA and Ciro Paone SRL and will continue its activities producing the collections that have made the Luciano Barbera name respected over the past forty years.

A few thoughts ...

2010-08-10T00:01:00.000-07:00

As fall clothing begins to hit the shelves of our favorite stores, it makes me take a step back and admire the sensibility we have built over time.

Everyone knows you wear wool in the winter, linen in the summer, and a straw hat from June 15th to Labor Day. Everyone is right. And therein lies the problem. Follow these rules and you will look like everyone else. Better that you display a little originality. On the gravest days of winter I put on my gray flannels, a cashmere tie in a sober color and my white linen jacket.

The pants keep me warm. The tie gains me entrée into good restaurants. The blazer reminds me that summer will come again.

Ah … the proof does exist! And could life get much better?!? I say not! The perfect cocktail, a cool fall evening, THE quintessential LB DB and a lovely companion on your arm – hot indeed!

Welcome to our new Virtual Magazine

2010-06-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

This is an exciting moment in the world. There is a returning sense of optimism and a flight to quality. Gone is the time of multiples with no value, today is about items to cherish, to last, personal belongings that are a part of your individual story.

This website will remain constantly evolving as the company continues to grow and the family becomes more and more spread out. This is a place where we can return "home" and recharge our minds. Stories, photos, inspiration ... this place allows our friends, vendors, retailers, salespeople, all of our "family" to stay a part of the world of Luciano Barbera.

Benvenuti ...