"In the Forties and Fifties, fashion models were mature and cosmopolitan. In sharp contrast to the skinny teens and skin-bearing specimens in today’s fashion spreads, models like Suzy Parker, Dorian Leigh and Dovima strode through the streets of Paris or commanded attention at chic cafes. Dressed in New Look suits or evening gowns, they looked serenely confident in their worldly sophistication."
"It was during the '60s that the city developed its freeway system, aerospace industry, and of course, cultivated its relationship with the automobile. "This all spurred an incredibly prolific building period in the Los Angeles region, particularly in terms of civic and commercial development. Companies, cities, and institutions pursued ambitious building programs of tremendous scale." An amazing 1960s timeline shows important cultural and architectural events both inside and outside L.A.: the Theme Building opened on June 25, 1962; The Jetsons premiered a few months later...hmmm, coincidence?"
1.
A few years ago, guys had to identify their style as either fashiony or traditional. Those somewhere in the middle were considered indecisive. Now if you're in the middle, you can take the best from both worlds and create something new. For me, it's handmade Neapolitan tailoring with a modern cut.2.
There's an old saying: "Wait on the shore of the river and you will see the body of your enemy pass by." If someone wrongs you, don't react with anger or vengeance. Cut off all ties with that person and wait—eventually he'll get his.3.
When I eat pasta or mozzarella di bufala, I chew extra hard to get in some exercise. I'm joking, but the point is I still enjoy food and I still look after myself. You need to be in shape, but don't be obsessed with your body. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.4.
Do things the way they should be done or don't do them at all. When I go to Miami, I'd rather spend three days in a beautiful hotel and eat in great restaurants than spend 10 days in a mediocre motel, eating in so-so restaurants. If I'm going to do something, I have to do it right.5.
Get a suit you really like even if it's not the safe choice. Buying another blue or gray suit makes you another sheep in the herd. I want to be the black sheep.6.
In Neapolitan dialect, there's an expression, fare una sciammeria, which means to have a wild, passionate, crazy night of sex. They don't come easily—you need to make a bit of effort. To get one you need to invest money—take a woman out to the right restaurant, buy her flowers, do vacations. The money spent will bring you pleasure. It's the same with a suit—you need to spend money to get the most from one.7.
You don't always have to wear wing tips with suits. In the summer, I wear sandals, handmade in Capri, to make my suits a little less dramatic. As long as you wear something naturally, it can never lose its elegance.8.
You can recognize a good shirt immediately on a plane. If a guy, after placing his luggage in the overhead storage, has to tuck his shirt back in his pants, then it's not a well-made shirt. A good shirt has a high armhole that fits right under your armpit. It gives you more movement and guarantees the shirt will always stay in place.9.
A man can wear a ring, a bracelet, or even a necklace—any jewelry he wants. What's important is that the object become a part of him, or else it's going to clash.10.
The biggest fashion mistake men make is to follow the rules of other men. Make your own rules—don't follow mine.Isaia suggests that when in Naples, you eat at Rosiello in the Posillipo neighborhood, throw back an espresso at Scaturchio in Piazza San Domenico Maggiore, and have sandals made by Antonio Vanacore in Positano.
Photograph by Michael Lewis
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Founder @ Dearing Group LLC.
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