When you think of a tailor shop you imagine one of those scenes from Kingsman or James Bond, where a 60s something man, in an elegant (tailored of course) suit takes the measurements of Taron Egerton or Daniel Craig in an old school, polished boutique. Well, in Florence we want to unveil a place that will make you rethink entirely the concept of bespoke suits.
Florence-born Leonardo Simoncini worked for seven years at Liverano & Liverano, one of the most renowned ateliers in the city, before forging his own path as an independent tailor two years back. Here, he began as an apprentice with no skills, but quickly learned all the skillset necessary to open his very own business. But beyond the skills. Leonardo has always been passionate about the hands-on approach; he describes the crafts as ‘his world’, something that may have passed down from his grandmother who worked as a seamstress for fashion brands including Ferragamo.
He named his atelier along Via Romana Poiesis, a word he found written in the book The Craftsman by Richard Sennett. This word stuck with him; it derives from Ancient Greek and translates to the act of creating, or bringing something into existence. And that’s exactly the philosophy Leonardo runs by: creating a fine suit from zero, covering every aspect of its production and using a bunch of high-quality fabrics he has collected for many years, even before deciding to open his own atelier.
The Tailor’s Edit: Florence
Leonardo Simoncini on where to eat, drink and find beauty in his city
How would you describe your style ? My style is basic, in a certain sense. I don’t like to be too formal or classic (depending on the occasion of course) nor stick to the rules. I like to approach a younger generation, so I mix a little vintage and tailoring to casual pieces such as denims just to dress down a little.
Which is your favourite store here in the city? Well, I tend to buy a lot of vintage and second hand, and fortunately in Florence we have a lot of these shops. One of my favourite is Desi Vintage, although the flea market in Palazzo Corsini that happens twice a year is my go-to.
Pitti is the most important menswear trade fair held in the city. As a local who attends, what is the best way to describe it to someone who hasn’t been before? Ten years ago, Pitti was more about business but today it’s more about networking, socialising at events and the occasional showing off. If you want to be in the business in any way, coming to Pitti is highly recommended.
For those who attend, where are some hot-spots to find the crowds? Florence can feel a bit boring during the year but when Pitti Immagine Uomo is on, you meet so many interesting people and there are events everywhere. One of the best things are the parties at Villa Medici: live music and unlimited negronis. On Thursday, the last day of the fair, the whole community gathers at Mariano, a small food store where there’s endless wine and great food. I also plan to organise a small party in my tailoring studio, to introduce people to this side of the city, so stay tuned.
Aperitivo in Firenze & what do you order? Il Santino – always a glass of Bolgheri.
Go-to restaurant ? I live near San Niccolò, so one of my favourite restaurants i go for a bistecca is Osteria Antica Mescita, although Sostanza is always a classic.
How about a quick lunch-stop – any favourite place for street food or schiacciata? Lampredotto by Pollini, in Piazza Sant’Ambrogio.
When you’re not at work, how do you like to spend your day in the city? I just love walking. On Sunday’s I tend to stroll around flea markets and otherwise, i’ll take the car and head out towards the seaside or countryside. Bolgheri is one of my favourite and you have the best of both worlds.
Since you love Bolgheri, can you name a favourite winery in the area ? There are a lot of beautiful places: Tenuta Argentiera, where the winery tour is really atmospheric, and Azienda Agricola Chiappini, a family-run winery led by incredibly kind people with amazing wine.