Guglielmo Miani and Aldo Lorenzi – Courtesy of Larusmiani
Larusmiani and Lorenzi are emblems of Italian elegance and style
Milano’s Via MonteNapoleone is a mecca for Italy’s most sophisticated and posh boutiques, the source of many of the country’s most timeless brands. Nestled within Number 7 lies Italian heritage brand, Larusmiani. Step inside and you immediately enter a gentlemanly affair of the most sought-after luxury artisanal essentials for men. The historic shop brings together a collection of not-quite-ordinary necessities, born from a dynamic duo of two brands, Larusmiani and Aldo Lorenzi of G. Lorenzi. Every curated piece is testimony to each label’s incredible craftsmanship and eye for detail, delicately conveying a strong sense of fashionable design and inimitable style. Grooming, cooking and lifestyle accessories are lovingly considered for the fellows, though of course, le Signore e le Signorine are always welcome.
“We have to make people fall in love with the how and why behind an object, not just the object itself.”
Aldo Lorenzi
Fusing a friendship and brand
A tale written in the stars, Guglielmo Miani Sr. may never have imagined that his tailoring business, started in 1922 in Milan, would become such a triumph. But that it did and prominent clientele such as Charlie Chaplin, Totò, and Buster Keaton amongst others, coveted his custom creations. The brand’s signature raincoat came to be in the mid-30’s, along with the label’s signature emblem created in honour of the larus (seagull in Latin) and its notorious waterproof feathers. Ever the entrepreneur, Miani became the first to import the exquisite Vicuna fabric to Italy. As it has passed down through the generations, first to Guglielmo’s son Riccardo and now to his grandson, Guglielmo, currently CEO, the high-end textile brand has evolved together with its name, officially becoming Larusmiani. The concept boutique on Via Montenapoleone, still operating today, was one of the original four boutiques. Guglielmo Jr. maintains a prominent finger on the pulse of chivalrous style and lifestyle essentials.
Larusmiani’s intrepid creative spirit and the clever, meticulous wonders of Aldo Lorenzi’s collection were officially united in 2015. G. Lorenzi, founded by Aldo Lorenzi, was once a neighbour of Miani in Monte Napoleone 9. After 85 years in business, the boutique closed in 2014. Lorenzi was approached by Larusmiani and thanks to the neighbourly love, it has evolved into one of Italy’s chicest friendships. The ultimate collaboration brings together Larusmiani’s know-how in textiles, stitching and other typical sartorial knowledge with Aldo Lorenzi’s woodwork and metal work, including luxury knives, cufflinks, toiletry and shaving kits, as well as smoking accessories, all handcrafted. With an unrelenting desire to invent and reinvent, the partnership has also allowed the duo to enhance some of the older Lorenzi products as well as a few of Larusmiani’s clothing items.
“Utilizing the know-how of generations and centuries of Italian heritage to bring out timeless and long-lasting products”
Guglielmo Miani, Jr.
The foundation for such a formidable partnership is rooted in each brand’s attention to detail, artisanal flair and elegant aesthetic, not to mention their unrelentless strive for perfection.
“It is an attitude,” explains Giuglielmo Miani Jr, “a desire to continuously surpass yourself in what you are doing. The result is exceptional products that have never before been created or developed. We are not talking about technological innovations, but rather utilizing the know-how of generations to bring out timeless and long-lasting products.” Larusmiani’s and Lorenzi’s craftsmen are the pillar of each brand’s continuous success, their enduring traditions and expertise lead to the creation of exceptional items.
“Aesthetics and practicality are fundamental parts, as well as beauty. An object has to be useful and practical and beautiful at the same time.”
Guglielmo Larusmiani, Jr.
The gentleman’s gentleman
Larusmiani Gentlemen’s Essentials are objects a true gentleman cannot live without, pairing magnificence and sensibility all encompassed by Italian elegance. As Giuglielmo Miani Jr notes, “Aesthetics and practicality are fundamental parts, as well as beauty. We cannot live without practicality in any object: it has to be useful and practical and beautiful at the same time.”
The determination of such painstakingly meticulous work is evident in every creation. “Naturally, each piece is a part of Italian heritage, as the arts and crafts of the artisans that we use goes back centuries and centuries,” continues Miani. “Today we are still using their know-how to create modern and timeless accessories for those men that have everything and continue to strive to be surrounded by the best of the best, nothing less.”
Gentlemen essentials – Cortesy of Larusmiani
Finding G.Lorenzi for Larusmiani on ISSIMO
ISSIMO is honoured to now feature the brand and this intimate affinity with unique essentials for a savvy lad like the Crete Comb, Tsar Deer Bordeaux Leather Beauty, Spezzato cashmere brush and Vigevano Shoehorn, along with indispensable Italian gastronomic ware such as the Chinook Salmon Slicer, Reims Champagne Pressure Stopper, Romagnolo Truffle Slicer, and Panettone Knife, a staple for le feste natalizie (holiday season).
