Sartoria Paone Appreciation Thread

[S K M]

Over the years I've grown more and more fond of Paone, who is now more or less the only tailor I use. AFAIK there's no thread dedicated to him, so I thought it was about time. Starting here with photos from my own fittings:

 

[james.darley]

Thanks for posting this @S K M!

I know that we have both used Gennaro Paone, but you've had several garments made by him over the years. So I have a few questions for you.

1) How would you describe Maestro Paone's style?
2) What led you to become a repeat customer?
3) Have you experienced any language barriers? I know this is a concern for many who travel to Naples for their first bespoke commission.

Below are a few photos of my fittings in Naples and the final product of my only commission from Gennaro Paone, which I received in February of this year.

 

[Old Red]

. . . final product of my only commission from Gennaro Paone, which I received in February of this year.

I keep a few 'inspiration' pics in a file. This suit is in there.

 

[S K M]

Thanks for your questions @james.darley and congratulations on your commission that I find very succesful, especially for a first commission. As for your questions:

1) Paone's style: I'm not able to give you a fully fledged (and well-written) analysis such as @dieworkwear would, and I don't have quite the experience with Paone as @kolecho does. But FWIW I find it to be quite old school Neapolitan, meaning full front darts (a Naples speciality I understand) and with quite a bit of drape and shoulder shape, even with spalls camicia (the latter two points very unlike more contemporary Neapolitan style).

2) Why I am a repeat customer: A combination of many factors really. I find Paone's cut hugs my neck and shoulders like no other cut I've tried, it really feels like my clothes even at the fitting stage. His backs are the cleanest I've seen, especially considering my dropped right shoulder (fun fact: Frank Shattuck once sent me a PM just to let me know how well he found Phone had handled my dropped shoulder). And then there's the whole family setup that I like, but more importantly that they're extremely kind and accommodating, and Gennaro is always looking for ways to optimise my fit, even so many commissions later.

3) Language barriers: Paone has two sons, Andrea is working side-by-side with his father and hardly speaks any English (just like maestro), the other (Francesco) works in a different sector but is fluent in English, and I understand that he accompanies Gennaro for trunk shows. I have always met them in Naples, and for my first commissions Francesco was present to translate. However, since then I have just met with Andrea and Gennaro and handled any issues through google translate. Not optimal, and not recommended for a first commission, but I have never ended up with an item not being according to my wishes.

Does this resonate with you?

 

[S K M]

PS: A few more photos (some of them self-shot, sorry about that)

 

[Mute]

I like the silhouette. Very nicely done!

 

[kashmir]

there is a Paone thread buried here somewhere, was pretty active and controversial at the time due to his leaving Rubinacci

 

[jonathanS]

gennaro paone: former head tailor of rubinacci

a tailor i have used in napoli for several years is gennaro paone the head tailor of london house/rubinacci i have never poasted completed pix of my jackets since i did not want any sharp eyes to recognise telltale fingerprints of his work although some of teh fitting pix do give away his work...

www.styleforum.net

 

[kolecho]

The boys are coming back to resume trunk shows.

 

[S K M]

Good for them and you! Do remember to post some photos here after their visit.

 

[S K M]

So @kolecho do we get to see some photos from all the fittings in HK? 😉 Hope you had a blast!

 

[S K M]

So, a few weeks ago I was back at Paone's for three fittings: LL Piuma in grey nailhead, Fox Air in olive and W. Bill linen. All went great as always, and sleeves will obviously be lengthened. All trousers to be made by Cerrato.

They all seemed to be doing great. Not insanely busy, but enough to keep them occupied as well as the second elderly gentleman I had not met earlier. I also discovered that Maestro himself has now passed 80! But Andrea assured me that he would never retire - amazing commitment!

 

[chobochobo]

Glad to see him looking well.

 

[chobochobo]

Give him my regards please. I'm the fat guy from Hong Kong.