Easy and breezy, Luca Faloni’s summer edit is a glorious showcase of fine linen
When the heat is on, whether at home or abroad, fall back on this considered selection of wears...
Words: Josh Lee
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Long-time readers of Gentleman’s Journal will be fully aware that we’re a company with a firm commitment to supporting makers of timeless clothing, not only because of their evergreen aesthetics and classic looks, but for their championing of fine materials, small-scale artisans, and high-quality production methods, too.
Luca Faloni, celebrated for its slow-fashion approach and elegant capsule of menswear essentials, is one such name we’ve supported since the get-go, and, year after year, the brand is one we always look to when changing up our seasonal wardrobes.
Launched little under a decade ago, the venture has constantly pursued the creation of clothing imbued with fine craftsmanship and a ‘Made in Italy’ ethos, which, in practical terms, means drawing upon the most luxurious materials from the country’s most celebrated producers. There’s cashmere, both pure and made with silk, that comes from Cariaggi; piqué is derived from a historic Veneto mill; and Grandi & Rubinelli, a bijou mill to the west of Milan, provides the brushed cotton. “We take great pride in partnering with skilled artisans in various regions of Italy, renowned for their exceptional craftsmanship. They continuously improve their skills relying on learnings passed down through generations,” says the brand.
With hotter days seemingly on the horizon, and with international sojourns on the mind of many, Luca Faloni has recently revealed its latest summer look book – ‘The Icons – Summer Escape’ – a collection of staples that have been curated to create the ultimate fine-weather capsule.
For the campaign, the label took an expedition along Italian pathways that lead to dramatic coastlines and rocky terrains, clifftops and large stretches of trees and shubbery, with seemingly endless vistas of the Med’s deep-blue waters as a backdrop, as well as a showcase of the fine materials and garments that are on offer this season.
Largely defining the summer lookbook is the swathes of linen – the ideal fabric for warm climates, due to its breathability; soft, easy touch; and its water-absorbent properties – that are used to craft many of the pieces. For such items, only 100% pure linen from north Italy’s oldest and most prestigious mills is used, in order to obtain such coveted features. Additionally, after a few wears, we tend to find it the case that the brand’s linen items not only become silkier, which dials up the comfort factor, but also retain colour, too – because while cotton, for example, fades over time, linen, which is 35 per cent stronger, keeps its vibrancy and is also adverse to pilling. The fact that the material is made from flax fibre – which grows naturally and therefore requires no additional water other than rainwater (meaning it’s highly sustainable) – dials up the appeal.
So, when the heat is on, whether at home or abroad, there’s a considered mix of wears to keep you looking cool and collected. We’re particularly drawn to the bevy of Versilia linen shirts, whose signature band polo collar gives a typically formal piece a more casual slant, a feeling that’s heightened further by its relaxed silhouette.
There is, of course, Luca Faloni’s signature Portofino linen shirt, feted for its Paramontura collar that offers a sharp feature and a classic look; wear with sleeves rolled up when roaming coastlines in the late afternoon, or dress it up for evening meals with a pair of Lipari linen trousers, which come in a tapered fit and feature internal drawstrings. Or, for something a little less conventional, we’re particularly drawn to the Ravello linen shirt, which brings together conventional shirt features, such as mother-of-pearl buttons and a cutaway collar, with the breeziness of a kaftan.
For moments when the heat is high, and even doing up a few buttons may seem like taxing work, there is a fine selection of even easier-going items to turn to: most notably, the linen jersey t-shirt, an off-duty essential, is featherweight and absorbent, has an airy handle, and is finished with an aloe treatment, allowing for a lustrous touch. Meanwhile, the silk-cotton polo, made from an exclusive textile crafted in Piedmont, straddles an elegant line between casual and smart and is best paired with either the sleek cotton shorts (we have a penchant for the camel beige, that ultimate summertime hue) or the Panarea linen-cotton shorts – an item whose tailored yet easygoing cut makes it perfect for wearing from beach to the city.
Want more seasonal suggestions? These are 8 great London restaurants with outdoor space to book this spring…
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