Introducing the relaxed-yet-refined SS23 collection from Stile Latino

Words: Josh Lee

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As a slew of enviable companies have historically shown, success often starts with the family: the inseparable, thicker-than-blood ties, a singular vision, and the body of knowledge that passes through generations. Though Stile Latino, the Naples-based label known for its firm commitment to handcrafted menswear, may have launched little under two decades ago, its foundations are rooted deep.

Most notably, the label’s founder, Vincenzo Attolini, is sartorial history made flesh – his grandfather, after whom he’s named, was the tailor widely credited with bringing the Neapolitan jacket to the world during the 1930s, a pioneering garment whose soft lines yet refined look not only befitted the hot climes and informal ethos of the south-Italian peninsula, but, on a wider scale, opened up the rigid confines of the tailoring world.

The patriarchal Attolini’s labour of love was unequivocally in the blood, as both his son, Cesare, and grandson Vincenzo decided to debut a family-run tailoring shop during the 1980s, drawing upon the hinterland of knowledge that came before them.

Eventually, the younger Vincenzo’s fixation with the art of clothing led him to the Fashion Academy in Naples, securing a diploma in tailoring and pattern-making, before eventually opening his own label during the mid-Noughties, a move that saw him re-work and further streamline his grandfather’s jacket. The quality, the craftsmanship and the exacting approach were retained, no doubt, but a contemporary feel was imbued, with even more padding removed, heavy horsehair canvas left out, the silhouette turned slimmer and shorter, and the lines made even more at-ease, like a “second skin”, as Attolini says.

In a world as saturated as those of fashion and style, it is this willingness to constantly revise and update – Attolini obsessively studies the anatomy, proportions, balances, keeps a tab on trends and social changes, and his staff are always undergoing training, fuelled by “the constant search for new knowledge” – that delineates Stile Latino as a singular brand. Adding to this is a desire to make its clothes as versatile, wearable and comfortable as possible – a notion that bypasses the rigid codes that say one must have a separate wardrobe for work and one for play.

There’s also the reverence of the handmade – from the initial sketches all the way through to the addition of the buttons and the final checks – and a total respect for premium materials, with silk, virgin wool and cashmere just a few of the luxury fabrics that are drawn upon. Patterns and colourways are also exclusively made, meaning fabric runs are often one of a kind, and a 50-tailor workforce ensures a high quality of control. And, of course, underpinning it all is a continual family vision, as Attolini’s project is further bolstered by his two sons, Cesare Mattia, who looks after commercial affairs, always exploring new areas in which to expand; and Emiliano, the product manager and leader of the made-to-measure line.

For its Spring/Summer 2023 collection, Stile Latino’s offering, as always, is centred around casual Neapolitan-style dressing – but for this season, following the re-opening of global flight routes and borders, it takes further cues from the freedom to travel and the sense of joy, abandon and discovery that comes with exploring new destinations.

The range features four capsules – each defined by its own distinct colour scheme and selection of fabrics – which are made either for the breeziness of spring or the vibrant, bright spirit of summer. The first capsule is aimed for the more imminent months ahead, with light wool pieces that feature either a canvas or gabardine structure, all realised in classic colours – swathes of blue, grey, and green, or that failsafe combination of black and white – and patterns such as checks, pinstripes, houndstooth, and vichy.

The second capsule, likewise, is for spring days, and is a paean to the bucolic landscape of the countryside, with comfortable knitwear, overshirts and trousers done out in shades of green and brown.

The summer-inspired third capsule looks to Stile Latino’s homeland, showcasing wears that are suited perfectly for high-sun, high-heat Italian days: vibrant designs, breathable cotton pieces, and lightweight informal jackets that can deal with the balmy climes during walks through historical piazzas and strolls along coastlines. Going further afield, the final capsule aims to evoke the colour scheme of the desert, with a selection of beige, red and sandy-hued products that range from Sahara jackets to light trousers in linen, cotton and silk – easygoing yet refined styles that underline Stile Latino’s modern spirit.

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