The ISAIA Gentleman
Inspired by Neapolitan culture, ISAIA makes bold pieces for the man who has the confidence to stand out from the crowd. Discover the rules of a true ISAIA gentleman through the eyes of the Italian brand’s director of sales (Europe & Asia), Enzo Magaraci.
Rule no.1
Be bold
The ISAIA gentleman is no shrinking violet, so be sure to hold your head up high, dress with confidence and embrace colour. “To dress ISAIA you have to believe in yourself,” says Enzo Magaraci, “and at the same time you convince other people. We take inspiration from Neapolitan culture, which is full of colours and full of irony.”
Rule no.2
Dress for yourself
The world is full of people who dress to impress, but the true gentleman dresses as much for himself and his own sense of decorum as he does for others. “Try to be elegant for yourself, not only other people,” says Magaraci. “My father taught me every day about lifestyle and about being a man. On Sundays, when he loves to have all his family around him, I’ve never seen him without a tie. Even today, he always dresses impeccably.”
Rule no.3
Details, details, details
God is in the details, as the modern gentleman knows only too well, so it’s crucial to pay close attention to the finer points of etiquette, business and, of course, style. “Details are very important,” says Magaraci. “Our clothes are made with a lot of quality and with little details inside that recall what we do and how we do it. For example, our denim is made from 100% Italian fabric and the inside construction recalls the tailored trousers that we make. But we also play with our consumers: we have created a little book of Neapolitan proverbs and inside every pair of denims there is a reference that corresponds to one of them.”
Rule no.4
Never forget your roots
While it is true that a gentleman must always strive for excellence, it must never be at the expense of forgetting where he comes from. Respecting one’s family and heritage is especially important for maintaining and carrying on the traditions that make us who we are. “ISAIA is a family company spanning three generations and our headquarters in Naples is a family within the family,” says Magaraci. “Over the past 60 or 70 years, the people working there have been the nephew of the nephew of the nephew of people who worked in the same positions. This is key to understanding how much passion we put into our garments.”
Rule no.5
Be adaptable
No matter how meticulously we plan, life is full of surprises and unexpected challenges, so it’s important that a true gentleman is able to take sudden changes in his stride. Cultivate an adaptable mindset with suits that can take you easily from day to night. “With our suits you can play and you can work,” says Magaraci. “Our fit is absolutely the best in the market and our construction is super-comfortable, so if you are able to go to work in a nice red check jacket, you can easily go from work to play.”
Rule no.6
Never compromise on quality
Cutting corners may be a time- or money-saver, but for the true gentleman it is simply not an option. Whether at work or play, he insists on the best from himself and from others, living life like it is a fine art. “At ISAIA we are driven by quality,” says Magaraci. “Instead of saving something, we always add to accomplish our final construction. Our president used to say that our garments don’t need a ‘Made in Italy’ label because, if it’s well made, you can understand immediately.”
Rule no.7
Don’t take yourself too seriously
The ability to laugh at oneself and to experiment without fear of getting it wrong now and again is another essential facet of the ISAIA gentleman. “The ISAIA man wants to play with the fabric, he wants to play with the options, he wants to play with the contrast,” says Magaraci. “When I walk through the airport, for example, some people might think I dress with too much colour, but other people fall in love with my style. There are no general rules for everybody. Every man has his own style, his own voice.”
Rule no.8
Live life to the fullest
The Neapolitan gentleman is notable for the way in which he embraces the full spectrum of the emotions and experiences in life, from the joyous to the sorrowful. “They are able to smile at a funeral or to cry at a party, so they are very true men,” explains Magaraci. “The important thing is you have to enjoy life.” Moreover, they are careful to follow their heart. “Don’t be a slave to image or money. Believing in what you do rather than looking at the numbers is a good way to wake up every morning with a smile.”