My Style: Luciano Barbera
Photo: Bob Krieger — Courtesy of Luciano Barbera
Are there any style combinations that you object to?
Yes, wearing jeans for any occasion.
Please describe your style in three words.
Sober, classic, but modern.
What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?
To dress for others and not for yourself.
Do you believe in role models?
If it has to do with ethics and behaving correctly, yes.
What are your favourite fabrics?
A fulled fabric for winter, and linen and wool canvasses in summertime.
Which city has the best-dressed men?
Milano, of course.
Would you say that you are conservative or bold?
Neither.
What are the rules, if any, in the way you dress?
I want to please myself; that’s it.
Celebrities and style...
Unfortunately, this is a combination that very often only leads to boorishness.
One garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?
Suits in carded flannel and ties.
Who taught you what you know about style?
A good tailor, a good shirtmaker, a good shoemaker, and the presumption of believing in myself.
How do you select your clothing every morning?
Following my mood, and in relation with what I have to do during the day.
Do you have any shopping rituals?
I only look for what I would like to have in that specific moment.
We will never see you wearing...
White socks and sandals!
The most stylish person you have ever seen...
There is more than one, so I won’t name them in order not to wrong anybody.
What is the first thing you notice on a man?
The shoes they’re wearing.
What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?
My carded flannel suits in their grey and blue nuances.
Is comfort an enemy of style?
Not at all. A stylish and elegant man wears what he wears because he seeks comfort.
Which designer never fails to impress you?
Ralph Lauren.
Who would you like to see next in My Style?
My daughter Carola Barbera.
The best word of advice you have ever heard?
'Sprezzatura,' which literally means detachment or understatement.
