My Style: Diego Bivero-Volpe
Photo: Courtesy of Diego Bivero-Volpe
The only article of clothing that a man needs to pay close attention to is...
His blazer, it must be fitted and sit properly. Cheap, off-the-rack blazers rarely do the trick, but even big fashion houses get this wrong. In general, only buy jackets that fit your body shape well, because they will make you look much sharper. If I had to give more advice I would say, only buy trousers that fit properly — no baggy ill-fitting suit trousers as they never look good. Also, stick to classic footwear — no square-toed or overly-pointed shoes.
Please describe your style in three words.
Classic. Simple. Elegant.
What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?
Dressing for fashion and for not style.
Do you believe in role models?
Absolutely. Learning from other people's experiences, especially those you admire, can be one of the greatest ways to grow and be successful.
What are your favourite fabrics?
I like mid to light wools for my suits, because it keeps them fresh and wearable all year round.
Are there any style combinations that you object to?
I was recently on holiday in Spain and saw a lot of tracksuits paired with blazers and loafers around town. It was uncanny and horrible all at the same time…
Which city has the best-dressed men?
This is a tough one, but I would have to go with an Italian city, such as Florence or Milan.
Would you say that you are conservative or bold?
I'd say I am somewhere in between. I like classic men's tailoring, but it's nice to celebrate my youth with a bold accent here and there.
What are the rules, if any, in the way you dress?
Keep it sharp, simple and classic.
Celebrities and style...
Rarely mix. :)
Name one garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?
I love the Kiel James Patrick rope bracelet my girlfriend recently gave me; I haven't taken it off since. Also, my James E Harvey-Kelly bright blue suit.
A man should always look like...
He is the master of his domain.
Who taught you what you know about style?
I suppose my inspiration is a mix of classic East Coast American style (Ralph Lauren) and Italian tailoring (I love classic Italian cinema).
How do you select your clothing every morning?
No specific method really, I go with the combination that feels right at the time.
What is your biggest regret?
In terms of style, I would say not getting more bespoke suits made sooner. It is a wonderful luxury!
The three essential things a man should know about style are...
Simple is always better. The classics will never fail you. Style is how you define it, and it is how you carry what you wear as much as what your wear.
Do you have any shopping rituals?
I tend to just shop for one particular item I have been searching for. I don't enjoy long days of shopping; they are tiresome and ultimately boring.
We will never see you wearing...
A tracksuit. EVER.
The most stylish person you have ever seen...
My father.
What is the first thing you notice on a man?
The cut of his suit or how he has combined his outfit. When you start noticing, some people can surprise you with their clever attention to detail.
The one image that defined your approach to style...
Federico Fellini's La Dolce Vita.
Which new designers do you follow and why?
Again, I would have to say James Harvey-Kelly. He has a knack for contemporary men's tailoring that preserves the qualities I love about classic men's clothing and still injects a youthful, fun element to his designs.
What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?
A brown Burberry Prorsum blazer by Christopher Bailey and a very worn leather flight jacket that belonged to my father.
Is comfort an enemy of style?
Not at all! In order to look stylish you must be comfortable in what you wear, and this is why bespoke suits always look better; they are moulded to fit your body and thus are both more flattering and more comfortable.
Which designer never fails to impress you?
In terms of bigger fashion houses, I don't prescribe to anyone in particular. However, I do enjoy the more classic designs coming out of Burberry Prorsum (the cut fits me beautifully), and I love Ralph Lauren's general aesthetic.
Who would you like to recommend for My Style?
James Harvey-Kelly. He's doing great things both with his own line and as the new creative director of Vicomte A, a brand that desperately needed a refresh. His new line came out in January at Pitti.
The best words of advice you have ever heard?
“Nothing can stop a man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help a man with the wrong mental attitude."
