In 2012, Mario and Pierluigi (Gigi) sold their interest in the family tailoring company, Boglioli, and embarked on a new venture. The Gigi collection was first launched at Pitti Uomo in Florence in January 2014 and will arrive at our store in the next 2 to 3 weeks.
The essence of the collection is to expose the classics of a man's wardrobe to a "meteor shower" of colors, fabrics, and weaving techniques never before attempted. Inspirations are taken from architecture and photography. Jacquards* and Fil Coupés** play integral parts in their designs. Sounds confusing, but the end result is far from it. There is an orderly, although unconventional look to their patterns. A feel of modern design, but not over the top. Their mantra, "Don't look back", stitched into all their creations, reflects Gigi's passion for always being one step ahead, already proven in the garment dyed, unconstructed Boglioli K Jacket of 1999.
The Gigi Spring 2015 collection currently showing at their Corso Venezia showroom in Milan was almost a sensory overload. Expertly presented by my friend and export manager Gianluca Modena and Paola Boglioli, the product manger and niece of Gigi. Fit was great. Fabrics read like a textile encyclopedia: garment dyed printed seersucker, cotton/papyrus and linen blend, and unusual silk and cotton weaves.
The Gigi jackets are mostly unconstructed and unlined with natural shoulders, although "Klimt", a 2 button model, is cut with a lightly roped shoulder, flapped beesom pockets including ticket pocket and an Andy Warhol inspired half lining.
The "Degas" model, named in honor of the French painter, is a classic, unconstructed 3 button rolled to 2, single breasted jacket with a high notch. A sample was made in a three-dimensional navy and white Fil Coupé that, although edgy, could fit in any man's wardrobe.
The shawl collared "Heroes" is a backbone of the Gigi collection and was also ordered for Fall 2014. The piece reads like an unconstructed blazer with two patch pockets and a welted chest pocket. (Italian size 50 = 74cm long). Two fabric combinations made our hearts jump, a red spongy cotton/viscose blend and a garment dyed printed seersucker.
The "Ziggy" is the only knit piece. We bought this model also for Fall 2014 and can be seen under the "Coming Soon" tab on our web site. It is an extremely well fitted 8 button sweater jacket. The Spring '15 version is done in 100% cotton.
Two great suits were added to our Spring 2015 line-up including an amazing cream colored linen/silk "Degas" model and a subtle plaid, reversed seersucker, "Klimt" in a navy peak lapel. Since they both work well as separates, we felt they had a definite place in our assortment.
Delivery of this amazing collection is expected late January/early February 2015.
* A weaving or knitting technique of raising each warp thread without raising the others, giving the fabric a look of raised patterns.
** A jacquard pattern in which the threads connecting each design are cut, creating a frayed look.
