Liverano & Liverano, an Atelier based right here in Florence, is considered one of the greats in Italian tailoring. I’ve only recently found out about the house of Antonio Liverano through reading several men’s fashion blogs and through the website of The Armoury, another menswear shop started by two artisanal clothiers in Hong Kong.
Liverano is renown for his distinct Florentine tailoring style that is quite different than that of the Neapolitan and Southern Italian styles. I got a little peak of the man himself this evening when I stopped by the store and wish I had gotten a chance to speak with him although I wouldn’t quite have know what to say. I’ve been wanting to buy my dad a nice quality tie and have been looking for the right shop from which to purchase and I know Liverano & Liverano is a shoo in for high quality pieces but my main reason for visiting Liverano & Liverano was none of those listed above. What made Liverano & Liverano a MUST go to shop? Takahiro Osaki.
Taka is the store manager at Liverano & Liverano and the maestro’s right hand man if you will. I’ve seen this man’s photograph on numerous fashion blogs and even in photos he eminates elegance and sophistication. After researching a little about the shop and finding out that it is located literally a 15 minute walk from my house, it would be an understatement to say that I went a little bit crazy. I made a decision to visit the shop and made it a goal to meet Mr. Osaki. Attempt #1 happened Monday afternoon on the 12th of December. I slowly strolled down Via dei Fossi trying to calm down my pounding heart and when I finally reached the entrance of the shop, looked inside, freaked out, turned around and walked away. Probably not my best moment, but he was out of town in London anyway so things worked out just fine. I worked up the courage again this evening and walked with more determination to the store. I paused for a few moments in front of the shop window, peered in and spotted both Mr. Liverano and him in the back room. Both of them looked up and saw me staring into the window and that was the “all or nothing” moment. I pushed open the door, gently walked in and began perusing.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw him slowly walk down the store. Closer, closer, closer. I looked up and asked, “Are these all the scarves you have?” and as he walked over to the ties he puzzlingly asked, “Do you mean scarves..or ties?” Embarrassed, I apologized and corrected myself. I haven’t been this flustered by anyone in longer than I can remember. This man is the finest, sharpest, most well dressed, mannered and attractive man I have ever seen and met in my life and I say this with no exaggeration. He looked better in person than I could have even anticipated and the entire situation felt slightly surreal. I was surprised by my ability to carry a conversation and even ask questions about himself being how nervous I was. We held a decently long conversation as he took care of my purchase and if I could have dragged it out I probably would have. He wrapped up my navy blue knitted silk tie, bagged it, kindly walked me out and even opened the door for me. Never have I been so impressed with a gentleman. Its safe to say that a new standard has been set, though I wonder if its even possible to meet someone of the same caliber back in San Diego and La Jolla no less. The search is on.
