My dear fashionistas, welcome to another fashion adventure on the Mr.M blog! Kyoto’s Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is one of those places that stops you in your tracks. The tall bamboo stalks line up like the pillars of an invisible temple, and the light breaks through them in greenish ribbons that resemble silk threads. Right there, surrounded by that natural phenomenon, I decided to create one of the many fashion stories in Japan. Because this Aida Barni outfit is not just a random outfit.
On one side stands Italy with its centuries-old craftsmanship. On the other hand, Japan with its pursuit of perfection in every detail. Among them, on my menu that day in Kyoto, were an Aida Barney cashmere turtleneck, Loro Piana pants, a Swiss Nivada Grenchen watch, and Portuguese Carlos Santos leather sneakers. Four brands from four countries, united in one outfit that tells the story of quality, tradition and love for beautiful things.
KYOTO AND ARASHIYAMA FOREST: A PLACE WHERE TIME STOPS
Kyoto is the spiritual center of Japan, a city with more than a thousand temples and gardens dating back centuries. Unlike Tokyo, which pulsates with urban energy, Kyoto breathes with the slow rhythm of tea ceremonies and Zen meditation. Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is located in the western part of the city and is one of the most photographed places in the world. The bamboo stalks reach a height of up to twenty meters, and when the wind passes through them, a sound is created that the Japanese included in the official list of the hundred most beautiful landscapes of sound heritage.
The bamboo forest presents exactly the kind of beauty that I appreciate in fashion, natural, not intrusive, and yet so striking that it cannot be forgotten. Like any good outfit, nothing is overemphasized or offensive, but quietly enthralls. Walking between the stalks, I realized how similar the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi, the beauty of imperfection and transience, is with the Italian approach to fashion where the quality of materials is placed before passing trends.
This city was once the capital of the empire and that sense of dignity still permeates every street today. From the golden pavilion of Kinkakuji to the stone garden of Ryoanji, Kyoto teaches you that true elegance lies in simplicity. With that thought in mind, I set out to tell you the story of each piece of this outfit.
AIDA BARNI: ITALIAN CASHMERE TO REMEMBER
The heart of this outfit is a beige turtleneck made of the finest pure cashmere of the Aida Barni brand. For those who encounter this name for the first time, it is a brand belonging to the Annapurna fashion group, founded in 1978 in the Italian city of Prato. The founders are Aida Barni, the company’s president and artistic director, and her husband, Pier Luigi Galli, one of the world’s leading experts in cashmere yarn. Together, they created a company that today produces about one hundred and twenty thousand pieces per year, and the entire production cycle takes place exclusively in Italy.
The name Annapurna is borrowed from the mountain massif in the Himalayas, where the goats grow a thick protective fleece under which hides the soft and warm coat that made cashmere famous. For a woman who decided to enter one of the most demanding sectors of the fashion industry in the late seventies, that name was a symbol of the goal she was striving for. Aida Barni was among the first to contribute to the spread of Italian cashmere knitting in the world. Her innovative combinations of colors, textures and styles set new standards, and it was thanks to her work that the concept of cashmere with the Made in Italy label reached the very top of the fashion world.
The roll I’m wearing in the photos is made of two-ply cashmere yarn, which gives it exceptional softness, warmth and longevity. The beige color fits perfectly into the neutral palette of the outfit and communicates well with the natural background of the bamboo forest. Cashmere of this quality requires careful maintenance, but in return it offers a feeling that cannot be compared to any other material. It’s that first touch that immediately says you’re holding something special in your hands.
LORO PIANA: TROUSERS YOU CAN’T TAKE OFF
Along with the Aida Barney cashmere turtleneck, I chose Reinga pants from the Loro Piano brand. These pants are made from a Wish wool and cashmere blend, ninety three percent virgin wool and seven percent cashmere to be exact. Wish wool is a trademarked name used exclusively by Loro Piana, and is obtained from sheep raised in Australia and New Zealand. These fibers are characterized by exceptional fineness and softness, which gives the pants an almost incredible feeling on the skin.
The Reinga model is recognizable by its high waist, relaxed cut with inverted front pleats and a double belt that combines a button on the front and an elastic band on the back. It is this combination of structure and comfort that makes them suitable for any occasion, from a business lunch to a walk in the bamboo forest. The closure is made with a horn button, which is a distinctive detail of the Loro Piana house that speaks of the attention to every detail. The trousers are entirely made in Italy.
Loro Piana is a company with a history of more than two centuries. Founded in Triver, in the Piedmont region, this house is considered the world’s largest producer of cashmere and also the largest artisan company for the processing of luxury fibers. Since 2013, it has been part of the LVMH group, but it has maintained its commitment to hand craftsmanship and the selection of the finest materials in the world. Every piece that leaves their workshop carries generations of knowledge and a passionate commitment to quality.
OUTFIT
Turtleneck: Aida Barni
Watch: Nivada Grenchen
Trousers: Loro Piana
Sneakers: Carlos Santos
NIVADA GRENCHEN: A SWISS WATCH WITH THE SOUL OF AN EXPLORER
On my wrist that day was the Nivada Grenchen Antarctic GMT in the Tropical variant, a watch that I had specifically chosen for this trip. Nivada Grenchen is a Swiss house founded in 1926 in the town of Grenchen, in the heart of the Swiss watchmaking tradition. Founder Jakob Schneider had a vision to create precise and functional watches accessible to a wide audience. Already in the thirties of the last century, Nivada Grenchen was among the first companies to start mass production of automatic watches.
A key moment in the brand’s history occurred in the 1950s when the US Navy used Nevada watches during Operation Deep Freeze, an expedition to the South Pole led by Admiral Richard Byrd between 1955 and 1956. The watches survived extreme temperatures and confirmed their reliability in the most difficult conditions. The Antarctic model was named after that expedition and has since become a symbol of endurance and adventurous spirit. The quartz crisis of the seventies shut down the brand for many years, but in 2018 French entrepreneur Guillaume Lede launched a revival, focusing on faithful reinterpretations of classic models.
The Antarctic GMT Tropical I’m wearing has a diameter of thirty-six millimeters and a thickness of just eleven millimeters, giving it perfect proportions for everyday wear. The tropical brown dial with an amber-toned twenty-four hour lunule immediately catches the eye, while the red and black GMT hand pays homage to the original design from the seventies. This model is limited to only ninety-nine examples, which makes it a true collector’s rarity. It is powered by a Swiss Soprod C125 movement with a power reserve of forty-two hours.
CARLOS SANTOS: PORTUGUESE CRAFT ON THE FEET
The final piece of this outfit is leather sneakers model Lonnie from the Portuguese brand Carlos Santos. The story of this brand begins in the small town of San Joao da Madeira in northern Portugal, a place known for its long tradition of shoemaking. The Zarko factory has been producing footwear since 1942, and young Carlos Santos joined it at the age of fourteen. He literally grew up among boots and leather.
He progressed from a simple clerk to a salesman and then to a manager. In the 1970s and 1980s, he traveled the world, attending fashion shows and buying shoes he never wore instead, taking them apart to understand the techniques of the great masters. He was convinced that Portuguese craftsmen could make shoes of the same quality as the most expensive brands. Over time, he bought the company and started his own brand in 2010. Today, the factory produces about four hundred and fifty pairs a day, of which ninety-nine percent are exported.
The Lonnie model I wore in Kyoto is a flip-up leather sneaker in warm sepia and beige tones. Carlos Santos uses the Goodyear Welted sewing system, a manual technique in which machines play only a supporting role. This means that the sole can be replaced, which significantly extends the life of the sneakers. For my outfit in the bamboo forest, these sneakers were the ideal choice, elegant enough to interact with the Loro Piana pants, yet relaxed enough not to spoil the immediacy of the moment.
FOUR COUNTRIES IN ONE STORY
What makes this outfit special is not only the quality of the individual pieces, but the way they talk to each other. Cashmere roll from Prat brings softness and warmth. Loro Piana trousers from Piedmont provide structure and elegance. A Swiss watch from the South Pole adds to the story of the adventure. Portuguese sneakers from San Joa round it all off with a touch of relaxed craftsmanship. The result is an outfit that does not belong to any category, it is neither formal nor sporty, neither strict nor casual. He’s just thoughtful.
In terms of color, the entire outfit is built on a warm neutral palette of beige and brown tones that blends perfectly into the environment of the bamboo forest. There are no strong contrasts, no neon details, nothing to distract from the materials themselves. This is precisely where the strength of this outfit lies in the confidence I have in the quality of every fabric, every seam and every material on it. When the material doesn’t betray you, you don’t have to rely on flashy colours or flashy logos.
JAPAN AND ITALY, FASHION ACROSS THE OCEAN
Few people know how much Japanese and Italian cultures have in common when it comes to the approach to craftsmanship. Both nations have a deep respect for craftsmen who devote their entire lives to perfecting a craft. In Japan, such masters are called shokunin, and their philosophy implies endless improvement through repetition. We find the same principle in Italian workshops, from Prato where Aida Barney knits cashmere to Triver where Loro Piana chooses the finest fiber.
The bamboo forest is a beautiful metaphor for this approach. Bamboo grows quickly, but its strength lies in the roots, which develop for years before the stem breaks the surface. Similarly, brands like Aida Barni or Carlos Santos spent decades developing their craft knowledge before becoming recognizable on the international scene. That quiet work, without fanfare and without shortcuts, gives results that are felt at the first touch and seen at a glance.
WHY THE NIVADA GRENCHEN GMT TRAVEL MAKES A DIFFERENCE
The Nivada Grenchen Antarctic GMT is not just a wrist ornament, it is a functional travel companion. The GMT complication allows for simultaneous tracking of two time zones, which is invaluable when you’re traveling from Belgrade to Kyoto and want to know what time it is at home. The 36 mm diameter makes it discreet enough not to disturb an elegant outfit, and the Plexiglas crystal gives it a retro charm that fits perfectly into the aesthetics of the entire styling.
Interestingly, this watch is named after a continent where temperatures drop far below zero, and I wear it in Kyoto where the climate is mild and pleasant. I like that contradiction, it reminds me that a good watch, like a good wardrobe, is not limited to one season or one place. The price of around 2000 euros places it in the category that is accessible to enthusiasts, yet serious enough to offer a real Swiss movement and an authentic design from the seventies.
WHY IS IT SMART TO INVEST IN PIECES THAT LAST?
Every item I carried that day in the bamboo forest was chosen according to the same principle, longevity over transience. Cashmere Aida Barni turtleneck with proper care will last for years, getting softer with every wash. Loro Piana trousers in Wish wool and cashmere are designed not to be worn two days in a row to allow the fibers to regain their natural structure. The Nivada Grenchen watch carries a century of Swiss tradition, and the Carlos Santos Goodyear-stitched sneaker can be re-soled.
This approach to the wardrobe is not only a question of economy, although it pays off in the long run. It is a philosophy that recognizes that every quality piece carries within itself the story of the craftsmen who made it, of carefully selected materials and of traditions that have been preserved for generations. When I get dressed, I don’t look at clothes as something that I will replace in half a year. I look at her as a companion who accompanies me through cities, trips and stories.
QUIET LUXURY IN THE HEART OF THE GREEN TEMPLE
The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest taught me something that I have felt for years, but never expressed so clearly: the greatest elegance is that which does not seek confirmation. Bamboo is enough to see it once and you will never forget it. The same goes for a cashmere roll that hugs you as soon as you put it on. It also applies to pants you start wearing and realize you don’t want to take them off. Applies to a watch that tells you what time it is in two cities at the same time, without any digital display.
Japan and Italy, Kyoto and Prato, bamboo and cashmere, all intertwine into one story about beautiful things that require time, knowledge and patience. I hope that I managed to convey a part of that story to you and that I inspired you to look for that wardrobe that does not get old.
How did you like my outfit today? I really tried to prepare this post with lots of love and I hope you like it! If you have any questions, comments, suggestions or messages for me, you can write me below in the comments. Of course, as always, you can contact me via e-mail or social networks, which you can find on the CONTACT page. See you soon in new fashion adventures on the Mr.M blog!
With Love from Kyoto,
Mr.M
This post is sponsored by Aida Barni, Loro Piana, Nivada Grenchen and Carlos Santos brands. This post represents my personal and honest review of the destination, services and products provided.
Dear Marko, what a magnificent post this is. The way you’ve connected the philosophy of wabi-sabi with Italian sartorial craftsmanship is something I’ve never read on any other men’s style blog. I own a Loro Piana cashmere roll neck myself and I understand exactly that feeling you describe that first touch that tells you immediately something is different. The Reinga trousers are a model I’ve been looking at for some time, and your description of the Wish wool blend finally convinced me to make that investment. The photographs in the bamboo forest are simply breathtaking.
Guten Tag, Marko! Dieser Beitrag hat mir wirklich den Atem verschlagen. Ich bin selbst großer Fan von italienischem Kaschmir und habe mehrere Stücke von Brunello Cucinelli in meiner Garderobe, aber Aida Barni kannte ich bis heute nicht. Dass die gesamte Produktion in Prato stattfindet und die Gründerin seit 1978 für die Verbreitung des italienischen Kaschmirs gesorgt hat, ist beeindruckend. Das zweilagige Garn erklärt sofort, warum der Rollkragenpullover auf den Fotos so außergewöhnlich fällt. Ich werde die Marke definitiv recherchieren.
Bonjour Marko, j’ai vraiment apprécié cet article de bout en bout. La forêt de bambous d’Arashiyama est l’un de ces endroits qui vous marquent à vie, et vous avez réussi à capturer à la fois l’essence du lieu et la qualité des pièces portées. Je connais bien Loro Piana pour avoir acheté une veste en cachemire chez eux à Milan il y a quelques années, et l’attention portée aux matières est effectivement incomparable. La comparaison entre la philosophie japonaise du shokunin et l’artisanat des ateliers italiens est vraiment très juste. Merci pour ce contenu de haute tenue.
Marko, I have to ask, how did you manage the logistics of carrying such refined pieces on a long trip like Belgrade to Kyoto without the cashmere suffering in transit? I travel frequently for business and always struggle with keeping fine knitwear in good condition in a suitcase. The Aida Barni turtleneck in that taupe shade is absolutely perfect against the green of the bamboo, and the warm neutral palette of the entire outfit feels completely intentional. I’ve been a fan of Carlos Santos for years and own two pairs of their Oxford shoes, but I never considered their sneaker… Read more »
Caro Marko, che post straordinario. Aida Barni è un nome che conosco molto bene perché vengo proprio dalla Toscana e Prato è una città con una tradizione cachemire davvero unica in Italia. Pier Luigi Galli è considerato uno dei massimi esperti mondiali di filato cachemire, e il fatto che tutta la produzione rimanga in Italia nonostante i costi sia una scelta di principio dice molto sulla filosofia del marchio. Il dolcevita a due fili che hai scelto cade in modo impeccabile nelle fotografie. La combinazione con i pantaloni Loro Piana Reinga è quella che chiamerei vera eleganza italiana senza sforzo… Read more »
¡Querido Marko, qué publicación tan hermosa! Conozco el Bosque de Bambú de Arashiyama porque lo visité hace unos años y es exactamente como lo describes: un lugar donde el tiempo parece detenerse y los sentidos se agudizan de una manera extraña. Lo que más me ha impresionado de este artículo es la coherencia total entre el entorno y la ropa elegida: la paleta de beiges y marrones cálidos encaja perfectamente con la luz filtrada entre los bambúes. Carlos Santos es una marca que sigo desde hace tiempo y me alegra ver que la técnica Goodyear Welted también se aplica a… Read more »
What strikes me most about this post is the philosophy behind the outfit rather than the items themselves. The idea of building a wardrobe on pieces that outlast trends, a cashmere roll neck that softens with every wash, trousers made from fibres that need to rest between wearings, a watch that can be serviced for decades is exactly how I’ve been dressing for years. I came to this mindset after throwing away two entire wardrobes of fast fashion and starting again from scratch with genuine investment pieces. The Nivada Grenchen Antarctic GMT is a watch I’ve had on my radar… Read more »
Goedemiddag Marko, wat een bijzonder mooie post. Ik ben al jaren fan van Loro Piana en bezit zelf een jas in Wish wool een materiaal dat inderdaad aanvoelt alsof je een tweede huid draagt. De Reinga pantalon kende ik nog niet, maar de uitleg over de geplooide voorkant gecombineerd met de hoornen knoop maakt hem meteen interessant voor mijn garderobe. Dat de Carlos Santos sneakers Goodyear Welted zijn en daardoor opnieuw gezooled kunnen worden is voor iemand die gelooft in duurzame mode een enorm pluspunt. De bamboebossen van Arashiyama geven de neutrale tinten van het outfit een prachtige, bijna cinematografische… Read more »
Marko, do you wear the Nivada Grenchen Antarctic GMT on the jubilee bracelet exclusively, or do you sometimes swap to a leather strap for more formal occasions? I’ve been considering this watch for a while and the GMT complication is genuinely useful for anyone who travels regularly between Europe and Asia. The fact that it’s limited to only 99 pieces makes it quite a serious collector’s item at that price point of around 2,000 euros, sitting alongside movements from much more expensive houses. The Soprod C125 is a solid Swiss ebauche and a respectable choice for a travel watch in… Read more »
Marko, dieser Beitrag trifft genau das, was ich an gutem Modejournalismus schätze: echte Hintergrundgeschichten statt reiner Produktpräsentation. Die Geschichte von Carlos Santos, der als Vierzehnjähriger in die Schuhfabrik in São João da Madeira eintrat und später in den Siebzigern und Achtzigern auf Reisen Schuhe auseinandernahm, um die Techniken der großen Meister zu verstehen, ist faszinierend. Ich selbst trage seit Jahren portugiesische Schuhe und der Unterschied zur industriellen Fertigung ist bei jedem Schritt spürbar. Die Kombination aus dem warmen Taupe des Rollkragens und dem sandigen Beige der Reinga-Hose integriert sich organisch in die Bambuslandschaft, als wäre das Outfit eigens für diesen… Read more »
Bonjour Marko ! Ce que j’apprécie particulièrement dans cet article, c’est la manière dont tu tisses l’histoire des maisons avec la philosophie du lieu. Le parallèle entre le bambou dont les racines se développent pendant des années avant que la tige ne perce la surface, et les marques qui construisent leur savoir-faire en silence pendant des décennies, est une métaphore vraiment belle et juste. Je possède moi-même quelques pièces Loro Piana et je comprends tout à fait ce sentiment qu’on ne veut plus les enlever une fois enfilées. Les photos dans la forêt d’Arashiyama sont d’une qualité exceptionnelle la lumière… Read more »
Hello Marko, excellent editorial as always. I visited the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove a few years back and the sound the wind makes moving through the stalks is genuinely unforgettable, it makes perfect sense that Japan included it on their official list of the hundred most beautiful sounds. Your outfit choice for that setting is inspired: the neutral cashmere against those greens and browns of the forest floor creates a harmony that a more colourful look would have completely destroyed. I’ve been curious about Aida Barni for a while, and the fact that the Annapurna group produces around 120,000 pieces a… Read more »
Hola Marko, qué combinación tan inteligente la que has elegido para Arashiyama. Lo que más destaco de este post es el análisis profundo de cada pieza: no te quedas en la superficie sino que explicas el origen del material, el proceso de fabricación y la historia de las personas detrás de cada marca. Llevo años siguiendo Carlos Santos y la horma Lonnie es una de las más versátiles de su catálogo, que funciona perfectamente tanto con vaqueros como con pantalones de vestir de alto nivel. El reloj Nivada Grenchen con ese dial tropical marrón y la luneta de veinticuatro horas… Read more »
Marko, I’ve been following your blog for a long time and this is one of your most thoughtful posts to date. As someone who appreciates quality menswear, I find the concept of the quiet luxury outfit you’ve assembled here absolutely compelling the tonal dressing in that warm beige and brown palette is something I wish more men understood instinctively. I bought my husband a Brunello Cucinelli cashmere sweater last Christmas and the reaction was exactly what you describe with Aida Barni: that immediate recognition of something special at the very first touch. The bamboo forest setting makes these photographs genuinely… Read more »
Beste Marko, dit is een van de meest complete modeposts die ik de afgelopen jaren heb gelezen. Je gaat niet alleen in op hoe de kleding eruitziet, maar vertelt het volledige verhaal van elk merk en elke maker achter de stukken. Ik ben een grote bewonderaar van Nivada Grenchen en volg de revival van Guillaume Lede al van 2018. De Antarctic GMT Tropical is inderdaad een bijzonder horloge: 36 mm is tegenwoordig bijna uitgestorven in een wereld van steeds grotere kasten, maar het geeft het horloge een elegantie die grotere modellen niet kunnen evenaren. Het jubilee armband staat prachtig bij… Read more »
Caro Marko, che combinazione straordinaria hai costruito per queste foto. Conosco bene la tradizione di Prato per la lavorazione del cachemire è una città che ha costruito la propria identità manifatturiera su questo materiale e Aida Barni ne è senza dubbio uno degli ambasciatori più illustri nel mondo. Il fatto che Pier Luigi Galli sia tra i massimi esperti mondiali di filato cachemire dice tutto sulla qualità del prodotto finale. I pantaloni Loro Piana Reinga con quei profondi drappeggi anteriori e il bottone in corno li indosso da qualche stagione e non li cambierei con nulla al mondo. Complimenti per… Read more »
Marko, I’d love to know your recommendation for caring for a double-ply cashmere piece like the Aida Barni turtleneck when you’re travelling long distances. I have a couple of fine cashmere sweaters and they’re brilliant at home, but I always worry about them losing shape in a suitcase. The philosophy you describe dressing for longevity rather than for trends is one I’ve subscribed to for years, and it genuinely pays off both financially and aesthetically over time. The Loro Piana Reinga model is something I haven’t seen written about as clearly as you’ve done here; the combination of the elastic… Read more »
Was für ein außergewöhnlicher Beitrag, Marko! Die Geschichte von Nivada Grenchen hat mich besonders beeindruckt: Ich wusste, dass die Marke eine wichtige Vergangenheit hatte, aber die Details über die Operation Deep Freeze und Admiral Richard Byrds Expedition zum Südpol zwischen 1955 und 1956, bei der US-Navy-Uhren unter extremsten Bedingungen zuverlässig funktionierten, kannte ich noch nicht. Die GMT-Komplikation ist für Vielreisende zwischen Europa und Asien wirklich unverzichtbar und macht den Alltag auf Reisen erheblich angenehmer. Dass die Tropical-Variante auf neunundneunzig Exemplare limitiert ist, macht sie zu einem ernstzunehmenden Sammlerstück bei diesem Preisniveau.
Marko, je suis absolument fasciné par l’histoire de Nivada Grenchen que tu décris dans cet article. Je suis passionné d’horlogerie depuis de nombreuses années et je connaissais vaguement la marque, mais les détails sur l’utilisation de ces montres par la marine américaine lors de l’opération Deep Freeze m’étaient totalement inconnus. Un mouvement Soprod C125 avec une réserve de marche de quarante-deux heures, dans un boîtier de trente-six millimètres épais de seulement onze millimètres, pour environ deux mille euros c’est une proposition vraiment sérieuse et honnête dans la catégorie des montres de voyage. Je vais certainement m’y intéresser de très près.
Dear Marko, the comparison between Japanese shokunin philosophy and the Italian artisan workshops of Prato and Trivero is the most insightful thing I’ve read on a fashion blog in years. It articulates something that I’ve always felt but never been able to put into words that the greatest luxury brands share this same commitment to mastery through endless repetition and refinement, completely regardless of geography. I walked through Arashiyama two years ago and your photographs bring back that very specific feeling of quiet and scale that the bamboo creates at twenty metres high. What I find particularly interesting about this… Read more »
Buenas tardes Marko, me ha encantado este artículo. Loro Piana es una de esas marcas que no necesita presentación para quien conoce la moda masculina de verdad, y el modelo Reinga con su pinza invertida y la cintura alta es una de las siluetas más elegantes que se pueden ver en pantalones de lana-cachemire masculinos. Lo de la lana Wish, obtenida exclusivamente de ovejas de Australia y Nueva Zelanda con esa finura excepcional de fibra, lo explicas de manera muy clara y precisa. Yo mismo tengo un pantalón Loro Piana de una temporada anterior y confirmo que la sensación en… Read more »
Hi Marko! This is the kind of post that makes me genuinely reconsider my approach to building a wardrobe. I’m a long-time reader and I’ve been moving slowly towards investment pieces over the past few years, but seeing the four-country combination you’ve put together here Italian cashmere, Piedmontese wool-cashmere trousers, Swiss GMT watch, Portuguese Goodyear-welted sneakers shows how you can achieve a completely coherent look while telling four entirely separate stories about craft. The detail about the Loro Piana Reinga trousers needing to rest between wearings to allow the fibres to regain their natural structure is something I never knew… Read more »
Marko, dit artikel heeft me echt geïnspireerd. Ik volg jouw blog al een tijdje en dit is een van de best geschreven modeposts die ik heb gelezen in het genre mannenmode. De verbinding tussen de Japanse esthetiek van wabi-sabi de schoonheid van onvolmaaktheid en vergankelijkheid en de Italiaanse benadering waarbij materiaalqualiteit altijd boven voorbijgaande trends wordt geplaatst, is een inzicht dat ik voortaan met me meedraag. De Carlos Santos Lonnie sneakers zien er op de detailfoto’s werkelijk fantastisch uit: de Goodyear Welted constructie geeft ze een soliditeit die je bij gewone sneakers nooit terugvindt. Dit artikel zou iedere modebewuste man… Read more »
Caro Marko, hai centrato perfettamente ciò che rende grande il quiet luxury: la fiducia totale nella qualità dei materiali, senza bisogno di colori vistosi o loghi esibiti. Questo è esattamente ciò che Aida Barni rappresenta nel mondo del cachemire: non ha bisogno di pubblicità di massa perché chi indossa un loro capo lo capisce al primo tocco. Sono curioso: il dolcevita che hai scelto appartiene alla loro collezione standard o hai optato per un colore su richiesta? La palette cromatica dell’intero outfit si integra con i toni naturali della foresta di bambù di Arashiyama in modo così preciso che sembra… Read more »
The section on Carlos Santos is genuinely one of the best brand profiles I’ve read anywhere. The detail about the young Santos disassembling shoes from the world’s great makers to understand their techniques spending the 1970s and 80s at trade shows buying shoes he never intended to wear is a remarkable story of craftsmanship-driven ambition. The Goodyear Welted construction on the Lonnie model means the sole can be replaced, which extends the life of the shoe dramatically, something the fast fashion industry has made us forget is even possible. I’ve been a Carlos Santos customer for several years and the… Read more »
Marko, dieser Artikel ist ein echter Genuss. Als jemand, der sich seit Jahren intensiv mit hochwertiger Herrenmode beschäftigt, schätze ich besonders, dass du die Geschichte hinter den Marken so sorgfältig recherchierst und aufschreibst. Die Tatsache, dass Aida Barni zum Annapurna-Konzern gehört benannt nach dem Himalaya-Massiv, wo die Kaschmirziegen ihre schützende Wolle unter dem Fell tragen ist ein Detail, das die Philosophie der Marke sofort verständlich macht. Ich werde meine Suche nach einem hochwertigen Kaschmirrollkragen definitiv auf dieses Marke ausdehnen. Die Bambuswaldfotos haben eine Qualität, die ich eher in einem Kunstband als in einem Modeblog erwarte.
Cher Marko, ce post démontre quelque chose que j’essaie d’expliquer à mon entourage depuis des années : le luxe véritable ne cherche jamais à se faire remarquer. La palette neutre que tu as construite ici taupe, beige sable, crème ne détourne jamais l’attention des matières elles-mêmes, ce qui est exactement ce que doit faire un grand outfit. Je suis particulièrement sensible à l’histoire de Carlos Santos et de São João da Madeira, dont je ne connaissais pas la longue tradition cordonnière. Le fait que la marque soit née en 2010 mais que ses racines remontent à cette usine de 1942… Read more »
Marko, I’m curious about the Aida Barni turtleneck specifically, do you find that a two-ply construction like this holds its shape better over time and resists pilling more effectively than a single-ply piece? I own a couple of luxury cashmere jumpers and pilling has been the main issue, so I’d genuinely love to understand whether the double-ply yarn makes a meaningful difference for longevity. Your description of Pier Luigi Galli as one of the world’s leading experts in cashmere yarn adds enormous credibility to the brand’s positioning at the higher end of the market. The detail about the Annapurna group… Read more »
Buenas Marko, me parece que este post es uno de los mejores que has publicado sobre moda masculina en mucho tiempo. La manera en que relacionas la artesanía japonesa del shokunin con los talleres italianos de Prato y Trivero me ha hecho reflexionar mucho sobre la naturaleza del lujo verdadero. Ambas culturas comparten esa obsesión por el dominio del oficio a través de la repetición y la paciencia, y eso se nota en la longevidad de los productos que fabrican. Llevo tiempo queriendo invertir en un reloj GMT funcional y el Nivada Grenchen Antarctic a alrededor de 2.000 euros, con… Read more »
This post captures something I’ve been feeling for a long time but could never articulate clearly. When you write that the greatest elegance is that which does not seek confirmation that is precisely the definition of everything that has gone wrong with fashion in the era of visible logos and streetwear hype. The Aida Barni turtleneck, the Loro Piana Reinga trousers, the Nivada Grenchen on the wrist none of these pieces shout their identity, yet anyone who understands quality recognises immediately what they are. I visited Kyoto twice and the Arashiyama district is genuinely one of those places that resets… Read more »
Hallo Marko, een uitstekend artikel over een combinatie van merken die ik deels al kende maar gedeeltelijk ook ontdek via jouw blog. Ik ben al jaren fan van Loro Piana ik heb zelf een jas in hun Storm System fabric die ik al meer dan tien jaar draag en die nog steeds perfect valt maar de Reinga pantalon met die Wish wool en cashmere blend van drieënnegentig en zeven procent kende ik nog niet. De Nivada Grenchen revival volg ik van dichtbij: de keuze van Guillaume Lede om de klassieke modellen zo trouw mogelijk te herinterpreteten spreekt mij enorm aan… Read more »
Marko, complimenti per questo pezzo eccellente. Non conoscevo la storia della Nivada Grenchen prima di leggere questo post e devo dire che la vicenda dell’Operation Deep Freeze con le montres della marina americana che resistettero alle temperature estreme della spedizione al Polo Sud guidata dall’ammiraglio Richard Byrd tra il 1955 e il 1956 è una narrazione di marca davvero potente e credibile. Un orologio da 36 millimetri con complicazione GMT, movimento Soprod C125, cassa spessa solo undici millimetri e limitato a novantanove esemplari a circa 2.000 euro è una proposta straordinariamente onesta. Le scarpe Carlos Santos Lonnie con quella costruzione… Read more »
Marko, I wanted to say something about the photography itself, which deserves separate recognition. The quality of light you’ve captured in the bamboo grove that diffused greenish filtering through the tall stalks frames the neutral tones of the outfit in a way that could only have been achieved by someone with a real understanding of both fashion and the natural environment. The decision to keep the entire palette in warm neutrals was clearly made with this specific location in mind, and it pays off completely in every shot. The close-up photographs of the Nivada Grenchen Antarctic GMT Tropical are outstanding… Read more »
Hallo Marko, was mich an diesem Post besonders beeindruckt, ist die Glaubwürdigkeit, mit der du jede Kaufentscheidung begründest. Es geht dir nicht darum, teure Stücke zu zeigen, sondern darum, warum jedes einzelne eine echte Investition wert ist: der Aida Barni Rollkragen, weil er sich mit jedem Waschen weicher wird; die Loro Piana Hose, weil sie Generationen von Handwerkswissen in sich trägt; die Carlos Santos Sneaker, weil man die Sohle ersetzen lassen kann. Das ist die Art von Moderatschlägen, die ich mir von einem Modeblog wünsche. Ich bin selbst überzeugter Träger portugiesischer Schuhe und kann nur bestätigen, was du über die… Read more »
Marko, tu as réussi quelque chose de rare dans cet article : nous faire voyager à travers les histoires de quatre marques de quatre pays différents sans jamais perdre le fil directeur. La cohérence chromatique de l’ensemble ces tonalités chaudes de beige, taupe et crème fonctionne aussi bien avec la forêt de bambous qu’elle fonctionnerait dans les rues de Florence ou de Tokyo. Je connais bien la maison Loro Piana pour avoir visité leur boutique à Paris et l’histoire de la maison à Trivero dans le Piémont est effectivement une des plus belles dynasties du luxe textile européen. Est-ce que… Read more »
Marko, one question about the Loro Piana Reinga trousers: how do they behave in terms of creasing when worn for extended periods of walking and sitting? I’ve been looking at high-waisted pleated trousers in a wool-cashmere blend for a while and the combination of structure and softness you describe sounds ideal, but I’ve found with other luxury wool trousers that they can crease significantly when seated for long periods on a travel day. The detail about the horn button closure being a distinctive trademark of the Loro Piana house is something I never specifically noticed before, but looking at the… Read more »
Marko, qué manera tan hermosa de explicar la filosofía detrás de un outfit. Nunca antes había pensado en la comparación entre el bambú que desarrolla sus raíces durante años antes de que el tallo rompa la superficie, y las marcas como Aida Barni o Carlos Santos que construyeron su reputación durante décadas en silencio y sin atajos. Es exactamente esa manera de trabajar sin estridencias, sin comprometer jamás la calidad de los materiales, la que hace que sus productos sean tan extraordinarios al tacto y a la vista. Las fotografías en la foresta de bambú de Arashiyama son sencillamente magistrales… Read more »
Hello Marko, I’ve been wearing turtlenecks almost exclusively in winter for the past decade and this post has genuinely expanded my knowledge of what a fine cashmere roll neck should feel like and how it should be made. I’ve worn several mid-range cashmere brands and a couple of higher-end pieces, but Aida Barni is a name I hadn’t encountered before reading this. The founding story Aida Barni and Pier Luigi Galli starting in Prato in 1978, with her becoming one of the first to establish Italian cashmere knitwear at an international level is exactly the kind of brand history that… Read more »
Marko, jouw post over de Arashiyama bamboebossen en dit outfit heeft me echt geraakt. Ik ben zelf meerdere keren in Japan geweest en Kyoto heeft een sfeer die totaal uniek is in de wereld die combinatie van eeuwenoude tempels, het langzame ritme van de theeceremonie en die absolute stilte in het bamboebos, onderbroken alleen door dat windgeluid dat Japan op de officiële lijst van honderd mooiste geluiden zette. De keuze om een volledig neutrale, warme palette te dragen in die omgeving is even intelligent als esthetisch: elke andere keuze had de rust van de locatie volledig verstoord. Ik ben erg… Read more »
Marko, questo post mi ha ricordato perché il quiet luxury è l’approccio più sofisticato alla moda maschile contemporanea. Non si tratta di nascondere la ricchezza, ma di dimostrare che si conosce abbastanza bene la qualità da non aver bisogno di ostentarla davanti agli altri. Il dolcevita Aida Barni in quel taupe caldo i pantaloni Reinga di Loro Piana con i profondi drappeggi anteriori e i Carlos Santos Lonnie ai piedi ogni pezzo comunica la stessa fiducia silenziosa nelle proprie origini artigianali. Hai fatto benissimo a scegliere la foresta di bambù di Arashiyama come scenario: quel verde intenso e quella luce… Read more »
What I appreciate most about your blog, Marko, is that you never treat fashion as separate from culture or place. This post is a perfect example: the outfit becomes genuinely inseparable from Arashiyama, from Kyoto’s history as the spiritual and imperial capital of Japan, from the wabi-sabi philosophy that permeates every stone garden and tea house in the city. I travel through Japan regularly for work and there’s a particular quality of light in the bamboo grove in the morning hours that your photographer has captured perfectly in these images. The decision to photograph in a completely tonal outfit rather… Read more »
Lieber Marko, schön geschrieben und wunderbar fotografiert. Ich reise seit vielen Jahren nach Japan und kenne Arashiyama gut, aber ich habe den Bambuswald noch nie so überzeugend in ein Modeeditorial integriert gesehen. Was mir besonders auffällt, ist die philosophische Tiefe dieses Beitrags: Die Parallele zwischen dem shokunin-Prinzip der unendlichen Verbesserung durch Wiederholung und den Werkstätten von Aida Barni in Prato oder Loro Piana in Trivero ist ein wirklich origineller und treffender Gedanke. Ich bin seit Jahren überzeugter Träger von Loro Piana und besitze selbst mehrere ihrer Kaschmirstücke, aber das Angebot von Aida Barni kannte ich bis zu diesem Beitrag nicht.
Marko, je lis votre blog depuis longtemps et cet article compte parmi les plus beaux que vous ayez publiés à ce jour. La façon dont vous parlez de chaque pièce non pas comme d’un objet de consommation mais comme d’un compagnon de voyage qui vous accompagnera à travers des années et des décennies est exactement la philosophie que j’essaie de transmettre autour de moi. Le col roulé en cachemire d’Aida Barni en double fil est clairement une pièce de cet ordre : quelque chose qui devient plus beau et plus doux avec le temps et l’usage. La forêt de bambous… Read more »
Marko, quick question, how does the Carlos Santos Lonnie sneaker hold up on longer walking days in a city like Kyoto? I know the Goodyear welted construction adds considerable durability compared to cemented soles, but I’m wondering whether the cream leather upper stays presentable after a full day of temple and garden visits on foot. I’ve been looking for a pair of luxury leather sneakers that can bridge the gap between a fine trouser and everyday city walking, and the Lonnie looks like an ideal candidate for exactly that purpose. The detail about Santos joining the Zarko factory at fourteen… Read more »
Marko, this has to be one of the most beautifully structured fashion posts I’ve read in a very long time. The architecture of the article mirrors the architecture of the outfit itself: four distinct chapters, each telling the story of one brand from one country, all converging into a single coherent vision built on the same values of craftsmanship and longevity. The Arashiyama photographs work so well precisely because the setting shares the same values as the clothing no excess, nothing unnecessary, just the extraordinary beauty of materials in their natural element. The Nivada Grenchen Antarctic GMT Tropical named after… Read more »