From Venice to Padova: Visiting Belvest
Belvest, a renowned Italian luxury menswear brand, traces its roots back to 1964 when it was founded in Padua, Italy. Established by the Nicoletto family, Belvest has since become with impeccable craftsmanship, timeless elegance, and sartorial excellence.
Specializing in tailored clothing, the company has honed its expertise over decades, blending traditional techniques with modern innovation to create garments of unparalleled quality.
In March, we made a pilgrimage to the esteemed Belvest clothing factory, just as founder of Grey Flannel, Richard Froomberg, would have in the mid 1980s to place an order for this coming Autumn/Winter '24.
Belvest has remained committed to its heritage of fine Italian tailoring, earning a reputation as a symbol of sophistication and refinement in the world of menswear. With a dedication to artisanal craftsmanship and attention to detail, it was good to see that Belvest continue to set the standard for luxury menswear, embodying the essence of Italian style and elegance.
Architecturally, the Belvest factory reflects a harmonious fusion of tradition and modernity, mirroring the brand's approach to fashion. Its exterior facade is characterized with brutalist design elements, evoking a sense of understated power and strength. The building's structure speaks to a bygone era of Italian craftsmanship, with meticulous attention to detail evident in every corner.
Stepping inside, visitors are greeted by a mid-century teak reception with marble floors, abstract art, old sewing machines and multiple wooden horses (a collective hobby of Belvests founder). High ceilings and expansive windows flood the showroom with natural light, creating an inviting atmosphere showcasing the companies AW24 collection.
The layout of the factory is carefully planned to facilitate the intricate processes involved in creating each Belvest garment, from pattern making to final finishing touches which was nothing short of eye opening and magnificent.
Each jacket’s canvas is soaked for a day, so as to be more stable during processing and maintain the correct shape.
Each garment is lavished with particular attention to detail.
Before any fabric is touched it is meticulously checked over to be ascertain that it is free of flaws that could create defects in the final garment.
This season, we've decided to stock Belvest's Jacketinabox model, One of Belvest's most popular blazer constructions (and for good reason), is named for its unique presentation when first launched. The blazer was folded in a box, highlighting its lack of padding and structure, making it almost shirt-like.
The purpose of the JacketintheBox is simple: to use luxurious fabrics to create high-end jackets without lining or padding. These jackets can be folded and placed in a suitcase or bag and can be removed hours later with little to no wrinkling or creasing.
Our exclusive Belvest model, made specifically for Grey Flannel, features patch pockets, wider lapels, and a 3-roll-2 buttoning, giving this Italian jacket a distinct English/American flair.
