In February 2020, Italy suffered from a huge outbreak of the corona virus, which started a crisis that nobody would have expected. Not much time has passed after the outbreak until a strict lockdown across Italy has been announced, forcing everyone to stay inside. But despite all these sudden challenges that were bringing everyones nerves to its limits, Italy showed us one thing: They never stop being happy. 

Hearing the voices of the people you appreciate can give you unexpected power and inspiration. This is why I decided to reach out to many different tailors, artisans and influencers of the italian tailoring world and let them speak up and share their thoughts during these times.

Enjoy these following voice recordings I received from them, telling us what they are personally doing during the quarantine, how they stay productive and what they learned about themselves from this crisis. 

Thanks to the following tailors and artisans for joining this project: Adriana Esposito, Alessandro Amirante (Amirante Sartoria Napoletana), Gennaro Sannino (Camiceria Sannino), Damiano Annunziato (Sartoria Dalcuore), Ennio Collaro (Saint Gregory Tailors), Fabio Attanasio, Fabio Sbranchella (Quartieri Cravatte), Francesca Serafin (Serà Fine Silk), Gabriele Corvino (Sartoria Habitus), Ilario Esposito (Ilario Esposito Sartoria Napoletana), Marco Taddei, Massimo Pirrone (PM Eleganza Milanese), Nicola Radano (Spacca Neapolis), Riccardo Verolo (Sartoria Lemmi), Stefano Cau

This is the story of a small hosiery factory located in Spirano, Bergamo, Bresciani 1970. Talking with Massimiliano, I discovered a family business full of passion and humor, being both strictly focused on manufacturing high quality socks and underwear as well as not losing the joy of playing in the little leagues - even though Bresciani 1970 has become well known and respected in the classic menswear scene. In this first segment of the two-part series, CEO Massimiliano tells us why they focus so much on quality, how his father discovered a hidden passion and why they as a small company face the problems of the big ones. In rememberance of Mario Bresciani (1941-2020).

To be is to weave – this perfectly describes the mentality of the weaving factory that's highly respected and well known inside the sartorial world for its high quality fabrics for men's shirts: Canclini 1925. In the first episode of The Italian Hand Podcast, family member and creative director Mauro Canclini told me how the family business started in the early days, why the direct communication towards customers and employees is so important and how human values build the basic foundation of the company. Marco Ferrabue, area manager of Canclini, also tells his perspective on focusing on the friendship towards the customers and why a stable team actually creates the brand and the product.