Handmade in Veneto: A Visit to our Tailoring Factory

As the sun begins its steady climb over the heart of the Veneto region, we are hurtling along the autostrada to visit the factory where our tailoring journey began more than four decades ago. Sure, last night’s pampanella is sitting heavy in the stomach, and the driver is gesticulating a little too much when changing lanes, but the anticipation is palpable - we’re here to see something rather special. 

The factory we are here to visit stands as a testament to Italian craftsmanship and the enduring art of tailoring, as much a part of the economic architecture here as olive oil, wine, and Roberto Baggio. Surrounded by the lush landscapes of northern Italy, this facility is the birthplace of some of the finest suits ever crafted, and a place where skill, innovation and more than a bit of heritage converge.

Tucked away in a quiet industrial area, a far cry from the bustling tourist hotspots, the contrast between the modern, minimalist structures and the centuries-old surrounding foothills creates an intriguing sense of calm, as though time slows down inside these walls. The building itself is both functional and beautiful; bright, open spaces with high ceilings and large windows that let the natural light pour in, illuminating the rows of workstations where skilled artisans perform their magic. 

It’s a place where machinery meets human hands, where precision and care are as important as creativity and craftsmanship. As we enter the factory, we’re struck by the quiet rhythm of the work being done. Each piece of fabric is handled with reverence, each stitch a reflection of the skill and passion that’s been passed down through generations.

Massimiliano, our guide, asks us to call him Max, likely in an effort to spare our blushes, and after what could very well be the strongest coffee this side of the Euphrates, shows us to our first port of call.

Among a library of cloth sits a behemoth machine carrying one of our selected fabrics - something to behold in its entirety after we have been poring over sample squares for the last few months - which is then carefully inspected with a giant wooden compass for any imperfections, before being laid out for cutting. 

“It takes many people doing little jobs, but each is as important as the last” Max proudly states, and this is no understatement, across 24 stages a small army of craftspeople work primarily with their hands, but also with intricately specific machinery and processes that seems to have changed little in the past decade, or perhaps century. 

As we move through the production process, we watch as our suits are meticulously cut, sewn, and assembled by hand. The level of skill required is astonishing. In one section, we see workers at sewing machines, their hands moving with practiced precision. In another, someone carefully adjusts the fit of a jacket on a mannequin, tweaking the lapels and the shoulder seams to ensure a perfect drape. It’s a slow, deliberate process, but every step is crucial to achieving the impeccable fit and finish. 

We pause for a moment to chat with one of the cutters, Barbara. Her hands move with the kind of fluidity that comes only from years of experience. “I’ve been doing this for a long time,” she says, looking up from her work. “We cut by hand to match the pattern across pockets, flaps, and seams. It takes time, but this is the best way to make it perfect.” 

As we continue our tour, we come across three older women sitting together, chatting and sewing buttonholes by hand, each using a large magnifying glass to stitch with careful precision. Watching their steady hands at work is a reminder of the deep experience and tradition that run through this factory. Moving on, we spot someone stitching a canvas to a jacket with a quiet focus. She doesn’t even glance up as we hover nearby, absorbed in the task at hand.

Just then, the hum of the factory is interrupted by the arrival of Riccardo, pulling into the lot in a jet black 1989 Porsche Speedster, which we later hear referred to as mi amore. Michael and Riccardo embrace like the old friends they are - Michael Drake was one of the first in the UK to work with this factory, and Riccardo could be said to be one of the oldest and closest friends of the brand. 

“What makes it special is not just the product, but the process,” Riccardo emphasises. “Each suit goes through many stages, there’s no rush here, there are things that can only be done by hand. Perhaps there’s a machine that can do it, but we don’t want that.”

We reach the pressing area, where the suits are carefully steamed and shaped into their final form. The steam press is loud, sizzling steam rises from hot irons. It’s here that the fabric truly comes alive, the fine lines and curves of the jacket becoming sharper and more defined. The skill involved in pressing a suit to perfection is an art in itself, requiring both experience and a deep understanding of the fabric’s properties.

The final step of the process takes place in the quality control area, where each suit is thoroughly inspected before it leaves the factory. Every stitch, every seam, every button is checked to ensure that it passes muster. It’s a fitting end to a journey that has taken us through every phase of suit-making, and also to lunchtime. 

We slip into a restaurant in the Anfiteatro of Villa Contarini Camerini, which not too long ago played host to Mark Knopfler, Elton John, and Motörhead. As we indulge in local Venetian crab and sip on Spumante, Michael and Riccardo swap old war stories of New York blizzards and visits to London, both agreeing another is in order, it’s a fitting moment of camaraderie as the pace slows for a brief interlude. 

Walking through the factory is like stepping into a living, breathing testament to the art of Italian tailoring. The atmosphere is one of quiet pride, the result of decades of dedication to craftsmanship and quality. It’s a place where tradition is not only respected but celebrated, where each suit is a reflection of the skill, passion, and heritage that has come to define this area.

As we prepare to leave, Riccardo gives us one last look at the drying rooms, where huge sheets of horsehair canvas are soaked and naturally air dried, and as we step back into the bright Italian afternoon, each of us are presented with a gift - Murano glass lapel pins, the same ones we had noticed them wearing earlier that day, a signifier that we’re now a part of the family. Grazie mille, alla prossima.