W) custom-made men's suits and artistic and traditional fabrics Fashion and culture itinerary in Florence

After an apprenticeship with master tailors from his native region of Calabria, and experience as a cutter in Florence, Giuseppe Seminara opened his own shop on Via Manzoni in 1957. In 1967 he moved to Via de' Calzaiuoli, and since 1997 his son Gianni has been running the business. The atelier exudes a twentieth century air with its period decor. The fine (English and Italian) fabrics and fashion accessories are displayed in the front room; the next room is for fittings (three in all) and the last room is the workshop. It is here that the soft (never deconstructed as the Neapolitan sometimes decrees, nor stiff in the British style) jackets, custom-tailored suits, coats (camel, Casentino, cashmere, etc.), trousers, formal wear and sport jackets are made for discriminating men.

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Both the history and shape of this church that is located on Via Calzaiuoli, midway between Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Signoria, are quite unusual. In 1290 Arnolfo di Cambio designed a loggia-and-grain market on the site of the Oratory of San Michele in Orto. It was destroyed by fire shortly thereafter. When it was rebuilt, it was raised two stories and used for a warehouse, the arches of the loggia were closed and the entire structure was transformed into a church: the “church of the guilds” In fact, the city’s several guilds were in charge of the tabernacles that contain statues (today, many of the originals have been replaced by replicas), their respective patrons. Among these are St. George and St. Matthew by Donatello, the Incredulity of St. Thomas by Verrocchio, St. John the Baptist by Ghiberti and the Four Crowned Saints by Nanni di Banco. Inside we can admire a jewel of Gothic art, the tabernacle that was designed and sculpted by Orcagna (1355), with scenes from the Life of the Virgin Mary in the panels; the altarpiece with the Virgin and Child is the work of B. Daddi.
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At Romano and Romolo Romoli's historic shop, you'll find the best quality fabrics from Italy and abroad, from Tasmanian wools to Mongolian cashmere; the rare, extremely precious vicuna of the Andes, the finest Sea Island cotton, printed silks; and silk brocades and velvets also suitable for decorative uses. But what really sets this historic Florentine shop apart is the courtesy shown by the poprietors, who are always ready not only to find solutions to their clients' every need but also to ofer training to young fashion student. And what's more, the workshop offers an excellent service for made-to-measure suits and shirts.
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