G. INGLESE: TAILOR TO VIPS & APE CALESSINO, A MEETING OF ‘MADE IN ITALY’ STYLE AND ELEGANCE
July 2019 – The story of the “G. Inglese” tailor shop, founded in 1955 in Ginosa (a centuries-old village in the province of Taranto), is one of Italian excellence, capable of lasting through the decades and reaching the international fashion runways.
A family company, skilfully led by traditional fine tailoring and a managerial attitude that looks to the future, new trends and new generations. The iconic garments of the G. Inglese tailor shop – shirts, polos, safari jackets, overcoats and accessories – are also chosen, today as they were yesterday, by famous personalities of the international jet set (reaching all the way to Prince William of the English Royal Family and American President, Donald Trump). Customisable garments, painstakingly designed from the selection of the precious materials to the trim, with unique and original details, the result of a combination of inspiration and research.
Ape Calessino comes on the scene of this story: Italian design, style and creativity par excellence, still capable of evoking “Dolce Vita” atmospheres even today.
Angelo Inglese has personalised it with the unmistakeable touch of his tailor shop and brought it into “his” Ginosa. During his recent visit to the Piaggio Museum in Pontedera, located just a short stroll from the Piaggio Group plants where Ape and the subsequent versions have been manufactured since 1948, we wanted to know more. This is what Angelo Inglese revealed about his “coup de foudre” for the elegant Calessino.
What do you like in particular about the Ape Calessino?
“I consider it to be a great masterpiece, a true icon. It is the small vehicle created for the widest variety of uses that immediately thrills you, makes you feel like you are in a Rossellini or Fellini film, immerses you in the atmosphere of a breathtaking drive through some of the most beautiful locations. Then, if you add the fact that you can bring your friends along for the ride, it also becomes a lifestyle.”
How did you personalise it?
“I went with a personalisation that would reflect my style. My colours, my collections. Particular attention to detail and to the use of techniques that evoke local tradition. In detail: door upholstery and interior made with fabric in typical striped patterns made on hand looms; top with flowers (a symbol of G. Inglese) hand embroidered and with crocheted lace; spare tyre cover hand-made in denim cotton and Piaggio and G. Inglese logos hand embroidered; cushions with embroidered fabric; rear flap in cotton canvas with a centrepiece crocheted in rush yarn; curtains in ultra-fine white linen with ‘raised stitching’ embroidered finishing; small blanket-plaid in hand-knitted cashmere.”
What do you use the Calessino for?
“Everyone comes through Ginosa: I take great pride in being able to show it to customers, friends, journalists. Especially foreigners. I like to describe it, tell about my interpretation and how it is outfitted. And also its history, conveying the charm of a ‘Made in Italy’ symbol. Riding around in the Calessino with discretion and elegance through the beautiful corners of the historic centre. One of the most spectacular urban interpretations of nature. A truly unique sight, just a quick stroll from Matera.”
And Angelo Inglese adds in conclusion: “My greatest desire would be to see more and more Ape Calessinos in symbolic Italian locations like Capri, Ischia, Portofino, Matera…, and who knows? One day maybe even an electric version, with special and personalised outfitting, different from one another, just so we can continue telling stories of style, beauty and a legend called Piaggio.”
Source: Wide Piaggio Group Magazine https://wide.piaggiogroup.com/en/articles/people/g-inglese-tailor-to-vips-&-ape-calessino-a-meeting-of-made-in-italy-style-and-elegance/index.html
