Sicilian Style with Dell'Oglio
Palermo the capital of Sicily has a strong tradition of style and elegance. Dressing well and living well is serious business.
Easy Summer living on a Palermo Roof Terrace
We talked to Mario Dell'Oglio from Dell’Oglio who graciously gave us insights into Sicilian style and living. The Dell’Oglio family has dressed Sicilian gentlemen, nobility and the upper middle class for over a century. Dell’Oglio also runs three stores in the center of Palermo and recently launched its e-commerce site www.dellogliostore.com.
Mario is a fourth generation Dell'Oglio. His great-grandfather, Santi Dell'Oglio, opened the first Dell'Oglio store in 1890, an emporium of luxury items and the very best quality fabrics for bespoke shirts.
Palazzo Mazzarino
The next two generations continued to evolve the business in line with Sicilian taste, Palermo's Golden Age and Santi's legacy. In the 1930's Mario's grandfather opened a store on the ground floor of the historic Palazzo Mazzarino, mentioned for its beauty in the infamous novel 'The Leopard'. Having earned a reputation as one of the most elegant boutiques in Italy, Mario's father, Vincenzo Dell'Oglio, inaugurated the historic store in Via Ruggero Settimo in the 1950's, which today represents the Dell'Oglio history and continues to act as a landmark of elegance in Palermo.
Piazza Ruggero Settimo
[SN] What defines the styles that you sell?
[Mario] Whilst we are inspired by the Dell'Oglio heritage, we are now focused on dressing contemporary men and women. However, even our most international and worldly wise clients always leave the store with not only the best products available on the market, but with a special accent, a touch that distinguishes Sicilian elegance and character.
[SN] What inspires you?
[Mario] As well as the unique Dell'Oglio family history, we are inspired by Sicily and the innate elegance of Siclians. The Sicilian character has a significant influence on the way Sicilians dress, and their elegance is recognized around the world. For this reason we allow ourselves to be guided by Sicilian know-how, and strive to offer a product mix that reflects the contrasting cultural inlfluences that have developed Sicily itself. Sicilians are natural under any circumstances, and know how to observe and capture beauty. They dress to express what that have to say, and proudly flaunt what they wish to emphasize.
Valeria Bilello is Sicilian
[SN] Thoughts about fashion in Italy? What do people really like to wear? What's an interesting trend now?
[Mario] In Sicily in particular, whilst women have an important role and sense of style, it is Sicilian men that stand out in terms of their strength of character, pride and personality. Observe a Sicilian gentleman, and you will note that his outfit reveals a characteristic that mirrors his own spirit. Sicilians have inherited their elegance from centuries of different cultures, and 'Sicilianità' is a behaviour in itself.
[SN]Who are your most interesting shoppers? Any stories about shoppers you would like to tell?
[Mario] My grandfather dressed Europe's most refined gentlemen and the bourgeois, including Vincenzo Florio, the founder of the Florio dynasty and the most important industrial family in Palermo. Our customers remain loyal thanks to our highly curated product offering, which includes tailor-made and customised pieces. As well as dressing entire wedding parties (a lively experience in Sicily!), we also often hear from current clients that their grandfather's shopped at the store, and have kept pieces that they still use to this day.
Vincenzo Florio
[SN]Do you have any fashion events at the store?
[Mario] We frequently organize unique and innovative events, including presentations, trunk shows and exhibitions, in each of our stores.
[SN] How often do you stock new products?
[Mario] We are constantly researching and acquiring new products, and our buyers frequently travel to appointments and shows in the major fashion capitals. As well as working with the most important Italian brands, such as Boglioli, Brioni, Brunello Cucinelli, Dolce e Gabbana, Isaia, Santoni, etc. We also collaborate with local suppliers and tailors within Sicily and Italy, designing and developing our own private label, Dell'Oglio, which includes tailored suits, jackets, shirts, ties, shoes and knitwear.
[SN] When do you have sales?
[Mario]Sales take place twice a year at the end of each season, however we do offer previews dedicated to our top clients. To stay updated, we recommend registering on the site www.dellogliostore.com and signing up to our newsletters.
Palermo Pier
[SN] Anything else you would like to tell us?
[Mario] Each of our stores, both physical and virtual, are distinctly different from one another and have their own personality. Each one however represents the values that have always distinguished Dell'Oglio - tradition, elegance, exclusivity, reliability, competence and passion. Dell'Oglio represents the Sicilian soul - appreciative of life and uniquely elegant.
Thank you Mario!
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