The Bite Magazine - Spring 2019 - Issue 24

bite accessories Curate Your Imagination I n the art of tailoring, a pair of scissors is usual- ly where it all starts. This instrument which is commonly used to cut, divide and subtract in the capable hands of sartorial artisans, is as Pio Diglio, founder of Italian accessories brand Art Tailoring, so rightly describes it as the “symbol of a symbiotic relation- ship between the artist, the fabric and his instrument.” It is through his continuous experimentation of using materials and the constant pursuit of the reinterpretation of forms and applications that characterises Art Tailor- ing’s products. The thorough and accurate finishes that are found in his bags, hats, clothing and other accessories create the right balance between beauty and functionality. Pio’s initial goal was to make people realise that innova- tion and tailoring tradition does not only coexist but it also mingles and blends together to transform everyday objects into unique accessories that seem to pop up from the past with the freshness of the current as well as the flavour of the traditional. A collection of artistry pieces that are handmade with skill and attention to detail, the accessories are created in a production process that combines the creativity skill of expert hands that does not lose sight of the fundamen- tal characteristics of quality and usability. When I was shown a selection of Pio’s pieces while in Italy, I was total- ly blown away. A lot of his designs are limited or one-offs so you have to grab them while you can. Pieces such as the Patchwork Bag have patches of abstract shapes in autumn colours of brown, green and yellow. The Pochette Collezione (Collection Pouch) Rugby is amazing – created in a light bronze colour, this accessory in the shape of a rugby ball has a chain looping through the holes on either side of the double-stitched centre line and also forms the handle. Men will look suave in the Capello Patchwork Hat that consists of leather and felt-like pieces with a band around the base and a little loop on the side with the ‘scissors’ logo (which also appears on all of the accessories pieces). The Fascia in Velluto (Velvet Band) Bicolour is a sophis- ticated piece in two shades of blue velvet that would look glamorous with an evening gown. The Stetson Unisex Cap in Grey Herringbone Wool will take you back to the period between the 1890s and 1920s when flat caps were all the rage. I really like the Pochette Farfalla (Butterfly Clutch), a bag made in a denim ma- terial with a patchwork in the shape of a butterfly with shades of brown, tan, green and purple in leather pieces. Look different in a Papillon Spigato (Twill Butterfly) Bowtie in Herringbone Wool rather than the usual satin dinner bowtie for a casual style. Pio has always had a vivid creative inspiration from when he was a child. “At a very young age, the shop windows would enchant me. The materials and colours would take me to an imaginary world where my creations were brought to life.” He went on to reveal that he used to look at the simple shapes, everyday objects that would appear different to him in his mind’s eyes. With a different out- look on objects to most people, this enabled him to think about creating a new utility for them. To this day, the designer has used this very concept: creating accessories in its current state and then trans- forming them into something he has imagined. This is perhaps derived from when was invited to a Carnival party at the age of 11. “I didn’t have anything to wear, so I decided to steal bed sheets from my parents’ wardrobe and used them to create a ‘Pulcinella’ costume (a classical Neapolitan character) for the party. My ideas were clear in my mind! I started to cut and sew and I didn’t stop until I was satisfied with the final result.” Pio’s sewing skills were inherited from his mother whom he would sit next to on occasions and watch her work. “I was particularly captivated by her sewing machine and nowadays, while working in my workroom, those memories come to my mind: the afternoons with her, the scents, the noises and the never-ending questions that I asked with curiosity. Sewing for me is like always being with her.” This wasn’t the exact moment Pio decided to become a designer, although he would prefer to define himself as a ‘creative’. After following a very natural process, he progressed from being a self-taught person to deciding to study and specialise in his field because he said just his drawings were not enough for him. “I wanted to know more, go beyond, and learn how to create what I had in my mind, and what was drawn in my sketchbook.” Pio sees with his eyes first when it comes to creating. It’s not just clothes and accessories that he designs but also furniture which are featured in his shop. It was his desire to go beyond that helped him to start his brand and gave him the opportunity to express himself with his hands and scissors, as well as being able to create and feel free to choose how each day goes with no limits. The designer loves working with vintage materials, col- ours and patterns, by using them to create innovative and stylish pieces. “The scissors representing my brand holds this meaning. I do not use machines to cut my fabrics; everything is handmade.” He also thinks that curiosity is important in his job; being creative with a limited edition brand means that he has to continuously be looking for new ideas. “My curiosity is at the base of my creations. It helps me while designing new things and has never stopped me [from creating].” Art Tailoring accessories are available online via the brand’s Facebook page. www.facebook.com/arttailoring