Meet Giuseppe, our Sartoria Designer
At ALUMO, we believe that true luxury lies in the details: the finest cottons, Swiss precision, and timeless elegance. In this interview, we sit down with one of our designers to explore the world of fabrics, the inspiration behind creation, and the story of our permanent Sartoria collection — a cornerstone for tailors and connoisseurs of fine shirting worldwide.
Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you became a textile designer?
Since childhood, I have always been fascinated by colors — combining and experimenting with them came naturally to me. This passion led me to pursue a career in textiles. I began at Sictess, near Milan, a company renowned for producing luxury shirting fabrics. There, I worked closely with the head designer as his assistant for nearly a decade, while also teaching at my former school in the mornings. When my mentor retired, I took over his position and became the Sictess designer in 1996. I recently concluded this chapter to join ALUMO.
ALUMO also has a “Sartoria” capsule — how is this line special from a textile point of view?
Sartoria represents our timeless, essential collection — fabrics that answer the classic needs of bespoke shirtmakers worldwide. Sartoria is often referred to as "Pronto": in practice, it means that ALUMO maintains a curated selection of around 600 fabric designs permanently in stock. Our clients can order at any time, with the guarantee of immediate availability. For me, Sartoria is the most rewarding project: a living collection presents in the most prestigious tailoring houses and elegant stores across the globe.
What does elegance mean to you — especially in the context of fabric?
Elegance, to me, means balance. Each garment — the shirt, the jacket, the trousers, the tie — plays a role, and together they must create harmony. The shirt has a unique responsibility: it connects and unites all the other elements, ensuring that the overall impression is refined and perfectly composed. Sartoria embodies this vision of balance and timeless elegance.
What’s your process for creating a new fabric? Where does it start?
Inspiration has no fixed starting point — it often emerges from emotions, encounters, and exploration. I research in our archives, browse boutiques in different cities, or discover details that spark an idea. Sometimes these inspirations remain strong, sometimes they fade. Creating fabric is, above all, an emotional journey, where intuition and passion guide the process.
Above all, it is a visual and tactile matter. When you touch a fabric and immediately sense softness, smoothness, warmth, or refreshing lightness for summer fabrics, you know the client will feel the same emotion at first sight and touch. This sensory connection becomes the source of inspiration — the moment you say “I like this” or “I don’t like this.” From there, the choices of yarns, structures, designs, and colors are refined and developed into new fabrics.
The Sartoria Collection includes four different “Bunches.” Could you describe them for us?
Bunch No. 1 – Timeless
This selection starts from our most refined cotton fabrics, such as Soyella Royal Ne 240/2, Ne 200/2, and beyond. The higher the yarn count, the finer and more prestigious the fabric. These are classic choices for discerning gentlemen who seek shirts that combine luxury with the tradition of bespoke tailoring.
Bunch No. 2 – Contemporary
Dedicated to autumn and winter, this bunch includes Cashmerello, Cashmerello Light, Flannel, and other precious blends. Cashmerello Light, for example, is made from 85% cotton and 15% cashmere, offering an ideal weight not only for winter but also for spring and autumn. These fabrics are cherished by clients who want shirts that combine comfort, warmth, and sophistication.
Bunch No. 3 – White & Colors
A complete palette of essential shirting fabrics: from pure, crisp business whites to refined seasonal colors. Designed in Switzerland, this collection reflects ALUMO’s unmatched fabric quality, offering professional tailors and their clients the perfect foundation for both understated elegance and personal expression.
Bunch No. 4 – Ceremony
Designed for life’s most formal and memorable moments, this bunch presents ceremonial fabrics that embody prestige and Swiss tradition. Each fabric is crafted to enhance elegance and distinction, ensuring that the wearer feels truly exceptional on every important occasion.
The Sartoria collection stands as a testament to ALUMO’s philosophy: Swiss craftsmanship, unrivaled fabric quality, and a timeless expression of elegance. For tailors and clients alike, it is not only a collection but also a tradition — a heritage of luxury carried forward into every bespoke shirt.
