Barack Obama in a Canali suit	The Canali boutique, opening on Wednesday, on the ground floor of Quest mall. Picture by Anindya Shankar Ray
ABC OF CANALI ● Started in: 1934 ● Headquartered in: Sovico, Italy ● Known for: Finely tailored suits ● Patrons include: Barack Obama, George Clooney, Michael Douglas, Nicholas Cage, Antonio Banderas, Anil Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor, Yuvraj Singh ● Available in: 240 boutiques and 1,000 retail stores in more than 100 countries ● In Calcutta: A boutique on the ground floor of Quest ● On the Canali racks at Quest: Shirts, trousers, jackets, overcoats, suits, tuxedos, pocket squares, ties, shoes, Nawab Jackets, cuff links, scarves, customised keychains and collar cuffs, all handcrafted in Italy ● Price range: Rs 7,500 for a pocket square to suits starting at Rs 1.25 lakh ● Watch out for: Made to Measure service on October 9 and 10 by master tailors from Italy ● Spot a Canali:

The most powerful man in the world wears it. The most handsome man in the world also wears it. And now, the Calcutta man can follow ‘suit’.

Canali, the suit of choice for Barack Obama and George Clooney, is coming to Calcutta. And bringing the brand from Italy to the Quest mall on Wednesday will be the first family of luxury menswear.

Brothers Paolo and Stefano, the third generation of the Canali family, have been to Delhi and Bombay before but never to Calcutta. That changes when they arrive to launch their seventh store in India.

Why is Calcutta calling eight years after Canali arrived in India? “Calcutta is a strategic city thanks to its rich past and mix of influences as well as being a very important commercial port,” Paolo Canali, the group’s commercial director, told Metro in an email chat in the run-up to their visit. He will be accompanied by brother Stefano, the general manager.

“Calcutta has a deep knowledge of the textile and fashion industries. We are expecting our clients to be very well educated in terms of quality and style, with a true understanding of the importance of details,” added Paolo.

Google “Canali” today and “new opening in Kolkata” pops up. “Canali has chosen Kolkata for its seventh boutique opening in India. Situated on the ground floor of the Quest Mall, one of India’s largest shopping centres,” the page reads.

The Canali cut dates back to 1934 in Sovico, Italy, and over a generation it stamped its presence on the flourishing Italian fashion scene before invading the rest of Europe, US, Canada, UK, West Asia, Russia, China and India.

The “discreet luxury” of Canali suits has sat stylish on US President Barack Obama since he was a senator, on Alec Baldwin and Michael Douglas when they were sweeping women off their feet in Blue Jasmine and Last Vegas, and closer home on Anil Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor and Yuvraj Singh.

Now, Canali has set its sights on Calcutta’s suits. “We are continually exploring the luxury market to catch the best retail opportunities and this is another important step in the diffusion of our brand in India,” said Paolo.

What impression of Calcutta do the Canali brothers carry? “A vibrant and intellectual city that is constantly evolving. I’m fascinated by its colonial architecture, with the Victoria Memorial, its colours, dynamic lifestyle,” wrote Paolo.

The Quest address of Canali is designed according to the brand’s new architectural design concept that divides the boutique into themed spaces.

What does the Indian consumer want from Canali? “Though very price-conscious, he is discerning, knowledgeable about fabrics and craftsmanship. While maintaining a traditional look for religious ceremonies and formal occasions, today’s Indian man prefers a more contemporary look for everyday life and is really interested in the Su Misura service,” said Paolo.

What’s Su Misura? Canali’s Made to Measure service that creates “distinctive suits, jackets, trousers and shirts” from material handcrafted in Italy. Canali currently offers a choice of over 500 fabrics for Su Misura garments ranging from stretch and water resistant wools to pure cashmere and soft blends of angora, camel and mohair apart from classic pure wools, linen and silk blends. The Su Misura process allows each customer to personalise their garment and comes with a label embroidered with the customer’s name.

The Calcutta boutique at Quest will feature a two-day session of Made to Measure on October 9-10 when master tailors from Italy will be here.

Also look out for the Nawab Jacket that Canali designed only for India and reinvents every season with different fabrics, patterns, and colours. “Launched in 2009 we designed the Nawab Jacket with the Indian gentleman in mind. The style has met with great success and is now considered an iconic piece,” said Paolo.

The iconic menswear brand has recently appointed a new creative consultant Andrea Pompilio, who earlier worked for international fashion and luxury brands such as Prada, Calvin Klein and Yves Saint Lauren. “Andrea Pompilio has been tasked with continuing the evolutionary path that we had already set out on, incorporating his unique creative stamp into the brand’s traditional tailoring values,” said Paolo.

 

THE STORE

Canali’s seventh boutique store in India is on the ground floor of the Quest mall. The boutique is divided into themed spaces like the gallery area, an intimate room with fabric and backlit glass decorative units, the fitting rooms with video screen...

THE HOST

“We welcome Canali to Quest. We also hope that other such brands will be encouraged by Canali’s presence here,” said Sanjiv Goenka (right), whose company has developed Quest mall on Syed Amir Ali Avenue. “As for me, personally, I am comfortable in Canali and so it becomes convenient….”