Having our head office in Australia certainly has its drawbacks with all Stanley Lewis product made in Italy and our PR company located in Los Angeles, California. We awake each morning to the Blackberry buzzing its tones of excitement and panic with overnight updates and developments and begin to prioritize the day ahead. But there is never any issue, no matter how pressing that will interrupt our daily obligitory beach walk. The Stanley Lewis ‘guard’ dog (and important member of our family) – Bambi – Stanley and I, start the day with a walk along one of the most uninterrupted and magnificent beaches on the Mornington Peninsula. This provides the perfect setting to plan the day ahead.
On average we make about 6 to 8 trips per year with destinations varying according to our requirements. This year our New Years Resolution was to reduce the amount of flying and therefore reduce our carbon footprint. Naturally Italy is always the number one destination. Most of our time is spent in North Italy where the majority of Stanley Lewis suppliers are located. I would like to introduce two of the most important cogs in the Stanley Lewis wheel who are instrumental in delivering our handmade woven silk neckties, our pochettes and our scarf collection. We believe it important to share the relationships behind what is the Stanley Lewis brand.
In today’s world we are all time challenged but there will always be time for The Oyster & Ostrich Team! This very special (and secret) team consists of Stanley and I and two other very important team members. For this story and we shall call these team members Giovanni and Lorenzo. Giovanni (The Ostrich) is one of the world’s most reputable silk makers and Italy’s most colorful character. His lackadaisical mane of hair, manicured beard and piercing brown eyes (yes, I am in love) only adds to his already charismatic charm. He weaves his magic for Stanley Lewis silk and linen cloth as well as for many other world famous men’s luxury fashion brands. Giovanni’s office is located in the heart of Como, Italy, while he lives on the lake with his bella donna Simona and piccolo bambini Dolce -Perfetto!
Lorenzo (The Oyster) is our brilliant tie maker who has an unblemished reputation for his quality handmade ties (the same cannot be said for his reputation with bella donnas who silently weep for his presence! Lorenzo is hot and single and seems determined to stay that way with his chiseled body and seductive manner!). Also located in Como, Italy, Lorenzo can take full credit for the impeccable workmanship displayed in producing the Stanley Lewis pochette and scarf collection as well as his handmade ties.
Lorenzo and Giovanni have become very good friends as well as business partners. We meet after business is done and dusted and share good food, great wine and an extraordinary friendship. We laugh beyond normal boundaries where emotions are sometimes so high - we cry! It is a rare and valuable relationship ‘The Oyster & Ostrich Team’ have – completely priceless!
We have many people and companies request our makers’ information because the quality of cloth and making of Stanley Lewis men’s accessories is impeccable. It took many, many years for us to find companies who could deliver such quality – so now it is our secret and this is why we have changed the names and faces of the members of the illustrious ‘Oyster & Ostrich Team’!
Until next time…
Anne
