This is always a fun conversation. We should really have it more often.
Frankly, some of the points have some merit, others are woefully misinformed. I generally agree with Marc that there is not some definite link between quality and price, and that good service should be a given. However, the idea that many other tailors in Naples produce a product of similar quality is simply untrue, and the idea that somehow Rubinacci does not represent what "Neapolitan tailoring" is about is laughable on its face, and even if it were true, it would only be dealing with something which is completely unimportant, which is the need to achieve some ulitmate in regionality in order to have a good product. That is just silly.
Marc -- I mean mostly that the stitching is much finer (smaller, less visible stitches that are closer together).
Marc and Matt -- I wish 'good' service were a given, but it's not, just like quality doesn't strictly correlate with price. For me, service must be good in a way it might not have to be for others (such as a local Neapolitan). I need someone who will travel to me periodically, who speaks English, and who delivers on time. Unfortunately, at least one of those qualities is missing from nearly all the major Neapolitan tailors I know of. When you factor in Rubinacci's ability to do all those things, it's not surprising the prices reach (and sometimes exceed) Savile Row levels. What confuses me is that people expect Rubinacci to be priced similar to local Neapolitan tailors when it is more comparable to other big-name European tailoring firms in many ways.
Last edited by mafoofan (2009-04-01 11:38:38)
No Nobel Prize in economics will be awarded on this subject. I do think, however, the Veblen effect is what's at work with these particular Neapolitan makers. The foreplay of the transaction is built into the high pricing scheme for these sorts of customers. "Authentic Neapolitan Taioring." (TM)
Last edited by iammatt (2009-04-01 11:57:48)
Last edited by tteplitzmd (2009-04-01 12:45:25)
I think silk vs. Bemberg has been covered before. I don't know of any master tailor who will recommend silk. Perhaps a 'stylist' would, but then again, he's not a tailor is he? In case you missed the earlier tutorial, silk doesn't breathe. So, for Authentic Neapolitan Tailoring, especially in a climate like Authentic Naples, you'll want to go with Ermezine.
With the silk lining, do they offer to sell you an 'extended warranty' along the lines of Best Buy? You know, the cost of the materials and repairs can add up!
Last edited by iammatt (2009-04-01 13:01:15)
There's a tailor in NYC, Tony Maurizio, who boasts that whenever he raises his prices, his business increases. There's probably more than a little bluster in that, still, people often equate price and quality.
I don't think any London House customer would be happy with his consumer buying experience, if his maestro stayed at the Marriott Marquis or Omni in NY. One should consider why this is.