When we interviewed him a couple of years back, Sergio said, “I see dandies that don’t know anything about arts,
people with great libraries that can barely read, bikers without bikes, vintage lovers that don’t know about
history. It’s a paradox, isn’t it? The problem is that lots of people don’t understand that. But there are also
people that go deeper, that appreciate the detail, the story and the people behind products because the fact is that
style is not about what you own but about what you know — it’s about knowledge, culture, experience.”
According to Sergio, when he and his brother and their partner Alessandro Pagliacci want to explore a product or
aesthetic, but don’t feel suitably immersed in the subject, “We study. Research, as I always say, is not about
buying stuff in vintage shops, but about getting at least a bit of true knowledge of the history of particular
garments.”
In the Barbanera approach to sartorial study, Sergio says, “We try to ‘live’ in first-person the environment where
those garments were born, getting to the original truth. Our idea of style is being confident in what you’re wearing
not because you just look cool in it, but because you are true, or because it’s a true expression of your self, of
your own culture and story.” Keepin’ it real, in other words.
The brand was attracted to working with The Rake — and now, The Rake Values — because, Sergio says, “We share the
passion that The Rake puts into every single project. It’s an important partner for us and it’s also about trust.”
That is a vital element, Sergio asserts, in all Barbanera’s relationships.
“We are trying to remain a pure Made-in-Italy brand with no compromise; building a small brand with an international
outlook, but keeping local partners, keeping true to the real artisanal tradition, which in some places is
disappearing,” Sergio explains. “These production partners of ours still do things like they always did in terms of
quality, but yet they’re sensitive to sustainability and ethics. For us, the human factor is very important, and
working with some people, rather than others, is an important choice.”
Another philosophy Sergio shares with The Rake Values is a dedication to product that is not only long-lasting from a
craftsmanship perspective, but equally, timeless due to its trend-resistant design. The goal is to create items that
are as enduring as the various cultural and intellectual touchstones Barbanera regularly explores.
“We know we are a niche brand, but you can work on a niche and do great things,” Sergio reckons. “For sure it is a
challenge, and it takes effort and patience. But it’s a matter of style, taste, background: we feel comfortable in
making garments that have a different twist, mixing old-school and modern elements, which are not affected by trends
or even seasons. Most of our products, you can wear almost all year.” Some brands, says Sergio, are all about
capitalising on fleeting trends. “We don’t have that in our DNA.”
