G. Inglese: the shirtmaker of the cognoscenti

Situated near the ‘arch’ of Italy’s boot-shaped south, Ginosa first became a busy trading centre in ancient Greek times, when it was known as Genusium. The town subsequently fell into the hands of the Romans, then the Norman invaders and Sicilian royals, and was, over the centuries, controlled by various noble families. Each successive ruler contributed to the town’s impressive architecture, building fortifications, churches and palazzos, and many of these centuries-old structures remain intact today. In modern times, however, it is not with thoughts of conquest that powerful and privileged individuals come to Ginosa. Instead, they are drawn here by the prospect of commissioning some of the finest shirts in all the world — the handiwork of G. Inglese. Founder Gianni Inglese died tragically young, leaving his thriving business to his son Angelo, who took over the firm aged just 23. Today, its product is sold around the world and the company makes approximately 4,000 shirts per year (1,500 of them made-to-measure, or ‘su misura’). Despite this volume, Angelo still paintakingly checks each garment that leaves the workshops. He is committed to ensuring that any product carrying his father’s name does it proud — and serves as an archetype of Italian craftsmanship. The true essence of ‘Made in Italy’, says Angelo, “should manifest itself in excellence.”