In the Heart of Napoli – Finamore 100 Years

We had the pleasure of seeing every step of production and upon inspection we can confirm that everything is still expertly made by hand according to tradition. Only a few digital introductions can be seen such as the pattern cutting machine, which increases precision compared to chalk and scissor – go figure! But we are overwhelmed by the amount of time and manual work that goes into the creation of each individual shirt; collars and cuffs are ironed by hand and every crucial part of the shirt, including sleeves, yoke, collar and buttonholes, are handstitched or reinforced by hand, simply because you cannot get the same result using a sewing machine.

The effortless way the craftsmen- and ladies in the factory work every piece of fabric, every garment, is another stunning display of skills. It is simply fascinating to observe the teamwork aura and harmony they transmit which resembles that of a world-class soccer team playing an important final match. Perhaps it is the ever-present Maradona posters that lead our thoughts there, nevertheless witnessing the process is a truly humbling experience that makes you appreciate the garment even more.

You do not need to spend much time in Naples to understand that it is a truly special place on this earth, and as we leave the factory and continue our journey downtown, we cannot help reflect on the impact the city and surrounding territory has on the people living and working here. With such an important historical and cultural heritage running through your DNA, it could seem almost obvious that it still today shines through in every aspect of daily life. The people have strong character and great presence, they are warm and have a huge appreciation of life, they are intelligent and have survival instinct.

Being at the center of the Mediterranean Sea  for more than 2000 years in fact probably does create character. Having to deal with Roman emperors, Arab raiders or French emperors probably teaches you a thing or two, but so does being a point of cultural and artistical influence and progress, being a place where royals and artist presided and gathered because of the concentration of beauty in one place thanks to the magnificent landscape, gulf and islands off the coast.

”No matter the conditions, it simply would not be possible to make the same shirt outside Naples”

You have to be here – feel the atmosphere, breathe the air, listen to the beating heart of the city and see its beauty with your own two eyes – to really understand the unique place that is Napoli. There is something inexplicable about this place, its people and the things that come out of here. Something which today, when everything is accessible at any time, and you think you can experience a place through the lenses of social media, seems extremely valuable. In the case of Finamore, it runs through their veins, and so is the case for every other Neapolitan including the skilled people working in their factory. In fact, as Simone put it during our walkthrough: ”No matter the conditions, it simply would not be possible to make the same shirt outside Naples.” Judging by the result alone we are likely to agree.