Among all the men’s fashion weeks that take place globally, Milan tends to be the loudest. A chunk of brands on the line-up—from Dolce & Gabbana to DSquared2—are known for their love of bold prints and stamp them on silhouettes begging for attention. But there are a few luxury houses on the roster that put out menswear in the way you’d imagine classy gents like Daniel Craig and Brad Pitt would lap up. Clothes that are the benchmark of quality tailoring and celebrate the depth of a man. Canali is the mothership of such fashion, and it couldn’t be more evident from the brand’s SS24 showcase.
Titled ‘Mediterranean Craft’, the sublime collection pays homage to Canali’s native of Italy, with each piece produced entirely on home turf to consciously shorten the brand’s supply chain, while reiterating the power and prowess of local artisans. On display at Milan’s lush Casa Degli Artisti—an artist residency across multi-disciplines—was louche tailoring meant for anywhere but the boardroom; crochet trucker jackets to pair with a fine malt; chequered bombers for premium golf courses; subtle floral shirts for dreamy sunsets; and outerwear made from the supplest lather to feel like a second skin. Woven raffia belts, rope-soled slippers, suede backpacks, bucket hats, and velvet slippers only encouraged the ease of the entire collection.
It wasn’t unusual that the colour palette oscillated between very wearable neutrals and happy pastels, with the brand gently inserting its founding year of 1934 on a select few accessories and jumpers to celebrate 80 years in 2024. Add to that, Canali naturally continued to uphold its commitment to protecting the natural world by manufacturing its CARE suits and knits from organic or recycled materials. On all fronts, the mammoth Italian house remained true to its trademark of never conforming to trends but producing timeless, elegant fashion with a studied nonchalance to transcend generations. That’s what makes Canali tick. What makes it an unshakable pillar in the fashion food chain, not bound by seasons or hype. The exquisite SS24 collection was simply a gentle reminder of it.
