Interview with Alberto Nolano, well-known Neapolitan master shirtmaker.

During his conversation with Canclini 1925, Nolano shares his philosophy: the value of slowness, the care for detail, and the respect for the fabric — because the real essence of luxury, in the end, is being able to recognize the hand that creates it.

Who are you and what do you do? Tell us a little bit about yourself…

My name is Alberto Nolano, and in the heart of Naples, I have brought to life a sartorial art atelier where every garment is a dialogue: a dialogue between Neapolitan tradition, the chosen fabric, and the individual who wears it.
My mission is simple: to turn a good fabric into something unique. A shirt that doesn’t just dress the client, but also tells a story. Dressing in a way that respects both the person and the place they come from. For me, every time I deliver a garment to a client, it’s a small ritual: I observe the client, listen to his desires, choose together the yarn, weave, and cut— and in the end, that shirt becomes part of his story.

In this atelier, I want everyone to feel at home: anyone who walks in finds not just a suit, but a style companion, a guardian of elegance. I am here to make this desire come true, to turn fabric into emotions, and emotions into lasting elegance.

If you had to describe Nolano’s style in three words, which ones would you choose?

Tailored, because everything begins with the artisanal gesture, from cutting to attention to detail.
Neapolitan, because I carry within me the spirit of my city: elegant, sunny, spontaneous.
Contemporary, because tradition only lives if it can dialogue with the present, today’s style and needs.

The concept behind your workshop is “made to order”: can you explain it more precisely?

In my atelier, every garment is custom-made, respecting the true principles of Neapolitan tailoring.
I always begin with the client’s real measurements, create a personalized pattern, and through multiple fittings, I guide the creation of the garment. It’s a slow process, rich of dialogue, hands, and attention: a true bespoke service, in the purest and most authentic sense of the word.
Alongside this, for those who wish to immediately experience our aesthetic, we offer a Made to Order service: a selection of shirts crafted according to our tailoring lines, available online by choosing sizes from our dedicated chart.
It’s a way to show a piece of our world to those far from the atelier, while maintaining the care and quality that distinguish us.

In your opinion, what qualities distinguish a truly handcrafted shirt from an industrial one?

It’s like the difference between a hand-painted portrait and a mass-printed photograph: both show a face, but only one truly conveys the individual essence.
Yet, I want to focus on the difference between a tailored shirt and a Neapolitan tailored shirt.

Many think that a tailored shirt is already the top of craftsmanship.
But those who know Neapolitan tailored shirts understand there is something more: a soul, a style, and a recognizable hand at first glance.
A tailored shirt is custom-made: the cut is personalized, the details are refined, and the result is a perfectly fitting garment.
A Neapolitan tailored shirt, on the other hand, carries a permanent mark of style: that of our sartorial school.
It’s softer, more natural, more alive. The gathers on the sleeves and shoulders, the delicate, imperfect seams because it’s handmade, the collar tailored to the face: these are signs of a tradition that has set a global standard.
It’s a shirt that doesn’t assert its elegance: it suggests it, effortlessly and with character.
Behind every stitch, there’s a hand, a breath, a choice. This is what makes it unique — being Neapolitan before being tailored.

Is today’s customer more detail-oriented or comfort-oriented?

Today’s client doesn’t just care about details and quality: they have become much more demanding.
With the rise of the internet and the speed of the modern world, anyone entering an atelier expects fast service without sacrificing artisanal quality.

We artisans are therefore asked to unify precision and speed, maintaining the same sartorial quality, based on passion and expertise, but with faster times and fair pricing.
In the bespoke and custom fashion sector, the modern client still pays close attention to details: they want well-finished garments, quality materials, and elegant lines, but without sacrificing comfort.

Naples has a profound tailoring tradition: how much has it influenced you, and what does it mean for you to represent it around the world today?

Naples has a deep tailoring tradition, marked by taste, natural elegance, and attention to details that recall history and passion.
For me, representing it today in the world means carrying forward a living heritage, not just a craft.
Being a Neapolitan tailor today means combining the manual skills of the past with the speed of modern times: preserving artisanal knowledge while renewing it, making it accessible, contemporary, and recognizable everywhere.
Every garment I create is a small tribute to Naples — to its innate elegance, its creative soul, and its ability to transform tradition into contemporary style.

How much does the choice of fabrics influence your work? And which fabric do you prefer?

Choosing the fabric in bespoke shirting is fundamental.
This is the origin of every shirt: the fabric determines not only the aesthetic but also the fit, breathability, and texture.
What matters most to me is helping the client choose the right fabric for the right occasion. Thanks to my experience and knowledge of materials, I always guide the client toward the most suitable choice — because every shirt has its specific use: there’s the perfect one for daily work, a more refined one for ceremonies, and a light, casual one for leisure.
Personally, I don’t have a favorite fabric: I love them all, because each has a different personality and a unique way of coming to life. It’s this dyamism that makes my job lively and stimulates me every day.

How do you imagine the future of Neapolitan shirtmaking and handmade craftsmanship?

I imagine the future of Neapolitan shirting and handmade tailoring as a continuous evolution, always following the tradition.
The world changes, rhythms accelerate, but I believe quality craftsmanship will become increasingly vauable: because it represents authenticity, identity, and care — three things no machine will ever be able to replicate.
The challenge will be to combine manual skills with progress, preserving the heart of the craft while opening up to new ways of communicating, selling, and reaching the client.
Those who will be able to make the artisan’s hand coexist with the modern mind — respecting tradition while speaking the language of the present — will be the true guardians of the future of Neapolitan tailoring.

CASUAL MOMENT: another passion of yours, besides work…

I live in central Naples, and of course, I love sport and I’m a Napoli football fan 💙
Here’s how it works: if I find out a client supports another team, no discounts — but no grudges, just fair play! 😌⚖️
On the other hand, if someone is a Napoli fan… well, suddenly life becomes better: better prices, guaranteed smiles, and royal treatment 👑
All in good fun, because football is passion… but also strategy! 😏⚽️