In 2019, things are about to change which will almost invariably be seen as progress. Progress has been one of the touchstones of the decade and is used to justify a rash of change in different arenas of fashion to technology to morality. Indeed, progress has been seen not only as desirable but inevitable. Moreover, it is now being delivered to us as a technical revolution. Society has been superseded by a progressive one in which product offerings are now at the touch of the finger tip with the new frontiers of knowledge set in stone. It is a time of great mobility. In the immediate aftermath of this menswear transition period we are experiencing on a global level, it is difficult to measure the colossal extent of what is occurring within the market. It is a time of customer-centric action.
But the cultural changes that are occurring in society means that consumers will have their share of criticism too. Despite the appealing benefits of purchasing online, conventional consumers are yearning for one-on-one sales appointments with an apparel expert. There is also evidence of a new trend with respect to male consumers in the luxury apparel market. Evidently, men are seemingly aligning themselves with an apparel brands culture by finding all their needs met under one roof. In a word, men are seeking a vertically integrated retail store.
By expressing modernity and freedom of expression, the most famous representative of these trends is Stefano Ricci. The family operation is an unprecedented combination, a brilliant team working in cohesion. Together they are creating a primary moment in the history of high-end luxury menswear. With silversmith products of ancient craft to graciously tailored suits, shirts and other apparel marginalizing the current mainstream evolution of design and character of modern day luxury.
So let's talk Miami Design District by first giving you a brief history on Miami. Thousands of years before Europeans arrived, a large portion of south east Florida, including the area where Miami, Florida exists today, was inhabited by Tequestas. The Tequesta (also Tekesta, Tegesta, Chequesta, Vizcaynos) occupied an area along the southeastern Atlantic coast of Florida. They had infrequent contact with Europeans and had for the most past migrated by the middle of the 18th century. According to history, Miami is named after the Mayaimi, a Native American tribe that lived around Lake Okeechobee until the 17th or 18th century. In 1566, Pedro Menéndez de Avilés was sent by the Spanish monarchy to remove the French from Florida who had already established several colonies and points of entry. The city's name stems from the Miami River, which is ultimately derived from the Mayaimi people.
As Miami enters into 2019, the Miami Design District has reached new height. For many in the building industry, one of the first and most pivotal missions in the latter half of the 2000–2010 decade, Miami has seen an extensive boom of high-rise architecture, dubbed a "Miami Manhattanization" wave. In 2019, this so-called wave has grown enormously in the luxury sector and a new fashion capital was born. This has included the construction of many of the tallest buildings in Miami. This boom has transformed the look of downtown Miami, which is now considered to have one of the largest skylines in the United States, ranked number 3 just behind New York City and Chicago. Although the building boom slowed after the recession in 2008, it is back with a vengeance now as the economy is building its momentum.
Now then, let's get back to menswear. Stefano Ricci is most certainly a leader in high-quality luxury menswear. It was founded in 1972 by Florentine designer Stefano Ricci and his wife Claudia and has since become a menswear leader across the globe. As I often proclaim, "There is luxury and then there is Stefano Ricci". I can only suggest that you visit one of their stores to understand the grandeur and magnificence of the brand. It is of note to inform you that the economy's progressive globalization and growing importance of new emerging regions have driven luxury fashion brands to an extended geographical dimension that has resulted in the progressive bordering of international influences. It allows fashion brands to operate as living organisms in tune with the changes in culture and society making up an incomparable network available to participants - it offers consumers a global experience during their shopping with it's distinctive international character. The Miami base is a pivotal retail feature and it's design lies in its Italianiness, as the store is deeply rooted in the country's legacy and traditions.
Stefano Ricci
This Italian character is synomoumous with luxury, excellence and concepts of quality - beauty and craftsmanship. Stefano Ricci brings forth to Miami it's unique world famous mix of creative flair and commercial acumen. Bringing its distinctive Italian criteria of superb quality beyond its Italian borders thus turning its consumers into tastemakers with a global creative outlook. The fashions are ultimately practical and concrete - allowing consumers shared benefits from an increasing number of cultural exchanges and opportunities.
There are some experiences in life that lead to radical transformation due to the increasingly complex challenges in the world of fashion and art and design. By super charging their talent and elevating their ambitions to successfully navigate a challenging and productive future.
Upon viewing the newly opened store, I surmised that this is where the edge meets the center while remaining true to the brand's founding values. The Design district, one of Miami's most dynamic quarters. Over the last few decades, it has become a world wide famous prime destination for art, design and fashion. At one time it had been part of the the Buena Vista and Winwood areas. The district is now home many of the most prestigious luxury fashion houses. Power is in the future.
The business launched roughly 45 years ago. Passionate about ties, Stefano Ricci decided to create his own models at a very young age. These creations were greeted with enthusiasm right from his debut at Pitti Uomo in 1974. His collection of ties was chosen by leading international department stores such as Neiman Marcus in the USA and Harrods in the UK. Stefano Ricci had transformed the role of the tie from a simple accessory item to a real protagonist of menswear.
In 1993, after having strengthened his presence in the United States with the first Showroom, Stefano Ricci opened his first mono-brand store in the world. The city chosen for the debut of the boutique was Shanghai, with a strategic vision on the future of China that was ahead of its time. It was a pioneering adventure that led to substantial results in the span of just a few years. In 2005 a still-current emblem of the brand was established: the Royal Eagle. The use of the Eagle is symbolically linked to the values of the Maison: HONOR, POWER, and PRIDE. These principles, along with the image of the Eagle, are also featured on the brands ad campaigns layouts. Appointed Cavaliere del Lavoro, Stefano Ricci was called to lead the “Centro di Firenze per la Moda Italiana”, the oldest institution of its kind at the national level. In June 2014, on the occasion of “60 Years of Firenze, Hometown of Fashion”, the Florentine designer donated to his city new lighting for the Ponte Vecchio, with an aquatic spectacle in the Arno and a performance by the famed tenor Andrea Bocelli before an audience of 25,000 people.
In 2015, the brand expressed a new phase of creativity with the launch of the “STEFANO RICCI in Campagna” lines inspired by Tuscany, and of the "STEFANO RICCI SKI” collection, which combines outstanding hi-tech performances with artisanal elegance.
And, in January 2016, the brand introduced, for the first time, the SR JUNIOR Collection. This special line for boys, entirely handmade in Italy, is a meaningful correlative of the designer’s attention for the new generations.
The group is run by founder, president and designer Stefano Ricci, together with his wife Claudia and his two sons, Niccolò (C.E.O.) and Filippo (Creative Director). They are more committed than ever to bringing Italian fashion and lifestyle to the world, with over 65 boutiques internationally, including Flagship Stores in the capital cities throughout the world as well as 19 shop-in-shops.
"It is an honor for us to be able to develop a project with Arturo Fuente." states Filippo Ricci, Creative Director of Stefano Ricci S.p.A., "It was based on an initial meeting where we found a perfect harmony, facilitated without a doubt by the values that we both share: family, work, the joy of living and luxury. These traits begin directly in manufacturing and are the strength of our employees."
Both STEFANO RICCI and Arturo Fuente are famous for their heritage, undisputed quality and excellence in every detail of their products. Quality is never compromised and both families focus on creating only the very best.
“It is not a coincidence we fell in love” says Carlito Fuente; “we hold the same values and quickly became family”. Carlito, the master blender and patriarch of the Fuente Family, agreed to create a cigar to celebrate the relationship between the two families.
The Fuente, FUENTE OPUSX - STEFANO RICCI cigar will only be produced in extremely limited quantities and only for the Ricci family, certain of their privileged customers and friends. These 7” by 52 ring gage masterpieces “are a blend and fusion of my favorite cigars,” says Carlito; “a special size, something different to what we have ever released”.
The cigar proudly wears the Fuente FUENTE OPUSX band, over a secondary band bearing the STEFANO RICCI Eagle crest.
“Fuente cigars are like our Eagle” says Filippo Ricci; “Elegant, Proud, Strong but gentle and if you close your eyes, it makes you dream! This will be the debut to a line of STEFANO RICCI / Fuente cigar accessories which will be distributed throughout the STEFANO RICCI retail stores and Arturo Fuente International’s distribution network. Due to the handmade craft, exceptional quality and difficulties reaching such high standards of production, products will be rare and difficult to find.”
The FUENTE OPUSX - STEFANO RICCI cigar is not for sale, but will be destined to the hands of top clients who buy an OPUSX by STEFANO RICCI travel humidor as well as other humidors from the Italian fashion house. These humidors are available in the brand’s statement briar-root wood finish, and display Australian mother of pearl inlay details and accessories.
Men in the STEFANO RICCI world are connoisseurs, driven to possess clothing of great quality and elegance, and are also interested in assembling a commanding collection of SR leisure accessories. These include a range of exclusive travel and desk humidors, as well as cigar lighter and cutter sets, ashtrays and engraved cigar tubes.
Filippo Ricci is the Creative Director of STEFANO RICCI S.p.A., the family business founded by his father Stefano and his mother Claudia. He oversees the brand image, events, communications and marketing. From the outset, his work has been focused on the evolution of the brand, with the transition from the total menswear look to a lifestyle concept. He created the STEFANO RICCI HOME Collection and the Bespoke Interiors division. He developed the image of the group, conceiving and establishing fashion catalogues, such as those that are tributes to the arts. He began production of the branded videos for the collections, established a communications office with an international network and structured the marketing department. The most representative brand events were carried out under his direction, from the memorable fashion show in the Uffizi Gallery (2012) to the Ponte Vecchio, Lights and Emotions (2014), in addition to presentations of the collections in Moscow and Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan.
Since 2007 Niccolò Ricci has been the C.E.O. of STEFANO RICCI S.p.A., the family business founded by his father Stefano and his mother Claudia, where he gained his first experiences as a student worker in the mid 1990's. In fact, I recall attending the Pitti at that time and being impressed with Niccolò's great enthusiasm and passion for the brand. Even back at that time, I often noticed his leadership skills and business sense wherewithal. In 2003, he became head of the corporate plan for the development of new markets and control of STEFANO RICCI S.p.A. retail operations. Having taken over the reins of the operational group with the role of managing director (2007), in 2010 he was also appointed co-administrator of the Antico Setificio Fiorentino, a historical silk manufacturer operating continuously since 1786, acquired the year before by the company and relaunched with a focus on craftsmanship and the quality of materials.
Mr. Stefano Ricci is President and principal shareholder of STEFANO RICCI S.p.A., an emenent men's fashion company with production entirely carried out in Italy.
His activity was already underway by 1972 and, within a few years, with his wife Claudia by his side - and from the mid-nineties joined by his two sons, Niccolò (CEO) and Filippo (Creative Director), he transformed an artisan production into an enterprise with an international distribution. In 45 years of business he has created hundreds of jobs (more than 500 employees, from the production in Italy and international retail).
He began with a clear idea: to create exclusive products with uncompromising quality, the result of the "know-how" that has made Italy famous throughout the world. Starting from the tie, the main element of the wardrobe, production has since expanded to shirts, acquiring a strong expertise in technical fabrics. After launching a line of small leather goods, the company's offering has been extended to the working of fine leathers, beginning with crocodile. -----labor intensive the quintessence of exclusivity.
I recently had the privilege to speak with Stefano Ricci CEO Niccolò Ricci, creative director Filippo Ricci and managing director Julian Balea about the luxury boutique opening in Miami, the product selection and special services offered and how had the partnership with Arturo Fuentes develop and what will this partnership and growth strategy will bring to Stefano Ricci in the Miami Design District!
Joseph DeAcetis: Talk to us about why it was important for Stefano Ricci to open a luxury boutique in Miami?
Niccolò Ricci- This was a part of our growth strategy for the North American market. After Rodeo Drive and Park Avenue in New York, the STEFANO RICCI Group opened two boutiques in Las Vegas followed by the most recent boutique opened in Miami's Design District. Miami is a city that exemplifies a high quality of life; it's a contemporary and dynamic city that has always fascinated us.
JD: With all the luxury menswear stores already in MDD, what is Stefano Ricci bringing to the area that is unique?
Filippo Ricci- The Palazzinais a distinguished building within the Miami Design District, with an architecture that sparked the interest of my father, Stefano Ricci.
JD: In your words, talk to Forbes about the design aesthetic of the boutique including the exquisite flooring what were you seeking out to achieve for your target audience?
Filippo Ricci- My father designed the SR Miami boutique using black Californian briar-root wood and the pietra serenastone, which is typically found in Florence's historic piazza. This aesthetic expresses a balance between the various elements, which nevertheless open into spaces that are dedicated to different parts of the collection and the SR HOME proposals. This ensures a more private and discrete shopping experience.
JD: Who is your target audience in Miami and how to intend to cater to the consumer’s needs?
Julian Balea- Our target audience would be aimed towards those who love to live in the Miami mansions, who appreciate a life well-lived, and who want to purchase based upon the pleasure of personal choices.
JD: How has the partnership with Fuentes developed and what will this partnership bring to Stefano Ricci in Miami?
Filippo Ricci– It has been an honour for us to develop a project with Arturo Fuente. This was based on a meeting where we found ourselves equals in terms of our strong heritage, undisputed quality, and excellence in every detail of our products. We decided to create a cigar to celebrate the relationship between our two families: the limited edition FUENTE OPUSX- STEFANO RICCIcigar. These cigars are not for sale, but will be a gift to our best clients upon their purchase of an OPUSX by STEFANO RICCI travel humidor, which is available at our SR Miami boutique.
JD: What shall the customers expect upon entering the Stefano Ricci Boutique in Miami?
Julian Balea- Clients enter into the SR World with a guaranteed service that is dedicated in all aspects, supported by our personnel who are at their disposal to aid in the selection of any outfit or SR HOME item.
JD: Talk to us about the product offerings at the Miami store?
Julian Balea- The entire SR menswear collection is present, along with the SR Junior line - dedicated to the men of the future - and iconic SR HOME items. A particular highlight would be our proposals for the world of cigars.
JD: Can you please elaborate on any special services that you offer - especially the VIP room on the second floor?
Julian Balea- Every client receives a dedicated attention during their buying experience. The SR bespoke service is reserved for our top clients, strictly by appointment. For these appointments, a personal tailor is available who guides the client through their proposals and who can create a truly impeccable wardrobe selection. All garments are subsequently created in Italy in the hands of skilled Florentine artisans.
It is our privilege to share in these moments, which are so personalized and which bring out the pure quality of Italian craftsmanship.
JD: Why is it important for Stefano Ricci to have a brick and mortar space in the digital age?
Niccolò Ricci- Our clients, especially those of younger generations, can better find the intrinsic quality of a product when it is seen and touched within a physical space. We are able to have a dialogue with our clients on this platform; however, we also offer our clients an experience through our e-commerce boutique.
JD: Are you prepared to service the Miami Heat and other big and tall athletes in Miami?
Julian Balea- In our company's history we have often been at the service of sports champions; they come to us knowing that their purchases come with equal levels of quality and confidentiality.
JD: Who is the one Miami celebrity that you would like to dress and why?
Filippo Ricci- STEFANO RICCI clients are always celebrities to us!
JD: What is Stefano Ricci's global growth strategy for retail and what is this growth strategy based during this great period of disruption within the menswear fashion industry.
Niccolò Ricci- We have forecasted a growth that, in the first half of 2019, will bring us to 70 monobrand boutiques worldwide. We had a 4.5% growth in sales over the 2018 period, counting 7 new boutique openings including that in Miami. Three more openings are planned for 2019, with an aim to consolidate our leadership in the luxury menswear market.
