Naples is a city that's steeped in myth and magic. The Greek god Perseus is said to have rested on a Neapolitan beach with the serpent-wreathed head of Medusa. The Italian city is also famous for its coral and fine tailoring, and the two come together in one of Naples' top luxury brands, Isaia, which has a piece of red coral as its logo.
'The myth goes that when Perseus beheaded Medusa, the blood flowed into the sea and the coral for which Naples is famous was formed,' says Gianluca Isaia, whose father and uncle created the company in 1957. 'I used one of the first pieces of coral I was given as the inspiration for our logo.'
Until now Isaia's fine men's clothing has not been readily available in Hong Kong but that will change briefly this week, when The Swank hosts a two-day trunk show for the brand. Isaia is flying Gianluca Rubino, one of its most experienced Neapolitan tailors, to Hong Kong for the event and he will meet customers by appointment only. Those who sign up will be able to order made-to-measure suits in a wide range of luxury fabrics, from cashmere to super 210 wool. Isaia will also make available selected items from its spring-summer collection, including jackets and trousers made from a light-weight fabric that is 99 per cent water resistant.
'This is a perfect fabric for Hong Kong,' Isaia says in his store on Milan's Via Spiga, as the water he has just poured onto a pair of trousers forms globules and fails to penetrate the surface. 'This is good for typhoon season and for high humidity, and if you're travelling and somebody spills a drink on you before an important meeting.'
Isaia will be at The Swank, Pacific Place, Admiralty on Tuesday and Wednesday. To make an appointment, call 2845 4929.