The Bespoke Dudes Eyewear, thebespokedudes.com
CUBAN CIGARS. TRAVELLING IN ITALY. RELAXATION IN STYLE
Fabio Attanasio is living the dream. Despite his incredibly successful blog The Bespoke Dudes launching an eponymous brand The Bespoke Dudes Eyewear, plus his Instagram account showing more than 201k followers, he remains remarkably humble and unfazed by his social status. Following on from part 1 of our interview, where as a tailoring aficionado, Attanasio shared key tips and advice on bespoke tailoring and classic menswear, we spoke again to discuss Cuban cigars, travel, relaxation, and today’s blog world.
A LACK OF OPINION – “It’s not been that simple. It’s not been that easy over the years to keep track, to keep an identity, to be consistent”. With countless bloggers – both men and women, desperate for a chance of online notoriety – particularly in fashion, setting yourself apart from everyone else is no easy feat. Attanasio however, has pulled away from the fashion cliché blogs – The Bespoke Dudes about page states “DON’T CALL IT A #FASHIONBLOG”, and has created a brand which focuses on tailoring and timeless style. When asked about what’s lacking in the blog industry, Attanasio declares “content. Today, many people don’t have opinions”. Noticing how sites are often filled up “by the first advertiser”, he himself carefully selects who he collaborates and invests his time with. Perhaps the quality of his choosing, is partly why thousands of men differing in age, repeatedly listen to his opinion.
Left: The Bespoke Dudes Eyewear, Top Centre: Rossano, Italy, Bottom Centre: Venice, Italy, Right: Sartoria Habitus jacket, Rubinacci tie, Photo by Nafiseh Kaboudvand. Images on Fabio Attanasio Instagram.
“I just like the taste of a good cigar”
FAVOURITE CUBAN CIGAR – Adding together his time spent on The Bespoke Dudes Eyewear – global meetings, conducting interviews and creating content, it appears Attanasio has little spare hours to unwind. Nonetheless, we at EGM Cigars took great delight in finding out that Attanasio enjoys fine Cuban cigars. Paratagas cigars were mentioned, but it’s Montecristo cigars which most appeal. “I like Montecristo No. 4 especially – it’s been my long-time favourite. I like the different flavours you get in the first, third and second third – the many different flavours”. Founded in 1935, Montecristo is one of the most well known Habano brands to hail from Cuba. We class the Montecristo No. 4 Cigar as an absolute must for any avid cigar smoker. With immaculate construction and a delectable smooth wrapper, flavours of bold, earthy tones are infused with fresh wood and spice. Smoking cigars for “three, four, five years” [cigars smokers tend to remember their first cigar with precision, but the years spent enjoying are blurry], Attanasio mentioned one of the best benefits of cigars compared to cigarettes – “I’ve never smoked cigarettes in my life. I can’t accept the fact of inhaling smoke. I just like the taste of a good cigar”.
"I'm quite a geek when it comes to motorcycles"
RELAXATION IN ITALY – Besides Cuban cigars, Attanasio shares two other methods to help him relax. “I do a lot of yoga… I’m quite a geek when it comes to motorcycles”. His Instagram page proves his love for motorbikes, sporting BMW, Ducati Scrambler and a Moto Guzzi V7. “I love going on my bike and riding through vineyards in Tuscany or Lake Como or Lake Garda”. Born in Naples – a staple for men’s tailoring, Attanasio graduated from his studies in Milan, after which he began to invest hours travelling throughout Italy to meet with tailors to further learn the craft. “There’s a huge difference between Italians from the south and Italians from the North.” Now enjoying life residing in Milan, Attanasio confessed he feels “very happy I’m a Napolitano not living in Napoli”. Admitting to an Italian I have never stepped foot in the country – it is my mission to go next year, felt shameful and equivalent to professing a disappointing sin. Attanasio nevertheless, proposed to be my tour guide and eagerly suggested where I should travel first. Many tourists go between “Florence, Venice and Rome and then they go back. Go further south and you will not regret it”. Although a huge admirer of Milan, it seems Naples still reigns dear in his heart, as he recommended the region along with Sicily.
Top Left: Speedmaster Omega watch, Bottom Left: Photo by Eleonora Proietti, Centre: The Bespoke Dudes Eyewear, Bespoke double-breasted jacket cut from Dugdale Bros & Co, Right: Venice, Italy. Photos on Fabio Attanasio Instagram.
STYLE IN OTHER COUNTRIES – Travel is a natural aspect of Fabio Attanasio’s life – The Bespoke Dudes Eyewear is stocked in high-end boutiques and stores in numerous countries, from Milan, Munich, Seoul and Harvey Nichols in London. As well as exploring locations in Italy, Attanasio’s Instagram shows him abroad visiting countries around the world – Columbia, Switzerland, Dubai and London this year alone. When asked if travelling has influenced the way he dresses, he responded with a firm “definitely”. Believing each country has their own style – Attanasio himself owning various bespoke suits, he excitedly revealed he will be owning his “very first British jacket made by Saville Row”. In such short years, Attanasio has gone on to represent the young voice of Italian tailoring and craftsmanship. He has become a lucrative businessman at an age where many have just figured out their careers, and he’s managed to still compose and retain his gentleman warmth and conduct. What the future holds we can only imagine, though with a soft tone, Attanasio uttered, “hopefully, over the years the effort has paid off”.
If you haven't already, read the first-half of our interview: Fabio Attanasio: Creator of The Bespoke Dudes, where he shares expert tips on bespoke tailoring, style inspiration, Old-Hollywood dressing and the business of his eyewear. Keep up with The Bespoke Dudes blog and shop the high-quality glasses at The Bespoke Dudes Eyewear.