The Modern Silk Road

He said it was only natural for him to take over the family business. "Even when my father was working for a mass-production manufacturer, he was still making his own handmade brand. And I had no doubts either. I grew up with silk, after all. After graduating from school, I apprenticed at a hat shop, and after finishing my military service, I continued to help out. Since then, I've been dedicated to ties. My passion has never wavered." There must be some silk ingrained in the veins of this man who is so obsessed with ties. This is evident from the many comments he jotted down in my interview notebook.


A tie isn't necessarily essential, especially in today's increasingly casual fashion world. However, there's probably no other garment that conveys your mood or personality as well as a tie. For men, a tie is a symbolic item.
—I always have 30 to 40 ties in my wardrobe. Because of my job, I change them every season, but there are some that are permanent fixtures in each section, such as plain satin ties or gauze ties (laughs).
—Women might see them all as the same, but I want to say loudly that this is a huge mistake (laughs). They may look similar, but they are completely different things.
—While luxury brands also have Thai collections, we are the only ones who think about Thailand from the moment we wake up until we go to sleep at night.



When discussing stefanobigi , one cannot forget its refined appearance.

The third generation owner and his older sister, Paola, have built up the tie's design from fabric selection to final design. The fabrics are carefully selected from Como, Italy, a silk-producing region, and from long-established mills in England. The third generation owner says that airports, where diverse people intersect, are a source of inspiration for his design work. While high-quality materials and a worldwide sensibility undoubtedly contribute to its sophistication, there seems to be something deeper at play.


"I've been traveling the world since I was young. Of course, one of my motivations was to share the wonders of artisanal craftsmanship, but the opportunity to travel was also a big part of it (laughs). I especially loved China, India, and Japan. So, I think some Eastern influences, such as minimalism, may have played a role. Actually, my wife is from Bentencho, very close to Isetan."

stefanobigi is essentially the Silk Road itself, the trade route connecting Asia and Europe.
Oh yes, my grandfather's picture was displayed at an Isetan event themed around Pitti Uomo. When I told my mother, who is over 80, about it, she beamed with delight.

Text: Takegawa Keiji
Photo: Ozawa Tatsuya

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Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 1st Floor = Dress Shirts & Ties
03-3352-1111 (main representative)