Boxers or Briefs?

2012 May 13
by josephvalente

The age old question of boxers or briefs has taken on a new dimension with the current trend of high priced underwear, ranging as high as $100. Not since the launch of boxer briefs has there been this much attention on men’s gitch. Click here to read the article, Call It Victor’s Secret, in the New York Times.

Frigo No. 1 underwear is a technical marvel with a price tag to match

Antonio Valente 5 Pocket Trousers: King of the Hill

2012 May 6

Contrast blue stitch compliments this Antonio Valente 5 pocket trouser

Pic stitch adds a unique element to this Antonio Valente 5 pocket trouser

5 pocket trousers have become a staple in every man’s wardrobe. By combining the casual look of traditional jeans with the sophistication of dress slacks, 5 pocket trousers are a wonderful option for hitting the town in style.

The success of Antonio Valente 5 pocket trousers is based on our Titanium Stretch fabrics; clean and comfortable fit; and eye-catching designs. We buck the trend of using 100% synthetic fabrics that are only 2-direction stretch. Instead, our Titanium Stretch fabrics have a very high wool content of 60%, which translates into a luxurious feeling trouser, and a 4-direction stretch, which adds noticeable comfort and ease of movement.

By combining our high quality manufacturing and sewing techniques with the fabric’s heat regenerated water, stain and crease resistance, each Antonio Valente 5 pocket trouser impressively performs, offering every consumer a durable but stylish trouser.

Brown suede trim on the front and back of this Antonio Valente trouser adds a hint of character to any outfit

Antonio Valente for Ottawa Life Magazine: Father Knows Best

2012 April 28
by josephvalente

In Antonio’s latest contribution to Ottawa Life Magazine, he  reflects on the importance of a father’s sartorial guidance in a son’s life. Click here to read Father Knows Best and have a look at Antonio’s first suit.

Folding Efficiency

2012 April 20
by josephvalente

Laundry day just got that much easier with this t-shirt folding tip… don’t blink or you might miss it!

Drake

2012 April 9
by josephvalente

Since each Antonio Valente garment is 100% made in Canada, we are exceptionally proud whenever we can dress a fellow Canadian. Antonio recently designed a couple of one-of-a-kind sport shirts for Drake.

Antonio designed this shirt for Drake using 5 different fabrics.

As a personal touch, we even made a shirt bag with Drake's image embroidered on the front.

Suit Up for CF Launch

2012 April 1

Suit Up for CF was recently launched by Antonio Valente and Cystic Fibrosis Canada at the Law Society of Upper Canada in Toronto. For every Suit Up for CF clothes purchase, Antonio Valente will give a portion to Cystic Fibrosis Canada, a world leader in the fight against the disease; and a tax receipt will be issued to the person buying the clothes.

If you would like to participate in this unique initiative by organizing a Suit Up for CF day at your workplace or by purchasing shirts, trousers or a suit for yourself, please contact Andrew, Cystic Fibrosis Event Coordinator, at 1-888-289-7923 for more information.

The campaign’s recent launch had a tremendous turn out, and was a lively affair with comedian Ron James as MC. Below are a few images, from the evening, provided by Alan Flores Photography.

Ron James had everyone in stitches as the Master of Ceremony

The Suit Up for CF campaign is chaired by Derry Millar, Partner, Weir Foulds LLP (left) and Chris MacLeod, Partner, Cambridge LLP (right), both of whom wore their contributions to the launch.

From left to right: Debra Berlet, Chair; Antonio Valente; Melinda McInnes, Program Director, Public Relations & Advocacy; Maureen Adamson, CEO

From left to right we have: Ken Chan, Vice President, Advocacy, Partnerships and Healthcare; Maureen Adamson, CEO; Debra Berlet, Chair; Chris MacLeod, Partner, Cambridge LLP; Antonio; Almeiri Santos; Derry Millar, Partner, Weir Foulds LLP

Omega Bespoke Couture to Antonio Valente

2012 March 26

I recently had a couple of loyal Omega customers, who moved to Edmonton and Corpus Christi, contact me in search of a retailer who sold their beloved menswear brand, Omega Bespoke Couture. For any others out there in a similar situation, you will be happy to learn that you can still buy the same high quality sport shirts, dress shirts and trousers, that you have come to know and love, under the Antonio Valente label. The attached label images show our gradual evolution to our signature brand, Antonio Valente.

Antonio Valente “A Mano”: The World’s Finest Made Shirt

2012 March 19

The world’s most respected and sought after luxury and quality are defined by two distinctive characteristics: an extraordinary attention to every detail and scarcity, which is a direct result of the immense time, labour and resources needed to craft each item.

Today, many mass produced “luxury” menswear brands have used marketing and brand development to fertilize the illusion of quality. These numerous high-priced brands have focused on cutting corners to decrease production costs instead of embracing the sartorial heritage of Europe and infusing each garment with tangible quality features. Of course, the only loss in the equation is for the end consumer and for the garment’s integrity.

Antonio Valente is passionate about challenging the status quo in menswear. The latest addition to The Antonio Valente repertoire is the A Mano shirt, which is the definitive statement of artisanship. Each A Mano shirt is a masterpiece of tailoring, showcasing preeminent quality such as skillfully hand sewn buttonholes, hand closed armholes, elegant pic stitching and completely matched fabric patterns, to make this the world’s finest crafted shirt.

Building on our sartorial construction, an A Mano shirt has hand sewn buttonholes

The armholes are closed by hand on each A Mano shirt

An A Mano shirt is completely matched, regardless of a fabric's pattern: we designate a line of symmetry for each fabric, which is applied to the collar, cuffs and fronts; the sleeve plackets are matched to the sleeves; the yoke is matched to the sleeves at the shoulder seams; both sleeves are identically matched; and the side seams and gussets are matched. Time, labour and fabric are invested into accomplishing the perfect aesthetic.

Antonio Valente for Ottawa Life Magazine

2012 March 12
by josephvalente

Antonio is passionate about menswear. His latest contribution to Ottawa Life Magazine focuses on one issue that has become a serious concern for  conscientious consumers and domestically based manufacturers. Click here to read The Hidden Cost Behind Cheap White Dress Shirts.

Grooming: An Important Accessory for Any Outfit

2012 March 5

A well dressed man is also a well groomed man. Unkempt hair, a sloppy shave or ignored cuticles can spoil the impression made by an otherwise impeccable outfit.

I’ve often wondered about the ingredients listed on personal care products, from toothpaste to shampoo. After some research, I was surprised to learn what I have been exposed to during my daily morning ritual. Below are some pointers for avoiding the most questionable products in one’s pursuit of grooming excellence.

Products with unpronounceable ingredients are often suspect. The worst offenders which should be avoided are: parabens (hormone disruptor); sodium laureth sulfate (an irritant); triclosan (an irritant and hormone disruptor); phthalates (hormone disruptor); and diazolidinyl urea (releases formaldehyde, a known carcinogen). If you prefer scented products that remind you of “early morning dew on a crisp fall morning”, consider choosing products scented with essential oils as an alternative to those with “parfum” or “fragrance”, which often contain synthetics and potentially harmful chemicals. If the word “preservative” concerns you whenever it is listed among ingredients, then look for natural preservatives such as vegetable-derived vitamin E and C or rosemary extract. Also keep in mind that oils such as jojoba, coconut and shea help extend shelf life without preservatives.