“Jacket Required” – a TV pilot about craft, style and culture

A couple of years ago, I lived a dream for a few weeks.

I wrote, co-produced, hosted and co-directed a pilot for a TV show filmed in Milan. “Jacket Required” was pitched as a one-hour travel show about how style is expressed around the world, in clothing, food and culture. We started in Milan, one of the top style capitals in the world.

I had the immense pleasure of interviewing some of the greatest names in menswear and visiting a remarkable selection of ateliers, shops and factories , including the great honour of speaking with Gianni Campagna, who passed away last fall.

Unfortunately, the show did not find a broadcaster. I am sharing the trailer and a selection of some of the show’s features to make sure it does find an audience and who knows, maybe a new life.

– Teaser –

– Nicoletta Caraceni of F. Caraceni –

– Lino Ieluzzi of Al Bazar –

– Gianfrancesco Musella-Dembech of Musella Dembech –

– Luca Rubinacci at the Rubinacci store on Montenapoleone –

– Francesco Barberis Canonico at the Vitale Barberis Canonico mill in Biella –

– Fabio Attanasio of The Bespoke Dudes –

Note: these clips are taken from a rough cut of the pilot and therefore include stock footage. Also, the Rubinacci clip contains images of jackets by Musella Dembech and Davide Taub.

8 responses to ““Jacket Required” – a TV pilot about craft, style and culture”

Dan Eichner

Mar 31, 2018 at 9:19 am

I hope to see more! It’s so inspiring to see people living with such passion. Thank you for sharing and I hope these do find a wider audience. Best of luck!
Dan

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1. Pedro Mendes
  
  Mar 31, 2018 at 7:43 pm
  
  Many thanks, Dan.
  
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Anthony T.

Apr 3, 2018 at 6:19 pm

Wow.. Sorry to hear that you weren’t able to pick-up a network. I know it was produced in Italy. Would it be a chance to get one of the U.S. stations? NETFLIX or PBS station? I’m going to preview the trailers. The amount of Men of Style here in the U.S., this could be a hit. It reminds of a show here called the Genuine Article. It focused on the best of the best in men’s apparel; libations; cars and lifestyle.

I just found out about you doing a search on MAROL. Also, I see you know my mentor/friend Prof. G. Bruce Boyer. I like the story on the neckerchief. FYI depending the size of one’s neck 18.5 x 18.5 is a good size. I’ve made them also 26″ x 26″ almost a scarf size.

Mr. Mendes, I love this blog. I’m
glad I found it.. Love what posting and your commitment in elegant and the authentic menswear. All the best.

Be well,
Anthony T.

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1. Pedro Mendes
  
  Apr 3, 2018 at 10:22 pm
  
  Thank you for your very kind words, Anthony. I’m glad you like the site, the TV pilot and MAROL!
  
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Tom Gamache

Apr 14, 2018 at 5:25 pm

Is the full episode available anywhere? Love these clips. Thank you for sharing and for all you do. I couldn’t help but think of you and this site, as it has taught me so much, as I took my oldest son menswear shopping today for his first internship. He is learning the quality over quantity lesson as well as taking care of his clothes and shoes. It’s a wonderful passing of tradition.

Take care,
Tom

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1. Pedro Mendes
  
  Apr 15, 2018 at 4:34 pm
  
  Thank you so much for your support, Tom, and how great to hear about your son.
  
  As to this episode, only a rough cut exists so until it gets picked up by a broadcaster, we won’t release the entire thing.
  
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Travis Pool

Jul 14, 2021 at 7:20 am

Perhaps this is something you could crowd fund? I’d love to see more of this.

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1. Pedro Mendes
  
  Jul 17, 2021 at 2:56 pm
  
  Thank you! And perhaps some day…
  
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