Summerlin-based GAETANO is a “luxury fashion concierge” that makes the dream of tailored menswear possible…and even affordable.
“Let Gaetano Brand give you that complete professional custom-tailored look and feel without the price. Walk with the confidence you need to be successful. Be your own designer. Whatever you dream up, we will create.” – GAETANO Fashion
Several years ago, this writer worked as a Referrals Specialist at a large medical complex. During the training period, my supervisor noted that it wasn’t necessary to “dress up” each day as I’d been doing. My response was that I felt more confident and focused when my clothing choices were elevated.
You might have noticed that sophisticated fashions are becoming more prominent for men, both in the workplace and on the go. Athletes have played a big part in shifting perceptions of menswear. How we present ourselves to the outside world is undeniably linked to our self-perception, which carries over to others. “Vestis virum facit”, or “Clothes maketh man”, as the proverb goes.
Every man deserves the experience of owning a custom-designed suit. “Five to ten years ago, guys weren’t putting much thought into what they wore,” says Tommie Battaglia, owner/designer at GAETANO Fashion. “They just grabbed jeans and a t-shirt and called it a day. Now, they’re putting more thought into it. Not to impress girls…but to impress other guys.” You might call it a positive side effect of peer pressure.
Summerlin-based GAETANO calls itself a ‘luxury fashion concierge.” As Battaglia explains, “We’re not only creating beautiful handmade garments, but we’re styling people as well. Guys that had no idea what to do before. Once they get their first custom suit…that’s it!. They will never go back to off-the-rack suiting, because it fits and feels so good on them.”
The concept of tailor-made clothing intrigues many. But a lack of knowledge regarding the process and a fear of lofty prices are often deterrents. That being said, GAETANO has the ability to create a striking outfit that you help design, and the cost starts at around $800.00. The best part is that, once it’s delivered, the suit will last a lifetime…when properly cared for, of course.
Getting started is as simple as a free personal consultation. Unlike the glitzy, sometimes overwhelming shops you’ll find on the Strip, GAETANO Design Studio is kind of like a speakeasy for menswear. It’s discreetly tucked inside one corner of a modern Legacy Insurance office. Yes, you read that correctly.
Julie Kim (left) and Tommie Battaglia of GAETANO
Ordering your first custom-tailored outfit through GAETANO is fun, relaxing, and to a great degree….”cool”. With client services specialist Julie Kim and seamstress Leticia completing the team, you’re sure to feel pampered, confident, and on your way to looking better than ever before.
When you arrive, it’s just you, Tommie, and an extensive collection of fabrics and accessories. Sip on your favorite spirits as Battaglia determines the primary purpose for your new clothing. Together you’ll discover what patterns and styles might come together to reflect your inner self in a way that everyone can see.
For a guy’s first custom suit, Battaglia tends to steer away from bold checks and patterns. “Your guy who wears t-shirts isn’t going to feel comfortable in that. You have to gradually get there. Maybe you’ll have a “ghost” pattern so that it’s not so “in your face”. Then that guy will eventually…(laughs). Once he gets his first suit, that’s it! They’re almost immediately getting a second suit.”
The base category of fabric is going to be simpler material. The higher up you go, the greater the thread count will be, along with more luxurious patterns, colors, and textures. Twills and tweeds lead to exquisite brands from Italian factories at the far end. “Those are at a whole different level”, Tommie explains.
After choosing a style and cut, the process continues by selecting buttons and other accents to compliment the material. Once again, Battaglia will guide you for a match that is contemporary, yet timeless. There are dozens upon dozens of samples, and you can place the accessories next to your fabric choice to ensure that they look great together.
“The next step is choosing the lining” Battaglia continues. “We use wicking material that keeps you cool from the inside. There are skulls, flowers, maps, music, movie themes, and even cheetahs. It can be custom, where you take a company or sports team logo and we can put it inside the jacket. For weddings, we can take seven to ten photos, in black and white or color, that can tell a story about your relationship.”
NHL All Star Kevin Fiala flashes the GAETANO label
A custom lining can add an additional week to the delivery time and $150-$200 to the finished product. Another variation is to transform your design into a tuxedo. “For an extra $200, you can take a basic $800 suit, turn it into a tuxedo (velvet or satin), and you have a custom handmade tuxedo for a thousand bucks”.
Once all of the components are chosen, Battaglia enters them into your order and begins the final step – recording your physical dimensions. Twenty-two points of measurement are taken, which ensure that your new suit will fit like a glove.”These suits are very form-fitting to capture your physique. Nothing else fits or feels like this”
When Battaglia launched GAETANO, he wanted to pay homage to his lineage and his ancestors’ background in the clothing industry. The name “Gaetano” belongs to his late grandfather. His great-great-grandparents were tailors and seamstresses in Italy. Each of his garments carries the “Gaetano” label, the exception being those created for a specialty line (more on that in a bit).
Battaglia stresses that his clothing is not limited to suits and tuxedos. Shirts, slacks, and jeans are a big part of his business. They proudly carry the GAETANO label as well. Long-sleeve shirts are embroidered at the cuff with your own monogram, adding yet another level to their distinctiveness.
To demonstrate how a custom-fitted shirt can look and feel, he took me through the steps to create my own. Using photographs of a higher-end suit that I currently own, we examined his collection of fabric samples and buttons that would match.
Tommie recommended a lightweight, breathable fabric with a four-way stretch (below) that, like his suit linings, would help to keep me cool in the intense Vegas heat. These factors come together to make a shirt that’s stylish, body-flattering and allows for freedom of movement. When I wore mine for the first time, the effect was absolutely staggering.
Your finished product typically arrives in four weeks. It’s already been dry-cleaned, pressed, and ready for a second fitting. This is necessary to address any variances that may have occurred due to the fabric’s characteristics and weight.
Ninety percent of the time, your new garment will fit perfectly and be ready to wear. “We get you completely dialed in one hundred percent” Tommie is proud to say. “We make sure everything is to your liking. I never let anyone leave without it looking perfect”.
As mentioned above, professional athletes are a large part of the custom clothing market. That second fitting can be especially crucial when, for instance, a UFC fighter is preparing for a match. His dimensions might change after the initial visit due to training and dieting. Battaglia can help to anticipate those variances…to a certain degree. But if necessary, his seamstress is ready to make final adjustments.
Off-the-rack garments are often impossible for most athletes to wear without dramatic alterations. Their muscular backs and chests, along with typically longer arms, make custom menswear almost mandatory. That’s why GAETANO Fashion has been the go-to fitter for teams like Vegas Golden Knights.
GAETANO outfitted the wedding party for Golden Knights’ William Karlsson (center)
Influencers and celebrities have discovered the unique pleasures of the GAETANO label. Hockey player William Karlsson and his groomsman were outfitted by Battaglia for his wedding to The Bachelor’s Emily Ferguson. Their opulent ceremony took place at Resorts World last summer.
(from left) Sean McAllister, Tommie Battaglia, and Bryan Chan
Media personalities like Sean McAllister and singer Bryan Chan have been spotted in GAETANO. Vegas real estate advisor Chris Brown sported the label at a Black Meanswear gathering this spring, and mixed martial artist Aljamain Sterling trusts GAETANO to design clothing for his shredded, bantamweight physique.
Aljamain Sterling (right) in a GAETANO custom suit
When world-famous deejay Steve Aoki received his first GAETANO suit, he instantly fell in love. So much so that he partnered with Battaglia to launch his own hip, formal menswear line. “Steve is our business partner. We created a line, if you will, called DIM MAK by Steve Aoki DIM MAK was Steve’s record label, and now it’s his everything label. His signature is in the jackets and they will be numbered in succession.”
Steve Aoki (center) has partnered with Gaetano for his own DIM MAK line
Another fortuitous partnership is with Station Casinos. GAETANO was recently commissioned to create formal wear for the butlers at Red Rock Resort. Next will be Henderson’s Green Valley Ranch, with others likely to follow. Battaglia hopes to outfit owners Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta for the debut of Durango Casino Resort. “I want to do the Durango Casino logo on the lining so that on opening day, they can open their jackets and flash it to the crowd.”
Being the flashiest guy in the room isn’t just limited to casino moguls and high rollers. Schedule your obligation-free consultation at GAETANO Fashion and discover a whole different side of yourself. The effect might be contagious.
GAETANO Fashion is located at 10777W. Twain Avenue, Suite 222. Phone (516) 852-8883 or email info@gaetanofashion.com for information or to schedule an appointment.
Photos: VEGAS 411, GAETANO Fashion
