Finishing the last sip of my espresso, I notice the cafe’s lavatory is out of order, so on my way through Piazza Del Popolo, I clean espresso and pastry sugar from my hands in the water pouring from a lion’s mouth, next to an obelisk the first emperor of Rome took from Egypt more than 2000 years ago. Minutes later, with Flaminio Obelisk still in view, I am admiring exquisite Italian fashion through the windows of Pallazo Fabi. This is Italy, where the old and the new can’t help but coexist.
From right to left: founder Elisio Fabi, master craftsman Mario Delfino and stylist Gianni Scarafiocca.
In 1965 Enrico and Elisio Fabi started the Fabi line in Italy’s Marche region with products they had sewn themselves. 50 years later, with showrooms around the world, Fabi has remained true to the quintessential Italian values of family and quality craftsmanship. The four Fabi siblings manage the company operations, with Alessia and Flaminio at the operations helm, and Emmanuele and Cinzia overseeing the company’s brand.
“We are a great family and, above all, a great team. We trust one another. We think as a team and not as individuals.”
– Cinzia Fabi
But what would an Italian family endeavor be without passion?
“For us, the family is a source of strength. Heated discussions seldom lack and they almost always yield something new, stronger and more interesting. That’s the way we are.” Cinzia Fabi
master craftsman Mario Delfino
When I entered the store, a friendly attendant greeted me and took me in a glass elevator up to the top level where I began my tour. The Rome location has three floors dedicated to Fabi’s eclectic line, which ranges from elegant gowns to colorful summer dresses, suits coats to sweaters, dress pants to casual slacks. From their colorful sport shoes and t-shirts, to leather bags, handmade fur coats, and even a pair of highly polished lizard skin shoes, 100% of Fabi’s products are created right here in Italy.
“This location is a concept store,” the attendant told me as we moved from room to room. I noticed that the asymmetrical floorplan echoed the city outside in how it encouraged me to take my time, meander casually, and explore. In a room dedicated to Fabi’s line of designer perfumes, I don’t find the standard display case and tester bottles. Instead, delicate scents wafted up from large golden bowls, each sitting on its own pedestal displaying the title of the scent and the year of its creation. I was shown into a small gallery displaying the recent works of a modern, abstract artist. I was served sparkling water at a small bar adjacent a display of wine bottles related to Fabi’s participation in the EXPO 2015 event.
In a time when we can hardly turn our heads without seeing another example of a corporation who has become an unwitting parody of itself because it’s leaders traded quality for growth, the Fabi family’s attention to detail and devotion to its core values, from the shopping experience all the way down to the stitching on the clothing, is impressive.
Maybe you’re the type of person who likes to support family owned business and local production. Maybe you care deeply about contentious business practice. Maybe your’e looking for something to wear to an embassy gala or out dancing at Circolo degli Artisti. Maybe you’re an aficionado of modern art, designer perfumes, or interior design. Or maybe you’ve just been searching the whole city for a pair of lizard skin shoes. Whatever it may be, Fabi Roma won’t disappoint.
