My friend Agyesh is one of the most talented guys I know. A Parsons graduate and former product developer at Isaia, he struck out on his own a few years ago to start his own design company. Named Stoffa, which is Italian for “the stuff things are made of,” the label started with a handsome range of accessories – from slow loomed scarves to modern looking pocket squares to unique knit ties. Everything from the company feels refreshingly new and modern, even though they’re still using century-old production techniques. Their scarves, for example, are woven on old, wooden, jacquard shuttle looms in Biella, Italy. Since they’re made to size, rather than cut from larger pieces of fabric, they’re finished with a selvedge edge.
Yesterday, Stoffa introduced their first cut and sew pieces, which Agyesh has been developing and product testing for the last two years. Included are three models for leather jackets – an asymmetrical zip with big sweeping lapels; a flight jacket with oversized pockets; and a longer field jacket designed to be worn over tailored sport coats and chunky sweaters. Tons of unique details abound, such d-ring side tabs to help cinch in the waist and stand up collars to add a bit of panache. There’s also a new line of trousers, which are made with a slim leg line and higher rise (a combination that’s frustratingly hard to find).
Everything is custom made, which means you can choose from a range of lambskins, suedes, and brushed cottons for the jackets, and a nice full line of peached cottons for the trousers. Prices range from $700 to $1,700 for outerwear (depending on the material and model) and $250 to $300 for pants. Since everything is made-to-measure, however, it does mean that purchases have to be made at one of Stoffa’s trunk shows. “I’m very focused right now on getting things right for customers,” says Agyesh. “That means taking people’s measurements in person and helping them figure out which model is best for them.”
The first trunk show is happening this week in New York City. You can check it out at CHCM any time from September 3rd to the 5th. Agyesh tells me he has some other trunk shows in the works – mostly in other US cities, although there’s also something planned right now for Sweden. You can follow his trunk show schedule at his website.
