I started writing a blog called The Rift in 1998, I later changed the name to The Dicky Bow in 2006. I just posted content about what I learned about men’s wear. It was based on the years I spent buying and shopping for classic men’s wear. I started buying well-made suits and ties probably in 1983 but as a young person, I always had a penchant for nice clothes.
I like classic men’s wear, beautifully cut suits, jackets, trousers, and bench-made or hand-crafted shoes. I like the period of the ’30s and the ’40s when men dressed for every occasion and even dressing down or casually was smart-looking.
However, in 2021 after slightly emerging from a pandemic, I decided to shut down the blog. Between the years of 2015 and 2019, I started an event company called EDB Cravatta and its forerunner Papillon Cravatta (I had a few partners). These web-based companies were outlets that I used to throw live catered events for providers of bespoke and made-to-measure men’s wear.
I still provide the service when a maker of bespoke or made-to-measure men’s wear needs the service. However, EDB being more successful allowed me to display bespoke and made-to-measure clothes made from fabrics manufactured at mills like Dormeuil, Reda, and Vitale Barberis.
I had to rent spaces from warehouses, private showrooms, public areas, and art galleries. I hired staff, catered the event, provided security, designed and printed the marketing materials, placed banner ads, created email blasts, purchased keywords, curated wines, and was in attendance overlooking the entire event in a made-to-measure or bespoke suit.
It is always exciting when I handle these events, and while I do not do as many as I once did, I learned a lot about the business of bespoke men’s wear and made-to-measure. I work as a corporate marketing specialist and do everything above but in another industry.
I hope to throw or sponsor an event in CT, probably in October 2025, featuring a firm that provides made-to-measure at a perfect price point for the entry-level person who is just beginning to understand his wardrobe.
So a small glimpse into the history of The Dicky Bow, and hopefully, it provides a little insight into my passion for men’s wear. I will still write tips and post images on this new site but I will still post a rant or two since it is my platform.
