Filius: Modern Menswear
Designer Alessandro Tomassetti honed his skills with two of the best-known women’s designer labels in Los Angeles, Louis Verdad and Petro Zillia.
And then he took off in a different direction—menswear.
Tomassetti, who served as an assistant designer to both Verdad and Petro Zillia’s Nony Tochterman, has launched his own menswear label, Filius.
Tomassetti facetiously describes his collection as “generally anti-slob,” but turns serious when describing his target customer.
“He is smart, design savvy and looking for items, not a complete look,” he said. “He’s looking to stand out as an individual. He’s serious but has a more refined edge and he’s looking to clean up a little.”
Tomassetti’s fine-art background is evident in the collection. He received a bachelor’s degree in art history and computer animation and worked in the film industry for companies such as Sony and Disney. When he shifted to fashion design, he studied at Otis College of Art + Design before going to work for Verdad and Tochterman, who praised Tomassetti and his new collection.
“Alessandro is one of the most talented, honest and creative people I ever met—I feel fortunate to have worked with him,” said Tochterman. “I know how hard he has worked on putting together his first collection and I feel it reflects really well his sensibility and sophisticated sense of style, I think it will cater for the very edgy metrosexual man as well as for the business man that is just a little bit fashion savvy.”.
The collection has an upscale casual look, including hand-linked sweaters, angora-blend tees and woven shirts with uncommon detailing. Tomassetti also included a few more-tailored pieces, including two trouser styles and a coat in the debut collection.
The designer’s sweaters are made from an alpaca/merino blend and feature details that Tomassetti describes as sculptural. One style features an oversize cowl neck that can be molded into a variety of shapes, including a slouchy version of a hood that can be worn with a jacket. Another features a surplice front, slashed elbows and an attached muffler that can be wrapped around the neck or draped across the body. Still another style features a double collar and toggle buttons, as though the wearer were layering several cardigans. (For those who actually do want to layer, Tomassetti also includes lighter weight bamboo sweaters.)
Filius’ woven shirts have equally thoughtful details, ranging from subtle, such as the striped shirt with articulated sleeves, to more-pronounced styles, such as the utility shirt with a detached breast pocket. But even on the more elaborate designs, such as a woven shirt with detachable epaulets, Tomassetti maintains the sophisticated look of the overall collection.
The trousers feature a narrow, contemporary cut and the T-shirts feature subdued graphics that reference such genteel activities as falconry. To complement the collection, Tomassetti has included a few accessories, as well, including a knitted dickey with a collapsible funnel neck and a few skinny knitted ties.
Everything in the collection is produced in Los Angeles. Wholesale prices range from $85 for the tees to $100–$120 for the woven shirts. Trousers are wholesale priced at about $140 and the sweaters range from $200 to $400.
For more information, call (323) 669-2660 or visit www.filiusdesign.com. —Alison A. Nieder
