Presented on 19 June at Superstudio Più with founder Maria Lenn, “One suit at a Time” is a which originated from a post on LinkedIn that supports the London-based charity Suited & Booted and their “shop” where clothes aren’t sold: they’re given away for free.
It looks like a luxury boutique in central London, stocked with big-name brands and high-end clothing, but you can’t actually buy those clothes. They can only be received as gifts, along with advice on how to present yourself at job interviews. This is the reality of Suited & Booted, the charity that helps over 1,200 vulnerable men re-enter the world of work every year, as recounted today in the photo book “One Suit at a Time” by Enzo Dal Verme.
The book, edited by art director Pierpaolo Pitacco, has been previewed in Milan on Friday 19 June at 7.00 pm at the FLA FlavioLucchiniArt Museum (Superstudio Più), during Men’s Fashion Week.
The photographs in the book, taken by the Italian photographer and journalist, accompany the testimonies of those involved in an innovative project of great social value.
It all began with a post found on LinkedIn. The initial curiosity led to an exchange of emails and then various visits, with the intention of publishing an article.
“When I realised that the subject matter and the stories gathered deserved far more than just an article, I spoke to my friend art director Pierpaolo Pitacco and together we decided to bring this book to life.”
Page after page, the book tells the story of a truly unique initiative. A team of stylists helps the men who visit Suited & Booted not only by providing them with new suits, but also by offering tailored encouragement. And the results speak for themselves.
Suited & Booted is a small charity. The visionary founder and chief executive of Suited & Booted is Maria Lenn. Her entrepreneurial vigor, coupled with a PhD in politics, leads the charity’s remarkable journey that has successfully helped thousands of men to re-enter the world of work.
“We embarked on this journey with very little resources and money, but lots of enthusiasm. I guess that’s what makes things happen. Many of the men who come to us feel unloved and unwanted. We can assist with a suit, shirt and tie, but our service transcends mere attire. It’s about helping people find their confidence, enabling them to feel good in a suit and radiate confidence from the inside out.”
The publication of the book was made possible thanks to the generous support of Love Therapy – the ethical clothing brand created by Elio Fiorucci – and a private donation from Mike Styles.
The book is published by Rodolfo Namias Editore and will be available to purchase on the lovetherapy.it website. Proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to Suited & Booted.
Enzo Dal Verme comments: “My greatest wish is that the images and texts in this volume will inspire readers to support Suited & Booted and—who knows—perhaps even give life to similar projects.”
