<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cThis is not an easy business, but it\u2019s definitely rewarding when you do it well.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tThat\u2019s David Cenci, ruminating on what it\u2019s like running Davide Cenci, the classic, family-owned and managed Italian brand known for its fine menswear, exquisite fabrics, tailoring and service. He\u2019s in New York this week, to celebrate the centennial of the company, founded by his grandfather Davide Cenci in Rome in 1926.<\/p>\n
\n\tIt\u2019s also a moment for reflection, particularly on the future of the business.<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cWe are really devoting a lot of time to that,\u201d Cenci, the president of the company, told WWD. \u201cIn a family business, the transition from one generation to the next is key. Our number-one concern is to see if we can be around for another 100 years, and to make the younger generation understand that done in the proper way, or in a way that\u2019s a little closer to their values, this is a viable business in terms of its economics \u2014 everybody likes their dividends \u2014 and the personal satisfaction and recognition you get from it.<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cIt\u2019s been fulfilling for my grandfather, my father and my uncle, and now my brother and myself, and if we can make the younger generation understand that, or make a bit of a transition with an outside manager under our own terms, where the family can still be on the board, that\u2019s really the challenge over the next three to four years.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\tDavid Cenci and his brother Giacomo, at the Davide Cenci store on Madison Avenue.<\/p>\n
\n\tLoyal customers, family and friends will celebrate the milestone Thursday evening at the 3,000-square-foot Davide Cenci store at 1041 Madison Avenue, and again on Oct. 22 at the 10,000-square-foot Davide Cenci shop in Rome. A retrospective of historic photos, ads, artwork and awards has been installed in both stores, and celebratory shopping bags have been developed. There\u2019s also a Davide Cenci store in Milan, and a Davide Cenci Jr. children\u2019s store in Rome.<\/p>\n
\n\tMost of the merchandise is under the Davide Cenci private label made almost entirely in Italian factories of fabrics from the Biella region of Italy, from Loro Piana, Zegna, and Vitale Barberis Canonico. Some third-party brands are sold by the business, among them Herno, Ralph Lauren and Barbour. Made-to-measure is offered, and tailors are present at the Rome and New York stores.<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cThese days the business is doing well. We are very happy. New York is extremely good,\u201d said Cenci. \u201cIn Rome, where shopping has really slowed, business has been flat the past two or three years. Inflation and salaries in Italy are not as strong as they are here. Rome is a destination for weddings and ceremonies, tailored clothing drives the business, Milan suffered the most during COVID[-19], and took the longest to rebound but has been experiencing great growth for the past two years. We finally found a very good store manager with lots of connections.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tThe company is on pace to reach 9 million euros in Italy and $4.5 million in the U.S. this year. \u201cBoth locations are running a healthy [earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization] thanks to good markups and streamlined cost structure,\u201d said Cenci.<\/p>\n
\n\tCurrently, men are buying few suits and ties though that\u2019s offset by strength in casual clothing, particularly outerwear, cashmere sweaters and pants, Cenci said. Suits that do sell tend to be formal, many in navy or a light monochrome for summer, and tuxedos, whereas 10 years ago, chalk stripes and Glen plaid were popular. Women\u2019s fashions are also sold.<\/p>\n
\n\tCenci still wears a tie every day and firmly believes people are too dressed down sometimes. \u201cOn a plane you need to be comfortable, but honestly, flip-flops and shorts should be banned. When you go to the theater or the opera, there has to be a dress code. I think sometimes we have gone too far down the casual road.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\tDavide Cenci, founder of Davide Cenci, at age 23.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCourtesy photo<\/p>\n
\n\tCenci, who was given his grandfather\u2019s first name but spelled without the \u201ce,\u201d knows the key to longevity in business. \u201cFor us, consistency is number one \u2014 sticking to your values. When I was a kid, when we had strong selling in Italy, I went to our store and tried to help out. My grandfather always said, \u2018Don\u2019t compromise on quality. Just give people things they can relate to, then don\u2019t go out of fashion.\u2019 I don\u2019t want to say for us that translates to timeless style because you have to update otherwise you are dead. Instead, I use the phrase \u2018sophisticated elegance\u2019 for something understated that combines form and function with elegance. We start from an aesthetic that I don\u2019t like to say is traditional, but it\u2019s certainly rooted in both the Italian and British sartorial experience. One of the hallmarks of our business, especially in Rome during the \u201950s and \u201960s, was how my grandfather and father were the first to import big British brands including Burberry, Aquascutum and Ballantyne.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tCenci said maintaining a high degree of service is also key. \u201cWe consider ourselves style consultants. The quality of the merchandise and the service are important. That sounds obvious, but to sustain them over 100 years is not necessarily easy. And then you need the passion. It takes a lot of time and compromises, sometimes with your family, but it\u2019s worked out for us, and we plan for another 100 years if some from the fourth generation [decide] to stick with us. We are in a transition period where, let\u2019s say, the fourth generation is still either undecided or too young,\u201d to join the company.<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cWith my brother, we are trying to make the business stronger. Starting January 2027, that will become the priority.\u201d David handles the U.S. operations, marketing and the women\u2019s department. His brother Giacomo handles finance and the men\u2019s department. A third brother, Tomaso, is a lawyer and on the Davide Cenci board. A cousin runs the children\u2019s store.<\/p>\n
\n\tOne consideration is opening additional stores, Cenci said, citing Miami, residential areas beyond downtown Rome, Spain, and the Middle East, if conflicts there end, as possibilities. One plan in motion is carving 1,000 to 2,000 square feet out of the Rome store for a food and hospitality concept, something experiential. \u201cWe have relationships with a couple of bakeries in Italy that make our branded panettone,\u201d Cenci said. They also made branded cookies for centennial celebrations.<\/p>\n
\n\tCenci has two children, his brother Giacomo has four and Tomaso has two. Their children range in age from 16 to 29. \u201cThe older ones haven\u2019t shown much interest, I would say, in being hands-on,\u201d Cenci said. \u201cI have a very creative daughter in Los Angeles working in graphic design and comics. Maybe she will surprise us. I also have a daughter working on her MBA. She\u2019s definitely interested in the business, but first she wants to have more corporate experiences. My brother\u2019s children are wrapping up their college years. We\u2019ll see where that leads.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\tPaolo Cenci at the 1982 opening of the Davide Cenci store on Madison Avenue.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCourtesy photo<\/p>\n
#Davide #Cenci #Celebrates #Centennial<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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