MARIO BRESCIANI DIES OF CORONAVIRUS
MR magazine is saddened to report that Mario Bresciani lost his life to the Coronavirus. He was a healthy 79-year-old who had been living in Bergamo Italy, the epicenter of the Italian outbreak.
Bresciani was orphaned at age 12 and left to fend for himself and his two brothers after his father died in a German prison camp. He worked at several manufacturing jobs and ultimately, in the 1970s, founded his own luxury sock company near the Bergamo region in Northern Italy, sharing his expertise with major designers of this era.
In the late ‘80s, Bresciani introduced his luxury hosiery to America, first to the Pressmans at Barneys, then to Cliff Grodd at Paul Stuart. He was one of the first Italian manufacturers to enter the U.S. market with his own brand, introduced via various trade shows.
In recent years, Bresciani enjoyed semi-retirement, yet never ventured too far from his beloved company, now run by his two sons Massimiliano and Fabio. The two have continued their father’s legacy, producing socks for the most prestigious designer brands and, through a network of talented sales agents, selling hundreds of department and specialty retailers around the world under the Bresciani label. Quality (only the finest yarns), comfort and Made-in-Italy continue to be the guiding principles for this well-respected company, which has expanded into women’s hosiery and men’s fine gauge undergarments.
Mario Bresciani leaves behind his wife Graziella, his two sons, and several beloved grandchildren. Our hearts go out to the family; all in the menswear industry who knew Mario will surely miss this wonderful man.
A man whose commitment to nothing less than the finest quality never wavered. A true pioneer in the realm of natural fiber socks, his penchant for leading the pack was unmatched. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Graziella, Massimiliano, and Fabio.
I have been immensely proud to represent this Gentleman and his outstanding Company,
The news of Bresciani’s death is so sad and sobering. He was a giant of Italian menswear and was instrumental in how Americans learned to love Italian fashion and design. He is of a generation of transformative leaders of our industry who are most at risk until the virus is contained.
For those of us who have been a part of the Italian fashion community, we are particularly saddened by the devastation that the virus has caused to our friends, the companies, and to Italy. Over the years so many of us have dozens of visits to Italy for shows like Pitti, for fabric mill and supplier tours, for bistecca alla fiorentina and risotto and wonderful memories of this magical country. We have made countless friends in Biella, Milano, and Firenze and we are now learning of the suffering that they are enduring and the reality of the losses in their families. In my 50 year career at Southwick, Pietrafesa, and GFT and finally Joseph Abboud, i have had the incredible opportunity to know 2 generations of Italian craftsmen and visionaries: the tailors, the designers, the sewers, the manufacturers, the pattern makers, and a host truly wonderful and gifted people. I am in tears when i talk about this crisis and the human losses they are enduring.
And for those of us of Italian descent , it is devastating to see the country on its heels and to know that family members continue to be in isolation and at risk. I will pray for their well being and for the health of Italy.
Tony, Thank you for this important reminder of what our friends in Italy are facing. Over the years, they have welcomed us into their beautiful country with incredible warmth and generosity. They have been wonderful partners and friends and have taught us how to combine business with pleasure, how to truly enjoy the important things in life: family and friends, fashion and food, design and wine!
Sending love and prayers for recovery to our fabulous friends in Italy. May this pandemic be soon behind us all.💙🙏💙
Our prayers for his family and all of our fellow human’s around the world.