My personal style signifier I wear orange because it’s my lucky colour. The lining of my suit is orange and I usually wear orange braces. On the weekends, maybe a pair of socks or a shirt. Orange reminds me of India, of the Dalai Lama. It’s a relaxed colour, a very positive colour, which transmits a lot of energy. We introduced it into the company about 30 years ago: it’s a distinctive feature on the sole and lining of our shoes.
The last thing I bought and I loved it. They were cufflinks. The ones I’m wearing are shaped like a little gold pig with a diamond eye. They’re fun, I love them. I’m drawn to small things that are really special and I have about 100 so far. But I collect everything and when I like something, I usually buy three, just in case.
The place that means a lot to me. It’s my house. I’m usually at Corridonia’s house. [Italy] where we have the factory, or here in my new apartment in Milan, but in winter my family goes to St. Moritz and in summer we have a house on the beach. I’m always flying somewhere, so my house is where I recharge my batteries. In the beach house we have a beautiful terrace with a view of the sea, but in winter I like to be in front of the fireplace where it’s very quiet.
The latest improvements we made at home We stayed in our apartment in Milan with the architect. Patricia UrquiolaShe was very kind because everything she created was custom made for us: the sofa, the chairs, all the details were custom made. So now I can say that I have a custom made house. It was like having a tailored suit: she really sewed the house around our body.
The best memory I brought home I recently came back from Saint Tropez, where I found a very nice ivy flat cap that looked very traditionally British, but light. It was very unusual. When I went to the restaurant for lunch, two people asked me: “Hey, where did you get that hat?” I felt good, like I had found an original one.
The best book I’ve read last year. is Antifragile: Things that benefit from disorder by Nassim Nicholas Taleb. It’s about how things often thrive in chaos. He’s a genius. I like all his books, including The black swanwhich basically says we should stop trying to predict everything.
My style icon He is my father, a very elegant man [who founded the eponymous family footwear company in 1975. Santoni took over as CEO aged 21 in 1989]He was my mentor, not just my father, and we had a very good relationship. He gave me the best gift you can give to a child: an education in beauty. He educated me in the beauty of excellence, of quality and in the philosophy of quality. This is something you don’t learn when you go to school. It is something you have to feel, you have to understand and you have to desire.
What I admire most Athletes. When you see people with that kind of approach, with a spirit of sacrifice and responsibility, it’s admirable because nothing is easy in life. Nothing is satisfying or deserved without hard work. It’s beautiful to have a desire. And it’s beautiful to work hard to achieve it.
I would describe my style I am a detail-oriented man. I don’t like to dress up too much, I believe that less is more, and I don’t dress for others. The fact that I feel good about myself is important: I am more positive, I am more productive and my brain works better. If I don’t dress appropriately, I am disorganized. I always tell my son and daughter this: “A woman is never too beautiful and a man is never too elegant.”
The best gift I’ve given lately It was a box of aged Cohibas. I’m not a cigar expert and I didn’t know that you can smoke cigars that are 20, 30 or 35 years old. They age like wine or whiskey.
And the best gift I have ever received It is a work of art depicting a friend’s heart. I am a lucky man. I receive many gifts that make me happy.
The last music I downloaded They were playlists that my friends sent me on Spotify. I am a big Spotify user. I have different playlists for different times of the day. I love Italian music: from relaxed to upbeat. sweet life-Style. Sometimes I listen to songs from my youth in the 70s and 80s. They remind me of that special time in life when you fall in love. I am a romantic man.
I have a collection of Everything. I have a collecting disease. I never throw anything away and I never sell anything, not even property. Watches are my biggest indulgence. I have a lot of Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Rolex, but I also love vintage watches. That said, I only have a few watches in my life, four or five, that I wear every day on a rotating basis, some in the summer, others more in the winter.
The one piece I could never part with This is my Rolex 6062 Stelline, a very nice watch from 1952, from a time when they used to make complications. It has a top pendulum calendar and only 50 pieces were produced. It is very special, but unfortunately it has to stay in the bank – you can’t keep such items at home. It’s a shame, but it can be dangerous to walk around with nice jewellery or an expensive watch these days. My wife, son and daughter gave me a very special watch when I became a Cavaliere del Lavoro in 2022, which is similar to becoming a Sir in the UK. It’s a very important honorary title. The watch has a personal inscription on the back.
The best way to spend 20€ It’s a nice glass of wine, a nice cigar or an ice cream. I love ice cream. Affogato, ice cream with coffee, is my favorite. But it’s not good for my waistline. I need to exercise a lot more.
A way to make me laugh It’s telling me a funny story from real life. I’m a very lucky person: I’m surrounded by lots of friends and we’re always joking around with each other. As Charlie Chaplin said: “A day without laughter is a day wasted.” I totally believe that.
In my fridge you will always find What’s on right now: ice, champagne, gelato and berries. These things are always in all my houses, they are non-negotiable. In summer, I love cherries. Today, in Milan, there was an open-air market and I saw a basket of cherries so big they looked like apricots. I couldn’t resist. I bought them just for pleasure.
I recently discovered Self-care. I wasn’t very athletic when I was younger, but I got into it during the pandemic and now I work out Monday through Friday and on the weekends with my son. When I first started, I kept telling myself I had to do it. Now I can’t stop. It makes me happy to wake up to go to the gym. I love that I had this moment in my mind and have the motivation to keep going. I feel proud when I’m done.
What I couldn’t do without It’s my pen because I love writing notes. There’s something very special about receiving a handwritten thank you note; it’s a tradition that’s dying out, but it’s something I always try to do because it’s appreciated and remembered.
A whim I would never give up Dark chocolate is my guilty pleasure. My favorite is the artisanal chocolate I buy in Sicily. Modica It is made according to a traditional recipe and has a rich and deep flavour. It is protected and can only be produced in the Modica region.
The basic element of self-care I never go without my shaving kit. I travel a lot and my philosophy is that to be taken seriously you have to look impeccable and presentable. I believe that you are an extension of your business.
The artists whose works I would collect They are typically from the 50s, 60s and 70s, like Castellani, Boetti and Fontana. I also love Christo. I am a big believer in the idea that beauty will save the world. This is the culture we should entrust to future generations.
In another life I would change very little. I would probably just speed up a few things. I’m always hungry for more.
My favorite room in all my houses. It’s the living room, because it’s the only place where I can sit with my iPad and there’s a sense of calm.
The best advice I have ever received Feeling proud of yourself is one of the best emotions you can have.