February 16th, 2010 -- While the online incarnation of Farinelli's continues to do a brisk business, the physical store in Clarendon, Virginia has since been shuttered.
January 5th, 2010 -- Farinelli's represented the best of what Washington, D.C. has to offer style-conscious shoppers.
In writing this piece, I found myself pondering whether or not it is possible for a "normal person" to be a "regular" at a clothing store in this time and era. Sure, the personal shoppers of the uber-rich have always greeted their clients by name when walking into the halls of many an "haute couture" boutique. But what if you're not Paris Hilton and are instead just an average-looking guy in search of a good new pair of jeans and a hoodie? Can you expect the same level of personal attention and customer service when shopping?
Enter Farinelli's. Mauro Farinelli is the owner of this eponymous Clarendon shop as well as a former co-owner of the Denim Bar -- another distinctly D.C. sartorial institution (he still technically is a passive co-owner of the latter but is no longer involved in day-to-day operations). And to understand Mauro is to understand Farinelli's since his store is an amalgam of all of his years of experience in the fashion industry as a tailor, designer, store owner, and yes, even as a customer.
Simply stated, this means that the store sells only those brands that Mauro himself would buy and wear. He is the sole curator of the collections that fill the racks of Farinelli's; although he is most definitely not alone in the stewardship of the store. Indeed, when talking to Mauro about the team he has assembled (Mason for general management, Emily for women's merchandising, Payman for blogging, web content, and PR), it sounds more like a family than a retail staff.
Revisiting my original question then, it's these very people that make Farinelli's the kind of store you want to visit on a regular basis -- even when you're not in the market for something new. If you spend enough time there, the staff will soon become your friend; joking with you on Facebook or telling you about the latest arrival in your size on the Style Forum. And such camaraderie and trust is a good thing indeed seeing as how Mauro increasingly must devote more of his time to the private label (Wolf vs. Goat) he (the "Wolf") just launched with his girlfriend, Heather (the "Goat"), out of New York.
Farinelli's openness and affability isn't to say that the store isn't oriented towards a particular demographic. To be sure, if you ask Mauro to describe his establishment he will quickly tell you that it, "focuses on quality garments from contemporary designers for fashion-forward people." But don't let the idea of "fashion-forwardness" scare you away from paying Farinelli's a visit. Even if you've never heard of Band of Outsiders or Wings + Horns (these are brands; not bands), pull-up a stool to the store counter (it doubles as a bar during holiday parties) or challenge Payman to a game of ping pong. Soon enough, you'll likely be a convert...and a customer. --DPS
A.P.C. / Band of Outsiders / Engineered Garments / Fjällräven / Fred Perry / Kill City / Krane / Left Field / Men Without A Country / SPURR / Wings + Horns / Wolf vs. Goat / Wolverine / Woolrich Woolen Mills
