Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/174813
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Riccardo Dallai, junior and senior; the boutique is stocked with rare finds for men, such as a black Givenchy coat lined in watercolor silk. PHOTOGRAPHY BY SETH OLENICK (DALLAI, RICCARDI); ASTRID STAWIARZ/GETTY IMAGES (JAMES); COURTESY OF RICCARDI (COAT) "You need to have some exclusivity, and we are doing that by [showcasing] brands that few other stores have." come in every few days just to see what's new," says Dallai, pointing to some of the hottest men's items for the fall, including a long, black Givenchy coat lined with watercolor silk, and a Commes des Garçons button-down shirt covered in replicas of original Mickey Mouse sketches, the first fashion brand to use them. And Riccardi's appeal goes beyond Boston. —RICCARDO DALLAI JR. While the Dallais are tight-lipped about clients, the boutique reigns as the place for international stylists to call looking for pieces in a very limited run—say, a printed, oversize Givenchy T-shirt for an A-list celebrity or an athlete client. It's not uncommon for Dallai to turn on the TV and see a celebrity or athlete wearing clothing from the store. While some people would be content with their success, Dallai is pushing the boundaries by bringing in designers available in very few places in the United States. Each season Dallai heads to Paris, Milan, and even Tokyo to source clothing and new brands for the store, skipping the runway shows in favor of the showrooms where the serious buying is done. Select pieces from new brands such as Jeremy Scott, Japanese label Sacai, and London's Kokon to Zai mix with Chrome Hearts jewelry (a brand that Riccardi has carried since the late 1980s), wool cargo pants from Brunello Cucinelli, and pieces from Dior Homme. "We felt this fall was the perfect time to freshen and evolve a little bit," says Dallai, likening his approach to a splash of water in the face. "We are constantly trying to balance the presentation of key brands such as Givenchy, Balmain, and Lanvin. By investing more in smaller, niche brands we are pushing the bar with fashion in Boston." To this end, the store will be adding a shop-in-shop of Vivienne Westwood clothing, bags, jewelry, and shoes for spring 2014. "Westwood spans the generations for both men and women," says Dallai. "You could dress your mom in Westwood, then grab a cool V-neck cardigan with the signature buttons for yourself." Along with his eagle-eyed creative director, Joseph Morrissey, Dallai will select pieces from four to seven yet-to-be-chosen core brands to seamlessly work with the Westwood collection. The close bond between father and son (Dallai is an only child) has allowed the pair to run Riccardi together seamlessly for the past few years, and now Dallai the younger has his eye on the future. He is "one hundred percent invested in Riccardi," he says. "I've grown into this business, and I know that to be successful you have to be in the store all the time. You need to have some exclusivity, and we are doing that by bringing in new brands that very few other stores have." 116 Newbury St., 617-266-3158; riccardiboston.com BC PERSONAL SHOPPER Riccardo Dallai shares his favorite looks for fall and beyond. Favorite men's pieces: A distressed Balmain biker jacket, a Givenchy Doberman sweatshirt, and a Brunello Cucinelli four-ply cashmere zip-up. Go-to look: Dior Homme jeans, Lanvin dress shirt, and Tod's loafers. Style icons: Gianni Agnelli and Masaaki Homma of Mastermind Japan. Favorite international boutiques: Loveless in Tokyo and Brown's in London. Brands to watch: Kokan to Zai and Undercover. BOSTONCOMMON-MAGAZINE.COM 096-097_BC_SPR_S_StyleSetter_LateFall13.indd 97 97 9/16/13 6:33 PM