Men
Corallium Rubrum, or red coral, was the very deliberate choice of logo (pictured above) of famed Neapolitan tailoring house Isaia Napoli. Red coral has a fascinating history extending back to the classical world, and derives its significance in part from Greek mythology, as Agyesh Madan of Isaia explains here:
Red coral also has an interesting tradition of depiction in art, especially that of the Italian renaissance, and can be seen in numerous paintings of the Madonna and Child. Often shown as a necklace worn by the Christ Child, these depictions reflect the contemporaneous practice of adorning a newborn child with a necklace featuring red coral with the purpose of performing an apotropaic function. In some traditions, the red color of the coral also alludes to the Passion of Christ. A few examples:
- Hubert Goes Out For A Hunt & Caring For Your Red Wing Boots:
Took the Red Wing 877 out for a grouse hunt the other day, my feet were comfortable and dry the entire day. Did't see many birds but it was a gorgeous day and the dog always has a excellent time. After the hunt my boots were quite dirty,...
- Canali / Spring/summer '14
A great review and some of my favorite looks from the Spring 2014 presentation from Canali in Milan: More photos here! From L'Uomo Vogue: Designed around the eccentric figure of French artist Jean Cocteau, the Canali collection plays with nuances...
- Isaia Napoli / Autumn/winter 2013
Photos from this fall's collection at Pitti Uomo from famed Neapolitan tailoring house Isaia: Stay tuned for details regarding next month's Isaia trunk show at Hubert White! Photos via ACL...
- In Stock / New England Shirt Company
The new American-made spring shirting from New England Shirt Company has arrived at the store. As you can see, we received a smart assortment of spring colorways; classic blues and pinks in gingham, stripes, and checks. If you're looking...
- Style Tips / Luciano Barbera
Style tips from a pro: Sprezzatura "Why are you looking at a picture of a bare hanger? It goes back to a book I love from the Italian renaissance called The Book of The Courtier. The key idea of the book - it is long and who has the time to read...
Men
The Story Of Red Coral
"What's that red thing on your jacket lapel?"
Photo by Matt White - Follow Hubert White on Instagram - hubertwhite1916
"The story behind the coral is one of my favorites. Remarkably superstitious people, the Neapolitans have many connections to this particular image that is unique only to the Bay of Naples.
Ancient mythology holds that the rare Mediterranean red coral was born from the story of Perseus and Medusa. Legend has it that the brave Perseus rose to the occasion of slaying the Gorgon Medusa and delivered her head as a wedding gift to the King of Seriphos, who was to wed his mother. During his travels home, Perseus fell in love with the beautiful Andromeda, who he saw chained to a seaside rock, soon to be eaten by the evil sea-monster, Cetus. To prove his love and save her life, Perseus killed the terrible beast. As he sat on the bank of the water to wash his hands, Perseus laid down the sack with Medusa's head next to him. The blood of her slain head dripped into the water and instantly transformed into what we know as Mediterranean red coral? forever a sign of good luck.
And hence, the little lapel pin is our wish for good luck for every customer that owns one of our jackets."
Red coral also has an interesting tradition of depiction in art, especially that of the Italian renaissance, and can be seen in numerous paintings of the Madonna and Child. Often shown as a necklace worn by the Christ Child, these depictions reflect the contemporaneous practice of adorning a newborn child with a necklace featuring red coral with the purpose of performing an apotropaic function. In some traditions, the red color of the coral also alludes to the Passion of Christ. A few examples:
Detail of Madonna Casini, by Masacchio c. 1426
Detail of the Montefeltro, or Brera, Altarpiece by Piero della Francesca c. 1472-74
Madonna di Senigallia, aslo by Piero della Francesca, c. 1474
The Virgin and Child between Saint Helena and Saint Francis, by Amico Aspertini, c.1520
- Hubert Goes Out For A Hunt & Caring For Your Red Wing Boots:
Took the Red Wing 877 out for a grouse hunt the other day, my feet were comfortable and dry the entire day. Did't see many birds but it was a gorgeous day and the dog always has a excellent time. After the hunt my boots were quite dirty,...
- Canali / Spring/summer '14
A great review and some of my favorite looks from the Spring 2014 presentation from Canali in Milan: More photos here! From L'Uomo Vogue: Designed around the eccentric figure of French artist Jean Cocteau, the Canali collection plays with nuances...
- Isaia Napoli / Autumn/winter 2013
Photos from this fall's collection at Pitti Uomo from famed Neapolitan tailoring house Isaia: Stay tuned for details regarding next month's Isaia trunk show at Hubert White! Photos via ACL...
- In Stock / New England Shirt Company
The new American-made spring shirting from New England Shirt Company has arrived at the store. As you can see, we received a smart assortment of spring colorways; classic blues and pinks in gingham, stripes, and checks. If you're looking...
- Style Tips / Luciano Barbera
Style tips from a pro: Sprezzatura "Why are you looking at a picture of a bare hanger? It goes back to a book I love from the Italian renaissance called The Book of The Courtier. The key idea of the book - it is long and who has the time to read...