By Vanessa Friedman
Published: February 4 2010
Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi’s recent trip to Israel and the Palestinian Authority proved an effective argument for Italy’s tailoring expertise, if not its diplomatic know-how.
Indeed, the photo of Mr Berlusconi standing with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was a case study in the tactical benefits bestowed by a well-cut suit: two buttons instead of three, with the related longer lapels, creates an optical illusion of stature, as do the clearly demarcated trouser creases; by contrast, Mr Abbas appears less in control of his own garments and more, well, boxed in.
(Admittedly, this could be purposeful, suggesting that Mr Abbas has more pressing things to think about than ironing his trousers, and is physically restricted, much as his people – though as a sartorial message, that seems overly convoluted. On the other hand, it’s fun to think about.)
In any case, Mr Berlusconi didn’t stop representing his country at the suit, but also modelled the Italian executive knot as favoured by Fiat founder Gianni Agnelli, a deft display of nationalism as well as a good way to keep one’s tie straight. The net effect is to convey a sense of patriotic purpose – Italy is at your side! – even if it was not quite as subtle as the mirroring that occurred during Mr Berlusconi’s speech in the Knesset, when his dark blue tie and blue/white shirt neatly referenced the blue and white Israeli flag placed behind him.
And if Mr Berlusconi did put his foot in his mouth when he compared the difficulties of the Palestinians in Gaza to the difficulties of Holocaust victims, at least it was covered in a well-polished black leather lace-up.
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/ec913a2e-11bd-11df-9d45-00144feab49a.html
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