My name’s Raffaele Rito, and I own Camiceria Ritocca, located in the heart of Vibo Valentia\u2019s historic center. My family roots boast a long-standing tradition of success in fashion and beyond. I come from a family of entrepreneurs spanning over three generations. My maternal grandfather began his business at the young age of 16 in a small shop selling fabrics for tailoring all kinds of garments, a business he inherited from his late father at a very young age. Over time, we expanded into major investments in hospitality and entertainment ventures, including the well-known 501 Hotel and the Acquapark waterpark near the coastal area of Zambrone, in Vibo Valentia province.<\/p>\n
In 1995, the clothing side of things passed down to my parents, who opened a large two-floor store featuring some of the most renowned brands in the industry, and they ran it for over 20 years. That\u2019s where my passion for elegant clothing\u2014especially men\u2019s shirts\u2014was born. As a kid, I spent afternoons after school at my parents’ shop, starting out in the stockroom: handling incoming deliveries, checking invoices, pricing items, organizing displays, and so on. My love for this grew day by day, eventually leading me to open my own shirtmaking business in January 2019, completely on my own.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.canclini.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ritocca-4.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
What does made-to-measure, personalized shirts mean to you?<\/strong><\/p>\n A custom shirt, as the name suggests, is a garment designed and created for each individual client. It\u2019s tailored to their specific body type, enhancing their strengths while gently accommodating any imperfections. These days, personalization is often seen as a luxury detail, like embroidering your initials\u2014a tradition with historical roots but originally intended for much more practical reasons. Customization starts with choosing the collar, determining the fit, and selecting from a variety of other features. My team and I pride ourselves on always capturing the unique needs of our clients.<\/p>\n Why did you choose our fabrics?<\/strong><\/p>\n Choosing Canclini wasn\u2019t a tough decision. I still remember my first call with the great Giampiero \u2014professional, a skilled advisor, and truly a master of his craft. As soon as I got my hands on the first fabric samples, I fell in love. We placed our initial orders right away, and our clients loved them too.<\/p>\n What\u2019s your favorite Canclini1925 or Grandi & Rubinelli fabric?<\/strong><\/p>\n I\u2019d have to say the Argento collection. But honestly, I haven\u2019t come across any fabric that isn\u2019t up to par. They\u2019re all of excellent quality\u2014after all, Canclini boasts a century of prestigious history.<\/p>\n We\u2019ve launched a seasonal fabric box\u2014what are your thoughts?<\/strong><\/p>\n Seasonal boxes are a fantastic idea. They offer clients a limited selection of high-quality fabrics, making the experience even more exclusive and strengthening our bond with them.<\/p>\n What\u2019s the one shirt every wardrobe shouldn\u2019t miss?<\/strong><\/p>\n I\u2019m a big fan of striped shirts\u2014I must have dozens in my wardrobe, mostly in light blue or dark blue stripes. That said, the colors Canclini offers always make it hard for me to choose, both for myself and for my clients. Still, I like to keep a few white poplin or twill shirts on hand for the perfect occasion.<\/p>\n You\u2019re young and active on social media. How does it impact your work?<\/strong><\/p>\n Social media has revolutionized the way we live\u2014that\u2019s for sure. At the same time, it\u2019s bridged a lot of gaps. Who would have thought you could sell or buy goods and services online? And now, you can even purchase custom-made clothing, from shirts to suits, entirely online. It’s great to see so many tailors showcasing their craft on Instagram and other platforms, stepping out of their shadowy workshops and leaving people in awe. Every time I post a video, especially young people flood me with questions, leave likes, and show genuine curiosity. It proves that sharing our world is the only way to counter the fast-fashion frenzy and promote true craftsmanship.<\/p>\n We launched our website, www.camiceriaritocca.it, about two years ago, in addition to maintaining an active presence on Instagram and Facebook. But I strongly believe that, whenever possible, nothing beats meeting your tailor in person.<\/p>\n CASUAL MOMENT: Tell us about your big passion for soccer.<\/strong><\/p>\n Soccer was my greatest passion as a kid. I spent entire afternoons playing, whether it was on a proper field or just in the street\u2014it didn\u2019t matter, as long as there was a ball and a few friends. The only thing that held me back was playing competitively. I was too shy to show my skills and always felt a step behind others, which made me feel out of place, so I quit before turning 18. I was a die-hard Juventus fan who couldn\u2019t sleep after a loss. Nowadays, soccer doesn\u2019t take up as much of my time\u2014I\u2019ve got other priorities. But I do still follow AC Milan games, thanks to my six-year-old son Giuseppe, who\u2019s a huge fan.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Canclini 1925 interviews Raffaele Rito of Ritocca shirtmakers, where they create high-quality bespoke shirts. Who are you, and what do you do? Tell us about yourself\u2026 My name’s Raffaele Rito, and I own Camiceria Ritocca, located in the heart of Vibo Valentia\u2019s historic center. My family roots boast a long-standing tradition of success in fashion […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12289,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.canclini.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ritocca-2-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.canclini.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ritocca-3.jpg\")
<\/p>\n