Italian Style

Ok, so I'm not the best photographer and most likely will not win awards, however- after spending the past several weeks in Italy working on product, visiting our factories and spending some time in our favorite stores in Pistoia, Lucca and Arrezzo, I had to take a photo of our favorite outfit of the season in the stores. We think this is just a great outfit. It features an exploded plaid tweed coat, not too heavy, but it looks like fall/winter. Complete the look with our great exploded herringbone, wide spread collar shirt worn with a chocolate solid wool tie, and a camel corduroy pant. Wow.

We think that the coat with its hacking pockets and overlapping ticket pocket also differentiates it from the rest of the pack! Go to our website www.kuhlmancompany.com and check out the prices - AMAZING! At these prices, you can then afford a trip to Italy to enjoy the culture.

Also, remember to tie the tie using the "double-fore-in-hand" knot! It gives it fullness without looking sloppy. This coat is also great with a pair of jeans or a grey flannel which can also be found in the stores.

Olive Oil Press

We thought you'd enjoy this photo of the first press at this year's Olive Oil harvest in the Lucchese Hills of Italy. On the left is the "Liquid Gold" as it gets separated from the mash on the right. We leave this mash with the press, and they then sell it to others to be pressed a 2nd and 3rd time to extract the last drop.

This mash is mixed with all the mash of other olive orchards. Estate olive oil is considered the best for the fact that you are getting oil from one orchard and it usually has a very distinct flavor. Depending on the soil, climate and growing season, the oil's flavor is affected - much like grapes and the harvest process they go through. When the mash is mixed with others, you are getting a blended taste and it is no longer considered estate oil. The acidity is at it's lowest after the first press, and it considered the most desirable. Who has the bread?

The Olive Harvest

Over the course of the past week we were in Italy working on new product for the upcoming season and had the opportunity to work on the Olive harvest. The harvest is an amazing experience. This is something that technology really has not touched. Much of the olive harvest is still done by hand. Men and women climbing in trees picking the olives.

This is a photo of our olives after they have been picked and are laying in nets on the ground. These olives are not edible and they are only used for the oil - but what amazing oil. We are learning that our olives near the city of Lucca (30 minutes from Pisa, 50 minutes from Florence) are some of the best in the world. Because of the soil, the vacinity to the Mediteranean Sea (it is far enough away that the salt air does not hurt the fruit) and the southern exposure it helps to create even what the Italians call their #1 "Olio Olivo".

We harvested about 10% of the trees in 1 day and the olives yielded just under 20%, which is above average. However, the next photo is what we consider the "Liquid Gold", the first press olive oil. For those who have never experienced fresh pressed, first press oil - we hope you have the opportunity one day. After tasting this you will believe that food is simply a vehicle for olive oil. This isn't the stuff you buy at the grocery store and you will never settle for off the shelf oil again!

Ties and Pocket Squares

One of the categories that Susan and I enjoy working on the most is what the industry refers to as "Furnishings". These are the ties, pockets squares, cuff links and belts, that can really make your wardrode Stand Apart.

We are in the process of letting everyone know that there are new ties and pocket squares on our website. Over the past several months we have received hundreds of e-mails asking when they will be back up on the site. The team worked overtime the past few days getting these up!

Thanks Steve, Susan and Sam, or as they are now referred, the "Three S's". (say that fast 10 times, Steve, Susan, Sam, Steve, Susan, Sam, Steve, Susan, Sam.........)

Happy Shopping!