In Conversation: Cyrill Ibrahim
The Royal College of Music Concert Pianist
British-Dutch concert pianist Cyrill Ibrahim graduated from the Royal College of Music and is on a mission to bring classical music to a new audience. By merging his passions, classical music, menswear and music education, he is being recognised to be building bridges. Let’s take a look at what makes his heart really tick.
What is your approach to a new project?
For me, my approach to a new piece would be trying to take a step back, look at the notes, learn the notes, take the notes in and find a way of being close to it. Finding a way of then, after having taken it in entirely, going behind the notes and asking yourself what does it mean? What is the expression behind it? That is the most important and most powerful approach.
Which view from your past or present always inspires you?
I mean, that’s the sea. For me, the sea is incredibly important. I grew up by the sea. But not only that, when you look at the sea, you get space to think, space to wonder, space to meander and have these thoughts that come and go. And it’s so important for a creative Mind.
How is your dressing style defined?
For me, dressing is something very personal. I think for me, it’s a way of expressing myself, but in a very delicate way. I try to keep things quite plain because I find that especially when you play the piano, it’s all about trying to find a way to not make things just about you. But that’s why I like my style to be quite understated.
Do you have any particular styling rules?
As a definition, I do not have any particular styling rules, but most of the time I’m just thinking about two or three colours, main colours and that’s usually what I go for. If the fabric is strong and powerful, that will do quite a lot.
Cyrill wears the Mustard Silk-Cashmere Polo paired with Steel Blue Lightweight Cotton Chinos
What are you up to right now?
I’m creating a lot of content and I’ve got quite a significant passion, which is trying to find a way of bringing classical music to the next generation and a new audience. And what the importance of that is that I just try to find a way of constantly feeling, going back into myself, what classical music actually means for me and why playing the piano is so powerful. And explaining that and building a strategy on how I want to communicate that to my audience is something that I’ve been developing. That entails a lot of new recordings and concerts and new repertoire.
Who are your style icons and why?
There were some great pianists such as Rubenstein and Horowitz, but also Leonard
Bernstein as a conductor. They were all very well dressed. And also the composer Stravinsky is somebody that I really admired. He was somebody who really dealt with and had a lot of friends in fashion at the time. Coco Chanel was one of his great friends and he was very interested in fashion as a way of expressing himself. So, I think that is the power of being able to be dressed in a certain way that actually amplifies what you do.
What’s a piece of clothing you will always cherish?
I suppose it’s a great suit that I still have and I’ve had it for a long time, and I still wear it. And when I wear it, I just feel so comfortable because you know that it will deliver when you enter a room.
What is the best book you have ever read?
The best book I’ve ever read is Thomas Mann’s Magic Mountain. Thomas Mann was an incredible German writer. This particular book is about essence and time. What time means and how relative time is. And basically, that’s what I’m doing as a pianist. I deal with time; I work with time. How does space and time work? And this book is all about that. The characters and the development of those characters is absolutely magnificent and really powerful.
What tradition do you look forward to most?
How we all celebrate Christmas from all people, from different religions, different cultures. Everybody celebrates Christmas and feels that that’s a place for us to be with our family. It’s incredibly impressive. And when it happens, I can’t wait.
Sometimes, a leather belt can enliven your style like nothing else: a garment that will enhance the quality of any outfit and that you'll love wearing for years to come.
Leather belts of the highest quality ensure durability and uniqueness for your everyday wardrobe. They hold their shape nicely and adapt easily, becoming more comfortable over time and providing a stylish look even after countless uses.
They’re also highly versatile garments that fit perfectly with both casual and formal attires. You won’t need a plethora of belts, as long as you own a few in neutral colours to put on that will work on any occasion.
Today we’ll look into what makes our handcrafted leather belts unique and why they’re the ultimate choice to enhance all kinds of styles.
Turin contains multitudes: a city that’s both industrial and artistic, ancient and modern, an amazing place of history and beauty where you can experience the authentic Italian lifestyle at its absolute best.
Torino is the northernmost major city in Italy, facing the majestic Alps and constantly caressed by its breeze. Yet, the city feels Mediterranean, with an atmosphere reminiscent of a southern flair that couldn't be more different from the hectic, metropolitan style of nearby Milan.
Nestled between the Po River and the Alps, Turin was a major national and European political centre for centuries. It was the first capital of unified Italy (the Kingdom of Italy), and the then-governing House of Savoy built majestic palaces and a modern infrastructure to celebrate the city’s importance.
Like most Italian cities, Turin went through a series of significant historical changes that determined its architecture and aura. It was one of the country's first and most industrialised cities between the end of the 19th century and the early 20th century; together with Milan, Turin and its industry laid the foundations for the post-war Italian miracolo industriale: it is, to this day, a crucial crossroad for industry, commerce, and trade.
If you’re looking for inspiration for your next trip to Turin, here's what you can do in 24 hours in one of the most beautiful Italian cities.
Cyrill wears the Midnight Blue Ravello Linen Shirt
What is the moment that changed everything for you?
There’s never been one particular moment. I think it’s a series of meanderings into feeling that discovering new music or music has been written a long time ago, but trying to find a way of constantly evolving and being open about things. So, there’s never been one moment, but it’s more a series of events that have led to me being able to understand music better. The more I know, it actually feels like I know even less than when I started.
What music era that intrigues you the most?
Of course, that is absolutely classical music. For me, classical music is the essence of our sort of heritage, western heritage. In classical music, you can find all the emotions that are never singular, but all these different layers, and that is what I find intriguing.
What is something you have discovered recently?
I realised that I need more time to develop, not to do things too quickly, take more time and reflect rather than push things out there too early. Because I’ve been doing that and I feel that doing that can be stressful. You have to go over certain things again. So, the most important discovery at the moment is taking more time for myself.
Elegant, slim-fit, wrinkle-resistant, and timeless: for decades, chino pants have been an integral part of a man’s wardrobe thanks to their unique versatility and durability. This year, Luca Faloni reinterpreted chinos by adding a modern touch to a classic design, enriched by the traditional approach and attention to details typical of the Italian craftsmanship our garments radiate. The result is our new cotton twill winter chino: Cortina.
Cortina features a medium thickness, cotton twill gabardine, ideal for the colder seasons and giving a unique silky, luxurious feel on your skin. We decided to name our latest chinos Cortina to celebrate the iconic history and lifestyle of Italy’s most charming alpine town, famous for it’s apres ski.
This article will look into the history of this fascinating fabric and how our Cortina chinos are made.
Sometimes, a leather belt can enliven your style like nothing else: a garment that will enhance the quality of any outfit and that you'll love wearing for years to come.
Leather belts of the highest quality ensure durability and uniqueness for your everyday wardrobe. They hold their shape nicely and adapt easily, becoming more comfortable over time and providing a stylish look even after countless uses.
They’re also highly versatile garments that fit perfectly with both casual and formal attires. You won’t need a plethora of belts, as long as you own a few in neutral colours to put on that will work on any occasion.
Today we’ll look into what makes our handcrafted leather belts unique and why they’re the ultimate choice to enhance all kinds of styles.
The gabardine fabric our Cortina chinos are made of is a tightly woven warp-faced twill weave fabric. A firm and durable material, gabardine was created in the late 1800s by Thomas Burberry, the founder of Burberry, who wanted to create a new, versatile blend for his creations.
At first, gabardine became popular because it can hold its shape and does not wrinkle easily. When it started being waterproofed with lanolin, it also became a must-have for travellers and explorers worldwide. Today gabardine is a versatile and exceptional fabric for suits and casualwear and is often used to make chinos or pants that can stand the test of time.
Our gabardine fabric is crafted in Northern Italy from high-quality cotton twill and blended with 3% elastane to improve the garment’s comfort and durability. They’ll seamlessly adapt to your shape, and thanks to the thoughtful details and luxurious feel on your skin, they may well become your go-to chinos in any smart-casual situation.
How we make the Cortina chinos
Italian Design
In our Italian laboratories, we have reimagined this timeless classic by adding a modern touch and subtle details to bring exquisite garments to life. Thanks to skills that have been passed down through generations, seasoned artisans provide a final touch to all our creations, adding invisible stitching to keep the design clean and ensuring the pants’ quality and size measurements. With Cortina, this traditional process results in a contemporary garment with a practical and versatile design that will fit most autumn to spring outfits.
Sometimes, a leather belt can enliven your style like nothing else: a garment that will enhance the quality of any outfit and that you'll love wearing for years to come.
Leather belts of the highest quality ensure durability and uniqueness for your everyday wardrobe. They hold their shape nicely and adapt easily, becoming more comfortable over time and providing a stylish look even after countless uses.
They’re also highly versatile garments that fit perfectly with both casual and formal attires. You won’t need a plethora of belts, as long as you own a few in neutral colours to put on that will work on any occasion.
Today we’ll look into what makes our handcrafted leather belts unique and why they’re the ultimate choice to enhance all kinds of styles.
Sometimes, a leather belt can enliven your style like nothing else: a garment that will enhance the quality of any outfit and that you'll love wearing for years to come.
Leather belts of the highest quality ensure durability and uniqueness for your everyday wardrobe. They hold their shape nicely and adapt easily, becoming more comfortable over time and providing a stylish look even after countless uses.
They’re also highly versatile garments that fit perfectly with both casual and formal attires. You won’t need a plethora of belts, as long as you own a few in neutral colours to put on that will work on any occasion.
Today we’ll look into what makes our handcrafted leather belts unique and why they’re the ultimate choice to enhance all kinds of styles.
Turin contains multitudes: a city that’s both industrial and artistic, ancient and modern, an amazing place of history and beauty where you can experience the authentic Italian lifestyle at its absolute best.
Torino is the northernmost major city in Italy, facing the majestic Alps and constantly caressed by its breeze. Yet, the city feels Mediterranean, with an atmosphere reminiscent of a southern flair that couldn't be more different from the hectic, metropolitan style of nearby Milan.
Nestled between the Po River and the Alps, Turin was a major national and European political centre for centuries. It was the first capital of unified Italy (the Kingdom of Italy), and the then-governing House of Savoy built majestic palaces and a modern infrastructure to celebrate the city’s importance.
Like most Italian cities, Turin went through a series of significant historical changes that determined its architecture and aura. It was one of the country's first and most industrialised cities between the end of the 19th century and the early 20th century; together with Milan, Turin and its industry laid the foundations for the post-war Italian miracolo industriale: it is, to this day, a crucial crossroad for industry, commerce, and trade.
If you’re looking for inspiration for your next trip to Turin, here's what you can do in 24 hours in one of the most beautiful Italian cities.
Cutting and Tailoring
Cloth cutting is made with machines to obtain the highest level of precision. After cutting the cloth, the Italian laboratories move on to tailoring, where the attention to details, fabric quality and traditional craftsmanship really come into play.
Cortina features internal double seams to ensure outstanding durability over time. The inner belt has embossed stitching, which will maintain the shirt tucked in more easily. The reinforcement in the bar tacks is visible on all pockets, giving further strength to a garment that's both elegant and highly sturdy.
The Cortina design keeps secure with a triple horn button closure and the inside button is hand stitched by artisans to ensure greater durability.
Our calf leather belts are the embodiment of timeless charm: built from full-grain vegetable tanned leather from Santa Croce. They will only get better with age and will last a lifetime, enriching your wardrobe and heightening the elegance of your formal outfits, but will also enhance your jeans and everyday style. The nubuck leather at the back of the belt adds a touch of understated luxury that won’t go unnoticed.
The calf leather offers the best durability and quality that will stand the test of time. Our reversible calf leather belts are essentially two belts in one, becoming the ideal choice for travellers also thanks to the luxury dust bag to store it.
Dyeing & Quality Check
The pants are then dyed using a 'Tinto Capo' process resulting in a natural harmonious colour throughout. Additionally, dying the garment at the end ensures that the trousers won't shrink after the first wash.
The final stage to bring the Cortina chinos to life involves ironing the pants, first using machinery and then by hands. As it's the tradition in the oldest Italian mills, each garment is meticulously checked by expert artisans in all its details, from size to stitching, ensuring the quality and durability of the Cortina pants are in line with the excellent quality our garments always display.
Our calf leather belts are the embodiment of timeless charm: built from full-grain vegetable tanned leather from Santa Croce. They will only get better with age and will last a lifetime, enriching your wardrobe and heightening the elegance of your formal outfits, but will also enhance your jeans and everyday style. The nubuck leather at the back of the belt adds a touch of understated luxury that won’t go unnoticed.
The calf leather offers the best durability and quality that will stand the test of time. Our reversible calf leather belts are essentially two belts in one, becoming the ideal choice for travellers also thanks to the luxury dust bag to store it.
The Cortina Chinos Collection
British-Dutch concert pianist Cyrill Ibrahim graduated from the Royal College of Music and is on a mission to bring classical music to a new audience. By merging his passions, classical music, menswear and music education, he is being recognised to be building bridges. Let’s take a look at what makes his heart really tick.
Sometimes, a leather belt can enliven your style like nothing else: a garment that will enhance the quality of any outfit and that you'll love wearing for years to come.
Leather belts of the highest quality ensure durability and uniqueness for your everyday wardrobe. They hold their shape nicely and adapt easily, becoming more comfortable over time and providing a stylish look even after countless uses.
They’re also highly versatile garments that fit perfectly with both casual and formal attires. You won’t need a plethora of belts, as long as you own a few in neutral colours to put on that will work on any occasion.
Today we’ll look into what makes our handcrafted leather belts unique and why they’re the ultimate choice to enhance all kinds of styles.
Cyrill wears the Mustard Silk-Cashmere Polo paired with Steel Blue Lightweight Cotton Chinos
What is your approach to a new project?
For me, my approach to a new piece would be trying to take a step back, look at the notes, learn the notes, take the notes in and find a way of being close to it. Finding a way of then, after having taken it in entirely, going behind the notes and asking yourself what does it mean? What is the expression behind it? That is the most important and most powerful approach.
Which view from your past or present always inspires you?
I mean, that’s the sea. For me, the sea is incredibly important. I grew up by the sea. But not only that, when you look at the sea, you get space to think, space to wonder, space to meander and have these thoughts that come and go. And it’s so important for a creative Mind.
How is your dressing style defined?
For me, dressing is something very personal. I think for me, it’s a way of expressing myself, but in a very delicate way. I try to keep things quite plain because I find that especially when you play the piano, it’s all about trying to find a way to not make things just about you. But that’s why I like my style to be quite understated.
Do you have any particular styling rules?
As a definition, I do not have any particular styling rules, but most of the time I’m just thinking about two or three colours, main colours and that’s usually what I go for. If the fabric is strong and powerful, that will do quite a lot.
Sometimes, a leather belt can enliven your style like nothing else: a garment that will enhance the quality of any outfit and that you'll love wearing for years to come.
Leather belts of the highest quality ensure durability and uniqueness for your everyday wardrobe. They hold their shape nicely and adapt easily, becoming more comfortable over time and providing a stylish look even after countless uses.
They’re also highly versatile garments that fit perfectly with both casual and formal attires. You won’t need a plethora of belts, as long as you own a few in neutral colours to put on that will work on any occasion.
Today we’ll look into what makes our handcrafted leather belts unique and why they’re the ultimate choice to enhance all kinds of styles.
Turin contains multitudes: a city that’s both industrial and artistic, ancient and modern, an amazing place of history and beauty where you can experience the authentic Italian lifestyle at its absolute best.
Torino is the northernmost major city in Italy, facing the majestic Alps and constantly caressed by its breeze. Yet, the city feels Mediterranean, with an atmosphere reminiscent of a southern flair that couldn't be more different from the hectic, metropolitan style of nearby Milan.
Nestled between the Po River and the Alps, Turin was a major national and European political centre for centuries. It was the first capital of unified Italy (the Kingdom of Italy), and the then-governing House of Savoy built majestic palaces and a modern infrastructure to celebrate the city’s importance.
Like most Italian cities, Turin went through a series of significant historical changes that determined its architecture and aura. It was one of the country's first and most industrialised cities between the end of the 19th century and the early 20th century; together with Milan, Turin and its industry laid the foundations for the post-war Italian miracolo industriale: it is, to this day, a crucial crossroad for industry, commerce, and trade.
If you’re looking for inspiration for your next trip to Turin, here's what you can do in 24 hours in one of the most beautiful Italian cities.
What are you up to right now?
I’m creating a lot of content and I’ve got quite a significant passion, which is trying to find a way of bringing classical music to the next generation and a new audience. And what the importance of that is that I just try to find a way of constantly feeling, going back into myself, what classical music actually means for me and why playing the piano is so powerful. And explaining that and building a strategy on how I want to communicate that to my audience is something that I’ve been developing. That entails a lot of new recordings and concerts and new repertoire.
Who are your style icons and why?
There were some great pianists such as Rubenstein and Horowitz, but also Leonard
Bernstein as a conductor. They were all very well dressed. And also the composer Stravinsky is somebody that I really admired. He was somebody who really dealt with and had a lot of friends in fashion at the time. Coco Chanel was one of his great friends and he was very interested in fashion as a way of expressing himself. So, I think that is the power of being able to be dressed in a certain way that actually amplifies what you do.
What’s a piece of clothing you will always cherish?
I suppose it’s a great suit that I still have and I’ve had it for a long time, and I still wear it. And when I wear it, I just feel so comfortable because you know that it will deliver when you enter a room.
What is the best book you have ever read?
The best book I’ve ever read is Thomas Mann’s Magic Mountain. Thomas Mann was an incredible German writer. This particular book is about essence and time. What time means and how relative time is. And basically, that’s what I’m doing as a pianist. I deal with time; I work with time. How does space and time work? And this book is all about that. The characters and the development of those characters is absolutely magnificent and really powerful.
What tradition do you look forward to most?
How we all celebrate Christmas from all people, from different religions, different cultures. Everybody celebrates Christmas and feels that that’s a place for us to be with our family. It’s incredibly impressive. And when it happens, I can’t wait.
Cyrill wears the Midnight Blue Ravello Linen Shirt
What is the moment that changed everything for you?
There’s never been one particular moment. I think it’s a series of meanderings into feeling that discovering new music or music has been written a long time ago, but trying to find a way of constantly evolving and being open about things. So, there’s never been one moment, but it’s more a series of events that have led to me being able to understand music better. The more I know, it actually feels like I know even less than when I started.
What music era that intrigues you the most?
Of course, that is absolutely classical music. For me, classical music is the essence of our sort of heritage, western heritage. In classical music, you can find all the emotions that are never singular, but all these different layers, and that is what I find intriguing.
What is something you have discovered recently?
I realised that I need more time to develop, not to do things too quickly, take more time and reflect rather than push things out there too early. Because I’ve been doing that and I feel that doing that can be stressful. You have to go over certain things again. So, the most important discovery at the moment is taking more time for myself.
British-Dutch concert pianist Cyrill Ibrahim graduated from the Royal College of Music and is on a mission to bring classical music to a new audience. By merging his passions, classical music, menswear and music education, he is being recognised to be building bridges. Let’s take a look at what makes his heart really tick.
What is your approach to a new project?
For me, my approach to a new piece would be trying to take a step back, look at the notes, learn the notes, take the notes in and find a way of being close to it. Finding a way of then, after having taken it in entirely, going behind the notes and asking yourself what does it mean? What is the expression behind it? That is the most important and most powerful approach.
Which view from your past or present always inspires you?
I mean, that’s the sea. For me, the sea is incredibly important. I grew up by the sea. But not only that, when you look at the sea, you get space to think, space to wonder, space to meander and have these thoughts that come and go. And it’s so important for a creative Mind.
How is your dressing style defined?
For me, dressing is something very personal. I think for me, it’s a way of expressing myself, but in a very delicate way. I try to keep things quite plain because I find that especially when you play the piano, it’s all about trying to find a way to not make things just about you. But that’s why I like my style to be quite understated.
Do you have any particular styling rules?
As a definition, I do not have any particular styling rules, but most of the time I’m just thinking about two or three colours, main colours and that’s usually what I go for. If the fabric is strong and powerful, that will do quite a lot.
What are you up to right now?
I’m creating a lot of content and I’ve got quite a significant passion, which is trying to find a way of bringing classical music to the next generation and a new audience. And what the importance of that is that I just try to find a way of constantly feeling, going back into myself, what classical music actually means for me and why playing the piano is so powerful. And explaining that and building a strategy on how I want to communicate that to my audience is something that I’ve been developing. That entails a lot of new recordings and concerts and new repertoire.
Who are your style icons and why?
There were some great pianists such as Rubenstein and Horowitz, but also Leonard
Bernstein as a conductor. They were all very well dressed. And also the composer Stravinsky is somebody that I really admired. He was somebody who really dealt with and had a lot of friends in fashion at the time. Coco Chanel was one of his great friends and he was very interested in fashion as a way of expressing himself. So, I think that is the power of being able to be dressed in a certain way that actually amplifies what you do.
What’s a piece of clothing you will always cherish?
I suppose it’s a great suit that I still have and I’ve had it for a long time, and I still wear it. And when I wear it, I just feel so comfortable because you know that it will deliver when you enter a room.
What is the best book you have ever read?
The best book I’ve ever read is Thomas Mann’s Magic Mountain. Thomas Mann was an incredible German writer. This particular book is about essence and time. What time means and how relative time is. And basically, that’s what I’m doing as a pianist. I deal with time; I work with time. How does space and time work? And this book is all about that. The characters and the development of those characters is absolutely magnificent and really powerful.
What tradition do you look forward to most?
How we all celebrate Christmas from all people, from different religions, different cultures. Everybody celebrates Christmas and feels that that’s a place for us to be with our family. It’s incredibly impressive. And when it happens, I can’t wait.
Sometimes, a leather belt can enliven your style like nothing else: a garment that will enhance the quality of any outfit and that you'll love wearing for years to come.
Leather belts of the highest quality ensure durability and uniqueness for your everyday wardrobe. They hold their shape nicely and adapt easily, becoming more comfortable over time and providing a stylish look even after countless uses.
They’re also highly versatile garments that fit perfectly with both casual and formal attires. You won’t need a plethora of belts, as long as you own a few in neutral colours to put on that will work on any occasion.
Today we’ll look into what makes our handcrafted leather belts unique and why they’re the ultimate choice to enhance all kinds of styles.
Turin contains multitudes: a city that’s both industrial and artistic, ancient and modern, an amazing place of history and beauty where you can experience the authentic Italian lifestyle at its absolute best.
Torino is the northernmost major city in Italy, facing the majestic Alps and constantly caressed by its breeze. Yet, the city feels Mediterranean, with an atmosphere reminiscent of a southern flair that couldn't be more different from the hectic, metropolitan style of nearby Milan.
Nestled between the Po River and the Alps, Turin was a major national and European political centre for centuries. It was the first capital of unified Italy (the Kingdom of Italy), and the then-governing House of Savoy built majestic palaces and a modern infrastructure to celebrate the city’s importance.
Like most Italian cities, Turin went through a series of significant historical changes that determined its architecture and aura. It was one of the country's first and most industrialised cities between the end of the 19th century and the early 20th century; together with Milan, Turin and its industry laid the foundations for the post-war Italian miracolo industriale: it is, to this day, a crucial crossroad for industry, commerce, and trade.
If you’re looking for inspiration for your next trip to Turin, here's what you can do in 24 hours in one of the most beautiful Italian cities.
What is the moment that changed everything for you?
There’s never been one particular moment. I think it’s a series of meanderings into feeling that discovering new music or music has been written a long time ago, but trying to find a way of constantly evolving and being open about things. So, there’s never been one moment, but it’s more a series of events that have led to me being able to understand music better. The more I know, it actually feels like I know even less than when I started.
What music era that intrigues you the most?
Of course, that is absolutely classical music. For me, classical music is the essence of our sort of heritage, western heritage. In classical music, you can find all the emotions that are never singular, but all these different layers, and that is what I find intriguing.
What is something you have discovered recently?
I realised that I need more time to develop, not to do things too quickly, take more time and reflect rather than push things out there too early. Because I’ve been doing that and I feel that doing that can be stressful. You have to go over certain things again. So, the most important discovery at the moment is taking more time for myself.