He had inherited the tailoring that dressed, among others, the poet Gabriele D’Annunzio. The family tradition continues: today the business, started in 1868, is in the hands of his son
Mario Chiussi, known to everyone more simply as Buby, for years a reference point for udinese fashion, died at the age of 77. For 50 years Buby has dressed politicians, actors and entrepreneurs continuing the tradition started in 1868 in Udine by the great-grandfather Luigi, founder of what over the years has become an atelier capable of attracting customers from all over the world, a tradition that still continues. today thanks to Mario’s son, Giorgio.
For four years Mario Chiussi had moved to the Algarve, Portugal, to enjoy his retirement with his wife Linda. «But even from there – says his son Giorgio who continues to work alone in the historic tailor’s shop in via Tiberio Deciani – he called every day to find out how things were going. We discussed everything and I must say that having his opinion gave me confidence. Then over the years, with our work, we have developed personal relationships with many of our customers and he always wanted to be updated ». Having to undergo an operation, Buby had returned to his Udine. “In the end he underwent two operations in a short time and I must say that he was recovering, he was fine, but then on Sunday he felt ill and the situation precipitated due to an infection”, Giorgio continues without hiding the pain for the loss of his father who in his case was also a teacher. “All I know I owe to him – he underlines -. I grew up in a tailor’s shop and it was natural for me to choose to continue as I hope my son Tommaso will do, who would be the sixth generation (after Luigi Antonio, Giorgio, Mario and Giorgio took over the tailor’s reins, ed). My dad was strict, not only on a professional level, but also from an educational point of view and I am grateful to him because he was able to pass on important values to me: rather than cheating someone he would have remained without dinner, honesty came first ».
And it is one of the reasons why the tailoring has been able to win customers such as the poet Gabriele D’Annunzio and then high officials of the Kingdom of Italy, politicians, writers and artists. Not to forget personalities such as Toni Servillo, Stefano De Martino and Alessandro Tersigni, but also Piero Ferrari. «My dad passed on to me the passion for details which are the result of continuous research and careful attention to technological evolutions in the production of fabrics, accompanied by tailoring techniques inherited from the past – explains Giorgio -. Preparing a tailored suit is an art: my dad traveled the world to look for the best materials but also to meet in person the customers who commissioned him a suit and so I still work today. Usually customers host me and tell me about them and what they expect from a dress: only in this way is it possible to create a unique and truly “tailor-made” product. My father always told me that the best advertising is customer satisfaction and in our sector it is certainly like this: word of mouth is essential ».
For 30 years, thanks to Buby, in via Cavour Udine he could boast of having a shop of Hermès, a French high fashion company. «Together with my mother I think they have been a reference for many in the city and beyond – remembers Giorgio -. Then in 2011 Hermès decided to close all private stores, but my dad had never given up on his tailoring business ». Buby was also well known for being a brilliant interlocutor, always ready to joke. In addition to fashion, he was a golf and ski enthusiast. «I will miss skiing with him very much». Today at 4.50 pm the blessing of the body is scheduled, which will then be cremated, in the chapel in via Chiusaforte. At the behest of Mario Chiussi no funeral will be held.