In an age where speed often takes precedence over substance, the quiet discipline of true craftsmanship feels almost radical. Bespoke tailoring, in particular, stands as a testament to patience, precision, and a deep respect for tradition — values that are increasingly rare in a world of instant gratification.
Florence, with its rich cultural heritage and centuries-old artisanal traditions, has long been a cradle for excellence in craft. It is a city where beauty is not only admired but created — where the passing down of knowledge from master to apprentice remains an essential ritual. Within this environment, tailoring is more than a profession; it is a language, a philosophy, and a lifelong pursuit of refinement.
It is precisely in this context that Leonardo Simoncini has shaped his path. From his early exposure to the world of ready-to-wear garments to his formative years inside one of Florence’s most respected tailoring house, his journey reflects a deep curiosity and an unwavering commitment to understanding what lies beneath the surface of a well-made jacket.
Today, with his own atelier, Poiesis, Leonardo represents a new generation of craftsmen — one that honors tradition while quietly interpreting it through a personal lens. His work is not driven by trends, but by a search for harmony: between form and function, between structure and softness, and ultimately, between garment and wearer.
In a world increasingly driven by speed and mass production, true craftsmanship feels more precious than ever. We spoke with Leonardo Simoncini, about his journey, his philosophy, and the quiet beauty of handmade garments.
Hello Leo and welcome. For those who don’t know you, could you explain who you are and where you come from?
I’m Leonardo Simoncini, born and raised in Florence. It’s the city where I trained as a tailor and where, a couple of years ago, I opened my own tailoring house, Poiesis.
If I’m correctly informed, you started your professional career as a salesperson. Why did you decide to create something with your hands, and why specifically as a tailor?
Working as a sales assistant in a luxury store gave me the opportunity to come into close contact with ready-to-wear jackets on a daily basis. Over time, this sparked a growing curiosity in me about how a jacket or a garment is actually constructed —what lies beneath the surface, the internal structure, and all the steps involved in making it.
I became increasingly interested in understanding how a garment could achieve a proper fit while still relying on the highest level of craftsmanship. That curiosity gradually turned into a deeper interest in tailoring and in the artisanal processes that shape a well-made jacket.
Can you give us some information about your apprenticeship? How does someone become a tailor?
I attended a tailoring and pattern making course near Florence. Through the school, I had the opportunity to undertake a three-month internship at Liverano & Liverano, as I was eager to learn the tradition of true hand-made tailoring.
From the very first step into the workshop, I immediately felt that it was the world I wanted to belong to. What started as an internship eventually turned into a much longer journey, and I ended up staying at Liverano for nearly seven years.
With your atelier Poiesis, you fulfill dreams made of fabric. What does Poiesis stand for and what makes it so special?
Poiesis is a Greek term that refers to the act of creation — from the artisan crafting an object to the blossoming of a flower.
At which time does your alarm clock ring in the morning and what does your day look like until you go back to bed?
I’m a very habitual person. I wake up at 6 a.m., I’m in the workshop by 7:15, and I usually finish work around 6 p.m.
I always try to set aside some time for myself at least three or four times a week —going to the gym or practicing other sports — because it helps me unwind and manage the nervousness or stress that can come from work or from particularly intense periods.
When tailoring an entire suit, are there certain steps you particularly enjoy or dislike doing?
All the steps — from cutting, to the first stitches, to the basted fitting, all the way to completion — are exciting stages. Seeing a jacket created from a piece of fabric is magical.
The part I love most is setting the facing, where the jacket really takes shape, as well as covering the collar. The part I enjoy the least is when the stitching becomes repetitive, often during the finishing stitches.
There are many people like me who are just starting the transition from „RTW“ to handmade. What advice can you give us for our first pieces?
I don’t have any particular advice, except to follow your instinct. Understand which jacket style and fabric can best express your personality and make you feel happy from the very first moment you wear it.
If someone is interested in commissioning something from you, what is the best way to arrange this?
I’m very easygoing and tend to have a relaxed, friendly approach, aiming to convey my passion, my love for this work, and the value that a fully handmade garment has. I then try, together with the client, to understand their needs and make them happy with their choice — without imposing myself, but gently offering what I see as the best option.
Are there any plans to train an apprentice yourself?
In my project, there is a strong desire to share my passion and this craft, because I believe the transmission of knowledge in this trade is important. I also have many projects at the moment, and I want to take each step calmly, without taking steps that are too big too soon.
This world is a wonderful place, also because of you. Is there anything you would like to share with this world?
I play only a small part in this vast world of menswear. I firmly believe that, in such a turbulent time marked by hatred and uncertainty, it is our duty to give a bit of beauty back to the world — to appreciate slow, elegant, and gentle gestures.
This craft teaches me that human connections between people from different countries, as happens during trunk shows, are essential for growing as a person, and that passion and love for this world are universal and transcend all boundaries.
Finally, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Leo. From the very beginning, he was incredibly friendly and open to the idea of writing a short piece about him. A true gentleman, he generously took the time to share his story with us.
We always love to see when an old craft finds a new master — and Leo embodies exactly that, with a deep respect for tradition and a clear, personal vision.
We hope you enjoyed reading this as much as we did to write it. Be sure to visit Leo on Instagram or book an appointment with Poiesis.
Thank you for reading.
An interview about patience, precision, and the quiet poetry of craftsmanship—where every stitch carries intention, and every garment tells a story.
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