Well-Suited for Success
Tommie Battaglia talks suits and men’s fashion
By Jen Smith / Photo by Louiie Victa
Tommie Battaglia moved to Las Vegas in 2007 from Long Island, New York, to pursue a career in hospitality. After seeing an incredible demand for custom suits, he started Gaetano Fashion.
“I knew how a perfectly tailored suit could increase someone’s confidence and wanted to bring that to Vegas in a more accessible and approachable way,” he says.
Battaglia’s client roster reaches the A-list, from designing a statement baby pink jacket with blue lapels and dragon print pants for Steve Aoki to styling major sports figures from the Vegas Golden Knights and Las Vegas Raiders.
His style is “bold and flashy, “ consisting of bright, vibrant colors and checkered suits. A bespoke fit might include high-water pants with a heavy tapper, double bunk strap shoes or loafers and a slim-fit shirt with a mandarin collar and monogram.
It’s not just about looks. In 2019, Battaglia joined St. Jude senior advisor, Erica Thompson, and marketer and entrepreneur Brian Kip to start Suit Up for St. Jude, an ambassadorship program benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
“Each influential ambassador was responsible for promoting the event, wearing their best suit and raising as much money as possible for the charity,” Battaglia explains. “To this day, it is incredibly successful and a great way to tie community in with fashion.”
Describe the qualities of a perfect suit.
A perfect suit has a tailored fit, is made with high-quality fabric and has attention to detail when it comes to stitching, a notched peaked or shawl lapel and always a personal touch like a monogram or custom lining.
What’s the most underrated accessory?
A brioche or lapel pin.
What should men wear on a night out in Las Vegas?
Men should wear what makes them comfortable. A lightweight sports jacket with high-water pants, a no-show sock, and a loafer with a V- or scoop-neck t-shirt is always a crowd-pleaser.
The Gift of Thrift
Devon Anderson shares her secrets to scoring thrifty hits
By Jen Smith / Photo by Louiie Victa
Devon Anderson is always on the hunt for great pieces. “There is nothing like putting on a thrifted piece that feels like it was made for you,” she says.
A fan of thrifting since she was young, Anderson started Catch My Thrift, an online thrift shop and custom style box curation service, to create an approachable platform for curious shoppers. “I realize that some people are deterred from [thrifting] because of how overwhelmed they might feel while shopping,” she says. “I wanted to provide an elevated thrifting experience by adding timeless pieces that align with today’s current trends and offering a selection of quality goods.”
For Catch My Thrift, she seeks out Calvin Klein, DKNY, Anne Klein, Ralph Lauren and Liz Claiborne “because of their quality and timelessness” and often curates many of the same brands for her wardrobe. Anderson finds those pieces across the Valley at garage sales, thrift stores like Goodwill and local spots like Castaways.
Find her current collections with Market in the Alley and Makers Hive Market, at UnCommons and The Village at Centennial Springs, along with her very own rack at a brand-new store opening next to the Main Street Peddlers Antique Mall.
What do you wear on an everyday basis? I’ve started wearing a few pieces of precious stone jewelry to protect my energy while thrifting. You can never go wrong with a great-fitting pair of jeans and a classic tee.
What’s your favorite thrifted piece? My first luxury thrifted piece was a navy Christian Dior blazer, which I love. Finding something like that is such a special moment.
What are some thrifting hacks everyone should know? Get your measurements beforehand and bring a soft measuring tape in case you can’t try things on. When you’re done shopping, pull over to the side of the aisle and inspect your pieces thoroughly for any flaws before you get to the register.