Buying A Suit

The Credit Crunch is not yet getting to everyone. Today, I read that Brioni have launched a design of suit that will cost punters $45,000. What's special that can cost that much? Who will buy one? Who are Brioni? I admit that my suit buying is more likely to be ASDA that Saville Row but that still doesn't explain why I have never even heard of Brioni - until now. Apparently they are Italian, have been around since 1945 and can knock-out an average suit for about $6,000. Still plenty but a lot less than $45,000. Customers from the past include Clark Gable, Gary Cooper, John Wayne, Kirk Douglas and Rock Hudson. Here we have clues. These suits are bought by Hollywood, Arab sheiks and, as a spin off, New York bankers. Brioni have, according to their website, 25,000 customers who, typically [of course], buy three suits per season. Making a suit involves periods of rest - not for the tailor but for the suit - and the final garments have to be pressed 184 times to be finished. As long as bonuses hold up - and employers being bankrupt doesn't make any difference - somebody, somewhere will be buying a Brioni suit.