The quintessential Italian style of Alessandro Squarzi

Since 2009, when street-style photographer Scott Schuman published a picture of him on The Sartorialist, Milan-based prolific fashion entrepreneur Alessandro Squarzi 's fame has constantly increased and now he is one of the most photographed style icons . His elegant but seemingly careless approach to dressing is much admired and has been described as “ the master of Italian sprezz ” – the art of doing something extremely well without showing effort. Born in Forlì in 1965, at 27 he began his career in the fashion world working as a shop assistant in a clothing store in his home town. Months later, he opened the first of his four showrooms that currently employ 40 staff across different Italian cities. Today, he is also a talent scout and a designer on top of overseeing the marketing and distribution for various brands (including three of his own: Fortela, AS65, and Atlantic Stars). The American men's magazine Esquire placed Squarzi at the top of its 'The 40 Best-Dressed Men In The World ' ranking, pointing out that he does not have a personal stylists, but he is a man who is the picture of elegance embodying Orson Welles assertion that “ style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn. ” The master of understated Italian cool once said “ I never look out of the window before getting dressed. I just put things on according to the mood I'm in” to explain that he wears his beloved white trousers – which have become almost a trademark for him – whether or not it is sunny. He also refuses to forgo comfort, “Unless an invitation specifically requests a suit, I wear whatever I feel comfortable in at that given moment .” Squarzi 's effortlessly elegant style has been captured during four years by the lenses of Korean photographer Hooncheol Ko, who has published a book to collect the images and tell his life and style. The images contained in 'Amico Mio' – My Friend – feature Squarzi not only on public occasions or at work, but also in private, to presents to the readers the whole world of this genuine interpreter of the Italian lifestyle.