Tiffany e Oscar Bencivenga understood that thebartender’s uniform is more important than you think. It’s the human symbol of a bar, a suit of armour for the person making the drinks, and an enhancement of the customer’s aesthetic experience. That’s why they added this service for the hospitality sector to their family’s traditional tailoring brand.
The Art of Entertaining
Indeed, being a mixologist naturally means putting yourself on a stage. The impression, the fun and the showmanship are part of the game just as much as stirring three ingredients plus ice using a fancy spoon. Anyone can learn to stir, shake or cascade liquids through the air, but not everyone can learn to entertain. The pure essence of a bar lies in attention to detail, the smile and the presentation.
But one element can catch the eye more than others and speak volumes about an establishment and how it treats its patrons: the bar uniform. Whether it’s a white jacket, an apron, a suit or a half kimono, the uniform isn’t just something for bartenders to wear. It’s a symbol of belonging and shining. Its armour-like weight is a reminder of the responsibility of a very demanding job: that of being a host. And like any self-respecting armour, the bartender’s uniform has its symbols to be respected, elevated and adored.
The Uniforms Designed by Bencivenga
So it follows that designing, crafting and customising a mixologist’s uniform is a serious job, taken on by people who are serious about making bars. One such person is Tiffany Bencivenga from Campania, an Italian region where tailoring is very big deal – another of those eternal arts that Naples and its surroundings are famous for, along with coffee, pastries, pizza, etc. Having expanded into this particular industry ten years ago, today his service for bars is one of the most revered in the Italian industry and beyond.
The iconic suits of London’s Connaught Bar, the uniforms of Milan’s new Cordusio Bar, Giancarlo Mancino’s jackets, Francesco Galdi’s Buddha Bars, and the new uniforms of Morgana in Taormina: they all have Bencivenga’s UNIBE uniform brand in common. “My family has been tailoring for as long as I can remember. My grandmother started in a place between Naples and Caserta, then my mum’s dad, then my dad and his twin, and then me and my brother Oscar. With my father and uncle, Bencivenga developed into a brand with stores selling both ready-to-wear and made-tomeasure apparel. We continued the tradition and ten years ago we added this service for the hospitality industry”.
Tiffany and Oscar Bencivenga
With special prints, made-to-measure garments and extensive tailoring experience, Tiffany and Oscar Bencivenga began dressing the hospitality sector almost by chance, adding improvements year after year and always working hand in hand with customers to satisfy their needs, as true tailors do.
“It all started years ago during a trunk show in Dubai. For an event, Bar 44 asked us to give shirts to the guys working there, and they liked them so much they asked us for a supply”, says Tiffany. “We realised there was a market and we could help bartenders and people in the industry to feel good about themselves, creating a consistent visual identity”.
The Right Uniform For The Right Stage
So Bencivenga looked at what bartenders need, along with the aesthetic and technical aspects of a uniform. “Bartenders are modern stars and they want to feel like stars”, says Tiffany. “So it’s not so much about their requirement for technical customisations – such as special pockets for utensils – but about more recognisable patterns and prints that make them look great while they’re behind the bar, which is their stage”.
The Four-Handed Creation Of A Uniform
It doesn’t matter if it’s a white jacket or a floral pattern, the important thing is that there’s visual coherence in the team. “Wearing a uniform means showing a sense of belonging, an identity, and conveying serenity and composure to customers who come to enjoy a drink. That’s why the designs aren’t just done by us but in tandem with our clients, who can think about, discuss and choose what’s best for them.
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Photo by Julie Couder for Coqtail, location Moebius Milano, all rights reserved
