“I was just saying, ‘It’s my good luck charm,’” actor Paul W. Downs laughed, glancing down at his suit — Canali, of course. The “Hacks” co-creator, showrunner and actor has made something of a ritual wearing the Italian label for milestone moments, including many of the show’s award wins, he said.
It was a balmy Los Angeles night on Wednesday, and Downs was in conversation with Stefano Canali, the president and chief executive officer of the menswear house. The two stood side by side as a guest admired Downs’ ensemble, a sharp blue suit offset by a powder pink fine-knit polo. Canali smiled knowingly. “Thank you. Thank you,” Downs replied, the refined silhouette exemplifying Canali’s approach to tailoring.
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Canali had gathered a mix of Hollywood’s leading men and the stylists who dress them for a dinner celebrating the brand’s growing presence in L.A.; James Marsden, Chace Crawford, Regé-Jean Page, Law Roach, Jeanne Yang, Warren Baker, Caroline DeJean, Mark Holmes and Chloe Takayanagi mingled during cocktail hour before taking their seats.
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The setting was as intimate — and in the know — as the guest list. Hosted at Living Room, the members-only, music-driven club and Hollywood’s newest hot spot, the dinner party took place on the open-air rooftop with the city stretching out below.
“It’s a beautiful night,” mused Crawford, star of Amazon’s “The Boys,” taking in the view. Though L.A. was in the middle of a heat wave, a breeze had cooled the evening. It was his first time at the venue, he said. “It’s really nice,” he added, dressed in a striped shirt, white trousers and a gray trench, with his stylist, DeJean, seated beside him.
The evening marked a milestone for Canali: the unveiling of its new Beverly Hills boutique. “Where is it again?” Marsden inquired, dressed in a knit blue sweater and trousers. Prime Rodeo Drive — home to the brand’s latest Lifestyle Store Concept, which was first introduced in New York on Madison Avenue in 2022. The space draws inspiration from a contemporary Milanese home, with Cipollino marble and bronze finishes, and includes an in-house tailoring atelier.
“This is a special night for all of us at Canali,” said Canali, representing the third generation of the company. “A relationship that started in the late ’70s.…The market soon became the largest and most important market for us, and still is today.”
The Americas now account for 50 percent of Canali’s sales, followed by Europe, the Middle East and Africa at 34 percent, with the Asia-Pacific region representing the remaining 16 percent. Along with L.A., in the U.S., Canali now counts boutiques in New York, Las Vegas and Dallas.
For Canali, the new Beverly Hills flagship is more than a retail expansion. It’s a cultural statement and expression of the brand’s Italian identity, he said, noting the city’s creativity and connection to style make it an alluring setting — particularly as it prepares for global events like the 2028 Summer Olympics.
“We still have growth opportunity for the upcoming years,” Canali added, as the first course arrived and glasses were raised.
“Salute!”