A Colombian tailor is sharpening his scissors to make ceremonial garments for the new pope.
The Vatican was quick to call up Luis Delgado from Colombia’s third largest city Cali, who was selected to embroider three vestments – a small, medium and large – as no one yet is sure exactly what size the new pope will be.
The “pope’s tailor” as he is known, received a package straight from the Vatican with “special material and gold thread.” The Colombian is charged with embroidering the alb, chasuble and mitre, which are the cuffs of the robe, the outermost cape-like vestment and the fancy hat.
All of the wool and silk cassocks in the pope’s wardrobe will be tailored by Gammarelli Tailors in Rome; a company that has held the esteemed position for more than 100 years.
Delgado knows well the pressures of tailoring for a pope, he has sewn for Pope John Paul II and had regularly made robes for Benedict XVI.
It remains to be seen if the new pope will be as much of a papal- fashion-icon as Benedict, who was well known for pushing boundaries in color and style, as well as reviving items from the papal wardrobe that had fallen into disuse. A photo-essay of Benedict’s style can be seen here.
Sources
- Pope Benedict’s style (Time)
- Colombian tailor chosen to make garments for new pope (ABC News)
- Gammarelli: clothes for the next pope are ready (Rome Reports)