Stefano Leface: Popular Manly tailor set to hang up his scissors after close to 50 years in business
Made-to-measure hero Stefano Leface, who has tailored suits for prime ministers, a premier, judges, footy players and the homeless, is set to pull the shutters down on the Manly business he has loved for close to 50 years.
Manly
Don't miss out on the headlines from Manly. Followed categories will be added to My News.
One of the northern beaches’ most recognisable and loved business people, who has had prime ministers, judges and football stars — as well as the homeless and vulnerable — as regular customers, is set to pull down the shutters on an amazing career.
Italian-born tailor Stefano Leface, 83, and his wife Caterina have been the smiling and dedicated faces behind one of Manly’s oldest enterprises for close to 50 years.
Since Stefano International Tailor, near the corner of Belgrave and Raglan streets, opened its doors in 1978, thousands of clients have crossed its threshold to buy made-to-measure suits or Italian designer outfits, and accessories, off the rack.
But the couple, renowned for their painstaking attention to detail and craftsmanship, are soon to retire to their home at Freshwater, where they brought up four children, after a property developer bought the building the business is in. It will be demolished to make way for a $30 million apartment complex.
Stefano, who can name former PMs Tony Abbott and Bob Hawke, as well as former NSW Premier Mike Baird as clients, has attracted customers from all walks of life.
He can name judges, leading QCs and solicitors, former Manly mayors and Sea Eagles football players who have called on his tailoring talents.
Stefano remembers Tony Abbott sitting in the shop, with a coffee, while he waited to be measured up, talking with the other customers.
He also recalled Manly rugby league great and football commentator Rex Mossop, arguing with North Sydney footy legend, and radio caller Frank Hyde, who lived at Queenscliff, in the shop.
Sea Eagles’ stars such as Bob Fulton, Max Krilich, Brett Stewart and Anthony Watmough have all had Stefano’s tape measure around their chests. He had customers travel from across Sydney and even had orders for suits from clients in Italy.
But he and his wife also made time to help those less fortunate. They donated and arranged clothes for homeless and people down on their luck and helped organise events to raise money for the old Camperdown Children's Hospital.
They also took extra care with the elderly and those with disabilities who needed a suit or a skirt, and with apparel that needed repair or adjustment.
Stefano grew up, and began his training as a tailor, in the village of Santa Cristina a’Aspromonte in the Calabria region of southern Italy.
He grabbed his first pair of tailor’s scissor when he was just five-years-old. He went to school in the morning, then, after lunch, he learned his craft with a local tailor until 7pm.
After spending time as a teenager honing his skills in Milan, Stefano – with the encouragement of his mother – sailed for Sydney when he was 18.
“I was supposed to come for just three months to visit my sisters who were living here, but I stayed forever,” he said.
Stefano lived in North Manly and worked with a tailor in the now demolished Royal Arcade, that ran from Pitt to George streets, in the city for about eight years before setting up his own business in Manly.
By then he had married Caterina and moved to Freshwater,
What will Stefano miss most when the doors close for the last time?
“It’s the people, the customers.” he said.
“After so long you don’t call them customers. They are like family.
“That’s why so many people are so sad to see us go. We treat them like our family.
“We’ll miss Manly and the people we love so much.”
Tognetti strikes gold for launch of ACO’s 50th season
The ACO’s golden anniversary season got off to a cracking start with outstanding performances of two great works.
Wave of complaints: Sydney beach pub owner’s push for hotel wing
The owners of an iconic pub in a Sydney beachside suburb are pressing ahead with a bid to add a 37-room hotel wing despite a wave of complaints from locals.