Andreas Allenbach – Crisoni, the Made-to-Measure Elegance to Express Your Style

Monaco resident Andreas Allenbach elevates Monaco’s fashion style with ready-to-wear and elegant made-to-measure garments. Andreas helps both men and women express their personal style and taste through his handmade and tailored garments, which will be completely unique for any event they attend. He founded Crisoni, a true Monaco brand dedicated to the local people, and has dressed many personalities. He was also selected to create outfits for the Monégasque delegation for the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Born in Zürich, Switzerland, the global centre for banking and finance, Andreas Allenbach always dreamed of working in fashion. However, growing up in a family with a traditional mindset, his father envisioned a regular Swiss school education followed by university studies for Andreas.

The unpaved road to his dreams

At the age of 17, Andreas started various apprenticeships with different companies.

“I remember, I went to various internships, but I was totally unhappy,” – says Andreas. – “One day, I came out and my mother picked me up, and I was nearly crying because I was so unhappy in this office. Then she said, “Okay, now we go to this fashion company and we ask, we don’t tell your father about it”. 

We went there, and they took me immediately. I did a one-week training with them, and they said, “Perfect”. Then I started my fashion journey there and did not stop until Monte-Carlo.”

Supported by his mother, she spoke behind closed doors with Andreas’ father and convinced him that they needed to allow Andreas to fulfil his dream.

Starting his career as a regular employee in the fashion business, Andreas quickly became a store director and then a buyer, a role with significant responsibility. In the retail industry, a buyer is an individual who selects which items are stocked, with their key responsibility being to handle all the products that come into the store.

Managing 33 stores, Andreas began travelling the world, looking for inspiration and the finest garments for markets from Europe and America to the Far East.

“I discovered the beauty of travelling to new countries and meeting international people. All this reminded me of my dream to live in the South of France. 

I always had this attraction, as I felt much more South European than North European or Swiss.”

Andreas, who already spoke multiple languages, including French, travelled around France and found new customers, including Le Bon Marché, Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, and many others, for an internationally well-known shirt brand he represented. He found new customers everywhere, except in Monaco, which bothered him.

“I said, “How is this possible?”. All I saw was that people in Monaco are always dressed up, going out to restaurants in nice shirts, and attending events all year. Yet, local stores were not interested in the shirts I represented.”

During one of his sales meetings, Andreas met a local salesperson, who asked him: “Why don’t you make your own store? You have a great product”.

Fascinated by the idea, Andreas made a spontaneous decision to embark on the next step in his fashion journey: establishing his very own store in the Principality of Monaco.

Opening up in Monaco

In 2016, Andreas started his Monaco residency and opened his first store in the Principality of Monaco.

“It was a spontaneous decision, but then I started to realise that setting up a business is not easy at all. 

However, I am a persistent person who enjoys creating new things, and the possibility of fulfilling my dream to live in the South gave me energy towards success. 

For me, it was a crazy experience because it had to be like this. In the end, everything went very smoothly with the right people and the right contacts.”

In the first years, Andreas still worked with his bigger company in Switzerland, commuting and sharing time between the two countries. 

However, thanks to the welcoming community of the Principality of Monaco, Andreas really felt at home, and he decided to sell his house in Switzerland and return his Swiss residency papers.

Andreas was brave enough to follow his desires, and as the business started to grow, he decided to further extend and capitalise on the local market gaps.

“After Crisoni, I established Crisoni Corporate with my Monégasque business partner. Thanks to her support, we created a separate brand catering to corporate clients.”

As his business partner always says, Andreas became the most Swiss Monégasque who is not a Monégasque.

“Monaco is my home. I feel so good and comfortable. I really love every day of it.”

Made-to-Measure

Since you were a teenager, you have always been in the fashion industry. Did you ever have the ambition to design as well?

“I think I have quite a good taste and can see what works together. For example, I love to do made-to-measure appointments where I can create things such as the right thread, all the small details, the lining, initials, buttons, and the contrast buttonholes. I always say that every suit should be a concept.

However, I am not a designer who draws. For that, I have an amazing team to help, including the main designer, a creative person who does all the drawings and complementary tasks. 

I consider myself the person who helps elevate one’s personal style. Moreover, I’m more of a commercial person. I love to create and build something, envision a new store or concept, go out, and, more importantly, meet people.”

The word “bespoke” itself is derived from the verb “bespeak”, meaning to “speak for something” or to “be spoken for”. Bespoke clothing is traditionally cut from a pattern specifically crafted for an individual client and thus differs from made-to-measure, which is produced to order from a pre-cut pattern. 

How long is the process to create a made-to-measure suit?

“Generally, we deliver within 10 days to four weeks. There are possibilities to make it a little faster, as we have very good collaborations with different ateliers. We also established fast-track production for some special cases, but it has limited capacity and a higher cost.”

Where would you position the price tag of a made-to-measure suit for men?

“I like to say that made-to-measure is a premium product, but not a luxury. A made-to-measure suit, tailored to the individual body shape and taste of the customer, can start at 1.200€. 

This is a better investment than ready-to-wear, not only because of the handmade, higher quality, but also because it will boost the confidence of the owner as it will fit him perfectly.”

Despite the fact that it’s a unique piece, what would you say is the benefit of having a made-to-measure suit?

“There are a lot of benefits, a lot of different things. The main one for me is that this suit really fits you. It’s made for you based on your specific body type. It means you will feel much more comfortable because it’s really adapted to your body. That’s point number one. 

For me, the most important thing with fashion at the end of the day is that the person feels comfortable and feels good. This also gives him confident behaviour. 

If you dress somebody in something that he’s not okay with and he doesn’t feel comfortable, then he will never have this great, easy attitude with other people. 

Clothing is important in this way.”

There is also a lot of hidden work behind the waiting time. It is necessary to create a unique suit that fits all the needs. Compared to this, a ready-to-wear suit has a much limited offer and might also need alterations to adapt. Also, machine-made suits last less time than special-made ones.

“Imagine that you wear something that is unique in the world. Only yours. 

There is no second suit existing like this because even if another gentleman chooses the same blue material, he will choose another lining, another stitching, another pocket size or style, a different lapel, closed, open, longer, shorter, and so on. What I love about my work at Crisoni is that every single piece we create is unique.”

Andreas believes that people who are truly interested in fashion are always looking for something exclusive. They are tired of paying a lot of money for ready-to-wear items that many neighbours in Monaco might also have. They want to own something personalised with their initials inside. This is why premium made-to-measure products can strongly compete with luxury brands. 

Do you think Monaco residents like to dress up?

“I have been working in the fashion industry for over 35 years. Being passionate about fashion and interested in life in general, I travelled around the world. Yet, I’m always impressed by how the people are dressed in Monaco. 

It is so beautiful to see because there is still a difference between various occasions, such as an evening at the opera and a Sunday evening walk along the sea. Even to go to a restaurant, people wear shirts. 

It doesn’t always have to be with a tie, but with a nice shirt, nice trousers, good shoes, and matching colours. 

I have friends visiting from the fashion business from all over the world, and they are always impressed. 

We go to restaurants, and it’s amazing to see ladies in beautiful long summer dresses. In winter, they have nice knitwear and blazers. There is a contemporary, elegant style in Monaco, which I love a lot.”

Crisoni Homme

When you established Crisoni in 2016, you focused only on men. Why did you choose this over a multi-brand, unisex shop?

“The decision was related to a combination of my early years in fashion and the local specialities of the Monaco market.

As mentioned before, at the beginning, I was responsible for this as a wholesale agent for all of Europe, including Southern Europe, for this shirt brand. Then, I opened a multi-brand store. We had this shirt brand, and I added other brands. The first idea was to create a shirt store, but I almost immediately felt that this would not work.

I understood that in Monaco, I needed to offer more variety. Therefore, step by step, we developed our own products and launched the Crisoni brand. Parallel to this, we stopped being a multi-brand shop.”

Launching Crisoni generated extraordinary interest from the locals because they found something made in Monaco, specifically for local tastes, and not available anywhere else in the world.

“The locals are very happy because they say, “We have our own store brand here in Monaco. It’s for us. It’s not existing in Nice, Paris, or London. It’s only here. That’s for the locals”.”

The Principality of Monaco offers a vast selection of luxury clothing, starting from Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Dior, and Prada to more affordable brands like Zara. Where do you see the competitive edge of Crisoni?

“Monaco residents feel very attracted to Crisoni, but tourists also love it because the label says Monte-Carlo. It is a great and practical souvenir for them to bring back home. They can buy a white linen shirt and fly home to Brazil, Germany, Poland, or anywhere else, saying, “I bought my shirt in Monte-Carlo”. This makes a huge difference.”

What other niche do you have?

“Observing the Monaco market, I realised that there are many brands existing here, but there was nothing between Zara and luxury brands. Therefore, we fit perfectly in the middle. I would say that Crisoni offers a premium feel, but it is more affordable than luxury brands. We’re in this premium middle range, and this is exactly the Crisoni niche.”

Crisoni Corporate

Andreas’ second business in Monaco was launched under the name Crisoni Corporate, where he collaborates with his Monégasque business partner.

Crisoni Corporate focusses on functional wear, targeting businesses such as the Société des Bains de Mer (SBM), the Roca Team Basket Monaco, the Automobile Club de Monaco, the Comité Olympique de Monaco, the Ports de Monaco, and the Fédération Monégasque de Rugby.

“Custom corporate wear is a statement of a company’s or a club’s presence; it states who you are and what you do. It defines the essence of your business or activity, and that in itself naturally gives you a professional image. For instance, all 320 employees of Casino de Monte-Carlo are dressed in Crisoni.”

So Crisoni Corporate is more for corporate clients, right?

“Exactly. We wanted to separate it from Crisoni because it is a different business. I feel there is a high demand for bespoke uniforms that represent not only the client but also the image of the Principality. We even have conversations with restaurants to elevate their presence.”

How does someone differentiate Crisoni from Crisoni Corporate?

“We carefully created two different labels for the two brands. Crisoni Corporate has a different label to show that it is functional wear. 

For example, we dress all the drivers from the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo and Hermitage Monte-Carlo. 

However, their clients might wear a Crisoni suit, which is a more sophisticated, higher-quality product. That’s why we have two separate companies and concepts.”

Crisoni Femme

In 2024, the Crisoni family introduced its long-awaited third store, focussing on women. Tell us more about this.

“I was always attracted to women’s wear and accessories, but the idea really came from our customers. 

For years, people have asked me, “It is such a great concept you’re doing for men, but why don’t you do this for women too?” The demand was there, and I believe we are the only ones offering made-to-measure for ladies in Monaco.

Women always told me that they needed made-to-measure clothes as well, because they are taller, smaller, have bigger shoulders, etc; simply put, they also wanted clothes that adapted to their bodies.”

First, Andreas created a small section for ladies in the Crisoni Atelier at 14 rue Grimaldi, but he quickly realised that he needed more than a small corner.

Therefore, in June 2024, Andreas announced the opening of a new Crisoni Femme boutique on rue Princesse Caroline. Several of the house’s stylists have created a ready-to-wear collection and will create tailor-made cocktail, gala, and wedding dresses. 

“Coincidentally, we found an empty store just in front of Crisoni, and this was the decision-maker at the end of the day. It was super convenient to have the two stores just in front of each other. This way, Crisoni Homme and Crisoni Femme can work together in synergy.”

Crisoni Femme offers a new trend for women by bringing them a unique collection with several choices of fabrics and cuts and an unrivalled tailor-made service.

The boutique was inaugurated in the presence of its ambassadors, Louis and Marie Ducruet.

Louis and Marie Ducruet

Andreas is a great sports fan, and the Crisoni brand is working with numerous sports personalities. Crisoni was also selected to create outfits for the Monégasque delegation for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

“I was driven by this idea of having a dedicated Crisoni ambassador. We have a wonderful relationship with Louis and Marie Ducruet, and I found them to be a beautiful couple and a perfect fit for our brand values. They are both working, young parents. They love animals and have a nice lifestyle, but not excessively so.”

Having a great admiration for football, Andreas and Louis also connected over the sport, as Louis is the President of the Barbagiuans, which brings together some of the sovereign’s relatives in a friendly football team.

“Marie is also interested in clothing. They are young parents and have a very bright future in Monaco. When I consider all these values together, it was just a perfect match. I think for us, it’s just a perfect long-term vision.”

Olympic Games

The Principality of Monaco has an amazing and supportive community. Nothing proves this better than the fact that one of Andreas’ customers at Crisoni, who works for the government and the Olympic Committee, approached him to dress the entire Monaco delegation for the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020.

“It was an honour for me to do this for Monaco, a city-state that I now call home. We made designs and propositions for Tokyo, and they loved it with the red and white. We even created the shoes and a special belt for it.”

Since then, Crisoni Atelier has been the official partner of the Olympic Committee, including the most recent Olympic Games in Paris 2024.

“I am very happy, as it is fantastic to see that the HSH Prince dresses in Crisoni.”

During your career, what was the best advice you ever received that helped you?

“At the age of 23, I took over the responsibility for a store with 14 employees in Switzerland. I remember one morning when the area manager of the company came and invited me for a coffee. He said, “Make sure that you’re always surrounded by successful people. Create a team, and then you will be really successful. It doesn’t help to make them smaller than they are or put them down to show you are the big boss. No, let them develop, and if you’re surrounded by successful people, you will be successful for sure.” 

This, for me, was the best business advice I ever had. It’s not always easy, but I have tried to follow this until today.”

Do you think you will retire in your home town of Zurich?

“Absolutely not,” – laughs Andreas. – “It’s crazy, but I really feel 100% at home here in Monaco. 

I love Switzerland. I’m very thankful to the country for the fantastic years I had. It wasn’t a decision against Switzerland. It was a decision for Monaco because I feel totally at home here and couldn’t be happier living here. I want to retire in Monaco for sure.”