I'd say the closest one in the USA to one here, selection wise, is Bencraft.I'm jealous that you are able to see Italian hat shops. I would love to be able to do that. How is the selection versus what you would expect out of a good U.S. hat shop?
I've never heard of that town. Google maps on my iPhone couldn't find it either. [huh] Cervo and Barbisio (which I just learned are the same, Barbisio being the highest quality line they produce and Cervo slightly lesser.) are made in a town called Sagliano Micca.Have you gone to Monte Grappone or whatever that town is called where they make the hats?
It has been great, so far. The only bad experience I've had was at the Borsalino store in Venice. I wanted to buy a cool box they had and when I asked for it the guy said to me: the boxes are given only if you buy a hat. I replied saying thanks and that it made sense for them to do that. Then he says (all these in Italian) but if you had been wearing a Borsalino, and not that old sock (yes he called my hat a sock) I might have made an exception.That sounds VERY exciting! Looking forward to living vicariously through you.
I took off my hat, show him the liner, and say to him in the same nasty tone: oh you mean this 1949 qualitá extra extra superiore pristine vintage sock? (I only brought with me a Borsalino)he was mortified and offered the box for free. I didn't take it. I told him he should treat his customers better and no matter what kind of "sock" they're wearing. And that he should tell their bosses to stop putting that tacky logo in the ribbon.