Ralph DiGennaro

I was the main copywriter for this major fashion brand and retailer, as well as a creative consultant to Robert Stock, Chief Creative Officer & and Co-Founder. In addition to singlehandedly writing all descriptive product copy for the website and catalog—men's and women's sportswear, accessories, home furnishings, and licensed product categories—I wrote copy for signage, hang tags, packaging and news releases. As the brand prepared for the launch of Robert Graham Fragrances, I handled creative consultation and copy for this extension of the brand as well.

The creative team at Saks Fifth Avenue tapped me to write a lengthy series of profiles focused on the best of the best in Italian tailoring and handcraftsmanship. The store was promoting a number of exceptional brands and this editorial-like section ran in upscale magazines like Departures. It was a complex creative effort where I interfaced almost daily with Saks’ key fashion merchandisers and directors in creating this handsome marketing piece.

After founding the widely celebrated Robert Graham brand, designer Robert Stock proved he had a few moves still left in him, founding Robert’s Club, an online, member’s only eCommerce site that sold Mr. Stock’s uniquely graphic and inventive shirts, sweaters, jackets, and vests. I was hired because I was uniquely qualified to voice the distinctive clothes, at once complex and highly innovative. Successful from the outset, a sizeable number of Robert Graham devotees joined Robert’s Club from the outset. I like to think my creative copy had a lot to do with the company’s initial success.

Years ago Ghurka Founder and Designer Marley Hodgson tasked me to write all the product descriptions in the company’s first-ever booklet showcasing the world of Ghurka American-made luxury and craftsmanship. Two decades later the company returned as a valued client and I once again began writing descriptive product copy for this venerable leather goods design company. I love the brand and always will.

Below is the copy I wrote for a full-color brochure announcing the launch of Robert Stock Heritage, a new collection of elegant men’s American sportswear inspired by the great outdoors. Since the collection was not complete when the brochure was created, I was challenged to work from sketches, fabric swatches and small thumbnails of finished garments. Taking copious notes from Mr. Stock’s verbal descriptions of the line, I was able to create and establish a voice for the Robert Stock Heritage collection launching in Spring 2020.

I was originally hired by this venerable 100-year-old Chicago prime meat purveyor to voice Emeril’s Red Marble Steaks, the company’s first venture into expanding beyond its core brand with Choice rather than Prime quality beef. Following the roll-out of Emeril’s Red Marble, I was then hired to revoice the Allen Brothers brand, including print advertising, marketing pieces, on-line and catalog product copy, social media, and the Allen B. blog. I worked for this company as its sole copywriter for six years until it was sold. I miss it, as well as the great steaks!

I was hired by Chicago-based Allen Brothers, a 100-year-old family company, to voice the Emeril’s Red Marble Steaks brand that launched in 2010. Working with the Allen Brothers in-house creative department, we created a Red Marble catalog and eCommerce site, along with an Emeril Lagasse blog on how to best prepare various cuts of steak in the Red Marble line. In addition to the steaks, I also wrote descriptive product copy for other Red Marble foods, including soups, vegetables and baked goods.

I created a blog for social media called “You Might Consider…” a few years ago for my food & wine writing, though I have written on other subjects and topics in this blog as well. They’re short, pithy essays on life’s little luxuries and indulgences I discovered in my world travels. I developed a decent fan following for this writing and still update the blog today.

As Men’s Style Editor at The New York Times Magazine, I wrote, edited and produced the twice-yearly Men’s Fashions of the Times Part II sections, produced regular Sunday style pieces on men’s fashion and accessories and penned essays for the About Men column once a month on classic style that closed each issue. The essays have become part of a book I am currently finishing.

As Special Project Director at The New Yorker, I conceived, wrote and produced a highly successful and profitable series of advertorial sections titled “In Praise Of”. Published once every other month, the title subjects of these sections ran the gamut, from Style and Elegance to Golf and The Shoe. Content marketing allows me to flex my journalism chops, so it’s my favorite kind of copy to write.

Ever since college, it was always my life’s ambition to write for Esquire Magazine, arguably the greatest literary men’s title ever published. I wrote for the magazine often, on matters of style and luxury primarily, but it has long been a favorite subject of mine. My work has always been showcased well in Esquire and I’m proud to be a lifelong contributor.

Since I’ve written extensively on watches and fine timepieces, Details Magazine tapped me to pen a special section on watches sponsored by Timex and Victorinox Swiss Army. A favorite project of mine, Details allowed me the space to tell an interesting story about each of these venerable watch brands.

I wrote, styled and produced a lengthy section on Classic Summer Style for Robb Report that included key elements of a man’s summer wardrobe. The piece included essays on the seersucker suit, the linen sportcoat, the panama hat and the driving shoe.

As Creative Services Director, I conceived, wrote and produced a wide range of advertorial sections that improved Travel Holiday Magazine’s gross income and increased the title’s yearly page count. It was the country’s oldest travel magazine and I was proud to have worked there before it folded.

A beautifully designed magazine from the brilliant art director Larry Hasak, I was tapped to write and produce articles on men’s fashion, travel, and food. No expense was spared on the shoots and my work was always impressively showcased. I miss this magazine a great deal.

As a regular Contributing Editor to this extremely high-end title, I wrote numerous pieces on a vast array of luxury subjects, including travel, home design, watches, cigars, expensive toys, and style. I often used a pen name for certain pieces in The Affluent Page, which is R. Ronald Johns.

An elegant lifestyle magazine that didn’t publish nearly long enough, Golf Connoisseur was designed by the brilliant art director Larry Hasak. Each issue was better than the next and I got to work with legendary photographer Anthony Edgeworth in writing and styling some masterful fashion spreads. I never enjoyed assignments and hard work more.

From travel articles and style pieces to wine & food to luxury, I covered an eclectic mix of topics as a Senior Editor of this gorgeous upscale magazine that was placed on board all private jets in private jet hubs and select commercial airports across the country. The title had a great editor and art director.

As Senior Editor of this highly creative luxury magazine about life in the Hamptons, New York, I oversaw the main front of the book departments, special style sections and wrote a vast array of short and lengthier pieces for the magazine, to date the best lifestyle monthly about life on the East End.

Perhaps the first luxury magazine edited for private jet owners, Stratos was inherently upscale and elegant. Like Private Air (its actual offspring), the title was circulated as an exclusive in-flight offering on private jets primarily. It was founded and edited by a former airline pilot, Tony Smith, who was also a brilliant designer. For him I pitched and published more pieces than any other contributor to the magazine. Stratos was a pioneer when the time for unusual magazines was in its heyday.

Hamptons.com provides everything anyone ever needs to know about living on Long Island’s East End, from Montauk to the North Fork. I wrote for this online magazine about food & wine mostly, along with the occasional restaurant review. I adore the North Fork and am lucky to call it my home. Writing about wine country is never work, only pleasure.