We’re proud to be featured in the last Issue of Mono Magazine モノ・マガジン (Japan), October 2021 Issue. They showcase the new Masterpiece “Bivacco” Yellow Western Down Jacket and the iconic “Aviatore” B-3 Seal Brown Shearling Jacket, available worldwide. Japan 🇯🇵 meets Italy 🇮🇹
We are proud and thrilled to announce that we will be tracing an Epic Route of more than 4.000 km passing through the hottest Deserts in Europe and the most beautiful Southern Cliffs, where the Mountains fall into the Ocean.
We will explore Western Deserts and Coasts, in Spain and Portugal, starting on Saturday July 3rd.
Special thanks to our partners Velasca, DMD, Ferrino and VALLON.
Follow our Adventures.
Looking for the Shangri-La
Ride into the Weekend in style with some of the finest quality Garments.
In the following Weekend Kit you can find our selection of gear to enjoy the time off the proper way:
– Jacket: Shangri-La Heritage “Terracotta” Black Suede Jacket
– Bike: British Customs X Mule Motorcycles Europe Tracker Classic
– Foulard: Shangri-La Heritage “Looking for the Shangri-La” Silk Foulard
– Sunglasses: Vallon “Surf Aviators”
– Gloves: Shangri-La Heritage “Bandit” Racing Gloves
See You Out There.
Looking for the Shangri-La
Now there’s the perfect weather to Ride, and you need the perfect Garments as well.
In the following Spring Kit you can find our selection of gear to Hit the Road the proper way:
– Jacket: Shangri-La Heritage “Café Racer” Brown Leather Jacket
– Bike: Ducati 900 Super Sport 1977
– Foulard: Shangri-La Heritage “Bergamo” Silk Foulard
– Helmet: Biltwell “Gringo” Desert
– Gloves: Shangri-La Heritage “Bandit” Racing Gloves
– Glasses: TBD Eyewear “Panama” Nero
See You Out There.
Looking for the Shangri-La
Spring has sprung, and it’s time to be back on the Road again. We already started to hit the coasts of our lakes here in Northern Italy.
In the following Spring Kit you can find our selection of gear to Hit the Road the proper way:
– Jacket: Shangri-La Heritage “Café Racer” Nubuck Leather Jacket
– Bike: Moto Guzzi 850 T4 by South Garage Motorcycles
– Cap: Shangri-La Heritage “Outlaw” 8 panel Riders Cap
– Helmet: AGV Helmets “Giacomo Agostini” x3000
– Glasses: TBD Eyewear “Donegal” Champagne
– Pant: Shangri-La Heritage “Explorator” Natural Pant
See You Out There.
Looking for the Shangri-La
Winter is a fascinating yet tough season, especially in mountain areas like our Alps.
Snow and freezing temperature make almost impossible to ride a bike, but they bring new ways to explore the nature that surrounds us, but to do that you must have the right equipment.
In the following Winter Kit you can find our selection of gear to face winter the proper way:
– Coat: Shangri-La Heritage “Stelvio” Dispatch Rider Coat Forest Green
– Car: Land Rover ”Defender” D90 Keswick Green
– Cap: Shangri-La Heritage “Outlaw” Selvedge Denim Cap
– Flask: Vintage metal flask
– Boots: Velasca “Tirapè”
– Gloves: Shangri-La Heritage “Bandit” Nubuck Gloves
– Map: Vintage Road Map 1954
– Knife: Helle hunting knife
Keep exploring.
Looking for the Shangri-La
We’re very proud to be featured in the Issue 22 of Men’s File Magazine x Clutch Magazine
They showcase the new Masterpieces “Stelvio” Dispatch Riders Coat and “Aviatore” B-3 Seal Brown Shearling Jacket, available worldwide.
Many thanks to the legend Nick Clements to believe in us.
We’re very proud to be featured in the new issue of Moto Heroes (France) with an amazing article about us, our products and way of life. You guys rock!
Photos by Francesco Torricella, Luca Argenton
Summer 2019, July.
Leading destination: Lake Resia, and the mysterious bell tower buried in its waters.
This time, our adventure is a little bit longer: 662 Km (411 Ml), a two-day trip, and many Alpine passes to cross with our motorbike.
Morning, 8 a.m.
We leave our beloved Bergamo, and we run throughout the Brembana Valley. Small towns and mountain pastures are along our road.
At the end of the valley, we reach the San Marco Pass and its 1,992 m (6,535 ft) of elevation.
Despite many other passes, dominated by people who come and go, here you can feel your closeness to nature. One step from heaven, still immersed in the green of the pass’ meadows.
The descent takes us to Morbegno, in Valtellina.
We come across this beautiful land, famous for its fine wines, until we reach Bormio, a touristic destination located in the Stelvio National Park.
Even if we know how excellent its local cuisine is, we prefer stopping for lunch at the next point, where amazing food embraces a stunning view.
So much difference in altitude from Bormio to our next stop. We are on the border between Lombardy and Trentino-South Tyrol.
Dozens and dozens of curves and we come to the Stelvio pass, at an elevation of 2,757 m (9,045 ft). It is the highest paved mountain pass in the Eastern Alps and the second highest in the Alps, 7 m (23 ft) below France’s Col de l’Iseran. It’s defined as one of the most beautiful mountain passes in Italy!!
After so much road, we finally have lunch. There are bunches of places for eating. This place is full of motorcyclists and restaurants.
After lunch, we go down to the town Prato Allo Stelvio.
After 26 km (16 ml), we arrive at our Lake Resia, aka Reschensee, in Venosta Valley! This artificial lake is on the border with Switzerland, at an elevation of 1,498 m (4,915 ft). It is the largest lake in Trentino-South Tyrol and it’s located precisely in the municipality of Curon.
The first impression was a feeling of amazement (a bell tower in a lake?! What?!) followed by calm (the lake is so quiet, man). It’s something unique in the world!
But then, I start realizing that maybe it’s not as idyllic as can seem, indeed it even appears sad:
At one time, three natural lakes were located at the Resia Pass. Because of the construction of a large dam in 1950, the three lakes were unified, causing the complete submerged of the ancient town of Curon, which was transferred further upstream. Although the local population tried to oppose, 163 houses and 523 hectares of farmland are now on the bottom of the lake. Among them, there is also an ancient church of the fourteenth century, to witness that world almost lost.
Day one is running out. We cross the entire Venosta valley when it’s evening.
In this town, we stop for a beer and for having dinner at the Forsterbräu Merano. Beer is excellent, and you can have a typical Tyrolean meal.
After dinner and more than a couple of beers, we go to bed (we’ve booked in a lovely B&B).
Also, the second day is full of emotions and places to discover.
We go to Bolzano, the capital city of the region. We make a quick visit to the magnificent old town. We regret getting up late. Unfortunately, we don’t have much time.
But we are ready to face the way back. Three mountain passes are waiting for us.
First step: Mendel Pass.
We are still in Trentino-South Tyrol, at an elevation of 1,362 meters (4,469 ft). Along the road, there are 17 panoramic hairpin bends, woods, and rocky walls.
In the nineteenth century and at the beginning of the twenty century, this place was a popular health resort for aristocrats and emperors. Considering how cool this place is, we understand why they chose to stay here.
Crossing the pass, we come to Cles, in the heart of the Val di Non. There is a mountain lake, Santa Giustina Lake, also called Cles Lake, surrounded by apple trees famous throughout the valley.
We travel for the entire Sole Valley until we come to the Tonale Pass, 1,883 meters (6,178 ft).
This mountain pass, at the foot of the famous Presena Glacier (3000 m, 9843 ft), connects Lombardy and Trentino-South Tyrol. This road is also full of breathtaking hairpin bends.
We have lunch, and we go on with our trip.
We return to Lombardy, in the high Camonica Valley. We’re going through it all.
We arrive at the Vivione Pass at 1,828 meters (5,997 ft). It’s a very narrow and steep road, surrounded by woods and greenery! You are really in contact with wild nature. The highland at the top of the pass is reminiscent of the Scottish ones.
We travel along the Scalve Valley and Seriana Valley, in the province of Bergamo, to Clusone.
This town is Daniel and Marco’s hometown. We decide to take a look to the Triumph and Dance of Death, a cycle of frescoes dated back fiftheen century, located close to the main church.
To finish our tour at best, we stop by our friend Gio for an happy-hour with a view in Piazza Orologio.
Other 30 km, and we are back home.
It’s been a long journey. But with all this beauty, how can you not do it?
Keep dreaming
Looking for the Shangri-La
Francesco Torricella, photographer, videomaker, adventurer, and motorcycle lover, for more than a decade has developped his passion for moving images, awarding prestigious prizes, both in Italy and abroad.
His affection for motorcycles has guided Francesco to customize bikes during spare time and take part in many off-road trips, riding in Marocco, Spain, France, and his homeland Italy.
His last work as a videomaker pays tribute to the Italian founders of the motorcycle race Flat Track.
We are extremely grateful that Francesco has shared his competence and his love for motorcycles with us. In our turn, we want you to see how his journey has started and then gone on.
Here below you can find the full interview to Francesco Torricella and his new video “Di Traverso”.
How did you get interested in video-making?
In high school, I didn’t like to study. I used to skip school and go to the film library instead of in class. I think it was there where I started looking at the cinema in a different way: not only entertainment but a powerful expressive medium that contains in itself almost all the arts. Additionally, in that period, I started experimenting with the first DV cameras and started shooting the first videos with friends.
You have won different awards until now, both in Italy and abroad. Would you like to tell us more about your achievements?
During my professional career, I have often worked in the fashion field. Among the various clients I have worked with, one of the most beautiful collaborations was the one with Kean Etro, the stylist of the men’s line of the ETRO Maison. His way of creating collections was extremely cultured and visionary. It was never a simple product matter, but there were always powerful concepts. He allowed me to express myself freely and to tell these concepts with short films. I believe that this less “commercial” and freer way of working has allowed me to create different fashion films than usual, and this has led to prizes. The rewards are undoubtedly lovely, but they don’t mean much. It is a complex and variable job, often out of your control. But when all the pieces of the puzzle fit together, and you can tell the story exactly as you had it in mind, it is the highest satisfaction.
When did you decide to combine your job as a video maker and director with your motorcycle passion?
They are my greatest passions, and therefore it seemed natural to explore the world of motorcycles with the camera, mainly to try to convey what brings us every time to get on the saddle as soon as possible.
You also personalize motorcycles during your spare time. Could you tell us more about it? And which one of those motorcycles are you more fond of?
At some point in my career, I felt the urge to do something with my own hands to do something that would allow me to detach from the leading intellectual work and get my hands dirty. So, I, together with my cousin, created Sartorie Meccaniche. The first bike was my lightning three and a half, which was also my first bike, since that moment we have made many more and every time trying to raise the bar. The one I’m most proud of is probably the “Trossi.” Under the cleanest lines, there is a great deal of ingenuity and design.
How many projects about motorcycle trips have you personally worked on? Could you give us more details?
I sincerely lost count of how many motorbike trips I have done. I have always loved the motorbike mainly for two reasons: the sensations given by riding, and for being the perfect tool for a particular way of traveling in a nomadic and free way.
What about your last video? What is the motorcycle race Flat Track?
Thanks to Marco Belli, I was able to tell the world of the pioneers of the Italian Flat Track. It is an extraordinarily fascinating and spectacular discipline. It runs without front brakes and at full throttle driving sideways. The riders are always throttled, managing a precarious balance and an even more precarious grip. I find it a fantastic thing.
How did you get interested in video-making?
In high school, I didn’t like to study. I used to skip school and go to the film library instead of in class. I think it was there where I started looking at the cinema in a different way: not only entertainment but a powerful expressive medium that contains in itself almost all the arts. Additionally, in that period, I started experimenting with the first DV cameras and started shooting the first videos with friends.
You have won different awards until now, both in Italy and abroad. Would you like to tell us more about your achievements?
During my professional career, I have often worked in the fashion field. Among the various clients I have worked with, one of the most beautiful collaborations was the one with Kean Etro, the stylist of the men’s line of the ETRO Maison. His way of creating collections was extremely cultured and visionary. It was never a simple product matter, but there were always powerful concepts. He allowed me to express myself freely and to tell these concepts with short films. I believe that this less “commercial” and freer way of working has allowed me to create different fashion films than usual, and this has led to prizes. The rewards are undoubtedly lovely, but they don’t mean much. It is a complex and variable job, often out of your control. But when all the pieces of the puzzle fit together, and you can tell the story exactly as you had it in mind, it is the highest satisfaction.
When did you decide to combine your job as a video maker and director with your motorcycle passion?
They are my greatest passions, and therefore it seemed natural to explore the world of motorcycles with the camera, mainly to try to convey what brings us every time to get on the saddle as soon as possible.
You also personalize motorcycles during your spare time. Could you tell us more about it? And which one of those motorcycles are you more fond of?
At some point in my career, I felt the urge to do something with my own hands to do something that would allow me to detach from the leading intellectual work and get my hands dirty. So, I, together with my cousin, created Sartorie Meccaniche. The first bike was my lightning three and a half, which was also my first bike, since that moment we have made many more and every time trying to raise the bar. The one I’m most proud of is probably the “Trossi.” Under the cleanest lines, there is a great deal of ingenuity and design.
How many projects about motorcycle trips have you personally worked on? Could you give us more details?
I sincerely lost count of how many motorbike trips I have done. I have always loved the motorbike mainly for two reasons: the sensations given by riding, and for being the perfect tool for a particular way of traveling in a nomadic and free way.
What about your last video? What is the motorcycle race Flat Track?
Thanks to Marco Belli, I was able to tell the world of the pioneers of the Italian Flat Track. It is an extraordinarily fascinating and spectacular discipline. It runs without front brakes and at full throttle driving sideways. The riders are always throttled, managing a precarious balance and an even more precarious grip. I find it a fantastic thing.
What is the most memorable trip you’ve ever taken on a motorcycle?
All motorbike trips, for one reason or another, are always memorable. Perhaps because you are still so present while you are riding a motorbike, the journeys remain indelibly engraved in my memory. I do not have a great memory in general, but I can remember the adventures in a motorcycle at any time. I’m sorry to do wrong to the other trips, but maybe that trip I made in Morocco, retracing the traces of the old Paris Dakar, was the most refreshing. We found ourselves in situations where we were on edge, without assistance, but we got through. In 24 hours we passed from the clayey mud of the atlas with temperatures close to zero to the sands of the Sahara with incredible heat, we saw breathtaking sunrises and guided in lunar landscapes, until ended up in the chaos of the Marrakech Medina, truly memorable.
What motorcycle do you use during your road trips? Do you ride alone or with others?
I don’t think you need to have the latest BMW GS to travel by motorbike. Indeed, I am sure that classic motorcycles are the perfect type of motorbike to move because of their intrinsic versatility. You can do a bit of everything, and they are usually not among the bikes faster, and therefore you have time to relax and enjoy the trip. The current bike I use to travel is a Kawasaki W800 that I personally customized. In recent years, however, the asphalt was starting to go a little tight, and the trips became more and more adventurous and voted off-road. For this reason, I decided to support an old Honda XR 250R at the W, with her “you do not go fast”, but “you can go anywhere”. I’ve always made trips with friends, never alone. I think a trip is something that must be shared, and then if you put yourself in the shit, it’s always better to be at least in two.
How do you feel when you ride?
If I had to answer you with only a word, I would say “light.” The way you ride a motorcycle, the feeling of control of the mechanical vehicle, and the inevitable communion that is created between your mind, your body and the bike leads you to live the present and the moment like few other things (maybe sex?). When you drive and especially when you decide to drive, you don’t have time to think about anything else. Still, you only think about driving and how to best face the next corner, this being in the moment leads you to get rid of all the kicks you bring with you in ordinary life, while it clears and the heart becomes lighter, it is truly a unique and beautiful feeling.
Together we have done many road trips and collaborations: from the Croce Domini Pass to the one until the Pyrenees. What is for you the lost horizon, the Shangri-La?
I genuinely hope Daniel decides to take an enduro, so we can finally go and look for the Shangri-La where the asphalt ends. Kyrgyzstan?
What is the most memorable trip you’ve ever taken on a motorcycle?
All motorbike trips, for one reason or another, are always memorable. Perhaps because you are still so present while you are riding a motorbike, the journeys remain indelibly engraved in my memory. I do not have a great memory in general, but I can remember the adventures in a motorcycle at any time. I’m sorry to do wrong to the other trips, but maybe that trip I made in Morocco, retracing the traces of the old Paris Dakar, was the most refreshing. We found ourselves in situations where we were on edge, without assistance, but we got through. In 24 hours we passed from the clayey mud of the atlas with temperatures close to zero to the sands of the Sahara with incredible heat, we saw breathtaking sunrises and guided in lunar landscapes, until ended up in the chaos of the Marrakech Medina, truly memorable.
What motorcycle do you use during your road trips? Do you ride alone or with others?
I don’t think you need to have the latest BMW GS to travel by motorbike. Indeed, I am sure that classic motorcycles are the perfect type of motorbike to move because of their intrinsic versatility. You can do a bit of everything, and they are usually not among the bikes faster, and therefore you have time to relax and enjoy the trip. The current bike I use to travel is a Kawasaki W800 that I personally customized. In recent years, however, the asphalt was starting to go a little tight, and the trips became more and more adventurous and voted off-road. For this reason, I decided to support an old Honda XR 250R at the W, with her “you do not go fast”, but “you can go anywhere”. I’ve always made trips with friends, never alone. I think a trip is something that must be shared, and then if you put yourself in the shit, it’s always better to be at least in two.
How do you feel when you ride?
If I had to answer you with only a word, I would say “light.” The way you ride a motorcycle, the feeling of control of the mechanical vehicle, and the inevitable communion that is created between your mind, your body and the bike leads you to live the present and the moment like few other things (maybe sex?). When you drive and especially when you decide to drive, you don’t have time to think about anything else. Still, you only think about driving and how to best face the next corner, this being in the moment leads you to get rid of all the kicks you bring with you in ordinary life, while it clears and the heart becomes lighter, it is truly a unique and beautiful feeling.
Together we have done many road trips and collaborations: from the Croce Domini Pass to the one until the Pyrenees. What is for you the lost horizon, the Shangri-La?
I genuinely hope Daniel decides to take an enduro, so we can finally go and look for the Shangri-La where the asphalt ends. Kyrgyzstan?
Keep dreaming
Looking for the Shangri-La
