Meet the gay designer who makes the Pope’s clothes - See how much he charges

Filippo Sorcinelli is the queer designer behind the Pope’s garments. Not only is he openly gay, but his public image is filled with shirtless selfies and tattoos.

When you think of papal fashion, images of ornate robes, gleaming gold thread, and solemn ceremony might come to mind, but this designer is a "contradiction". Sorcinelli is a muscled, bearded fashion visionary who has been designing for the Vatican for over two decades.

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He was born in 1974, and Sorcinelli is now 51 years old. His first commission for a pope came in 2008 when he designed a vestment for Pope Benedict XVI. This milestone project marked the beginning of his longstanding relationship with the Vatican.

From cardinals to bishops to not one, but two popes—Benedict XVI and the now deceased Pope Francis—his craftsmanship is deeply rooted in Catholic tradition. In 2001, he founded his atelier, LAVS (L’Atelier Vesti Sacre) for his work on creating vestments for the Vatican. He also works closely with the Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff.

He made over 20 garments for late Pope Francis and more than 50 for the late Pope Benedict. His designs merge sacred vestment design with modern artistry and his most iconic piece is the pointed mitre worn by Benedict during his funeral at St. Peter’s Basilica.

The work of LAVS is recognized throughout the world for having created numerous robes for Pope Benedict XVI and for the mass at the beginning of his pontificate, Pope Francis in 2013.

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But Sorcinelli doesn’t just drape the Holy See, he creates full sensory experiences. He believes liturgy should engage all five senses. That’s why his garments don’t just look majestic, they smell like incense, evoking instant spiritual memories.

When Filippo's clients receive a garment, whether it is the Pope, a priest, or anyone else, the first thing they notice is the smell. It is the fragrance of incense that transports the person to a pew in St. Peter's Basilica.

Some of his vestments take weeks, others months. Spending up to 1,000 hours working on some individuals' robes, Filippo said that prices for them range from €1,000 to €7,000. The designs differ based on setting; the one created for the open-air Mass in L’Aquila, for instance, is vastly different from the one worn by Pope Francis during the inaugural Mass of his papacy at St. Peter’s Square.

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A Paradox

What makes Sorcinelli truly fascinating isn’t just his talent; it’s the juxtaposition of his work and his aesthetic. His Instagram is a feast of sensuality: shirtless poses, close-up shots of leather, body art, and provocative angles that wouldn’t look out of place in a fashion campaign or a gay magazine.

He’s not shy about his identity, which makes him a walking contradiction to the very people he designs for.

The Controversy?

In a Church historically known for its conservative stance on homosexuality and with Pope Francis himself recently coming under fire for using homophobic slurs, it’s nothing short of astonishing that a gay man is entrusted with designing the most sacred garments worn by the Pontiff himself.

Speaking on this in an interview with DW News, he said:

The church should be welcoming, it should not shy away from anything and be open to all aspects of our society. The church should face everything without fear because that is also part of the Christian message.

Some see it as hypocrisy, others as a quiet rebellion, and yet others view it as proof that beauty and craftsmanship can transcend ideology. Still, Sorcinelli’s presence in the Vatican raises eyebrows. He’s the embodiment of everything the Church traditionally distances itself from: queer, edgy, expressive, and defiant. Yet, the robes he creates continue to define the visual narrative of Catholic leadership in the 21st century.

So, does it really matter if the man behind the Pope’s robes is a gay, tattooed designer? If his creations elevate the sacred, inspire the faithful, and honour tradition with craftsmanship and reverence, maybe, just maybe, it doesn’t matter who’s holding the needle, so long as the stitches hold meaning.

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