“I don’t have a problem with business casual, but I think there are always ways to dress and be distinctive and respectful, and dress for the audience while still being comfortable,” said the ophthalmic industry veteran who retired last year after serving as global president of ophthalmology for Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, where he is still an adviser. He is currently executive chairman of Neurotech Pharmaceuticals, a retinal implant company in Rhode Island, and is CEO of Avellino Labs USA Inc., a Menlo Park-based biotechnology and genetic science company. He maintains his role as chairman of Octane, an Orange County-based networking group that puts together medical and technology entrepreneurs with small to mid-size businesses and universities. He is also an adviser to Bain.
“I like to make sure that the clothes mimic who I am,” he added. “I’m 63 years old. I’m not going to get dressed like I’m 30, which is my son’s age. I don’t think that’s appropriate.”
Mazzo defines his style as “detailed, classic leaning, but with a contemporary flare.”
He entrusted his look to two professionals—Ron Viggiano of Austin Taylor Inc. in Irvine who makes his business attire, and Nordstrom’s personal stylist Nader Shafii to whom Mazzo turns to for casual and golf wardrobe.
Viggiano’s creations usually feature “Italian mill wool with a bit of silk in it,” as it “adds a bit of flavor, a bit of color,” to Mazzo’s suits and sports coats. His shirts, mostly in white, blue, pink or purple Italian woven cotton, complement his graying hair, while buttons are nowhere to be seen, a personal preference.
“Sometimes Ron will challenge me—he’ll think of ideas and I’ll say ‘No way,’” Mazzo said. “He’ll even occasionally call my wife, Kelly, who also assists me with my style, and say ‘Hey, can we convince Jim into this one,’ and sometimes that works, because I tend to have a more conservative approach.”
Mazzo’s dress shoes are by Salvatore Ferragamo SpA while his ties and pocket squares come from Santostefano di Italo Ferretti.
“I’m 100% Italian, so maybe I’m a little bit biased,” he said.
