Brunello Cucinelli is an Italian fashion designer known for his luxurious cashmere products. He founded his eponymous company in 1978 and built it into a global brand that today generates more than 500 million euros in sales per year. Cucinelli is considered one of Italy’s most successful and respected entrepreneurs, admired not only for his fashion but also for his philosophy and social commitment.
Cucinelli was born in 1953 in a small village in the Umbria region. He studied engineering at the University of Perugia, but dropped out after two years to follow his passion for fashion. He started designing and selling colorful sweaters made of cashmere, which he produced in his garage. He was convinced that cashmere was a noble and versatile material that offered both comfort and elegance.
In 1985, Cucinelli moved with his wife Federica and his two daughters to Solomeo, a medieval village near Perugia, which he later bought and restored. He built his factory there, which he designed according to the principles of humanism and respect for employees. He paid his employees above-average wages, offered them flexible working hours and free meals, and encouraged their cultural education. He also created a foundation to preserve and promote Solomeo’s cultural heritage.
Cucinelli expanded his range from sweaters to complete collections for men and women, which he sold in the most prestigious boutiques in the world. He developed a style he called “sporty-chic”, characterized by natural colors, high-quality materials and refined cuts. He worked with famous personalities such as Robert De Niro and George Clooney and who wore his clothes and shared his values.
Cucinelli is not only a fashion designer, but also a philosopher and a visionary. He likes to read the works of ancient thinkers such as Plato, Aristotle and Seneca and draws inspiration from them. He believes in human dignity, the beauty of nature and the power of creativity. He sees his company as a “humanistic company” that aims not only to make a profit but also to contribute to the well-being of society. He supports various charitable initiatives in the fields of art, culture, education and the environment.
Brunello Cucinelli is an example of an entrepreneur who has realized his dreams without compromising his values. He has created a brand that embodies not only fashion but also a philosophy of life. He has proven that with cashmere you can make not only warm sweaters, but also a warm and harmonious world.
