Brunello Cucinelli was born 3 September 1953 in Castel Rigone. He is the Italian luxury creative director and the chief executive of his eponymous made in Italy brand, Brunello Cucinelli. He donates 20% of his profits through the Brunello Cucinelli Foundation. He has been described as a “philosopher-designer”.

Cucinelli grew up in a rural agricultural community outside of Perugia. His childhood home had no electricity or running water. Cucinelli dropped out of engineering school at age 24, choosing instead to read philosophical texts on his own.

Cucinelli, the Italian fashion designer and purveyor of a minimalistic, carefully co-ordinated, international super-lux aesthetic — from ever-so-tasteful crown to cosy cashmere socks — may have built a business that puts his personal worth in the region of €750 million, but he knows what it is to scrape by; he was raised in a dirt-poor peasant farming family but his insistence on setting the dinner table just so and ironing his one pair of good trousers won him the nickname of ‘The Lord’. His sartorial role models were the landlords who, periodically, came to collect their money. Indeed, his memories of those times have cut deep.

Cucinelli’s first product was cashmere wool sweaters in bright colors. In 1977 he started making dyed cashmere in a small workshop. He founded Brunello Cucinelli SpA in 1978 with the Italian lira equivalent of about $550, after the initial public offering of Brunello Cucinelli SpA his personal net worth exceeded $1 billion.

In 2018 Cucinelli decided to sell 6% of his shares to donate 100 million to charity. His company gives about 20% of the profits to charity, with which he restored many works of art throughout Umbria, and he bought many lands around Solomeo, the town where he lives and where his company is based.

Cucinelli is married to his hometown sweetheart Federica, and the couple have two daughters: Camilla and Carolina.

“Seeing my father suffer in his work, how every day offered up some kind of humiliation, how he was living in a contemporary form of slavery, all that leaves a stamp on you for the rest of your life,” says Cucinelli, with genuine conviction. “I knew I wanted a company that gave employees dignity, not just in working conditions but in being part of something bigger.”

Working conditions, sustainability, land management, fair pay to and support of the 2,500 or so small-scale artisanal craftspeople across Umbria and Tuscany to whom the manufacture of many of his products is farmed out — all this is something Cucinelli says he’s big on, not least, he argues, because a better working environment makes for greater creativity. His position is easier given the kind of product he sells, and the prices he sells at, but he’s adamant that it’s “why I’m not impressed when other businesspeople tell me about how they’ve given money away to charity”, he says. “I’m much more interested in how they made the money in the first place. Tell me that, then we can talk.”

But it’s also why the designer’s philanthropic efforts have been focused on the very surroundings many of his employees live in. His business started small: it was 40 years ago this year that he spotted a gap in the market for more colourful cashmere sweaters, started dyeing them, and predicted an upward projection in demand for ever-higher clothing quality. From that small insight, season by season, a monolith was formed, a blend of the corporate (the company now produces huge seasonal collections and operates dozens of shops worldwide, an expansion powered by an IPO in 2012) and the intimate (both of Cucinelli’s daughters and his son-in-law hold senior positions in the business).

But over those decades he has also, piece by piece, been transforming Solomeo — the town where his company is based and where his wife was born — building, so far, a Forum for the Arts; a Square of Peace; a theatre; library; school; agricultural park; and public stadium. But latterly he has been casting his cash net further afield. In 2011 he paid for the restoration of Perugia’s Etruscan Arch. And this year he has been quietly having Norcia’s Torre Civica re-built — the 18th century heart of the Italian town that was devastated by an earthquake last year.

“Of course, everyone feels better after doing something good,” concedes Cucinelli. “And yes, it makes me feel good to do all this, although there’s no real correlation between the feeling and the size of the donation. But while I respect, say, the work of Bill Gates in fighting disease, for me it’s about saving the arts. That, so to speak, is a donation to mankind. It’s a different way of thinking.”

It is, perhaps, a typically Italian way of thinking too: several big Italian fashion brands have, over recent years, put their money into saving or restoring landmarks. “It’s clear that to be Italian is to be in love with the land one was born on,” Cucinelli jokes. But his are less glamorous, more heartfelt and, one suspects, less-calculated choices. Sure, he admits, philanthropy is good for business. After all, he argues, a new consumer sensibility is developing in which a brand’s actions increasingly count for as much as the quality of its wares. But if PR was his main concern, there are far more obvious causes to which he could give his money.

Rather, and one has to take Cucinelli at his word, he sees philanthropy not as something society expects of him so much as a duty. “When I was a young person I always imagined that I’d someday have the ability to give back. To me what I donate is simply what is due,” he says. “Philanthropy should be a very important theme in a life. You have to find the right balance between profit and donation.

“My grandfather, a farmer, would look to the sky and ask for the right amount of water and sunlight; just what he needed, not too little, not too much,” Cucinelli adds. “I want a correct profit, generated ethically. As for the rest of the money, I think we’re just custodians of the land and, at the end of my life, to leave it in a better condition than I found it would make me extremely happy. My father still lives in the country and doesn’t really grasp my financial position but he did once say that he hopes I don’t want to be the richest man in the graveyard. And I don’t.”

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Brunello Cucinelli Dress

Brunello Cucinelli Sandals

$1.404

Straw Bag With Monili Brunello Cucinelli

1.392 euro

Brunello Cucinelli Shorts

Elasic Waistband With Drawstring- Lateral Welt Pockets- 60% Wool 30% Cashmere 10% Silk

Brunello Cucinelli Sweater

$964,19

Brunello Cucinelli Zipped Pocket Detail Hoodie

Zipped Pocket Detail Hoodie from Brunello CucinelliComposition: 100% Leather

Brunello Cucinelli Cropped Trousers

Brunello Cucinelli Beaded Shoulder T-shirt

Brunello Cucinelli Skirt

1.136 euro

Brunello Cucinelli dress

$2.180

Brunello Cucinelli Dress

1.090 euro

Brunello Cucinelli Stretch Cotton Jersey Top With Shiny Strap Black

Brunello Cucinelli Stretch Cotton Jersey Top With Shiny Strap Black

Brunello Cucinelli Shorts

Brunello Cucinelli Belted Long Dress

$1.505

Sale

$750 

Brunello Cucinelli Soft Nappa Leather Sandals

€ 981.85

Brunello Cucinelli Logo Patched Open Top Shopper Bag

Brunello Cucinelli Shirt

 $405,38

Brunello Cucinelli Scarf

625 euro

Brunello Cucinelli Suit

Linen and silk suit- Blazer With Three Buttons Closure- Frontal Pocket- Trouser With Zip And Buttons Closure- Lateral Slant Pockets And Back Welt Pockets- 66% Linen 34% Silk

3.600 euro

Brunello Cucinelli Shirt

Brunello Cucinelli Pants

Brunello Cucinelli Exposed Stitching Zipped Hoodie

Brunello Cucinelli Sweater

Brunello Cucinelli White Trousers

455 euro

Brunello Cucinelli T-shirt

€ 455.13

Brunello Cucinelli Duffle Bag

€ 2688.82

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

By Georgia Papadon & team

   What our ultra selective  editor chose this week …!

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

1. Cosmetics…!

Renew my skin routine

I recently found b.glen and I’m really thrilled about it.

b.glen is a Japanese skincare brand founded in California by Mr. Akira Kodama in 1994. b.glen was conceptualised with the belief that active ingredients in skincare tend to “only remain on the skin’s surface” and hence have limited efficacy.

To ensure that the active ingredients used in b.glen’s skincare products penetrate the skin, b.glen formulates their skincare products based on the proprietary QuSome penetration technology. The technology was invented by Dr. Brian Keller, a renowned American pharmacist who is the Chief Science Officer at b.glen. This advanced medical penetration technology known as QuSome helps to increase the penetration of active ingredients into the skin.

QuSome NanoOff Cleansing

$44

Dr. Brian Keller, Chief Scientific Officer of b.glen, is a leader in the Drug Delivery System, which enables transdermal penetration medications used in the treatment of skin cancer.

The medical-grade penetration technology “QuSome” Dr. Brian Keller developed slips through the sebum layer. Because the ingredient mimics sebum, wrapping the active ingredient in multiple layers and delivering it to the source.

QuSome Eye Serum

$59

QuSome White Essence

$59

Medicated Toothpaste

$29

Dental Whitening Care Set

$89

E-COOKING

Ecooking is for everyone – regardless of skin type, gender or age. We have products for every skin type or challenge – fine lines, wrinkles, acne or redness. Everyone deserves that sense of well-being that healthy and well-nourished skin gives.

Moisturizing mask 50 ml

31 euro

Body Lotion 500 ml

36 euro

Vitamin E Serum 20 ml

41.6 euro

Neck & Décolletage Cream 50 ml

41.6 euro

Capsules with vitamin A serum 60 capsules

41.6 euro

Omorovicza

is a premium skincare brand powered by the world’s most active water (Hungarian Thermal Water). Multi-award winning products & regular rave reviews in Vogue, Elle, InStyle, Allure, Vanity Fair, Marie Claire and Harper’s Bazaar.

Omorovicza Blue Diamond SuperCream

399 euro

Omorovicza Blue Diamond Concentrate

420 euro

Omorovicza Firming Body Oil

79 euro

Omorovicza Midnight Radiance Mask

125 euro

Omorovicza Instant Perfection Serum

$155

Omorovicza Miracle Facial Oil

$125

Spring is finally on the horizon. Update your skincare regime for healthy and beautiful skin ahead of the summer months.

Enjoy this 6 piece complimentary gift when you spend over $200 on full size products*

Use code ‘SPRING’

Find the best mascaras around…

DUET: mascara bundle

What’s better than getting The Best Little Mascara Ever? Getting two! This bundle is the perfect way to give yourself or someone else the chance to try both of our mascara formulas. Use the volume + curl formula on the days you want to amp things up, use the length + definition formula on the days you want to embrace a more natural beauty. Or, layer them both for all kinds of lovely!

$25

Or…!

Let’s be real, lashes are important! Taking good care of them is, too. Upgrade your evening routine with our gentle, effective mascara remover system. The perfect mascara + the perfect removers = your long, luscious lashes will thank you.

 $47

Body …!

Mesmerising Oudh Accord & Gold Body Luxuries Gift Set

$90

The Refined Wanderer Drawstring Travel Pouch

$70

   2. New pieces of Jewellery

SAINT lAURENT

Jewel Saint Laurent Earrings With Metal Fringes And Ysl Monogram

625 euro

GUCCI

Jewel Jewel Women Gucci

840 euro

GUCCI

Jewel Running Gg Ring M In Gold And Diamonds

1.417 euro

Brunello Cucinelli Precious Knot Necklace Silver

1.367 euro

GUCCI

Jewel Low Icon Ring 11 In Gold With Engraved Gg

682 euro

Jewel Alexander Mcqueen Metal Bracelet With Skulls

205 euro

Jewel Alexander Mcqueen Bracelet In Woven Leather With Metallic Skull

205 euro

Brunello Cucinelli Beaded Tassel Necklace Copper

580 euro

SAINT LAURENT

Jewel Saint Laurent Metal Brooch

310 euro

VERSACE

 379 euro

GUCCI

Jewel Jewel Women Gucci

1.260 euro

Versace

Versace Bracelet

556 euro

Chain Medusa Necklace

607 euro

SOKO

Single Bar Cuff Bracelet

$ 52

Maua Personalized Delicate Necklace

$58

Kubwa Bracelet

$168

Ellipse Threader Earrings

$88

Amani Charm Necklace

$88

Sayo Cuff Bracelet

$88

Sayo Collar Necklace

$138

Twisted Dash Cuff Bracelet

$98

3. Fabulous Beach  accessories 

MIRTA

Perla

PERLA

Made ByROBERTO PANCANI

MIRTA

Scopolo

SCOPOLO

Made ByDEA SANDALS

MIRTA

Printed

PRINTED

Made ByDORIA & DOJOLA

€625

MIRTA

Loredana

LOREDANA

Made ByROBERTO PANCANI

MIRTA

Piazzetta

PIAZZETTA

Made ByDEA SANDALS

MIRTA

Printed

PRINTED

Made ByDORIA & DOJOLA

€625

Pamela Munson

Petite Isla Bahia Fringe Black

$245

The Audrey Navy

$ 250

For the Beach …!

MISSONI HOME

Missoni Home – Warner Beach Towel – 170

$264

Klaoos – The Irresistible Beach Umbrella – Light Blue

$178

Pendleton – Oversize Jacquard Beach Towel – Papago Park Turquoise

$90

Missoni Home – Tolomeo Beach Towel – 100x180cm – 170

$280

4. Sunglasses

Bottega Veneta

Bv1101s Sunglasses

BOTTEGA VENETA

Sc0193s Sunglasses

New season S21 – S21

STELLA MCCARTNEY

€ 318.57Sale

€ 290.28

FREE EXPRESS SHIPPING WORLDWIDE

TOM FORD

Ft0513/s Sunglasses

FENDI

Ff 0323/s Sunglasses

Ff 0323/s Sunglasses

FENDI

TOM FORD 

Ft0647/s Sunglasses

DIOR

Diormonsieur1 Sunglasses

RAY BAN

Ferrari Sunglasses

RAY-BAN

LIU-JO

Lj119s Sunglasses

DOLCE & GABBANA

0dg4374 Sunglasses

SAINT LAURENT

Sl 425 Sunglasses

DITA

Flight.006 Sunglasses

CHLOE’

CHLOÉ Rosie Petite sunglasses Women’s GOLD/GREY ORANGE YELLOW Size OneSize 100% Nickel

$415

CHLOE’

CHLOÉ Aimée sunglasses Women’s GOLD / SILVER Size OneSize 100% Nickel, Acetate

$390

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

Am0228s Sunglasses

DITA

Decade-two Sunglasses

Decade-two Sunglasses

5. Beach inspired products For my home…!

Villari – Porto Cervo Shell – White – Large

$1.102

Lalique – Fish Figure – Turquoise

$109

Mer Sea – Stitched Handle Candle – Fog

$78

Mer Sea – Glass Scent Diffuser – Sea Pines

$54

Mer Sea – Luxe Quartz Scented Candle – Mystique

$94

Ginori 1735 – Luke Edward Hall Crown Mug – Sea Blue

$113

Royal Doulton – Pacific Side Plates – 16cm – Set of 6

$67

Royal Doulton – Pacific Mugs – Set of 6

$76

Voluspa – Vermeil 2 Wick Candle – Casa Pacifica – 340g

$40

Henry Dean – Osaka Vase – Gold/Blue – Large

$262

Baobab Collection – Palm Scented Candle – West Palm – 16cm

$192

Orrefors Kosta Boda – Contrast Vase – Blue

$82

Mario Luca Giusti – Corallo Plate – Red – Large

$34

William Yeoward – Bella Blue Cookie Jar

$228

Bitz – Gastro Dinner Plate – Dark Blue

$21

Burleigh – Ink Blue Hibiscus Footed Bowl – Large

$133

Mario Luca Giusti – Water Bottle Bona – Royal Blue

$65

Mario Luca Giusti – Federica Acrylic Pitcher – Blue

$65

Versace Home – Tresors De La Mer Pillow – 45x45cm – Blue/Multi

$359

Kartell – Shanghai Vase – Blue

$225

William Yeoward – Bella Blue Carafe

$152

Mario Luca Giusti – Corallo Plate – Blue – Medium

$27

Kartell – Dune Tray – Blue – 55x38cm

$125

Etro – Camargue Le Sambuc Pillow With Piping – 45×45 – Light Blue

$175

Amazonas – Santana Hammock – Blue

$111

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

By Georgia Papadon & team

Happy New Week…!

Below, Georgia’s Papadon  highlights some of the best winter coat trends to trust in this season.

Explore them…!

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Besides there are sales up to 40% on most of the coats

VALENTINO

Over wood and cashmere coat red

3.024 euros

Loro Piana Long Belt-waist Coat

Long Belt-waist Coat from Loro Piana.  Composition: 100% Cashmere

JIL SANDER

Wool coat black

2.254 euro

GUCCI

Gucci Coat

Coat with metal buttons- Closure With 5 Gold Metal Buttons- 100% Wool

2.160

SAINT LAURENT

Cashmere coat red

3.271 euro

MaxMara

Soldato coat

1312 euro

BLANCHA

Cappotto in Shearling e Visone

2.100 euro

GIORGIO ARMANI

Giorgio Armani Coat

Beige Coat by Giorgio Armani,  100% Mutton

Alberta Ferretti

Alberta Ferretti White Virgin Wool-blend Tailored Midi Coat

Brunello Cucinelli

Brunello Cucinelli Coat

STAND STUDIO Faustine Belted Coat In Soft Faux Fur

CELINE

Celine Jacket

PRADA

Prada Buckle Coat

Virgin Wool Buckle Coat By Prada ,  100% VIRGIN WOOL

MaxMara

S Max Mara Coat

720 euro

PRADA

Prada Single-breasted Checked Coat

Single-breasted Checked Coat from PradaComposition: 85% Virgin Wool, 15% Cashmere

Saint Laurent

Double-breasted trench coat black

1.877 euro

MaxMara

Gentile Camel coat

1.577 euro

Brunello Cucinelli

Brunello Cucinelli Shearling Coat Double Face Brown

This brown coat from Brunello Cucinelli is the epitome of opulent outwerwear. Made in Italy from a series of shearling panels, it s cut to a relaxed silhouette. SHEARLING COAT DOUBLE FACE BROWN  100% FUR

Brunello Cucinelli Shearling Coat Double Face Brown

BOTTEGA VENETA

Stretch bouclé coat black

3.032 euro

GIORGIO ARMANI

Giorgio Armani Coat

Coat by Giorgio Armani, Composition: 100% Mutton

PRADA

Prada Feather-trim Coat

Mohair Wool Blend Feather-trim Coat By Prada. Featuring: – Round Neck; – Trimmed With Ostrich And Turkey Feathers; – Long Sleeves; – Mid Length. Composition: 80% MOHAIR, 20% POLYAMIDE – LINING:, 100% SILK

7.000 euro

MaxMara

S Max Mara Coat

Brunello Cucinelli

Brunello Cucinelli Double-breasted Fur Coat

VALENTINO

Valentino Coat

Coat From Valentino: Wool Cady Applications CoatComposition: 100% wool

3.606 euro

DOLCE&GABBANA

Coat with belt

2.2254 euro

Valentino

Wool Caban White

1.604 euro

JIL SANDER

Wool coat orange

2.254 euro

TONELLO

Wool coat black

722 euro

GUCCI

Gucci Boutique Trenchcoat

Gucci Boutique double-breasted trench coat in wool twill with logoed label. Coat with pointed collar and adjustable waist belt with leather buckle. Closure with 12 buttonsPointed collar Label with logoWind flapFront pockets applied with flap and buttonsAdjustable waist belt with leather buckleAdjustable wrist straps with leather-covered buckleSplit in the center 100% wool , Made in Italy

2.050 euro

Saint Laurent

Saint Laurent Woll And Cashmere Blended Cape With Leather Trimming

Oversized cape Black Cashmere blend wool cloth Leather trimmingComposition: 84% Wool 14% Cashmere 2% Polyamide

1.880 euro

Loro Piana Kali Cape

100% Cashmere

Kali Cape from Loro PianaComposition: 100% Cashmere

FENDI

Fendi Black Virgin Wool Coat With Fox Fur Details

3.510

BALMAIN

Double-breasted coat

Double-breasted coat

€1,631.15

VALENTINO

Double Drap coat black

€2,786.89

Giorgio Armani Black Shearling Mutton Coat

Black Shearling Mutton Coat from Giorgio ArmaniComposition: 100% Montone

FENDI

Fendi Wool Coat

€ 4132.42

GUCCI

Gucci Coat

Gucci double-breasted wool coat. Double-breasted. Collar with lapel. Long sleeves. Metal GG buttons with torchon frame. GG clamp detail on the pockets. Viscose lining. Front patch pockets. Composition: 100% wool.

2.717 euro

The  post contains Affiliate links. Please check.

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

By Georgia Papadon & team