Brunello Cucinelli (Italian pronunciation: [bruˈnɛllo kutʃiˈnɛlli]; born 3 September 1953 in Castel Rigone) is an Italian luxury creative director and the chief executive of his eponymous made in Italy brand, Brunello Cucinelli.[1] He donates 20% of his profits through the Brunello Cucinelli Foundation. He has been described as a "philosopher-designer".[2]
Cucinelli grew up in a rural agricultural community outside of Perugia.[3] His childhood home had no electricity or running water.[4] Cucinelli dropped out of engineering school at age 24,[5] choosing instead to read philosophical texts on his own.[5]
Cucinelli's first product was cashmere wool sweaters in bright colors.[5] 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;[6] after the initial public offering of Brunello Cucinelli SpA his personal net worth exceeded $1 billion.[6]
In June of 2021, due to the ownership of 50.05% of the shares of Brunello Cucinelli S.p.A., Brunello had a personal net worth of approximately 2.2 billion dollars. [7]
Cucinelli believes that architecture "needs to symbolize higher meanings besides serving a material purpose."[8] He collaborated on the re-design and expansion of Solomeo with Italian architect Massimo de Vico.[9] In 2021, Cucinelli announced that he would again be partnering with de Vico to transform one of Solomeo's 18th-century villas into a "Universal Library" that will carry books on philosophy, architecture, literature, poetry and craftsmanship.[10]
In 2018, Cucinelli raised €100 million for charity by selling 6% of his shares.[11] 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.[12]
Cucinelli is married to his hometown sweetheart Federica,[18] and the couple have two daughters: Camilla and Carolina.[19]
