Brunello Cucinelli at Harry Rosen: A Legacy of Elegance

The stories of Brunello Cucinelli and Harry Rosen share a similar start: a founder equipped with nothing but passion, an understanding of elegance, and faith in a vision. Both created a legacy of style destined to last lifetimes.

In 1954, Harry Rosen used a $500 loan to open his first store in Cabbagetown, Toronto. He built a reputation for honesty, quality craftsmanship, and second-to-none service. Through belief in his vision and his product (plus a fair amount of risk-taking), Harry created an iconic menswear destination.

Similarly, in 1978, Brunello Cucinelli wagered everything on his belief in his vision and product, creating a brand based on quality craftsmanship and social responsibility, that is now one of the most preeminent names in luxury fashion across the world.

Both stories are the culmination of a life’s work, two namesake brands that have grown beyond their founders’ wildest dreams, both derived from the same love of clothing. As we celebrate our 70th year in business at Harry Rosen, we reflect on our partnership with Brunello Cucinelli and our mutual aspirations in life and style.

In 1978, Brunello Cucinelli – then aged 25 – set out with a vision: to create a line of coloured cashmere sweaters in his own contemporary style. After acquiring enough neutral-coloured cashmere yarn to make about 60 sweaters, Cucinelli visited an expert in garment dyeing and convinced the reluctant young man to dye his beautiful sweaters a set of vibrant, unconventional colours.

Over the following two decades, Cucinelli developed the foundations of a luxury brand entirely around this one product category. “I was seeking perfection for one single thing. I was the man with the sweaters, the cashmere guy,” says Cucinelli. “My hope was that it would be modern, innovative.”

Today, Brunello Cucinelli is one of the most sought-after names in fashion, producing men's and women’s collections that epitomize modern luxury. While cashmere remains at the core of every Brunello Cucinelli collection, the brand is also revered for its covetable range of fine tailoring, luxury casual wear, footwear, and accessories.

Since travelling to Italy for the first time in the mid-70s, Harry Rosen developed a particular affinity for Italian craftsmanship and tailoring, and frequently returned to research brands and buy products. Of course, it didn’t take long for Harry to catch on to Brunello Cucinelli, the King of Cashmere making waves throughout the fashion world.

Harry discovered Brunello Cucinelli in Florence, Italy, where he had artfully arranged his collection of cashmere sweaters across a display table. A connoisseur of cashmere himself, Harry was enamoured with the collection and most of all, with Brunello Cucinelli’s vision.

In 1989, the first Brunello Cucinelli sweaters arrived at Harry Rosen and since then, the luxury Italian brand has become one of our most important partners.

Solomeo is a commune near Perugia in Italy’s Umbria region and home to the Brunello Cucinelli brand. Complete with cobblestone streets, cypress trees, and rolling hills, the picturesque 14th-century village hardly looks like the headquarters of a multinational fashion brand. In a celebration of the hamlet’s medieval heritage, Cucinelli faithfully restored Solomeo, creating his empire exactly as envisioned for over two decades.

First and foremost, Cucinelli envisions Solomeo as a peaceful place that fosters uninhibited creativity and genuine human interaction. It was his personal dream for all Solomeo staff – about 720 in total now – to work in beautiful surroundings, receive fair wages, enjoy lunch together, take relaxing breaks, and live a dignified, serene life.

Riccardo Stefanelli, Co-CEO of Brunello Cucinelli, told us “You have to properly remunerate the people working with you because you have to convince them to follow the path of craftsmanship.” We’ve had the luxury of bringing our team and select clients to the unforgettable Solomeo and can’t wait to return again soon.