Expert tailor Nazareno Fonticoli joined with his business partner, Gaetano Savini to launch their Italian luxury menswear brand, Brioni, in 1945. Brioni’s original lines offered bespoke clothing, handmade shoes and accessories, crafted to the highest of standards. Their garments were new and innovative, introducing bold colours into menswear for the first time, plus slimmer silhouettes with natural shoulders and light materials. Further demonstrating their commitment to breaking new ground, Brioni hosted the first ever men’s catwalk show in Florence, Italy, in 1952. Distributing to the USA throughout the 1950’s and onwards, Brioni has become well known for their garments synonymous with status and prestige. In 2011, the brand was acquired by Kering, and Norbert Stumpfl has been the creative director since October 2018.
Brioni offers bespoke garments, as well as ready-to-wear which encapsulates tailoring, leisurewear, accessories and shoes. Each piece is exclusively produced in Italy, using the house’s trusted 220-step process, involving 6000 hand stitches and taking more than 22 hours to produce a tailored piece. For this reason, combined with their long history, Brioni is celebrated for its Italian expertise and precise, dedicated craftsmanship. Though always producing timeless, wearable designs, Brioni has consistently pushed boundaries and continues to do so. Stumpfl has introduced new fabrics such as cashmere, suede and silk to create a more informal and laid back approach. The heritage of the brand is brought into the 21st century with refined suits, casual, quality polo shirts and luxurious loungewear. Handmade with time-honoured techniques, loafers and oxfords are classic and enduring, while contemporary sneakers will elevate a day-to-day look.
Brioni has over 20 stores throughout the world, in cities including London, Milan, New York and Istanbul. Bespoke services are available upon request, and ready-to-wear clothing, accessories and footwear can be found online through the Brioni website and Harrods, Mr Porter and Farfetch.