The John B. Fairchild Honor recognizes a career of influence and distinction in the fashion industry. Named after WWD’s legendary chairman and editorial director and chosen by its current editors, the honor was introduced in 2016 as part of WWD’s annual celebration of creative vision, performance and leadership in the fashion industry.
Maria Grazia Chiuri, artistic director of womenswear collections at Dior, was last year’s recipient. Cucinelli joins highly regarded industry leaders including Ralph Lauren, Karl Lagerfeld, Leonard Lauder, Giorgio Armani, Miuccia Prada and Tommy Hilfiger in receiving the John B. Fairchild Honor.
“I am deeply honored to receive such a prestigious award, which I consider a tribute to the dignity of the work, to my people, to their creative genius and their industrious effort, as well as to our Umbrian land and its spirituality,” Cucinelli said. “The names of those who have been honored with the ‘WWD John B. Fairchild Honor’ before me only add to my debt of gratitude. I am immensely grateful to my esteemed Jim Fallon, a great connoisseur of beauty who not only shines a light on our work,l but also elevates the spirit of man.
“I would like to dedicate a thought of sincere esteem to the extraordinary editorial and cultural experience that is WWD, which should also be credited for having made the taste and style of Made in Italy fashion known in the United States and around the world.
“Thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart for this too, with the hope that beauty can open up ever new horizons before us and lead us to peace between peoples,” he added.
“Brunello Cucinelli represents the best of the fashion industry far beyond the impeccable cashmere he is so famous for,” said Amanda Smith, president of Fairchild Media Group. “He is a visionary, a leader and deeply connected to his purpose in a manner that cannot help but inspire those around him. His commitment to both creating beauty in the world and giving back to the world are a lesson in leadership for us all, and we are thrilled to celebrate his story this year.”
James Fallon, editorial director of Fairchild Media Group and WWD, said, “Over the last 46 years, Brunello Cucinelli has not only established one of the world’s leading luxury brands but has pioneered a way to operate a business in a humanistic, compassionate and sustainable way. Brunello follows the advice of the philosophers he so eloquently references, from restoring his beloved Solomeo to training the next generation of artisans and more, yet also always with an eye to the future, such as the recent relaunch of his website using artificial intelligence. I can think of few better people to receive this year’s John B. Fairchild Honor.”
Living in peace, contributing to the dignity of work, for example, by beautifying working spaces, being “a good, decent person” as per his father’s directions, and supporting human capitalism have been motivating Cucinelli for years. Likewise for aiming at a balance between profit and giving back, and underscoring the need to pay taxes as “a value, a duty and at the same time an act of respect to the society we live in and to other people. Just like profit, which must be harmonious and commensurate. How can excessive profit be justified?”
Brunello Cucinelli fall 2024
Cucinelli, who is known to pepper his speech with quotes from his beloved philosophers, from Seneca to Aristotle, walks the talk, investing in several restoration projects over the years, including the medieval hamlet of Solomeo, his home and that of his namesake company, and establishing the town’s School of Crafts to train new generations. Through his family’s foundation, he is currently building a Universal Library in Solomeo as his next project for humanity.
Holding the role of executive chairman and creative director of the company he founded, he is a staunch supporter of Made in Italy production, leveraging the expertise of the artisans in Solomeo’s Umbria region, a storied knitwear hub. The company is investing in doubling its manufacturing plant by restoring an existing industrial site in Solomeo and plans to open new sites in Italy, in Penne and in Gubbio.
“I chose cashmere because you don’t throw it away,” he has said, a precursor of today’s sustainability goals and his men’s and women’s collections continue to be an ode to precious fabrics, highly crafted by hand yet balancing embellishments and essential design, always making a point to stay true to the brand’s identity.
In 2012, Cucinelli publicly listed his company, as one of his key goals is to secure the company’s longevity. At the time of the road show, he candidly dissuaded investors who were looking for financial speculation and fast gains through the IPO. He still stands by his mantra — “to grow in a healthy, gentle and graceful way.”
And grown it has. Last year, revenues exceeded 1.1 billion euros, the highest in his company’s history. The milestone target was met five years sooner than expected, based on Cucinelli’s initial 2019 to 2028 10-year plan, which saw the company doubling its sales by 2028. Despite the current slowdown in the luxury scenario, his company continued to grow in the first half, reporting a 14.1 percent increase in sales to 620.7 million euros.
Befriending Silicon Valley tycoons, who are also his clients, he has held two Universal Symposiums on Soul and Economics in Solomeo, the latest in May reflecting on the relationship between ethics and AI, and between humanism and technology.
Additional WWD honors will be revealed at a later date.
