Brunello Cucinelli has been booked and busy as of late. Following the Solomeo-born Italian designer’s Outstanding Achievement Award win at the Fashion Awards in December, his luxury ready-to-wear and cashmere-led brand executed a full-scale Harrods takeover for the holidays, dressing the Knightsbridge flagship in bespoke window installations, pop-ups and exclusive product capsules. The new year began just as strongly with the release of Brunello: The Gracious Visionary, a feature-length, auteur-style documentary charting his rise from humble beginnings to architect of modern quiet luxury. Now, Cucinelli – whose brand is anchored in ethical capitalism, artisanal excellence and longevity – shows no signs of slowing this career-defining run. Yesterday in Milan, he unveiled his AW26 collection, framing the contemporary explorer through an outdoor-informed wardrobe of refined utility.
Titled Ars Imitatur Naturam, the collection positioned nature not as a theme but as a guiding principle. Softly structured blazers refined the silhouette, paired with ties that brought formality back into focus alongside garment-dyed trousers with cargo and utility pockets. Outerwear was central, from double-breasted coats finished with metal buttons to technical fabrics treated with a sartorial hand. The range was broad and assured, moving easily from relaxed cargos and knit-led daywear to evening tuxedo looks and fully realised snow-sport silhouettes. A palette of deep neutrals and saturated tones underscored the season, while tweeds and Donegal were reworked in lighter constructions. Shearling and suede appeared throughout, grounding the collection in tactility, while textured cardigans and patterned knitwear anchored looks with quiet confidence.
Image courtesy of Brunello Cucinelli
