Yahoo Lifestyle Brunello Cucinelli to Receive Outstanding Achievement Award at Fashion Awards 2025
LONDON — Drumrolls for the Fashion Awards 2025 began Tuesday as the annual fundraiser’s organizer, the British Fashion Council, revealed Italian fashion designer and entrepreneur Brunello Cucinelli as the recipient of this year’s Outstanding Achievement Award.
Being recognized for his contribution to the industry, Cucinelli will be celebrated on Dec. 1 at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Last year, the designer was awarded the John B. Fairchild Honor by WWD in New York.
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Born in Castel Rigone, about 10 miles away from Solomeo, the son of a farmer, Cucinelli imagines his sense of style was handed down by his father, who insisted that the furrows plowed should be “straight and accurate,” as per the classical conception and Aristotle — one of Cucinelli’s oft-quoted mentors.
A self-made man, he has built his namesake company to reach sales of more than 1 billion euros, but he prides himself on focusing on gradual growth, “with good taste, in a beautiful relationship with humanity.”
Holding the role of executive chairman and creative director of the company he founded, Cucinelli is a staunch supporter of Made in Italy production, leveraging the expertise of the artisans in the Umbria region, and has committed to ensure the longevity and prosperity of the country’s pipeline and supply chain.
Likewise, his aim is to improve the conditions of workers by creating beautiful working spaces for the artisans who create the products for his company, voicing his belief in the importance of erecting factories where “seeing the sky is inspiring, not a drawback,” and which contribute to the dignity of work, he has often said.
“I am deeply honored by this prestigious and fine award, which is dedicated to all our artisans for their genius and creative spirit, and at the same time, recognizes our fashion house as a paragon in the global industrial landscape,” said Cucinelli.
“We in Solomeo believe in the values of humanistic capitalism and human sustainability, as well as in the important balance between profit and giving back, which we have been nurturing for almost half a century. This award from the esteemed British Fashion Council, for which I thank the special individuals Caroline Rush and David Pemsel, honors us immensely and encourages us to continue on this radiant path,” added the Italian entrepreneur.
Rush, chief executive officer at the British Fashion Council until April 28, said: “The personal impact of Cucinelli’s family and town resonate through every aspect of the brand. His expertise in cashmere has transformed the perceptions and possibilities of the industry, while his approach to ethical business building has set a blueprint for the fashion industry.”
An award reserved for those who have constantly shaped and reshaped the fashion world through their innovation and creativity, previous recipients of the honor include Tom Ford, Valentino Garavani, Giorgio Armani, Miuccia Prada, Ralph Lauren, Karl Lagerfeld and Yvon Chouinard of Patagonia.
The Fashion Awards is the primary fundraiser of the BFC Foundation, which aims to support the future growth and success of the British fashion industry by focusing on education, grant-giving, and business mentoring.
It counts Pandora and The Peninsula London as key sponsors.
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