Brunello Cucinelli

Founded the company in 1978, focusing on artisanal women’s knitwear in coloured cashmere—unusual at the time. In 1985 he acquired the 14th-century castle of Solomeo, a small medieval village on the outskirts of Perugia; after a two-year restoration, the company’s headquarters were moved there in 1987. In 2001, following the redevelopment of several disused factories, the main offices were relocated to the valley at the foot of the village.