The Tamesis
Friends of Brunello Cucinelli gathered with the designer and his family at Lincoln Center on Tuesday night for the unveiling of his New York show. Brunello: a benevolent dreamer. From the moment they step onto the soft beige carpet – a nod to the brand’s signature understated neutral tones – guests are immediately immersed in Cucinelli’s world.
As attendees made their way to the theater, they were greeted by Cuccinelli with hugs, kisses on the cheek and a personal greeting. The designer lovingly arranged the carpet with his wife, Federica, and daughters, Carolina and Camilla, making the evening feel more like a family reunion than a traditional screening.
“Our business started here after Germany,” Cuccinelli told us Fashion. “It’s so touching to be back here with our friends after so many years.” Federica echoes the same sentiment: “It’s such a beautiful, iconic theater. Coming here and being surrounded by so many people makes us feel so many emotions.”
Guests were also eager to learn more about the family that brought them together. “I’m fascinated by how Brunello built something like this; how he was able to move with the times while maintaining the consistency of his DNA,” said actor Allison Williams. “It’s incredible to start something at 25 years old and grow it into what it is today and then have your kids be a part of it,” adds interior designer Jeremiah Brent. “I’ve always been fascinated by how people discover and cultivate creativity and turn it into something lasting.”
As familiar faces such as Sarah Katherine Hooker, Helena Christensen, Shonda Rhimes, Oscar Isaac and Naomi Watts gathered in the theater lobby, they were greeted by silver trays of champagne and the anticipation for the upcoming screenings was high. Martha Stewart, a long-time friend of the family, remains tight-lipped: “I’ve heard a lot about the movie itself, but you’ll have to wait and see before I say anything,” she joked.
After the cocktail hour, guests were led into the auditorium, flutes in hand. Once seated, Cuccinelli took to the podium, choosing to speak in Italian so he could fully express himself. He noted that New York has always held a special place in the brand’s history. But more importantly, the film carries a message he hopes will resonate: a call for younger generations to “replace fear with hope” and to “look to the sky” again.
The two-hour film is a sentimental account of Cucinelli’s upbringing in rural Italy, his decades-long love story with Federica, the evolution of his business and his philosophy of humanistic capitalism. The designer sat in the front row, flanked by members of his family (many of whom appear in the film) and the actors who played them. When the closing credits rolled, the audience stood and applauded. A tribute not just to the film, but to the legacy it carries.
Guests then ascended to the grand gallery upstairs, where an Italian feast awaited among giant marble sculptures. The tables are covered with rustic bread, paired with olive oil and Brunello Cucinelli brand wine. dawson creek Alumnae Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson shared plates of cured meats, fresh mozzarella and cheese, recalling the ranch-style simplicity depicted in the movie. For the main course, the tomato penne was a highlight—a thoughtful remembrance of Cuccinelli’s favorite moment. The night ended with a classic Italian tiramisu as red wine and aperitifs clinked throughout the room.
Although attendance was about 400 people, the atmosphere remained intimate, almost family-like. Guests leave not only with a deeper understanding of Cucinelli’s story, but with a sense of belonging within it.
