In honor of the world premiere of Brunello: The Gracious Visionary.
No one does Italian hospitality quite like Brunello Cucinelli. The designer and his namesake brand, known for luxurious cashmere and impeccable tailoring, decided that early December in Rome, with its festive trimmings, would be the perfect opportunity to fly friends of the house for a special event. The occasion? The world premiere of Brunello: The Gracious Visionary, a documentary directed by Academy Award winner Giuseppe Tornatore. I arrived in the Eternal City just before noon and checked into Hotel Eden, which was already leaning thoughtfully into the holiday season — a large Christmas tree that greeted guests set the tone. By early evening, we were off to Cinecittà Studios for the big night, where the atmosphere was lively, high-profile but somehow still intimate.
Inside, the seats filled with a very recognizable audience: Jessica Chastain, Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, Chris Pine, Édgar Ramírez, Ava DuVernay, Kyle MacLachlan, and plenty of others who could easily headline their own premieres. Yet everyone seemed genuinely excited to celebrate Cucinelli. The man of the hour arrived with his signature calm, offering warm greetings and zero theatrics. Even surrounded by celebrities, cameras, stylists, and PR handlers, he looked like the least stressed person in the room. That’s one of the most disarming things about him: he treats an A-lister exactly the way he treats a craftsman from Solomeo.
The film—Tornatore at his best—walked through Cucinelli’s story with sincerity rather than sensationalism. One of the most charming parts was the reenactment of how he met his wife, Federica. She’s the low-key powerhouse of the film: steady, intelligent, no-nonsense, clearly the spine of the entire narrative. The movie also underscored what makes Cucinelli different: his belief that capitalism can be human, beauty and dignity aren’t luxuries, work should be meaningful, and people matter. It’s a philosophy most leaders say they value but rarely live. From his early love of the town of Solomeo to his then pipe dream of buying the town’s castle to actually achieving said dream and reviving the town to what it is today, the documentary gave deeper insight to a man that most would only know as a nametag on a sweater.
Following the screening was dinner, was another Cucinelli signature that reflected an elegance that was far from performative. Round tables, lively conversation, food that tasted like actual Italian food rather than the abstract idea of it. Not a single display of excess—just good ingredients, shared well.
Anna Ferzetti & Brunello Cucinelli, Ava Duvernay, Bianca Balti, Carolina Cucinelli & Jessica Chastain & Camilla Cucinelli, Desiree Grubner & Kyle McLachlan, Jeff & Emilie Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, Tina Kunakey
Come the next morning, everyone reconvened at the Teatro dell’Opera for a press conference with Cucinelli and Tornatore. While the location added gravitas, the mood stayed warm and personal. Before things even began, we were greeted with what can only be described as the ultimate Brunello-style brunch: the most spectacular spread of Italian breakfast classics featuring fresh pastries, fruit, thick slices of rustic bread, jams, eggs, cappuccinos that practically glowed. It felt less like a press event and more like being welcomed into someone’s home.
During the conversation, Tornatore shared a story that visibly moved Cucinelli. When scouting locations, the director had visited the house where Cucinelli grew up. He suggested they film the scenes in the actual kitchen to preserve authenticity. Cucinelli’, visibly emotional even in the retelling, explained how meaningful that was. And because he is Brunello, the story ended with, “…so naturally, I decided to buy the property.” Of course he did.
The most touching moment came at the very end. After all the journalists finished their questions, a small voice chimed in from the front row—his granddaughter.
“Will you get upset if I make a movie when I’m older?”
The room melted. Cucinelli didn’t hesitate:
“No, I will never get upset.”
It was simple, sweet, and said everything about the kind of man he is—supportive, open-hearted, and happiest when the people he loves find their own paths. As everyone walked out, there was this quiet sense of having witnessed not just a film launch, but a two-day reminder that leadership can be human, kindness can be powerful, and humility can sit comfortably next to success. And honestly, that might have been the most impressive part of all.
