CANALI AND THE STORY OF 80-YEAR-OLD BRAND
For years Canali has stood for sophisticated men’s fashion, even when the industry has often focused more on womenswear. No matter what the trends are, they’ve stuck to their guns on creating suits and pieces that are for the refined gentleman. Season after season, they offer men an array of elegant looks, constructed by some of the finest tailors and designers from the Mediterranean country. It can even be said that what they offer can be compared to what Paris’ haute couture is for women – a well-made wardrobe of the highest quality.
There’s nothing quite like a tailored suit. The three-piece
ensemble is regarded as the finest outfit a man can wear on any occasion, be it
an ordinary day at work or in a formal gala. If it’s well-cut and made exactly
on the wearer’s measurements, it can transform the man’s bearing, posture, and
look. A suit has the power to even change a spectator’s perspective on the
wearer, making him look distinguished, refined, and significant. Such are the
principles of the suit that Italian brand Canali is founded and works
upon. It is one of the premier provider and maker of men’s suits in the entire
world.
For years Canali has stood for sophisticated men’s fashion, even
when the industry has often focused more on womenswear. No matter what the
trends are, they’ve stuck to their guns on creating suits and pieces that are
for the refined gentleman. Season after season, they offer men an array of
elegant looks, constructed by some of the finest tailors and designers from the
Mediterranean country. It can even be said that what they offer can be compared
to what Paris’ haute couture is for women – a well-made wardrobe of the highest
quality.
HOW THE BRAND CAME TO BE
The label was founded by brothers Giacomo and
Giovanni Canali in 1934 in Brianza, Italy. At that time, the area was known for
its emerging fashion market, a manufacturing hub of fine textiles and expert
tailoring. Within a few years, the company had become a known label for elegant
men’s suits, made with the most luxurious textiles and constructed using new
and innovative methods. By the 1950’s, the Canali brand had become one of the
most prominent in the entire fashion industry, even rivalling the haute couture
houses in Paris. It was also at this time that the second generation of the
Canali family had taken over the family business.
With new leadership, the brand branched out to
further spread awareness for the brand. They began holding fashion shows in the
country’s top cities, inviting some of the most celebrated personalities at the
time. Their clientele was suddenly becoming international, as the rich and
famous from different countries began having their suits made by the brand. In
the 1960’s the label began producing outerwear, offering finely-cut coats and jackets
to be worn over their well-made suits. By the 70’s the also started offering
sportswear and ready-to-wear, giving the gentleman the complete sophisticated
wardrobe he needs for all the facets of this life.
INTERNATIONAL AND RETAIL EXPANSION
Although Canali is proudly and
quintessentially-Italian, the brand had been expanding internationally since
the 1970’s. They first took their suits to neighboring countries such as
France, Switzerland, and the UK, where their pieces were embraced by the
bourgeoisie. They also went overseas to the United States of America, tailoring
the suits of many American businessmen, celebrities, and other prominent
figures in society. In the 1980’s, the rest of North America and the Middle
East began getting their own Canali suits, further spreading awareness for the
brand.
Canali Boutique in Hanoi, VietnamAlthough by the 1990’s, they were already a
giant name in the men’s fashion industry, they only opened their first flagship
store in this last decade of the 10th century. Before that, clients would go to
their atelier themselves, or simply send out people with their measurements for
the studio to just work on. Soon, they would open stores around Europe, South
America, South and Central Asia, and Africa, making the whole world their
clientele. Their clothes are now distributed among 200 boutiques and 1000
retailers in over 100 countries. In 2012, it was found that 87.5% of all their
pieces were exported to these different parts of the world – proof that the
world has embraced Canali.
CELEBRITY CLIENTELE
As one of the finest menswear labels in the
world, it’s no surprise that Canali has captured the eyes of many male
celebrities. Beyond the exclusive social gatherings of the world’s elite,
Canali suits have also been worn on the red carpet, so that the whole world can
revel in the brand’s majestic works. Distinguished actors like Michael Douglas,
Michael Fassbender and Luke Evans have worn suits by the label
on a number of red carpet occasions. George Clooney even wore the
label in his film, “Michael Clayton”, back in 2007. In 2010, Mariano
Rivera, pitcher for the New York Yankees, became the brand’s spokesmodel.
Luke Evans in Canai suit on red carpet
George Clooney wore Canali Suit in his film Michael Clayton
Mariano Rivera, pitcher for the New York Yankees,Canali’s spokesmodel in 2010One of the most prominent clients the company
has ever dressed was former US President, Barack Obama. The famed
politician wore a suit of theirs a few months after he was elected as the 44th
president of the United States back in 2008. It was a momentous occasion, not
only for the brand but for Italian menswear in general. That a powerful player
such as the leader of one of the most powerful countries in the world
appreciated an Italian-made suit proved how acclaimed the country’s craft
really is.
For almost a century, Canali has been providing gentlemen all over the world their high-quality suits. They helped establish the man as a fashionable entity, and have dressed multiple distinguished men over the years.
Canali Boutique Vietnam
Address: 63 Ly Thai To, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
Phone: 024.32011592
