Text: Lucie Krůčková Cover photo: David Turecký Photo: Ilja Hubálek
Behind the Cerruti label stand 150 years of evolution and the Cerruti family’s hard work. One man, however, stands out above the rest — not only for his remarkable life, but also for the qualities that led him all the way to Paris and that keep him full of vitality even in his advanced years. Is it a gift or a lifetime of diligence? Probably both. In any case, Nino Cerruti is an inspiration for people within the fashion industry and beyond.
The story of Nino Cerruti began in 1930 in the Italian town of Biella. He was born into a wealthy entrepreneurial family. The fabric mill had been founded by his grandfather and, for 49 years already, had been flourishing and providing a living for the family and all its employees. When Nino set off to study political science, he certainly did not expect that his life would change very soon. His dream of an academic career was ended by the sudden death of his father in 1950. Nino cut short his studies and returned to the family business.
First menswear designs and first successes
He did not treat his shattered dreams of studying as a tragedy and threw himself fully into exploring the world of fabrics. As early as the 1950s he created his first menswear collection. He presented it to the public in 1957 and caused a minor revolution in doing so. Nino Cerruti left the family business and devoted himself entirely to designing. In 1963 he opened his first boutique in Paris.
The 1990s and the peak of his Paris career
At the close of the last century Nino Cerruti was at the height of his career, and he stayed there for a full twenty years. He designed collections loved by people all over the world — by critics and celebrities alike. He was full of innovations. He was the very first designer to send male and female models down the runway at the same time.
Hollywood loved Cerruti suits. Richard Gere wore them as he was seducing Pretty Woman; Michael Douglas wore them in Basic Instinct. His luxurious suits also appeared on other stars of the silver screen. He dressed Bruce Willis, Jack Nicholson, Tom Hanks, Robert Redford, Al Pacino and Harrison Ford.
In 2005 Nino Cerruti sold 51% of his design house and returned to Italy. His steps led him back to the family business where he had started out. He took the helm of the Cerruti company. He understood that at the very beginning of fashion creation stand the fabric makers, who set the course.
Mr Nino Cerruti is a passionate collector of fabrics. And do not picture just some randomly assembled collection. The Cerruti collection is housed at the company’s headquarters and its archive stretches all the way back to 1876. You can pull out any year you like. You will see what fabrics people wore, what colours and patterns were in vogue — all meticulously sorted. The archive is an inexhaustible well of inspiration as well as a source of important information.
A vitality one might well envy
To this day Mr Nino Cerruti still comes into his office at the company and helps to run it. Despite his advanced years he remains full of vitality. He does not shy away from innovations in the field, not even those brought by new technologies. He accepts requests for selfies with a smile and understands such things as the power of social media.
Cerruti as a symbol of quality
Under Nino Cerruti’s leadership, the mill produces luxurious fabrics supplied to select brands such as Dolce & Gabbana, Burberry and the Czech house of Blažek. The company’s direction is clear: to create fabrics of the very highest quality. Its portfolio also includes such luxurious materials as vicuña wool and cashmere for made-to-measure suits.
Cerruti fabrics in the Blažek collection
Suits made from luxurious Cerruti fabrics are featured in the current Blažek collection too. You can take a look at them in the Lookbook, but nothing can replace the feel of the real thing. Come and try a Cerruti-fabric suit for yourself in Blažek stores or at our tailoring atelier in Nekázanka.
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