BRUNELLO CUCINELLI

I like the idea of an enlightened principality. In the early eighteen-hundreds, in Germany, there were princes who built schools, streets, homes. I like that.

I tell my staff, 'Give me your best, and then go home and live your life.' I've never asked anyone to work harder, but I've told plenty that they needed rest.

I don't want to buy something that has harmed anyone. This is my absolutely strongest belief, and I believe other people think this, too. Or if they don't now, they will.

I always say, 'Obama is my president - the president of the world.'

Italian companies need to re-convert themselves, and such a re-conversion must be toward a better, higher standard.

I come from a farming culture, where we valued raw materials above all.

I believe in capitalism. I need to make a profit, but I would like to do it with ethics, dignity, morals. It's my dream.

In my office, I have a very beautiful marble bust of Seneca. I always have my eye on him when I'm taking phone calls. He's one of the many philosophers I've always read and admired.

When someone says, 'Shut up, farmer,' it hurts. It's difficult to explain, but it hurts.

If you are an investor, I hope that you will stay with me for three, four, ten years. But if you ask me to make profits in ways that I have to change my allure, I won't do that. I won't lose my identity.

Black is overrated. You'll never find it in my stores. Of course it's slimming, but it's just used too much, especially for men. One black suit by one designer, another one by another - they all look the same in the end. If I walk into a crowded hotel lobby and I'm wearing a black suit, I just look like everyone else.

I want to safeguard the value of lunch. For me, it is sacred. My family and I always have lunch and dinner together. And we always sit down. Food does not taste the same if you are standing up!

For forty years, I've worn the same Azzaro Uomo fragrance.

I like to have cookies in the morning before I go swimming.

If you have a company that doesn't sell its goods or services abroad and focuses only on the domestic market, it will keep paying a price.

If you buy a sweater for €1,000 and you know that the funds you are paying are also going to help to build a hospital and a school, wouldn't you think better about it?

To me, the simplest things can have the highest value.

I shave every day with an ancient manual razor. It was my father's, and I love it.

These new young politicians have given us the confidence to start dreaming again to believe there is a better politics, and a better future for Italy in general.

There is definitely a comeback of the idea of dressing well every day. Nowadays, suits can be worn for many occasions - to work or to school, to a dinner party or red carpet event.

Yes, I was a hippy - absolutely a hippy.

A cashmere knit is like a book. It is something to save and go back to time after time. It is the feeling of an embrace.

I had a very simple life growing up in the farm country outside of Perugia, and biscotti and warm milk with a tiny bit of coffee were a big part of my morning ritual before walking to school.

The whole idea of wearing clothes is not to look ridiculous.

I think businesses live longer that are on the stock market.