Italian luxury fashion brand Brunello Cucinelli unveils Road to Solomeo, a new collection designed exclusively for Neiman Marcus.
Alessio Piastrelli and Carolina Cucinelli; ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRUNELLO CUCINELLI
Inspired by motorcycle culture and Brunello Cucinelli’s deep commitment to craftsmanship, the Road to Solomeo collection enchants with leather, suede and cashmere textures across apparel for him and her, accessories and footwear. “Road to Solomeo beautifully merges Italian artistry with the spirit of exploration in a way that’s distinctly Brunello Cucinelli. The exclusive collection celebrates the long-standing relationship between Neiman Marcus and Brunello Cucinelli,” says Lana Todorovich, chief merchandising officer at Neiman Marcus. “Setting a new standard for luxury, each piece in the collection tells a story of refined elegance and boundless adventure. We are excited for Carolina and Alessio to celebrate with our dedicated customers in San Diego.”
Here, the brand’s vice president and co-creative director Carolina Cucinelli and her husband Alessio Piastrelli, men’s creative director, discuss their shared passion for motorcycle riding and the idea behind the collection, which will launch exclusively at Neiman Marcus on Oct. 1, followed by an intimate celebration in San Diego.
What inspired the Road to Solomeo collection?
Carolina Cucinelli: We liked the idea of designing a collection that combined the lifestyle of Solomeo with that of America. Our hamlet is surrounded by greenery, with many delightfully scenic roads where you can immerse yourself and wander aimlessly, following a relaxed and leisurely pace. It’s similar to the iconic American routes, which connect incredible places that are very different from each other. For example, on one side of San Diego, you have the ocean coast, and on the other, the desert hills. The association with the ‘on the road’ imagery and the style of the motorcycle world came naturally.
Why was Neiman Marcus the perfect partner for the collection?
CC: We have shared a friendship and mutual respect with Neiman Marcus for many years now. Brunello and the company receiving the Neiman Marcus Award last year was a true honor for us, a highlight of the beautiful relationship that has connected us for more than 20 years. For us, Neiman Marcus stands for American style, luxury, and individuality, so there could not have been a better partner to launch this collection dedicated to the ‘on the road’ dream.
Tell us about your passion for motorcycle riding and how you’ve married that with your love of fashion.
Alessio Piastrelli: Carolina and I are both very passionate about motorbikes and the culture and style that define their image. I think of the iconic Marlon Brando with the leather biker jacket in The Savage or the images from Easy Rider on the vast American roads.
CC: It’s true; motorcycling is a real passion for both of us! The feeling of freedom you get from riding a motorcycle aimlessly is unmatched. As Alessio mentioned, the iconic imagery that goes with the motorcycle culture is an important reference point for both our styles, given that we like to mix pieces from different worlds. For example, a leather jacket paired with denim and more classic pieces makes everything more contemporary.
What was it like to collaborate together on a collection as husband and wife?
CC: With each new season, we try to blend all the influences that have inspired us into a broader concept of style that reflects the personality and taste of our brand: balanced and contemporary. It is important to us that each piece reflects the attention to quality, detail, and excellence of craftsmanship that has always defined our DNA. Moreover, Alessio and I share many passions, even in terms of style. All the more reason why, for this collection, we worked together in a very natural way in parallel with the creative teams.
What excites you most about celebrating this collection in San Diego?
AP: San Diego seemed like the perfect place to present this collection. Being historically closely linked to motorcycle culture, it matched perfectly with the taste and inspiration of the collection.
CC: Together with our friends from Neiman Marcus, we searched for a location that conveyed a relaxed vibe but also the grit that characterizes the world of motorcycles—it’s a mix of ‘on the road’ attitude and rock 'n' roll energy! And San Diego has all of this; the Californian spirit is everywhere, from the waterfront to the long, vast roads that invite you to hop on a bike for an aimless road trip.
What are your favorite pieces from the collection?
CC: I would definitely say all leather or suede pieces—from the biker jacket to the belt with chain detail—are very versatile and add a modern touch to any look. High craftsmanship and the company’s philosophy are deeply intrinsic to each garment. The Road to Solomeo collection expresses a strong Brunello Cucinelli identity that perfectly matches the Italian-American motorcycling tradition.
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