Canali

Summary

A family-run company now in its third generation.. luxury fashion brand Canali has been making menswear for over eighty-five years. The brand endorses the values of ‘Made in Italy’ excellence with premium fabrics and exceptional craftsmanship. And to provide a highly personalized experience Canali offers the skill set of “Made to Measure” specialists and master tailors to create custom men’s apparel.

All collections are produced by the company in Italy- based production centers. Each center specializes in one category of product to guarantee that each garment receives attention to detail. This includes the garments’ lining and buttons. To keep evolving with the changing times.. Canali suits are handcrafted by Italian master craftsmen who are continually trained in cutting edge technology, sophisticated manual skills in-house training Italians to achieve the highest quality products made using weaves and designs often created exclusively for Canali.

History

In 1908 Giacomo Canali opened a tailor’s shop in Triuggio… until 1934 Giacomo and Giovanni co-founded luxury menswear brand Canali as a family-run business. The business grew exponentially until the outbreak of World War II- a condition that led to a production halt for many Italian companies.

The second generation of Canali brothers- Giuseppe, Genesio and Eugenio- re-started the business and strengthened the brand presence in a burgeoning market. In the Fifties.. the brothers adopt a business stratagem that turned out to be their greatest strength: each proposal was shared and examined by all so that each one of them could contribute their intuition, skills and acumen. With this methodology in the early ‘50s.. the menswear fashion brand interpreted a need for functional men’s apparel among the post-war population and focused on making raincoats. Responding to customers’ needs astride their business strategies led to a change in character and context of Canali’s business. Between the Sixties and Seventies the three brothers met market demands and focused on outerwear. This choice- together with the desire for a high-quality product- is one of Canali’s signifiant turning points.

During this period Canali was the first Italian fashion brand to introduce mechanised cutting machines. All collections are made by Canali-owned production centers in Italy.. each specialising in different product categories to ensure perfection in every garment, handcrafted by craftsmen who value the tradition of fine tailoring. And- Su Misura service- which combines the expertise of made- to- measure specialists with the skill of master tailors to handcraft suits, blazers, shirts and trousers from the finest fabrics. Following the launch of its accessories and footwear lines… Canali opened its first flagship in Milan. Since, the fashion brand chalked out an aggressive expansion plan and took its Italian handmade suits to the US, UK, France, Switzerland, Middle East and Canada and established an A-list International clientele.

Helmed by the third generation of the family- Stephano Canali- the luxury menswear fashion brand continued to expand into Russia, China, India and Oceania. In 2009 Canali launched a bandhgala suit for the Indian market– the only indigenisation in the fashion brand’s product line. Continuing its expansion mode, Canali opened in Madrid in 2014 and inked a franchise deal with Spanish company- Yusty. The following year the men’s fashion brand opened a store in Washington DC and debuted an online store. Buoyed by the growth, Canali consolidated its commitment to the production of quality garments and invested in technical research and in the training and development of its collaborators. The luxury menswear fashion brand continued to in evolve in style with a significant presence in social media and digital sales channels… and gained more space in the menswear market.

In its more than 85-year history the Canali family rethinks, revolutionises and adapts its company, always remaining true to its values. Per Forbes CEO Stefano Canali explains “Our Italian DNA and key values — such as the value of family and traditions — are at the very heart of the Canali brand.. It is important to keep these values in mind whilst also striving for innovation not just in terms of aesthetic but also in selecting and developing exclusive fabrics that meet the evolving needs of our customers… the main challenge for Canali is to embrace the change while remaining authentic to its brand values.”

In 2017 Canali closed its Carate Brianza factory and a year later entered the Chinese e-commerce market via a collaboration with Secoo. Following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic the men’s fashion brand evolved its design aesthetic into a more casual look in order to be relevant with the stay-at-home mood. Per Forbes “Canali suits are carefully made by highly skilled Italian craftsmen well versed in the tradition of fine tailoring. Paired with leading edge technology.. sophisticated manual skills are acquired from ongoing and thorough in-house training. Italians design- cut and stitch all garments- and constantly strive to achieve the highest quality product.. materials, weaves and patterns are often created exclusively for Canali. This ensures all products are the highest quality, consistently innovative and brimming with creativity.” Today Canali is a family-run luxury menswear brand in its third generation.. with its production centers in Italy. In addition to a hundred and eighty boutiques, the brand can also be found in retail stores in over a hundred countries.

“The boundaries between casual and formalwear are very blurred these days and will continue to be blurred. We have developed an offering that is very consistent and a continuous mix of the formal and casual. Materials and construction techniques are being exchanged, they are complementing each other. It’s not a sign of confusion, it’s a consequence of the time we’re living in. The suit is not dead– it’s just evolving” Stephano Canali tells GQ.

Vision

Family-run company Canali envisions creating premium and bespoke menswear with the Made In Italy masterful craftsmanship with tailors and Made To Measure experts. However- after the global pandemic- the brand vision evolved to offer a mix of formal- bespoke- and casual wear to meet the evolving demands of its consumer base.

Mission Statement

To promote the values of Made In Italy excellence through its artisanal know-how and create sartorial masterpieces of exceptional wearability and comfort in a perfect balance of elements that blends culture and history with contemporary style and taste.

Key Team

Stephano Canali (President and CEO)
Paolo Canali (Sales and Marketing Director)
Andrea Pompilio (Creative Consultant)
Elisabetta Canali (Global Communication Director)

Products and Services

The luxury menswear brand has always been abreast with evolving taste to remain relevant yet steeped in the “Made In Italy” foundation. The entire range encapsulates outerwear, shirts, pants, Polos and T-shirts, sweaters, suits, footwear, accessories and made-to-measure.

References

• Official website Canali
• How Canali Menswear Uses Innovation To Achieve Aesthetic Perfection As Consumers Evolve Forbes
• Stefano Canali: ‘The suit is not dead. It’s just evolving’ GQ
• The New Man According To Canali Esquire
• Facebook account of Canali Facebook
• Roadmap To Success The Telegraph
• Italian luxury brand Canali strikes the Indian chord Economic Times
• The New Creative Menswear Dress For Success, Style Forbes
• Instagram account of Canali Instagram
• Canali comes to Madrid Models
• Rejoice, men who enjoy a finely tailored suit: Canali coming to CityCenterDC  Washington Business Journal
• Canali re-launches at 80 Years MF Fashion
• Twitter account of Canali Twitter
• Canali Menswear Suits- Communicating Your Vision Forbes
• Youtube channel of Canali Youtube
• Yes We Canali Urban Daddy
• LinkedIn account of Canali LinkedIn
• Canali denies sale rumours WWD
• Wiki page of Canali Wikipedia
• Canali Brings Its Italian Designs to Chinese E-commerce Jing Daily