Brunello Cucinelli Wins GQ China’s Designer of the Year Award

In a gala event held yesterday evening in Puyuan, Zhejiang Province, renowned Italian fashion designer Brunello Cucinelli was honored with the prestigious “Designer of the Year” award by GQ China, a leading men’s fashion magazine. The award was presented amidst the scenic charm of Puyuan, known for its tourism and as a significant knitwear manufacturing hub.

Cucinelli, hailing from the quaint town of Solomeo, was bestowed this accolade by Roger Lynch, the Global Chief Executive Officer of Condé Nast, and celebrated Chinese model He Cong. This award recognizes Cucinelli’s significant contributions as a trendsetter in fashion and lifestyle.

2023 has been a remarkable year for Cucinelli, starting with the Neiman Marcus Fashion Award in Paris last March. This latest achievement from GQ China further cements his reputation for promoting fine craftsmanship, the dignity of manual work, and principles like Humanistic Capitalism and Human Sustainability.

Prior to the award ceremony, Cucinelli was a key speaker at a Forum attended by Chinese celebrities and social media influencers. He shared insights on vital topics like balancing profit with philanthropy, respecting nature, and finding harmony between professional commitments and personal life.

In his heartfelt acceptance speech, Cucinelli expressed gratitude to the GQ team, including Roger Lynch, Will Welch, Gill Zhou, and Rocco Liu. He reflected on the significant milestones of the past two years, including his participation in the G20 summit on climate issues and previous awards like the British GQ award in 2021 and the Neiman Marcus Fashion Award.

Cucinelli dedicated his award to the youth, urging them to be stewards of the environment, to seek a balance in life, and to limit online presence to preserve their innate spirit. He echoed his father’s advice on being good individuals who balance profit with positive contributions to society saying:

I dedicate this award to the young people of this world and tell them: Please, be the guardians of Creation! Don’t turn your back on poverty, find the right balance between life and work and between mind, soul and body. Don’t spend too much time online because it could steal the soul that Creation has given us. And as my father always told me, I urge you to be good people, balancing profit and giving back. Smile at life! When your soul is heavy, when something doesn’t work for you, when someone humiliates you, go outside and gaze at the sky and stars and everything will be fine.

Echoing an ancient Chinese proverb, Cucinelli emphasized the long-lasting impact of educating humanity, a principle he has always cherished. Rocco Liu, Editor-in-Chief of GQ China, resonated with Cucinelli’s views on Human Sustainability, highlighting the ongoing relevance of such values in the age of technology and AI.

Cucinelli reminded everyone that we are transient beings on this earth, encouraging a life of joy and passionate work as true guardians of Creation.