A site in NYC for Canali in autumn 2010
By FashionUnited
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Founded in 1934 by the brothers Giovanni and Giacomo Canali in Triuggio, Brianza, and led today by the third generation of the family, the more illustrious customers of the men’s clothing label Canali include the President of America, Barack Obama, who has been wearing their jackets since he was a senator. With 1700 employees, represented in over 100 Countries, thousands of sales points and over 150 single brand boutiques worldwide, and a 2008 turnover of about 190 million Euros, the company is planning to open a new showroom space in New York, in the Meatpacking District. Given that the group exports about 75 per cent of its production, FashionUnited asked Elisabetta Canali, Global Communication Director of Canali, what their medium and long term international strategies are.
FashionUnited: The news that the US President wears your suits has spread around the world just on the cusp of the celebrations of your 75 years in business: a sort of global acknowledgment of your success. What are the key factors of your success? And which objectives still need to be achieved?
Elisabetta Canali: The fact that we are represented in international politics is an honour and attests to the fact that our style, the choice of continuing to offer products of very high standards in terms of fabrics, silhouette, quality and sartorial workmanship are indispensable values that are recognised, appreciated and shared even by people who play key roles in the world. These are the values that have guided us for 75 years, together with reliability and our perseverance in wanting to offer a unique product.
FU: When and how did you learn that the US President was partial to your suits? Where were they purchased?
EC: The image of President Obama in a Canali suit has gone round the world; it was taken on Election Day while he was about to get into the car whilst greeting the crowd. President Obama has been one of our customers for a long time and we were aware that he had ordered other bespoke suits. So it wasn’t a surprise for us, but certainly a source of pride that he had chosen to wear one of our suits on the very day of his election.
FU: If the US President asked you for some advice on the look what would you say to him?
EC: Barack Obama has distinguished himself up to now through his sobriety and elegance: we would just tell him to carry on as he is doing.
FU: You are about to officially open a new sales branch in NYC, in the Meatpacking District: when will it be inaugurated?
EC: The new branch will be inaugurated next autumn. In June 2009, on the other hand, during our first Milan parade and our 75th anniversary, we inaugurated the Italy sales branch; a space of over 1400 square meters, situated in Milan in the Navigli area, in the former Richard Ginori area.
FU: How important is the US market for you and how many stores do you have in that Country?
EC: The US market has been one of the most important for us since the 70s when we started exporting into that Country. To date we have six boutiques in the United States: New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Las Vegas, Red Bank, Costa Mesa.
Photo 1: The US President Obama with a Canali suit on Election Day
Photo 2: The suit made during the 75th anniversary of Canali, in a blend of cashmere-vicuña-silk
FashionUnited: The news that the US President wears your suits has spread around the world just on the cusp of the celebrations of your 75 years in business: a sort of global acknowledgment of your success. What are the key factors of your success? And which objectives still need to be achieved?
Elisabetta Canali: The fact that we are represented in international politics is an honour and attests to the fact that our style, the choice of continuing to offer products of very high standards in terms of fabrics, silhouette, quality and sartorial workmanship are indispensable values that are recognised, appreciated and shared even by people who play key roles in the world. These are the values that have guided us for 75 years, together with reliability and our perseverance in wanting to offer a unique product.
FU: When and how did you learn that the US President was partial to your suits? Where were they purchased?
EC: The image of President Obama in a Canali suit has gone round the world; it was taken on Election Day while he was about to get into the car whilst greeting the crowd. President Obama has been one of our customers for a long time and we were aware that he had ordered other bespoke suits. So it wasn’t a surprise for us, but certainly a source of pride that he had chosen to wear one of our suits on the very day of his election.
FU: If the US President asked you for some advice on the look what would you say to him?
EC: Barack Obama has distinguished himself up to now through his sobriety and elegance: we would just tell him to carry on as he is doing.
FU: You are about to officially open a new sales branch in NYC, in the Meatpacking District: when will it be inaugurated?
EC: The new branch will be inaugurated next autumn. In June 2009, on the other hand, during our first Milan parade and our 75th anniversary, we inaugurated the Italy sales branch; a space of over 1400 square meters, situated in Milan in the Navigli area, in the former Richard Ginori area.
FU: How important is the US market for you and how many stores do you have in that Country?
EC: The US market has been one of the most important for us since the 70s when we started exporting into that Country. To date we have six boutiques in the United States: New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Las Vegas, Red Bank, Costa Mesa.
Photo 1: The US President Obama with a Canali suit on Election Day
Photo 2: The suit made during the 75th anniversary of Canali, in a blend of cashmere-vicuña-silk