Cerruti: Laden With History
By: Boyd Davis
(Photo below: David Cardona (right) on the runway, Los Angeles Fall 2003)

The House of Cerruti has over 100 years of history. Founded in 1881 by Antonio Cerruti as a textile mill (Lanificio Felli Cerruti), the reigns of the company was handed to Nino Cerruti when he was only 20 years old due to the untimely death of his father.

The young Cerruti improved the textile mills first, and then in 1957 launched the Hitman menswear label as a ready-to-wear collection, the first time ever that a textile mill had an its own in-house label.

That was a revolutionary move during the 1950s, when manufacturing and designing/making clothes were separate businesses. Eventually called a vertical operation (manufacturer and design house at the same time) Nino Cerruti's business model was eventually adapted by other textile mills and raw materials producers.

Nino Cerruti was both a businessman and a designer, launching the Cerruti Menswear line in 1967, then the Cerruti Womenswear in 1977. The 1980s and 1990s saw the diversification and expansion of the company, launching its perfume lines, sportswear and licensing and franchise of Cerruti stores all over the world.

After over 100 years as a family business, Cerruti was sold to Fin. Part in 2001. Nino Cerruti left the company in June 2001, and Roberto Menichetti was installed as Creative Director in Sept 2001 by the new owners. Menichetti left the house after only one season.

Istvan Francer, a young Yugoslavian designer replaced Menichetti and debuted in Paris for Cerruti during the Spring 2003 season.

In April 2003, Istvan Francer was replaced with Los Angeles designer David Cardona as Artistic Director. Cardona's responsibilities include designing the womenswear collections and the overall image of Cerruti.

Adrian Smith designs the menswear collections.

Menswear Fall 2004 (Photo by Giovanni Pucci)

Spring 2004 (Photo by Giovanni Pucci)

Website:www.cerruti.net

Milan Address:
CERRUTI
Via A. Saffi 25
20123 Milano MI
ITALY

Milan Press Contact:
Guido DELLA VOLPE
FIN PART COMMUNICATION
Tel: +39 (02)43 00 15 1
Fax: +39 (02)46 94 21 0

Paris Address:
CERRUTI
3 Place de la Madeleine
75008 Paris
FRANCE