Neiman Marcus’ Latest Exclusive With Brunello Cucinelli Has a Motorcycle Theme
The Neiman Marcus Group has launched an exclusive motorcycling-inspired Brunello Cucinelli capsule collection with more than 50 men’s and women’s ready-to-wear and accessories styles, called Road to Solomeo.
The collection, a one-off for the fall season, is designed by Carolina Cucinelli, vice president and co-creative director of Brunello Cucinelli, Brunello’s daughter, and an avid motorcyclist. She worked in collaboration with Brunello Cucinell’s men’s and women’s style team. Solomeo is a medieval village just outside of Perugia that Cucinelli restored and is the site of the Italian luxury brand’s headquarters.
More from WWD
Brunello Cucinelli Holds Dinner of Gratitude at Milan Stock Exchange
Sotheby's Magazine Toasts to Relaunch With Neiman Marcus at Mr Chow
Dallas' 10 Best Dressed Women Turn Out for Crystal Charity Ball Event at Neiman Marcus
Carolina takes after her father as an avid motorcyclist, a hobby she also shares with her husband, Alessio Piastrelli, who serves as Brunello Cucinelli’s men’s creative director. Road to Solomeo was inspired by their motorcycle excursions through their native Italy and what they wore throughout their journeys.
“Our collection for Neiman Marcus is a reflection of the freedom and passion that my husband and I feel while riding motorcycles,” Carolina told WWD. “Each piece is designed with the same attention to detail and craftsmanship that defines our journey, blending elegance with the adventurous spirit that drives us. It’s a tribute to our lifestyle and the idea that high quality pieces can be weaved into our day-to-day lives.”
“The extraordinary collections from Brunello Cucinelli are always a highlight of our seasonal offerings, providing a distinct luxury experience for our Cucinelli customers,” said Lana Todorovich, chief merchandising officer at Neiman Marcus. “We are honored each season by Brunello Cucinelli’s continued commitment to our partnership and his impeccable craft. These unique expressions of the Cucinelli brand identity become something beyond clothes and accessories — they’re pieces of fashion history.”
There have been several NMG exclusive capsules from Brunello Cucinelli, the most recent being Muse of the West, the Icon Collection, Hollywood Glamour, and Culture. They have been a key component of NMG’s “retail-tainment” strategy, which executives at the luxury store describe as a broad initiative to develop store experiences that go beyond the usual retail theater, and deepen relationships and distributions with the most important luxury brands. For example, with the launch of the Road to Solomeo collection, select clients are being invited to an event hosted by Neiman Marcus, Carolina Cucinelli, and Piastrelli at an airplane hangar in La Jolla, Calif., later this month, featuring vintage planes and sleek bikes. Other “retail-tainment” initiatives have involved Prada, Burberry and Loewe, among other luxury brands.
Whether Neiman Marcus can continue to advance “retail-tainment” or whether it takes another form in the future is a big question in light of the impending $2.6 billion takeover of the Neiman Marcus Group by HBC, the parent of Saks Fifth Avenue, Saks Off 5th, and Hudson’s Bay in Canada. Neiman’s executives declined to comment on the deal and its potential impact on the business.
On the women’s side of the Road to Solomeo collection, Neiman’s singled out leather grounded in moto aesthetics, the updated moto jacket crafted in suede and shearling, shirting, bandanas in feminine prints, denim reminiscent of Americana aesthetics with “a decidedly Italian flair,” and sparkling knits.
With the men’s collection, Neiman’s singled out the waffled knits and suede loafers in deep navies and rich browns, textured and seasonal outerwear and suiting tailored in alpaca-blend Prince of Wales plaid fabric.
Prices range from $150 for a denim pocket square to $10,500 for a sleeveless zip turtleneck with open link monili. Road to Solomeo will be sold at Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman stores and on the retailer’s websites.
Brunello Cucinelli was honored as a 2023 Neiman Marcus Award for Distinguished Service in the Field of Fashion recipient, a recognition bestowed upon 150 fashion luminaries including Christian Dior, Coco Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Ralph Lauren and Giorgio Armani.
He will also be the recipient of WWD’s John B. Fairchild Honor at the WWD Apparel & Retail CEO Summit in New York Oct. 29.
Best of WWD
Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
