As one of the strongest global representatives of Italian perfectionism, Trussardi transforms its refined and timeless design approach, combined with a passion for contemporary culture, into exceptional quality.
In 1910, Dante Trussardi established his small workshop in Bergamo, in Northern Italy, home to some of Europe’s most prestigious ski resorts. There, he produced ski equipment while crafting and repairing leather gloves. At a time when such workshops were common, Dante Trussardi sought to stand apart by prioritizing superior material quality above all else. As a skilled and experienced craftsman, he developed his own techniques for processing and preparing natural leather. Thanks to his craftsmanship, refined taste, and premium materials, his workshop soon became a preferred destination for visitors to Bergamo, and Trussardi evolved into a brand recognized throughout Italy for its leather goods. However, despite this growing popularity over six decades, Dante Trussardi neither expanded the product range nor ventured into international markets.
Golden Era | Nicola Trussardi
Born after the Second World War, Nicola Trussardi, the grandson of Dante Trussardi, studied economics in the late 1960s and graduated in the early 1970s. In 1971, Dante Trussardi handed over the management of the company to his grandson, marking the beginning of a journey that would transform the brand into not only a fashion house but also one of the most powerful global representatives of Italian lifestyle excellence. Nicola’s first move was to relocate production to central Italy, where he established his own tannery. Although this decision initially appeared risky, it quickly proved to be highly profitable. At the same time, a diversification strategy was introduced. Trussardi expanded beyond gloves to include bags, suitcases, and small leather goods. Innovative multifunctional bags and backpacks that merged technology with everyday life were also introduced. Each new collection attracted strong attention and sold out rapidly. In 1973, the brand’s iconic Greyhound emblem was introduced. In Italy, the Greyhound symbolizes elegance and nobility, while also representing speed, determination, and dynamism. The first Trussardi store opened in Milan in 1976. Until then, products had only been available in multi-brand boutiques. The Milan store quickly became a key destination for international customers. Nicola Trussardi continued to innovate by advancing leather processing technologies and modernizing production. He expanded the brand into footwear and apparel. In 1981, the first Trussardi men’s shoes and outerwear collections were introduced. Under Nicola Trussardi’s creative leadership, these collections stood out for their exceptional quality. Soft, glossy, and finely textured leather redefined the fashion standards of the time. These products were highly appreciated for both their aesthetics and durability. The success of the men’s collections generated strong interest among female consumers. In response to this demand, the brand introduced its first women’s footwear and clothing collection in 1983 after more than 70 years. The collection sold out on its first day. Despite this success, and in line with Nicola’s vision, the brand remained committed to its heritage, continuing to focus primarily on genuine leather products for men, while women’s collections were released only periodically. As a true Italian, Nicola Trussardi did not overlook the theme of sport. One of the early sports collections included leather sneakers, athletic shoes, as well as T-shirts and shorts. This marked the first time Trussardi produced garments without using genuine leather. Thanks to its success in sportswear and accessories, Trussardi was commissioned to design uniforms for the Italian National Football Team for the 1988 Olympic Games.
Global Expansion
Entering the 1990s, Trussardi was divided into several lines, each focusing on different segments of the men’s and women’s wardrobe. Trussardi Home, Trussardi Jeans, Trussardi Junior, and Trussardi Eyewear were among them. This strategic move allowed the brand to expand its audience while increasing annual sales by 27 percent through double-digit growth. The first boutique outside Italy opened in Tokyo in 1991, at Palazzo Trussardi, marking the beginning of the brand’s global expansion. This was followed by openings in Hong Kong, Seoul, Moscow, and Taiwan, strengthening Trussardi’s international presence and reinforcing its reputation for excellence in Asian and Middle Eastern markets. The brand’s first store in New York opened in 1996, the same year its total turnover, including licenses, reached 530 million dollars.
An Era Ends, A New One Begins
Trussardi’s rising success was first shaken by a tragic car accident on April 15, 1999, when Nicola Trussardi passed away at the age of 56. The management of the company was then passed on to the new generation. His son Francesco became Chairman of the Board, while his daughter Beatrice Trussardi assumed a leading role. Following the sudden death of Francesco in 2003, Beatrice became President and CEO, later passing leadership to Maria Luisa Trussardi. The year 2006 marked the beginning of a new era for Trussardi. Eric Wright, known for his work at Fendi, was appointed Creative Director. Following the success of the premium Trussardi dal 1911 line introduced in 2008 and designed by Milan Vukmirovic, the brand presented the My Design home décor collection in 2011, developed in collaboration with industrial designer Michael Young. The My Design collection was inspired by Nicola Trussardi’s design legacy.
Still Italian, Still Independent
For Trussardi, 2011 was not only a milestone but also the beginning of a period in which the brand’s heritage was reinterpreted across different disciplines. Celebrating its centenary, the fashion house collaborated with Bmw Italia to launch a limited edition of the Bmw 5 Series Gran Turismo. In the same year, a special leather helmet reflecting the brand’s craftsmanship was developed in partnership with Momodesign. Gaia Trussardi, who had previously worked on Tru Trussardi and Trussardi Jeans collections, became Creative Director in 2013 and held the position until 2018. During the 2013 and 2014 seasons, Trussardi expanded its creative boundaries by designing off-field collections for Juventus Football Club. This intersection of sport and style reflected the brand’s multidimensional design approach. In 2014, the brand also collaborated with Samsung Electronics Italy to create a limited edition of covers for the Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy S5 smartphones, as well as the Galaxy Tab S 10.5 tablet, demonstrating its ability to align with contemporary technological developments. In 2019, the asset management company Quattro R acquired 60 percent of Trussardi, becoming the brand’s new investor. In 2024, Trussardi was acquired by the Italian fashion group Miroglio Group and continues to operate as an independent Italian lifestyle brand under the leadership of CEO Alberto Racca. With nearly 120 years of heritage, Trussardi continues to merge its legacy of elegance and effortless style with a contemporary lifestyle vision.
Trussardi Eyewear
Trussardi’s refined and elegant design language, shaped by its leather craftsmanship, found a new form of expression with the launch of its first eyewear collection in 1989. The expansion into optical and sunglasses categories in 1998 positioned eyewear as a permanent pillar of the brand’s design universe, while global licensing partnerships in the following years strengthened its international presence. The process that began with Charmant Group in 2010 continued with De Rigo Group in 2015, further defining Trussardi Eyewear’s balance between industrial quality and aesthetic precision. The multi-year licensing agreement signed with Go Eyewear Group in 2023 marked a new chapter for the brand in the eyewear segment. The first collection of this collaboration, presented in September 2023, reinterpreted Trussardi’s heritage through a contemporary lens, reinforcing its position in the eyewear world. Designed for both men and women, the collection embodies an elegant yet accessible sense of style. Comprising 36 optical frames and 29 sunglasses, the range offers a broad variety of forms, from classic aviators to modern square and cat-eye silhouettes. Crafted from high-quality materials such as stainless steel and finely processed Italian acetate, the models combine functionality with aesthetics while reflecting Trussardi’s pursuit of excellence. Through balanced proportions, timeless forms, refined craftsmanship, premium materials, carefully selected color palettes, and subtle detailing, Trussardi continues to express quiet Italian luxury in its eyewear collections.
Chronology:
1910
Dante Trussardi established the brand’s foundations by producing leather gloves in his workshop in Bergamo.
1971
Nicola Trussardi took over management, initiating the transformation into a global fashion brand.
1973
The Greyhound logo became the brand’s symbol, embodying elegance and dynamism.
1976
The first flagship store opened in Milan, strengthening the brand’s presence on the international stage.
1981
The brand expanded into men’s footwear and outerwear, bringing its leather expertise into fashion.
1983
The first women’s and children’s collections were introduced with great success.
1988
Trussardi designed Olympic uniforms for the Italian National Football Team, establishing a strong connection with sports.
1991
The first international boutique opened in Tokyo, marking the beginning of global expansion.
1996
The New York store opened as the brand reached a turnover of 530 million dollars.
1999
Following Nicola Trussardi’s passing, leadership transitioned to the next generation.
2003
After Francesco Trussardi’s death, Beatrice Trussardi assumed full leadership.
2006
The opening of Trussardi Alla Scala Restaurant expanded the brand beyond fashion.
2008
The premium Trussardi dal 1911 line reinforced the brand’s luxury positioning.
2011
The centenary was celebrated with collaborations such as Bmw Italia and the My Design collection.
2013
Under Gaia Trussardi’s creative direction, the brand was reshaped with a contemporary design language.
2015
The collaboration with Coca-Cola strengthened the brand’s connection with popular culture.
2016
With Trussardi Casa, the brand expanded into the yachting world through Dynamiq Yachts projects.
2019
The Panda Wears Trussardi project with Fiat combined fashion with automotive design.
2024
Joining Miroglio Group, Trussardi entered a new phase of global growth.
2025
The FW 2025 collection reinterpreted the brand’s heritage through a contemporary luxury perspective.
2026
The SS 2026 collection was introduced under the slogan ‘We are a Gentle Society.’
April 2026
