In the latest “Savage Fashion” podcast episode, WWD’s chief content officer Jim Fallon and style director Alex Badia sat down with Carolina Cucinelli, vice president and co-creative director of Brunello Cucinelli, to discuss her journey in the company and how her family business continues to evolve as it looks to the future.

Before Milan Fashion Week, Cucinelli was in New York to attend the WWD x FN x Beauty Inc Women in Power summit; she was named one of WWD x FN x Beauty Inc’s 55 Women in Power for 2025.

When asked by Badia what it’s like being a woman in a menswear world, she said it has not always been easy.

“When I started in the business, I was 19,” Cucinelli said during the podcast, which was filmed at the Four Seasons on 57th Street in New York. “You can imagine: I was 19, a woman and the daughter of Mr. Brunello [Cucinelli], the owner of the company. In the beginning, people don’t trust you because everyone thinks that things are easy for you. But I realized that I needed to do 20 percent more than other people [to be taken seriously].”

Starting as a tailor within Brunello Cucinelli, it took her 10 years to work through her journey to become closer to her father’s role as executive chairman and creative director of his namesake brand.

“Sitting around the table with mainly men at different ages, I always had a feeling that I wasn’t enough,” Carolina Cucinelli continued. “But I like the idea of wearing my suit and get straight to the point and trust myself and give value to myself.”

She told Fallon and Badia that trust in the company was built over time, step by step. Over time, she said her life and priorities have shifted — especially after the birth of her son.

Art, photography and ballet were of interest to Cucinelli from a young age, with the support of her father. Eventually, she decided to go to school and become a tailor. Her initial interest in joining the family business was “only at the machine.”

When it comes to working with family — including her sister, Camilla — she said she fell in love with the company because her mother, Federica, and father never spoke about the darker sides of running the business.

She said her mother was the glue for the family; she was there from the very first boutique opening. Federica took on the role of both the father and mother to the sisters while their father was on business trips outside of Italy to build his brand.

“We fell in love with the company, the family, the community that we are,” Cucinelli said. “When I started at the company — my sister had nine years more than me — it was a beautiful journey and very natural. Every morning I jump into the company; I feel like this is my family. The family is growing all the time, but it’s still a family.”

As the company looks ahead to the future, Cucinelli said it’s all about finding the right point of evolution. “We’re trying to create our vision of this dream — the same dream as my father — with me and my sister’s vision. The family and the company have the same values. Living this life, we absorb the values. Now we’re able to right point the evolution and understand what is our road in this life and in this dream.”

When Fallon asked whether her father was open to the idea, Cucinelli affirmed that he’s “very open” and, after many years, trusts in the sisters to continue his legacy and vision. She said to reach the next generation, they’re using a different tone of voice. As two women leading the charge, Camilla and her are now a different face for the company looking ahead.

“My sister is the most important person in my life. We are very close — she’s my shoulder. If I didn’t have a sister, I don’t think I would have the chance to do what I do now [at Brunello Cucinelli]. We have a similar situation and we have a beautiful relationship.”

The hosts also discussed the news making industry headlines — specifically the passing of Giorgio Armani in Milan, at the age of 91. In particular, Fallon noted that there’s still an element of the unknown for where the brand goes. The brand’s upcoming show on Sunday will feature the designer’s last works to close out Milan Fashion Week.

WWD’s Luisa Zargani recently reported that LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, L’Oréal and EssilorLuxottica were all named in Armani’s will as favorable potential buyers for his company. Famously, Giorgio Armani was one of the last independent designers not part of the luxury conglomerates system.

“What is clear is [Armani’s] global impact and an outpouring of support,” Fallon said. “Thousands and thousands of people posted on Instagram. If there was any doubt that existed, he truly was an icon — not just of fashion but of the world.”

More than 6,000 people alone lined up on the Saturday following his passing to pay tribute to “the King.” The photo archives of Armani within the Fairchild Archive remain vast and extensive. Fallon said John B. Fairchild was a massive supporter of the brand and wore Armani from the beginning.

“It was a wild day for us,” Badia echoed. “It was unbelievable to get quotes from designers from all over the world — from movie stars to everyone. The outpouring of affection and respect was so inspiring to me.”

Badia continued that as WWD celebrates its 115th anniversary, there’s a “wealth of history” to look back on. When putting the milestone issue together, Fallon shared that it was a daunting task to undertake given the publication’s history. Over the past century, the publication has sent editors on the Titanic, had people on the front line in Nazi Germany, at every NASA space launch and much more.

Leading up to fashion week, Fallon said Paris has cemented itself as the capital for fashion. He went on to note the decline in New York and London but cited Ralph Lauren and Coach’s creative director, Stuart Vevers, as being massive forces in fashion on a global scale.

“There are jewels in New York, but it’s so difficult to compete with what’s happening in Milan and Paris. [Those two cities are] where the news is. I do really love New York and London for other elements, in terms of the discovery of new talent and the street-style scene. There’s an underground world here that creates a lot of inspiration for Europeans to come and bring back with them,” Badia said.

To listen to the full episode, CLICK HERE.