In the latest season of “Emily in Paris”, viewers are introduced to Marcello Muratori the young heir of ‘Umberto Muratori‘, an understated yet luxurious cashmere brand hailing from Italy. The brand’s quiet charm and family-first ethos immediately captivate both Emily and the audience, painting a picture of a company deeply rooted in tradition, craftsmanship, and intimate connections with its employees. Yet, for those familiar with the world of Italian fashion, Umberto Muratori might feel distinctly familiar.
From the very first mention of this fictional brand, it’s clear that Umberto Muratori is inspired by none other than Brunello Cucinelli, a renowned Italian cashmere empire celebrated for its dedication to quiet luxury and ethical business practices.
The Essence of Quiet Luxury Catapulted by Brunello Cucinelli
Both the fictional Umberto Muratori and the real life Brunello Cucinelli represent what’s often referred to as “quiet luxury” — a lifestyle that prizes quality and craftsmanship over loud logos or flashy statements. In “Emily in Paris”, Marcello Muratori’s and his family’s approach is portrayed through intimate scenes that highlight family dinners with employees and a general sense of humility, where success is measured not by ostentation, but by the care put into every detail.
This ethos mirrors the reality of Brunello Cucinelli’s operations. Cucinelli has long been an advocate of a refined, low-key luxury that focuses on the dignity of work and the wellbeing of those who create the garments. The brand operates from the Umbrian village of Solomeo, where Cucinelli himself has revitalized the community, embodying the very spirit of luxury as a force for good. In the show we also see Emily venturing to an Italian village to visit the birth place of Umberto Muratori
A Family-Centric Philosophy
In the show, Umberto Muratori is portrayed as a family-oriented business where employees are treated like kin. This familial warmth echoes Brunello Cucinelli’s corporate philosophy. Brunello Cucinelli, the founder, is known for his deep commitment to the human aspect of his company. Employees are not only valued for their contributions but celebrated in ways that ensure their quality of life is enhanced. Just like the Muratori family in the show, Cucinelli takes pride in ensuring that his team enjoys a balanced lifestyle, with generous work hours and regular communal meals.
Craftsmanship and Tradition
The fictional Umberto Muratori stands as a campany with meticulous Italian craftsmanship, specializing in cashmere of the finest quality and refusing to take part of cliche fashion marketing. This parallels the world-renowned craftsmanship that Brunello Cucinelli is famous for. Since its founding in 1978, Brunello Cucinelli has positioned itself at the pinnacle of cashmere production, blending traditional Italian techniques with modern innovation. The show’s depiction of Umberto Muratori’s village, with its focus on artisanal production, feels like a direct homage to Cucinelli’s legacy of quality and tradition.
The Power of Humility in Luxury
Unlike many fashion brands that build their reputations on bold marketing and celebrity endorsements, both Marcello Muratori’s brand and Brunello Cucinelli embody a quieter, more subdued form of luxury. They speak to an audience that values discretion, heritage, and authenticity over the glitz and glam often associated with high fashion.
The show’s portrayal of Marcello Muratori as the heir underscores this point by presenting his brand that does not boast about its influence or global reach. Instead, it thrives on its understated elegance, much like Brunello Cucinelli, whose brand reputation has grown organically through word-of-mouth and consistent excellence in quality. A definition of today’s quite luxury. However, unlike numerous brands from Ami, to Renault and Boucheron, the real Brunello Cucinelli did not jump on the advertising bandwagon of the show, instead it has inspired the fictional Umberto Muratori.
While “Emily in Paris” may only hint at the real-life inspirations behind the company of her latest love interest, Marcello Muratori, it’s clear that the fictional brand draws heavily from the philosophy and practices of Brunello Cucinelli. The show while promoting Italy as well as Rome in the 2nd part of its just released Netflix season, captures the essence of what has made Cucinelli a beloved name in the world of fashion — a brand where tradition meets modernity and luxury is defined by the people behind it.
Ahaha such a disaster of a show! There is some of Loro Piana as well in this story bit definetly leaning so heavy into Brunello Cucinelli 😅
Giving brunello team a heart attack this weekend!! Succession helped loro piana and brunello… but this 🥶
it wont hurt them, but it is funny how they incorporated the entire brunello story into their storyline… it is so obvious to anyone who works in the fashion industry which brand we are talking about!