Heraldic Workshop from the Art Studio "Traditions of Times"

In the history of world fashion, and particularly Italian fashion, there are houses that began small but managed to transform their family craft into a recognizable symbol of quality. The Trussardi fashion house is one of them. Its century-long journey tells the story of how a glove workshop from Bergamo became a symbol of elegance, and the silhouette of a greyhound, perhaps the most aristocratic emblem or logo in the world of fashion. In 1911, Dante Trussardi opened a small workshop in Bergamo. He made perfectly fitting gloves, made from the finest leather. Trussardi gloves were distinguished by the quality of their tailoring, and most importantly, they were comfortable. Dante made them so well that his reputation reached far beyond Italy. The Trussardi family business was recognized and appreciated at the British court. The royal certificate received during those years was the first sign that quality knew no geographical boundaries. But the Trussardi brand's true history began when the founder's grandson, Nicola Trussardi, joined the family business. Having studied economics, he realized that the world was changing, and it was impossible to remain forever in the shadow of his glove workshop. In the 1970s, he moved the company to Milan and began expanding its product range, first to bags and accessories, then to clothing. Trussardi was no longer just a leather brand; it was developing its own language, style, and form.

Nicola wasn't afraid to push the boundaries. He accepted the challenge and created the uniform for the Italian Olympic team that traveled to Seoul in 1988. This wasn't just a commission, but recognition at the national level. Soon, collaborations emerged in various fields. One of these was the interior design of Alitalia aircraft, which became scented with Trussardi leather. Later, there were Lancia and Alfa Romeo cars, even Augusta helicopters. The style born in a small workshop proved applicable to everything from suitcases to business jet interiors. Thus, in the history of these companies, as well as in the history of the House of Trussardi itself, a symbol has remained, in the form of a heraldic emblem. Indeed, back in 1973, Nicola chose a symbol that would define the brand's visual code for half a century: the Italian Greyhound, a graceful Italian hound that has accompanied the aristocracy for centuries. Its silhouette is swift, light, and even heraldic; this breed was featured in family crests. The greyhound, as an elegant emblem, appeared on tags, buttons, and branded bags. Without unnecessary details, only line and movement. The greyhound became more than just a logo, but a promise that the thing it guarded would be equally elegant, restrained, and impeccable.

In 1989, Nicola opened Palatrussardi in Milan, one of the first multifunctional spaces in Europe where fashion met music and theater. The opening featured performances by living legends themselves, including Frank Sinatra, Liza Minnelli, and Sammy Davis Jr. The evening became a symbol of a new era, one in which Trussardi was no longer just a brand but a part of the cultural landscape. Trussardi's diverse product range even included bicycles. The brand released a folding bicycle trimmed in soft leather and fitted with elegant saddlebags. Around three thousand were produced, enough to ensure its visibility yet remain a collector's item. Today, these bicycles can be found in design museums around the world, a reminder that for Trussardi, there were no small details, only things worthy of perfection.

After Nicola's death in 1999, the empire passed to his children Beatrice, Tomaso, and Gaia. They sought to maintain a balance between heritage and modernity, opening the restaurant Trussardi Alla Scala (two Michelin stars) and launching perfumes. A collaboration with BMW was timed to coincide with the Trussardi fashion house's centenary. But times were challenging. In 2019, the QuattroR foundation acquired a controlling stake, and restructuring began. In 2021, Serhat Işık and Benjamin Alexander Huseby, founders of the Berlin-based brand GmbH, became creative directors. They brought a new vision to the Trussardi logo. The font became lighter, and the greyhound was inscribed within a ring reminiscent of an Ouroboros, a symbol of renewal and infinity. In 2024, Trussardi became part of the Miroglio Group, an Italian holding company that promised to preserve the archive, its Milanese residence, and, of course, that same greyhound. Today, Trussardi is more than clothing, accessories, or home goods. It is a way of seeing things, searching for the essence in every item, the line that never fails. The greyhound emblem still holds a special place. It appears on tags, on buttons, on exclusive packaging, on the brand's online resources, and in every detail visible to the customer. A recognizable heraldic emblem, sometimes embroidered, sometimes cast in metal, sometimes only hinted at in the outline of a bag. The family no longer runs the House as before; circumstances have evolved, such is the logic of big business. But the name, once a symbol, continues to resonate. It has been passed on to new guardians who understand that true heritage can be carried forward, and it's a true source of inspiration. The greyhound is still on the move, meaning the story continues. Incidentally, this year marks the 115th anniversary of the Trussardi fashion house.

Photos from Instagram trussardi and the company's website trussardi.com