A Companion for Men in Every Aspect of Life.

—You joined Dunhill two years ago. Looking back on your time at Dunhill so far, what are your thoughts?

I joined Dunhill in May 2009, shortly after the Lehman shock. The luxury business was hit hard, and all brands were in decline. In such a year, I, entrusted with the venerable brand of Dunhill, had no choice but to achieve good results, so I poured all my energy into it.

It was about six months to a year later, I believe, when the economy finally began to pick up. Changes occurred at a surprising speed, and everything started to turn around for the better. From mid-2010 to the present, the situation has been consistently good, and last year we achieved the best performance in the past five years. Both the company and I are very pleased that we have been able to recover from that difficult period.

—Could you share any memorable episodes from your work at Dunhill?





—Before joining Dunhill, what kind of experiences did you have and where did you gain them?

I worked at Ermenegildo Zegna (hereinafter referred to as Zegna) for 15 years. Zegna was my first employer after graduating, and my move to Japan was prompted by my appointment as CFO of Zegna Japan. After spending about five years in Japan with Zegna, I was invited by Max Mara and served as the representative of Max & Co. for several years. Then, Dunhill approached me, and I returned to the world of menswear. Dunhill is my third workplace.

—Are the worlds of womenswear and menswear really that different?

Yes. My experience at Max Mara was wonderful, but I always felt I would return to menswear eventually. My initial involvement was with Zegna's menswear, where I felt a strong connection to the products, but with Max Mara, which handles womenswear, that connection became a bit weaker. As a man myself, I find it easier to understand what men want.

—What do you consider to be the appeal of Dunhill?





—What kind of man is the "Dunhill Man"?

If I had to describe the Dunhill Man in one word, it would be the "English gentleman." He wears a perfectly tailored suit with elegant posture. He carries a stylish leather bag. Unlike some men who are completely indifferent to their attire and have their wives handle everything, the Dunhill Man is different. He takes the time to find what suits him and always wears clothes and accessories that best showcase him.

Food, Wine, Scooters... Gariglio's Way of Enjoying Life

—What kind of things catch the eye of the "Dunhill Man," like yourself? Please tell us about your beloved car, which you say is indispensable when you're in Tokyo.

My beloved vehicle is a scooter. Perhaps I should answer "Ferrari" as an Italian would (laughs), but I use an Italian-made sports scooter, the "Gilera Runner." It's incredibly convenient for getting anywhere, and I can't imagine living without it now.FerrariIt's incredibly convenient for getting anywhere, and I can't imagine living without it now.

—Beyond transportation, what do you gain from your beloved scooter?





—You make time to eat what you want, even when you're busy. You value those moments, don't you?

For Italians, eating is a lifestyle in itself. In my case, I sometimes plan my day's schedule after deciding what I want to eat. No matter how tired I am after a long day, if I feel like having a particular dish from a certain restaurant, I'll go without hesitation. Sometimes it's a dish from a high-end restaurant, and sometimes it's a 600-yen bowl of ramen, but the feeling when I eat it is the same. Delicious food has the power to blow away any stress.

—Could you recommend any Italian restaurants you frequent?

For pizza, I like "Savoy" in Azabu-Juban. It's delicious. For classic Italian cuisine, I have two favorites. One is "Ristorante da Nino" in Nogizaka. Chef Nino is from Sicily and excels at tuna dishes. My favorite among them is "Tonno al pistacchio," lightly seared tuna coated with pistachios. The other is "Elio Locanda Italiana" in Kojimachi. There, my favorite is the "Risotto ai frutti di mare" (seafood risotto).











—When it comes to wine to pair with your meals, do you prefer Italian wines?

Most of the time, yes. And usually red. Since joining Dunhill and becoming part of the Richemont Group, I've met more knowledgeable people around me, so I've become a bit more familiar with French wines. Also, while I occasionally enjoy champagne, I generally tend to choose Italian wines that I know well.

—Do you have any favorite brands among them?

I often choose wines from my home region of Piedmont, such as "Barolo," known as the "King" of Italian wines, and "Barbaresco," known as the "Queen." I also like "Brunello di Montalcino" from Tuscany.

It's Important to Always Keep Your Eyes and Ears Open.

—Mr. Gariglio, you have steadily built your career while employing your unique "art of living." What are the secrets to your success? Is there anything you learned from your seniors or superiors that still guides your life?

"The more you know, the more you realize there is to learn." In other words, never stop learning. The advice from a senior colleague was that one must constantly strive to acquire new knowledge. I always recall this saying when I realize I don't know something that I should have known.

—What do you think are the secrets to achieving success in business?





—Speaking of projects, you are currently creating the official suits for the Japanese national team competing in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. This is a project that holds great personal significance for you, isn't it?

Yes, this is precisely the project I am currently focusing on most.Dunhillhad already started this campaign in 2000, but when I joined in 2009, no clear message was being conveyed through it. It was just taking photos of the players and that was it. At that point, it was a choice between continuing or stopping. If we were to continue, we needed a clear reason why Dunhill was doing this campaign.

Dunhill is a British brand, and for the British, football is an essential part of daily life. On the other hand, when I came to Japan 12 years ago, nobody knew about football. Now, about 90% of the Japanese national team members play in overseas leagues. Japanese football and the names of Japanese players have become known worldwide.

This led to the concept of "lucky clothes." We want to create a stage for the Japanese national team members, who will increasingly expand their presence. We want to tailor clothes that bring out their best. If Adidas uniforms present them well on the field, Dunhill suits will enhance their charm off the field. These are all custom-made suits tailored to each individual's body. When people wear clothes made for them, that fit their body perfectly, they begin to shine with confidence. We hope that "lucky clothes" will give Japanese players that kind of confidence.





—What lucky item gives you confidence, Mr. Gariglio?

I wear the "lucky clothes" ties that I created for the national team members. The design changes every year, but when I have an important event, I wear this tie with the same feeling as the players. Also, the lucky item I always wear is this bracelet from my wife. One day, I saw a bracelet and said, "Ah, I've been wanting something like this," and she remembered it. She asked a jewelry designer friend to create an original bracelet for me. Like clothes, things made for oneself evoke affection and become very dear.

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A sophisticated man who doesn't forget his playful side... Mr. Gariglio, who perfectly embodies these words, is a successful individual who reflects the depth of Dunhill, a brand that offers everything from clothing to accessories and games. We look forward to the future of Mr. Gariglio, who continues to play brilliantly in the world of menswear with an eye always on tomorrow, and the future of Dunhill.

Carlo Gariglio

Born in Piedmont, Italy. Worked in the finance department of the Ermenegildo Zegna Group from 1995 to 1998. Served as CFO of Zegna Japan from 1999 to 2003. Served as Vice President of Zegna Japan from 2004 to 2005, successfully launching new projects such as Zegna Sport, Z Zegna, and the shoe collection. From 2005 to 2009, served as Representative Director and CEO of Max & Co., successfully turning the brand around. Assumed current position in May 2009.