A young man barely in his twenties could hardly have imagined that a simple ambition – to create “the most beautiful tie in the world” – would one day become one of Italy’s most distinctive family business stories. This is where the story of Stefano Ricci begins, a company still entirely owned by the Ricci family. After an initial long phase led by the founders, Stefano and Claudia, the company is undergoing a gradual generational transition, with Niccolò and Filippo – CEO and Creative Director, respectively – increasingly involved in leading the group. A journey that has taken shape naturally, in the spirit of family continuity.
Today, Stefano Ricci is an international ambassador of luxury and Made in Italy. This principle of being 100% Italian has guided a business that has steadily expanded over more than fifty years, from apparel to bespoke projects and luxury lifestyle. A longevity built over the years thanks to a love of craftsmanship, family passion and a deep bond with its homeland, but above all to the ability to remain true to one’s identity, as Niccolò Ricci, CEO of Stefano Ricci and President of Polimoda, tells We Wealth.
The Origins of Stefano Ricci
“When my father founded the company in 1972, he was just over twenty years old and had a single vision: to create the most beautiful tie in the world. We started with an accessory, then moved on to producing shirts and small leather goods. Outerwear entered our collections in the early 1990s, when my father decided to open the first monobrand boutique in Shanghai, in a China that still had few lights, but was full of energy among young people eager to build their future,” Ricci explains.
A visionary choice for a company that, over the years, has consistently built a solid identity, always remaining faithful to a fundamental principle: never compromising the quality of a 100% Made-in-Italy product. This choice reflects another non-negotiable principle: neve offering discounts in the boutiques. “It’s a form of respect for the customer and our artisans, who work toward absolute excellence,” Ricci notes.
From Menswear to Luxury Lifestyle
Over time, the Stefano Ricci universe has gradually expanded. The brand moved from accessories to men’s fashion, then home decor, stationery, and special projects – from watches to interior design, from perfumes to wines and Champagne. This expansion gained new momentum with the next generation joining the company around 15 years ago.
Their arrival was preceded by years of study, apprenticeship and exposure to international markets. For Niccolò, his early travels and stays abroad were pivotal, such as his six-month internship at the headquarters of the American luxury giant, Neiman Marcus. These experiences allowed him to bring new perspectives and ideas to what was then a medium-sized company, such as the concept of “dressing every dimension of a man’s life.”
The Bond with Florence
But there is another element in this story that, alongside tailoring, has helped shape Stefano Ricci’s identity: Florence. The city where the family was born, which has given much to the Florentine company, and to which the family has sought to give back. “We owe a great deal to Florence; it is the city where we were born, raised and shaped, which allowed us to learn so much. That is why we remain loyal to it. From my father’s debut in 1974 to the present day, we have always been present at every edition of Pitti Uomo, the world’s most important men’s fashion fair. And we strive in every way to give something back to our community.
We have created hundreds of jobs, restored the Medieval Volumes of Arts and Crafts housed in the State Archives of Florence – going so far as to digitize them to protect the originals – and carried out a series of initiatives, among which I recall the donation of the new lighting for the Loggia dei Lanzi in Piazza della Signoria, the new lighting for the Ponte Vecchio, as well as the reopening of the Sala Bianca in Palazzo Pitti for fashion shows after 30 years of restrictions. And, finally, the removal of the crane at the Uffizi, which had marked the image of our city for 20 years.”
A Family Legacy Built to Last
Florence has always been where the Stefano Ricci story began. But it was never meant to be its boundary. At the company’s old headquarters, the villa belonging to Niccolò and Filippo’s grandmother, one could see the seamstresses at work and breathe in the scent of cotton. After completing their studies, it was natural for both of them to recognize the potential of the family business and envision a path of expansion capable of reaching beyond their home region and beyond Italy.
A goal that Stefano Ricci is pursuing, thanks in part to the support of several banks, most recently with Intesa Sanpaolo, which granted a loan of approximately €30 million to support the company’s international development.
At a time when the generational transition, which began several years ago, is proceeding gradually and progressively, Filippo and Niccolò are taking on increasing responsibilities and making more decisions. But Stefano and Claudia remain key points of reference. “The fundamental role of our father, as an entrepreneur with extraordinary vision and as a talented designer, is of great value to us, as is that of my mother, who still oversees some of our company’s core and therefore essential production lines daily, such as shirts and ties. Decisions within the company are made collectively, following a swift and effective process. I don’t want to sound rhetorical, but when we talk about balance and harmony, this is what I mean: a company grows above all when different visions coexist within it. The secret lies in finding a synthesis that serves the company’s best interests,” he concludes.
Cover image: Niccolò Ricci CEO © Massimo Sestini – Courtesy of Stefano Ricci SpA
This article originally appeared in Issue 5 of Family Office & Family Business magazine. Subscribe here to read the magazine in print or digital format.
