Luca Caprai founded his successful fashion brand, Cruciani, in 2001 after a lifetime witnessing his family’s passion for making authentic Italian goods. His father, Arnaldo Caprai, was already producing hand-made cashmere knits when Luca decided to build his own brand around a specific ultra-thin knit that he describes as “impossible to make by hand”.
The luxury knitwear proved an immediate success and the brand is now expanding rapidly in Italy and abroad. Luca has also attracted the attention of celebrities such as Dita Von Teese, Angelica Russo, Andrea Osvart and Douglas Kirkland, who have been wearing his latest venture, Quadrifoglio bracelets.
According to Luca, “In my family we’re all specialists: I only make sweaters, my brother only makes wine, my father only makes lace now.” With his expertise in luxury goods, fashion and all things Italian-made, who better to ask where to visit while staying in Italy than him? Here Luca shares his favourite escapes with Destinations of The World News.
Naples
This is a great city that combines art, music, architecture and food. For me it is the food and the people that make Naples something that is truly special. When visiting I like to have pizza, and there is no better place than L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele. The family that owns it have been making pizza since 1870. Nothing beats it.
Umbria
The village of Trevi is my hometown, and it will always have a very special place in my heart. Umbria has such beautiful countryside and Trevi is a hilltop village looking down over a wide, grassy plain. The town is very small but renowned for its production of olive oil, which is something my family is very involved in.
Amalfi Coast
For me, this is one of the most beautiful parts of Italy. The stunning coastline combines with the backdrop of green mountains for the ultimate landscape, something that was made official when the Amalfi Coast was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Hotel Caruso Belvedere in Ravello is luxury for me. It effortlessly combines beautiful architecture, service and style to provide an unforgettable experience.
Hotel Principe di Savoia
I have to make a special mention of Hotel Principe di Savoia on Piazza della Repubblica – arguably the best hotel in Milan, if not the whole of Italy. It is the number-one place I would recommend when visiting Milan, especially during Fashion Week. The hotel’s stunning Principe Bar is the place to be and be seen after the fashion shows.
Milan
Via Montenapoleone and Quadrilatero della Moda are two of the most important streets in the Milan fashion district, and for me personally they are a great place to see what the other fashion houses are doing. The streets boast some of the biggest fashion brands in the world, all with the backdrop of a quintessential Italian cobbled street.
Hong Kong
I know this is not in Italy but if I were to live in another part of the world it would be Hong Kong. The Peninsula hotel is great; the service is second to none and its views of the skyline are some of the best in the world. I also love the fact that in Hong Kong you can eat amazing food for US$4 and just around the corner you can have an exquisite meal for up to $400.
