Herno
Marenzi family · Italy
Herno is a family-owned Italian luxury outerwear company founded in 1948 in Lesa on Lake Maggiore. Known for technical yet elegant down jackets, raincoats and coats, it is led by president Claudio Marenzi, son of the founders, and chief executive Gabriele Baldinotti, the first CEO from outside the family.
| Founded | 1948, Lesa |
|---|---|
| Founders | Giuseppe Marenzi and Alessandra Diana |
| Owner | Marenzi family |
| President | Claudio Marenzi |
| CEO | Gabriele Baldinotti (since 2023) |
| Revenue | 155 million euros (2022) |
| Website | herno.com |
What is Herno?
Herno is an Italian outerwear specialist based in Lesa, Piedmont, on the shores of Lake Maggiore. The brand takes its name from the Erno river and is known for lightweight down jackets, raincoats, parkas and coats that combine technical materials with tailoring.
History
Giuseppe Marenzi and his wife Alessandra Diana founded the company in 1948, initially making waterproof coats from cotton treated with castor oil. In the 1950s Herno diversified into cashmere coats and womenswear, opened stores in Osaka and Tokyo in 1968 and expanded into North America in the 1980s. For many years it also produced outerwear for other luxury houses.
Claudio Marenzi, the founders' son, took over in 2007, following a relaunch of the brand in the mid 2000s. He remains president, while Gabriele Baldinotti, a long-time executive, became chief executive in 2023, the first CEO from outside the owning family. In late 2021 Herno acquired the mountain sportswear brand Montura.
Products and positioning
Herno sells men's and women's outerwear at luxury prices, using lightweight nylon, ultrasonic stitching and natural down, with a ban on live-plucked down. It has added knitwear (2020), accessories and, in 2025, a home line called Habita.
Business model and distribution
The company combines a wholesale network of international retailers with its own stores and e-commerce. FashionNetwork reported revenue of 155 million euros for 2022, up 22 percent.
- Wholesale: luxury department stores and specialist retailers worldwide
- Own stores: monobrand boutiques in key cities
- E-commerce: direct online sales
Why it matters
Herno is a leading example of the Italian family-owned specialist that competes with global luxury groups through category expertise and manufacturing know-how. Its headquarters, renovated to be self-sufficient in photovoltaic energy, and its sourcing rules for down also make it a reference in discussions of sustainable outerwear.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Herno?
Herno is a family company owned by the Marenzi family, descendants of founders Giuseppe Marenzi and Alessandra Diana. Claudio Marenzi is president and Gabriele Baldinotti has been chief executive since 2023.
Where is Herno from?
Herno is Italian. It was founded in 1948 in Lesa, a town on Lake Maggiore in Piedmont, where its headquarters remain.