Claudio Marenzi
President of Herno
Claudio Marenzi is an Italian entrepreneur who is president of the family outerwear company Herno, which he led as chief executive from 2007 to 2023, and one of the most prominent representatives of the Italian fashion industry. He has chaired Sistema Moda Italia, Confindustria Moda and Pitti Immagine, and he led Herno's acquisition of a majority stake in the mountain apparel brand Montura.
| Role | President of Herno |
|---|---|
| Herno | Chief executive 2007 to April 2023, president since 2011 |
| Pitti Immagine | President, 2017 to February 2023 |
| Confindustria Moda | President, March 2017 to July 2020 |
| Sistema Moda Italia | President, 2013 to 2018 |
| Montura | 55 percent stake acquired by Herno, completed January 2022 |
Who is Claudio Marenzi?
Claudio Marenzi, born in 1962, is the president of Herno, the Italian outerwear company founded by his family, and the driving force behind its majority investment in the mountain apparel brand Montura. Beyond his own companies he has played a leading role in Italy's fashion associations, representing the textile and clothing industry in dealings with government and international partners.
Career
Marenzi worked in several positions at Herno, including operations director and commercial director, before becoming chief executive in 2007. In 2011 he became president of the company. Under his leadership Herno expanded internationally and reported revenue of 155 million euros in 2022, up 22 percent. In April 2023 he handed the chief executive role to Gabriele Baldinotti, who had worked on the brand's relaunch from 2005, while remaining president with administrative and financial responsibilities and a focus on strategy and Montura.
In parallel he held a series of association roles. He was president of Sistema Moda Italia, the federation of Italian textile and fashion companies, from 2013 to 2018, and president of Confindustria Moda from March 2017 to July 2020. From 2017 until February 2023 he was president of Pitti Immagine, the Florence based organiser of Pitti Uomo and other trade fairs, when he was succeeded by Antonio De Matteis of Kiton. In December 2021 Herno agreed to acquire a 55 percent majority stake in Montura, the Rovereto based outdoor and mountain apparel brand founded by Roberto Giordani in 2000; the deal was completed in January 2022, with Nuo, an investment vehicle backed by Exor and the Pao Cheng family, as minority partner.
In 2016 the Italian president Sergio Mattarella made him a Cavaliere del Lavoro, and in 2018 he received the Leonardo Quality Italy award.
Influence on the fashion business
Marenzi's influence comes from combining the perspective of a manufacturer with that of an industry representative:
- Building Herno into an international outerwear brand rooted in Italian production
- Representing Italy's textile and fashion makers through Sistema Moda Italia and Confindustria Moda
- Leading Pitti Immagine, whose fairs are an important meeting point for menswear buyers and brands
- Extending Herno into technical mountain apparel through Montura
His roles at the associations coincided with major debates on supply chain resilience, export markets and the future of trade fairs during and after the pandemic.
Why it matters
Italy's fashion industry relies on a dense network of mid sized family companies and specialised suppliers. Marenzi is a representative of that model, and his work with Pitti Immagine and the national associations has shaped how the sector presents itself to buyers and policymakers, both in Italy and in international markets.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Claudio Marenzi?
Claudio Marenzi is an Italian entrepreneur who is president of the outerwear company Herno and led its majority investment in Montura. He has also led Pitti Immagine, Confindustria Moda and Sistema Moda Italia.
What is Herno?
Herno is an Italian outerwear company led by the Marenzi family. Claudio Marenzi was its chief executive from 2007 to April 2023 and has been its president since 2011; the company reported revenue of 155 million euros in 2022.