Ellesse founder, Leonardo Servadio, dies at 87
Leonardo Servadio, founder of Italian sportswear company Ellesse, died last week in his hometown of Perugia, Italy, at age 87.
Mr Servadio founded his company in 1959 as a manufacturer of trousers, naming it Ellesse after his own initials. He invested heavily in production techniques and in research and development. Mr Servadio believed in the need to innovate fabrics and technology and the company became significant in the production sports apparel.
In 1993, Mr Servadio sold Ellesse to English holding firm Pentland Group. Ellesse North America acquired the license for the Ellesse brand in all product categories for the North American market from the group.
Mr Servadio remained close to Perugia throughout his life, and when he retired he turned to the development of the city’s iconic Caffè di Perugia restaurant, coffee and wine bar. In 1999, Mr Servadio bought the Collection of the Toy Museum of Stockholm, aiming at making it into a cultural, commercial and entertainment park in Perugia.
Brunello Cucinelli, whose namesake firm stands in Solomeo, outside Perugia, said Mr Servadio “was a very elegant gentleman who loved beauty but also the dignity of man.”
