Brunello Cucinelli Accused of Groping Actress Liu Tao at Shanghai Premiere

Fashion billionaire Brunello Cucinelli, the 73-year-old founder of the luxury cashmere house bearing his name, is facing a widening controversy in China after footage appeared to show him pressing his hand across actress Liu Tao’s chest while directing her toward photographers at a Shanghai event on October 22, an episode that has reignited scrutiny of his conduct toward women at public appearances, internewscast.com reported.

The incident occurred at the premiere of Brunello: The Gracious Visionary, a biographical documentary about Cucinelli’s career, and the clip spread rapidly across Chinese social media platforms including Weibo, sparking debate over whether his behavior crossed a line. Daily Mail, which also covered the episode, described footage showing Cucinelli holding the inside of Tao’s arm before pulling her closer, then pressing his hand across and into her chest as he positioned her for photographers. Tao, 48, reportedly maintained a professional smile, but Chinese media said her body language suggested discomfort, that she appeared to keep as much distance from Cucinelli as possible, and that her expression turned visibly tense once she left the photo wall.

Chen Duling and a Pattern of Alleged Encounters

The Shanghai event produced a second allegation the same day. Cucinelli was also criticized for grabbing the arm of Chinese actress Chen Duling, placing his arm around her waist, and touching her under the pretext of adjusting the hem of her dress, according to both outlets.

As the online criticism intensified, users revisited earlier encounters. In September, Cucinelli was accused of placing his arm unnecessarily close to the waist of South Korean actress and brand ambassador Kim You-jung while the pair walked together at an event bearing his name. During Milan Fashion Week in February, footage showed him holding Chinese American freestyle skier Eileen Gu’s arm as they posed, then taking her left hand in both of his and raising it into the air before Gu quickly pulled it away.

Chinese Outlets Reject the Cultural-Differences Defense

State-run Chinese publication The Paper published an editorial rejecting any framing of the conduct as a matter of cultural difference, and its language was among the strongest in the coverage.

“A business tycoon clearly crossed the line with actresses. Cultural differences must not be used as a shield for allegations of sexual harassment. No matter how high one’s social status, it cannot place one above the basic ethical standards every human being is expected to uphold. The people who should apologise are certainly not the victims who tried to avoid him by keeping their distance.” — The Paper, state-run Chinese publication

Hong Kong outlet Hong Kong 01 also condemned Cucinelli’s behavior last month, arguing it went well beyond accepted social etiquette.

From a $550 Loan to a $3.3 Billion Empire

Known as the King of Cashmere, Cucinelli built his company from scratch. After leaving engineering school, he used a $550 loan in 1978 to launch a line of brightly colored cashmere sweaters. Today the brand’s garments retail for as much as £4,600, and his fortune is estimated at $3.3 billion, or about £2.45 billion.

The allegations arrive at a sensitive moment for the brand in China, one of the world’s most important luxury markets, where the documentary premiere was intended as a celebration of his legacy.

What Remains Unanswered

Cucinelli’s representatives have been contacted for comment, and no response has been issued in the available reporting. Whether the Shanghai footage will prompt any formal complaint, brand action, or public statement from the company remains open. What is established in the reporting is the sequence of events on October 22, the viral spread of the clip, and that this is at least the third public encounter involving Cucinelli and a woman in 2026 to draw criticism.

The episode highlights how quickly a moment captured on camera can redefine a public figure's reputation — a $550 loan built an empire, but a few seconds of footage may now test it.