Early Life
Patrizio Bertelli was born in Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy, in 1946. He came from a family with a legal background but chose a different path, starting his career at 21 with a small leather goods company, Sir Robert.
Rise to Success
In 1977, Bertelli met Miuccia Prada, the granddaughter of Mario Prada, the founder of the Prada brand. Their relationship led to marriage and a strong professional partnership. Bertelli played a crucial role in redefining Prada's image and introducing a modern dimension to the brand in the 1980s. He introduced a new business model, integrating all internal processes to ensure control over production and quality standards. This led to the company's rapid expansion.
Key Business Strategies
Bertelli focused on strategies like product differentiation and the development of new collections. He collaborated with architects such as Rem Koolhaas and Herzog & de Meuron to create the "Prada Epicentres" stores. Prada went public in Hong Kong in 2011. Under his leadership, the Prada Group expanded, acquiring brands like Miu Miu and Church's.
Philanthropy
Bertelli co-founded the Fondazione Prada with Miuccia Prada in 1993 to promote contemporary art and culture. The foundation organizes art exhibitions, film festivals, and cultural projects in Venice and Milan.