SARTORIAL LINKUP: Canali has named American actor, writer and director Ethan Hawke global brand ambassador.
The partnership makes its debut with the fall 2026 ad campaign by photographer Gregory Harris launching at the end of August, which portrays the actor in candid pictures against moody backdrops, intent on rehearsing lines, preparing for the stage and refining gestures.
“I’ve always believed that who we become is shaped by what we practice every day. Confidence grows through curiosity, preparation and experience. What I recognized in Canali is that same quiet commitment — the patience, care and dedication to doing things well, day after day. It’s an aspirational philosophy that resonates deeply with me,” Hawke said.
The Austin native rose to global fame in 1989 starring in the Peter Weir-directed movie “Dead Poets Society” alongside the late Robin Williams. Hawke later became a presence in indie films, including Richard Linklater’s “Before” trilogy and “Boyhood.” He has earned five Oscar nominations, including for performances in “Training Day” and “Blue Moon.”
Beyond acting, Hawke has built a career as a moviemaker, directing films such as the 2023 “Wildcat,” a biographical drama about American novelist Flannery O’Connor. He is also a novelist and has acted in TV series, including the 2011 adaptation of “Moby Dick,” Herman Melville’s 1851 novel of the same name.
“We were drawn to Ethan because of the way he has lived his career. He has remained true to himself, guided by curiosity and determination rather than convention, always willing to learn and evolve,” said Stefano Canali, president and chief executive officer of Canali. “More than an ambassador, Ethan represents a modern idea of distinction — one that begins with character,” he said.
The Italian menswear brand was founded in 1934, and it remains an independent family-run business, now helmed by the third generation.
While it retains tailoring at the core, Canali has evolved into a full-fledged luxury menswear brand, integrating technology into the artisanal process, expanding into new categories, such as accessories, and building a lifestyle universe. As reported, earlier this year it tapped Prada and Brunello Cucinelli alum Alessio Lillocci as creative director, the first in the brand’s 92-year history.
