Canali was founded in Italy 1934 as a family-run business. It's an auspicious time for menswear, coinciding with the rise of the contemporary lounge suit and the emergence of the clean, sharp aesthetic of modernist design. In the 50s, the ownership of Canali passes on to the second generation of the family. They strengthen the house's presence in a burgeoning Italian fashion market, which is beginning to make waves internationally.

In the 21st century, Canali is run by the third generation of the family; Canali continues to expand, venturing into Russia, China, India and Oceania. The decade sees the launch of Canali's sportswear range as well as the iconic, unstructured Kei jacket.