Brunello Cucinelli founder under fire for 'inappropriate touching' of Chinese actress after Kim You-jung controversy

Brunello Cucinelli faced criticism at a promotional event in Shanghai on Oct. 22 after repeatedly touching Chinese actress Liu Tao while they posed for photographs. Reports said he held her arm and placed his hand near the center of her chest, while Liu appeared to try to create distance. The incident followed criticism in Korea in late September over his close contact with actress Kim You-jung at a brand event.

Liu Tao, 48, wore a sleeveless dress at the Shanghai event, according to the reports.

Chinese-language media reported that Liu kept smiling during the photo session but appeared tense after leaving the area.

Hong Kong 01 said Cucinelli’s behavior went beyond normal social etiquette.

Cucinelli has also been filmed making physical contact with Chinese actress Chen Duling and Chinese American freestyle skier Eileen Gu at public events.

Published Nov 3, 2026 3:42 pm KST

Brunello Cucinelli, founder of Italian luxury fashion brand Brunello Cucinelli, touches the inside of Chinese actress Liu Tao's arm, left, and places his hand on the center of her chest, right, during a promotional event in Shanghai, China, Oct. 22, sparking criticism over the physical contact. Captured from Weibo

Brunello Cucinelli, the 73-year-old founder of Italian luxury fashion brand Brunello Cucinelli, is facing criticism over repeated physical contact with Asian actresses at public events, months after drawing controversy for putting his arm around Korean actress Kim You-jung's waist.

The latest incident involved popular Chinese actress Liu Tao, 48, at a promotional event for the brand in Shanghai on Oct. 22, according to Hong Kong 01 and Taiwan's TVBS on Sunday.

While posing for photographs with Liu, who was wearing a sleeveless dress, Cucinelli repeatedly held the inside of her arm. He was also seen placing his hand near the center of her chest, prompting criticism that the physical contact was unnecessary and potentially uncomfortable for the actress.

Chinese-language media said Liu appeared to turn her body sideways and draw her shoulders inward several times, seemingly attempting to create some distance between herself and Cucinelli.

Despite this, Cucinelli continued making physical contact with her, according to the reports. Liu maintained a smile throughout the photo session but was reportedly seen with a tense expression after leaving the area.

Hong Kong 01 criticized Cucinelli's behavior, saying it clearly went beyond normal social etiquette.

It is not the first time Cucinelli has faced criticism over physical contact with women at his brand's events.

In late September, he drew attention in Korea after he was seen wrapping his arm closely around Kim's waist as the two walked together at a Brunello Cucinelli event.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, was translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.

10月22日，布鲁内罗·库奇内利在上海出席一场宣传活动时，因多次触碰中国女演员刘涛而遭到批评。据报道，他抓住刘涛的手臂，并将手放在她胸部附近，而刘涛似乎试图保持距离。此前，9月底在韩国，他曾因在一次品牌活动中与女演员金裕贞的亲密接触而受到批评。

据报道，48岁的刘涛在上海的活动上身穿无袖连衣裙。

据中文媒体报道，刘亦菲在拍照过程中一直面带微笑，但离开现场后显得有些紧张。

香港01表示，库奇内利的行为超出了正常的社交礼仪。

库奇内利还被拍到在公共场合与中国女演员陈杜玲和华裔自由式滑雪运动员顾爱玲有肢体接触。

发布于2026年11月3日下午3:42（韩国标准时间）

意大利奢侈时尚品牌Brunello Cucinelli创始人Brunello Cucinelli于10月22日在中国上海出席一场宣传活动时，触摸了中国女演员刘涛的手臂内侧（左图），并将手放在其胸前（右图），引发了关于这种肢体接触的争议。图片来自微博。

意大利奢侈时尚品牌 Brunello Cucinelli 的创始人、73 岁的 Brunello Cucinelli 因在公共场合多次与亚洲女演员进行身体接触而受到批评。几个月前，他因搂着韩国女演员金有贞的腰而引发争议。

据香港01电视台和台湾TVBS电视台周日报道，最新一起事件涉及48岁的中国著名女演员刘涛，她于10月22日在上海参加该品牌的宣传活动时发生意外。

在与身穿无袖连衣裙的刘亦菲合影时，库奇内利多次将手放在她手臂内侧。他还被拍到将手放在刘亦菲胸前附近，此举引发批评，认为这种身体接触不必要，且可能令刘亦菲感到不适。

中文媒体报道称，刘似乎多次侧身并向内耸肩，好像试图与库奇内利拉开距离。

尽管如此，据报道，库奇内利仍继续与她进行肢体接触。刘在拍摄过程中始终保持微笑，但据称离开现场后表情紧张。

香港01批评了库奇内利的行为，称其明显超出了正常的社交礼仪。

这并非库奇内利第一次因在其品牌活动中与女性有肢体接触而受到批评。

9 月下旬，他在韩国引起关注，因为有人看到他和金正恩一起出席 Brunello Cucinelli 活动时，他紧紧地搂着金正恩的腰。

本文来自《韩国日报》（《韩国时报》的姊妹报），由人工智能生成系统翻译，并由《韩国时报》编辑。