In 1908, CURIEL was founded by Ortensia Curiel in Trieste, an Italian seaport city. As a thriving international port on the Adriatic coast, Trieste was the center of music and literature at the time, where the cultures of Central and Southern Europe met. Ortensia was a friend of Italian poet Umberto Saba. She was born from a local prominent family, and CURIEL's first guests came from the aristocratic circle of Ortensia herself.

As the flames of World War II subsided, Gigliola Curiel, the second heir of CURIEL, brought the brand to Milan and set the first ALTA MODA Atelier at No. 15, Durini Avenue. CURIEL gained immediate popularity in Milan's high society and empowered people suffering from suppression of emotion in the days of war, with the spirit of “La Dolce Vita”. The story of more than 60 craftsmen working for a single customer was also born here.

CURIEL's exploration of velvet started during the running of Gigliola, and is still ongoing. Italian magazine Marie Claire commented, "Gigliola Curiel is a true master in the use of velvet fabric. In daily wear, velvet has always been a synonym of extreme elegance for women, while also being practical, making it an ideal fabric."

In the 1950s, theatre became an important socializing place for the upper class in Europe . CURIEL partnered with and witnessed the post-war reconstruction of La Scala, one of the four most prestigious opera houses in the world, and started to provide bespoke gowns and suits for the upper class and celebrities when they attended La Scala since 1954. After that, Ms. Gigliola begun to customize costumes for the premieres of operas, represented by Aida and La Traviata.

With the rise of modern professional women in the post-war period, the little black dress became popular in Europe. In 1956, Ms. Gigliola launched the epoch-making Curiellino collection, which became a creative frenzy and was evaluated as a fashion item for "every girl in Milan".

With a global vision, Gigliola was a pioneer committed to promoting Made in Italy. In 1960, CURIEL became the first Italian brand to enter Harrods in London and Bergdorf Goodman in New York.

In 1970s, Raffaella Curiel took over CURIEL as the third heir and gave the brand a completely new look. She worked at the Balmain studio. She is a globe-trotting enthusiast and loves various forms of art. Her design presents an inclusive and unrestrained romantic color. She is therefore praised as "fashion intellectual" by the Italian media.

In 1980s, as a stylist, Raffaella met Italian ballet star Carla Fracci, and the two became lifelong friends. That friendship inspired Raffaella's works, and the story between CURIEL and ballet began.

In 1984, Raffaella started her decade-long creation of the Tribute to Art collection, paying a tribute to outstanding artists with Alta Moda. The achievements in this collection brought the CURIEL brand to its top. Raffaella also became the first female designer awarded the highest honor Knight Grand Cross by the Italian government.

In 1990, Raffaella Curiel launched her first fragrance collection, with the campaign featured in the 1990 Fall/Winter issue of BAZAAR Alta Moda. Raffaella Curiel believed that fashion is a powerful way to connect with people, offering a sense of security that stems not from labels, but from one’s individuality and spirit. Thus she created the fragrance bearing her own name — CURIEL, a name that carries an air of mystery, grace, and musical magic. The fragrance itself embodies this philosophy. Its distinctive mother-daughter bottle design resembles a small casket, with the heart of the scent holding the true essence. A complete and cohesive creation, it is innovative yet elegant, combining intellect and beauty, much like all of Raffaella Curiel’s designs.

In the late 1990s, women began to seek power at workplace and political influence. Skirt Suit, one of Raffaella's symbolic works, began to rise. The upper part of this collection is designed to emphasize power through a stiff tail shape, and the lower part tightened to maintain feminine charm. The Skirt Suit collection adds a contemporary interpretation of CURIEL's century-old exploration of women's self-expression.

After the millennium, Ms. Gigliola Castellini Curiel (Jr), Raffaella's daughter, became the fourth heir of the brand. She graduated from SDA Bocconi School of Management and Domus Academy in Milan, and Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London. With backgrounds in art and business, Ms. Gigliola Jr. founded the CURIEL ready-to-wear line, and is dedicated to innovating this century-old brand.

Episode 4 of Italian Fashion Story “Made in Italy” mentions that “Every Milanese girl has a CURIEL little black dress.” For over a century, CURIEL, alongside key players in fashion history, has been pushing the development of Made in Italy and bringing Italian Alta Moda to the world.