Mario Colombo, chairman of Manifattura Mario Colombo and a key figure in the international growth of the Colmar brand, has died at the age of 71. With his passing, Italy loses one of the leading names in Made in Italy sportswear, a businessman who helped transform a family-run company into a global benchmark for technical apparel, particularly in the world of skiing.
Born in Monza in 1954, Colombo was the grandson of the company’s founder, whose name he also carried. He joined the family business in the early 1970s after studying at the Catholic University of Milan, beginning a career that would leave a lasting mark on the Italian fashion and sportswear industry.
His professional path, however, extended beyond the family company. Between 2000 and 2004, he served as chief executive of Adidas Italy, gaining valuable international management experience and further broadening his strategic vision of the sector.
In 2005, Colombo returned to lead Colmar as chairman, ushering in a new phase of growth for the brand. Under his direction, the company strengthened its presence in foreign markets while reinforcing its long-standing identity in technical sportswear and alpine skiing competitions.
Originally founded as a small manufacturer of felt hats and gaiters, Colmar gradually evolved into one of the most recognizable symbols of Italian performance apparel. Today, the company is led by the fourth generation of the family, represented by his son Stefano.