In 1934, Canali was founded, by Giacomo Canali and Giovanni Canali,in Italy as a family-run business.

In the 1950s, 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 1970s, Canali was the first Italian tailor to introduce mechanised cutting machines.

According to Canali.com, in the 1990’s, following the successful launch of the accessories collections, Canali consolidates its achievements by opening its first flagship boutique in Milan.[citation needed]

In 2010, New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera was a spokesmodel for a Canali advertisement campaign.

As of June 2013, led by the third generation of the family, Canali employs 1,700 people in seven factories in Italy, where it makes about 250,000 individual pieces of clothing annually.

In 2012 87.5% of the total production is exported.1,400 suits are manufactured daily, with 1,600 pairs of trousers made daily.