Ermenegildo Zegna 2012/13

Today there are more than 560 Ermenegildo Zegna stores selling luxury clothing by the leading Italian fashion house in more than 80 countries around the world, and in 2010 Zegna celebrated its 100th anniversary with total group revenues reaching 963 Million Euros. But the company’s chairman, Paolo Zegna, is equally proud of the fact that despite a century of growth and innovation, Zegna remains a family-owned business with the same values of quality and respect for its workers that were his grandfather Ermenegildo’s guiding principles. [1]

Zegna put great effort into less-formal clothing through its Upper Casual collection of refined sportswear, the Zegna Sport collection, and the more fashion-conscious Z Zegna collection, while maintaining the premium allure of its handmade Couture collection, its traditional Italian Sartoria range as well as its Su Misura (made-to-measure) service.

.couture collection

Sartorial excellence hangs on the finest silk thread and requires a perfect orchestra to follow a luxury notation in harmony. Exquisite hand-finished mother of pearl or horn buttons give the cue to utmost sophisticated Egyptian cotton or the finest cashmere. Couture plays to perfection the bars of the modern man’s taste.

.the 2012/13 fall/winter collection

There’s a new creative director in at Z Zegna, and change is afoot. Paul Surridge’s first collection, shown in Milan in January, established a new path; and the future for Z Zegna is the future itself. To kick things off, it’s all about contrasts: A high-breaking jacket with skinny suit pants; unexpected colour combinations like teal and midnight blue; and techno fabric elements like stretch mesh in a wool jacket or a nylon hood added to a blazer.

Inspired by the colours found at Oasi Zegna – wood brown, hazelnut, snow white, the okra of dry leaves and midnight blue – each garment comes to life in a patchwork of plaids, checks and chevron patterns, with tartan dominating throughout. Zegna’s take on the Scottish classic comes in all shades of brown, with accents of walnut, charcoal and inky blue, tailored in suits with softly shouldered jackets and slender, barely cropped pants.

Men should exude masculinity, with a certain level of refined ruggedness in the winter. A simple way to accomplish those qualities are owning a go-to jacket, a nice pair of boots, and layering. Toss in some camouflage to add a military and utilitarian vibe and you are well on your way. Having a go-to jacket or two in your closet is a must. Black, brown, navy blue, and army green are excellent options because they have the ability to anchor nearly any outfit. Functionality is a key characteristic that these jackets should possess. When the weather gets cold, you need to have the ability to move around in your clothing.

[1] Ref. http://www.businessday.com.au/executive-style/style/zegna-keeps-it-in-the-family-to-expand-its-retail-empire-20110921-1klbu.html