Zegna, the first and last word in luxury tailoring

When it comes to luxury menswear, no label is more synonymous with precision tailoring, excellent fabric and impeccable service than Ermenegildo Zegna.

Founded in 1910 in Italy by Ermenegildo Zegna, the brand has not just grown into an international empire spanning some 525 stores in 100 countries, but has remained in the hands of the Zegna family over the years.

Now helmed by chief executive Gildo Zegna and chairman Paolo Zegna (they are cousins), the group has grown from strength to strength over the past century by remaining true to the original vision of the founder: the ethical production of the finest fabrics in the world by sourcing for the best quality fibres. Today, the vertically-integrated business is the largest luxury menswear purveyor in the world and encompasses fabrics, menswear and accessories. But what remains unchanged is the family’s clear-eyed vision in running the company, says chief executive Gildo Zegna.

“We are lucky that our grandfather left us with such a strong heritage: savoir-faire in craftsmanship, entrepreneurship, ethical values, passion for our work, discipline and the importance of the smallest of details, our commitment to honouring and upholding these values is rooted in long family tradition and forms one of the pillars of our success.”

What socially conscious customers will love is the brand’s commitment to philanthropic efforts and environmental sustainability. Founder Ermenegildo Zegna led the charge in the 1930s by implementing a reforestation programme in his hometown of Trivero. By 1993, the family had expanded his ideas to establish the Zegna Oasis project, a “living laboratory” for nature and sports lovers to spend time in a 100sq km protected region of the Italian mountains.

In 2000, another family member, Anna Zegna (Gildo’s sister), created Fondazione Zegna, with the mission to safeguard the environment, promote culture, develop talent and support medical and scientific research globally. And to show just how serious the family is when it comes to making the world a better place, the company has pledged three per cent of its annual net profits to the foundation’s initiatives.

Of course, this sense of responsibility links back to what matters most to the family. In the words of Anna Zegna, “For the Zegnas, it all started with a social commitment to the small community and the people of Trivero. We pass these values on to our children from generation to generation, and it is the duty of the family to bring these values to the company.”