Ermenegildo Zegna

Ermenegildo Zegna or Zegna or Gildo Zegna is an Italian fashion house that claims to be the

world leader in fine men's clothing Founded in 1910, it is now managed by the fourth generation

of the Zegna family and remains in family ownership. As well as producing suits for its own

labels, it manufactures suits for labels such as Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Tom Ford.

Conversely YSL Beaut markets a fragrance called ESSENZA DI Zegna, and Zegna has been

expanding into accessories and leather goods. As one of the biggest global producers of fine

fabrics (2.3 million metres per year) Zegna has been active in promoting improvements in wool

production around the world.

History

Ermenegildo Zegna founded the company in 1910 in Trivero in the Biellese Prealps.[1]

Zegna

quickly gained a reputation for producing fine quality wool suits, and by the end of the 1930s,

the outfitter employed 1,000 workers. 1938 saw the first sales in the United States, although

exports were not helped by high prices and the privations of war.

When Ermenegildo's sons Aldo (born 1920) and Angelo (born 1924) joined the company in

1942, it was renamed Ermenegildo Zegna and Sons. By 1955, the company employed 1,400

workers.

Ermenegildo died in 1966 at the age of 74. Aldo and Angelo took over the business and two

years later they launched a line of ready-made suits, produced in Zegna's factory in Novara.

Another factory was opened in Spain in 1973, and another in Greece in 1975. The Greek plant

closed after two years, however, because it was deemed unprofitable. A Zegna plant opened in

Switzerland in 1977, which today employs about 900 workers. As of 1999, the Zegna Group had

eight manufacturing plants in Italy, two in Spain, three in Switzerland, one in Mexico and one in

Turkey. While many Zegna suits are factory produced, the majority of premium suits are still

made-to-measure.

The first boutique was opened in Paris in 1980, followed by Milan in 1985. In 2007 their

numbers had grown to 525 boutiques of which 252 controlled by the company, Ermenegildo

Zegna [1]

Zegna's flagship boutique locations are mostly found in the United States, Europe,

Japan and China with megastores in Atlanta (opening 2011), New York City, Beverly Hills,

Houston, Bogot, Boston, Las Vegas, Lima, Mexico City, London, Milan, Paris, Manila, Madrid,

Tokyo, So Paulo, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, New Delhi, Mumbai, Kuala Lumpur,

Ulaanbaatar and Bangkok. Another flagship will open at Westfield Sydney in Sydney in 2011.

Aldo died in 2000, but Angelo remains the Honorary President of the company Oscar-winning

actor Adrien Brody advertised Zegna's Spring/Summer 2003 and Fall/Winter 2003 lines.

Production

Zegna's range includes fabrics, suits, neckties, knitwear, shirts, accessories and sportswear.

Ermenegildo Zegna has a yearly output of over 2.3 million meters of fabric, 600,000 sleeve units

suits, 1.6 million pieces of sportswear and 1.7 million textile accessories. Zegna employs over

7,000 workers worldwide with 28% percent of the company's revenues in the Americas, 39 % in

EMEA and 33% in Australasia.

Wool industry

As one of the biggest buyers of ultra-fine Merino wool, Ermenegildo Zegna has encouraged,

supported and rewarded the efforts of the Australian wool industry since 1963 in the production

of finer and softer wools. Despite this, the former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating was

criticised by the Liberal Party for wearing his favourite Zegna double-breasted suits as it has

been a tradition since the 1960s that Australian Prime Ministers wear Anthony Squires suits.

In 2002 the Ermenegildo Zegna Vellus Aureum Trophy was launched for wool that is 13.9

micron and finer. Wool from Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and South Africa may be

entered and a winner is named from each country.[2]

In 2010 a soft ultra-fine, 10-micron fleece, from Windradeen, New South Wales set a new world

record in the fineness of wool fleeces when it won the Ermenegildo Zegna Vellus Aureum

International Trophy

Brands

Most Zegna wool suits cost in the US$2,300 - $4,500 range. Price is dependent upon several

factors. Zegna's top line is "Couture," formerly known as "Napoli Couture."

Ermenegildo Zegna's "Su Misura" suits are made-to-measure and orderable only at select

Ermenegildo Zegna retailers by appointment. The cost is typically 15-20% more than regular

Ermenegildo Zegna suits, but the service provides clients a custom ordered suit detailed to his

own specifications. Ermenegildo Zegna's website claims, "Ermenegildo Zegna's "Su Misura"

service makes it possible to produce tailor-made suits, jackets, trousers, coats, shirts, [and] ties in

just a few weeks, respecting the clients size and needs, and maintaining the standards of quality

for which Zegna is rightfully famous. [...] Ermenegildo Made to Measure specialists are at your

disposal. Schedule an appointment and you will be able to choose your very personal Su Misura

suit, starting from the selection of the fabric right down to defining all the details that will make

it truly unique."

"E.Z BY ZEGNA" is a brand started in 1997 in cooperation with Japanese clothing

manufacturer Sanyo Shokai. During years of expansion and also thanks to an advertising

campaign on major media, E.Z BY ZEGNA brand has become an important landmark for young

clothing consumers in Japan. The brand is also observed by men's clothing magazines of nearby

countries such as China and Taiwan. As of 2005, there were 25 "E.Z BY ZEGNA" stores across

Japan.