How Zegna has set the standard for sustainability and modern tailoring, maintaining consistent growth amid the luxury sector’s downturn
Fabrics, design, and the pursuit of excellence have established a leading Made in Italy brand that embodies men’s sartorial elegance. Zegna, the flagship brand of the Zegna Group (NYSE: ZGN), is now redefining the concept of luxury leisurewear under the artistic direction of Alessandro Sartori. Sartori, the designer who has ushered in an exciting new chapter for the brand, continues the journey that began over 110 years ago, all while staying true to the ideals of its founder, Ermenegildo Zegna.
One of the first examples of environmental patronage, the story began with the establishment of a wool mill in 1910 by its founder in the village of Trivero, in Biella. His ambition was to create the finest fabrics in the world. To achieve this, he sourced the best natural fibres directly from their countries of origin, importing them to Italy, where skilled artisans crafted them into luxury fabrics for export. However, his vision extended beyond the fabrics produced in the mill; he also sought to enhance his hometown and its surroundings. He was committed to providing premium products without compromising the quality of life for future generations, fostering a positive relationship with both the land and the local community.
View this post on Instagram
To learn more about this unique story that created a true culture of beauty, we spoke with several members of the Zegna Group team: Camilla della Gherardesca, Talent Management and Employer Branding Director at Ermenegildo Zegna Group, Valentina Cozzi, Talent Acquisition & Employer Branding Manager at the group, Alessandro Antonini, Product Director for Shoes and Leather Accessories at Zegna, Lucrezia Politti, Employer Branding & Talent Acquisition Specialist at Zegna, and Maria Vittoria Tabanella, Head of Merchandising for Shoes & Accessories at Zegna and an alumna of Istituto Marangoni.
Zegna’s Responsible Journey Since 1910
Over the years, Zegna Group has grown into one of the most well-known Italian family-run businesses. Now led by the third generation, with Gildo Zegna as Chairman and CEO, alongside Paolo and Anna Zegna, the company has also welcomed the fourth generation, who contribute to its innovation.
Rooted in the vision of its founder, the Zegna family’s story weaves together tradition and progress, craftsmanship and innovation. Here, people, technology and machines work in harmony to create products—and, more broadly, a lifestyle—guided by the core principle of crafting the finest fabrics and, today, the most exceptional garments, always with ethical responsibility at the forefront.
View this post on Instagram
This commitment requires a focus on production, from the countries where the fibres are sourced to Ermenegildo Zegna’s homeland and its surroundings, where Zegna is committed to protecting the quality of life for both people and the environment.
Pioneering Sustainability
The inseparable bond with Trivero and the passion for a culture that embraces both nature and humanity is central to the group’s philosophy, enabling the company to make history as a pioneer in sustainability.
In fact, Zegna has long been a leader in environmental awareness. As early as the 1930s, Ermenegildo Zegna commissioned the construction of various facilities, including a swimming pool, a school, a hospital, and a road now known as the Panoramica Zegna, all designed to improve the lives of his fellow citizens and provide them with support.
In the 1930s, Ermenegildo Zegna also had the foresight to launch an extensive reforestation project on the slopes of the surrounding mountains, during which they planted 500,000 conifer trees. Today, this initiative remains a key part of the company’s “green philosophy.” In the 1990s, the third generation of the Zegna family established Oasi Zegna, a protected area in Trivero aimed at preserving the natural and environmental heritage of the region. This area is open to the public and engages even the youngest visitors, inspiring them and fostering an appreciation for the true meaning of luxury—a concept that embodies both beauty and responsibility.
View this post on Instagram
“Oasi Zegna is the home of Zegna’s values. It is the centre of everything, the reason for being, and the seed for the future. It is a testament to an authenticity that is real and engaging,” said the Zegna team.
In keeping with sustainability principles, this initiative is only one of the efforts made by the Ermenegildo Zegna Group. Through the Zegna Foundation, established in 2000 by the third generation and currently chaired by Anna Zegna, the group continues to honour the philanthropic spirit of its founder.
What is Zegna’s Luxury Textile Laboratory Platform?
Zegna Group remains committed to following the path set by its founder. This path consists of a physical road, the SP 232, which runs through Oasi Zegna—the family’s heart—and a symbolic one rooted in authentic values.
As a vertically integrated fabric manufacturer, Zegna responsibly sources the finest raw materials from around the world and combines them with innovative Italian production techniques. As a result, the group has developed a unique supply chain. Through strategic acquisitions of renowned Italian companies, each specialising in its own field, Zegna Group has built an exclusive Made in Italy Luxury Textile Laboratory Platform. This initiative focuses on producing exceptional fabrics while preserving the integrity of Italy’s supply chain and celebrating the country’s rich tradition of craftsmanship.
From Trivero to Global Expansion with Family Values at Its Core
A forward-thinking approach is essential for understanding the Zegna universe and its ongoing expansion, which remains deeply rooted in its origins. The brand excels at maintaining a focus on exceptional Made in Italy production while simultaneously broadening its portfolio and solidifying its international presence, all with family values at its core.
Since 20th December 2021, the group has been a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker “ZGN.” Additionally, the group owns three complementary brands: Zegna, Thom Browne, and Tom Ford Fashion, which it has acquired through a long-term licensing agreement with The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
View this post on Instagram
This serves as a lesson in authentic entrepreneurship, rooted in a consistent commitment to the pioneering vision of the founder, whose ideals continue to drive the group’s growth year after year. Today, the generations succeeding Ermenegildo Zegna recognise the importance of staying ready to embrace new opportunities presented by an ever-evolving global market.
The Secret Behind the Success of the Zegna Brand and What Lies Ahead
Alessandro Sartori, the artistic director of the Zegna brand and alumnus of Istituto Marangoni, continues to share the founder’s message around the globe with meticulous attention to contemporary suits, luxury leisurewear, and sustainable menswear.
Visualizza questo post su Instagram
For Sartori, sustainability “is a thought, a vision, a way of living and designing collections.” According to the Zegna team, “Sustainability touches every aspect of design: from the choice of materials to the creation of garments, as well as the construction of stores and packaging.”
Under Alessandro Sartori’s creative leadership, Zegna may be poised to unveil a new chapter at the show on Monday, January 20. This new direction is expected to build on their Oasi Cashmere and Oasi Lino projects, which embody their commitment to traceability and accountability—what they refer to as the “Road to Tomorrow.”
Agnese Pasquinelli
Alumna, Milan