Ermenegildo Zegna
 | |
| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Fashion |
| Founded | Trivero (1910) |
| Founder(s) | Ermenegildo Zegna |
| Headquarters | Milan, Italy |
| Number of locations | 560 boutiques worldwide (of which over 300 fully owned) |
| Key people | Paolo Zegna (Chairman), Ermenegildo Zegna (CEO) |
| Products | Men's suits, fabric, accessories, shoes, small and large leathergoods |
| Services | Made to Measure suits, overcoats, shirts, ties |
| Revenue | €1.1 billion (2011) |
| Owner(s) | Zegna family |
| Website | www.zegna.com |
Ermenegildo Zegna (Italian pronunciation: [eɾmeneˌʤildo ˈʣeɲɲa]) is an Italian luxury fashion house, specialized in men's clothing.[1] Founded in 1910, it is now managed by the fourth generation of the Zegna family[1] 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. Effective July 1, 2011 Ermenegildo Zegna has signed an agreement with Estée Lauder Companies Inc. The new license provides Estée Lauder Companies Inc. exclusive global rights to market fragrances and develop new cosmetics under the Ermenegildo Zegna Group's brands, thereby replacing the previous partnership with YSL Beauté. As one of the biggest global producers of fine fabrics (2.3 million metres per year),[1] 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 for suits, and by the end of the 1930s, the Wool Mill employed 1,000 workers. In 1938 the Zegna Woollens Corporation was set up in New York although exports were not helped by 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 while a Zegna plant opened in Switzerland in 1977, which today employs about 1000 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.[1] In 2010 their numbers had grown to 560 boutiques of which over 300 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, Costa Mesa, California, New York City, Beverly Hills, Houston, Bogotá, Boston, Las Vegas, Lima, Mexico City, London, Milan, Paris, Manila, Madrid, Tokyo, Seoul, São Paulo, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, New Delhi, Mumbai, Kuala Lumpur, Santiago de Chile, 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.[1] 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. They have also branched out in other areas, for instance upholstering the interior of automobiles such as the Lancia Trevi Volumex in 1982.[2]
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. The export quota was more than 90% in 2010 divided equally between Europe, Americas and Asia.
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.[3]
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.[4]
Brands
Most Zegna wool suits cost in the US$2,300–$6,500 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 in all Ermenegildo Zegna stores. 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."
"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.
See also
Notes and references
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 "History and Development of the Ermenegildo Zegna Group" (PDF). Ermenegildo Zegna Holditalia S.p.A. April 2004. Retrieved 2008-07-28.
- ↑ Pirotte, Marcel (1983-12-15). "Lancia Trevi Volumex". Le Moniteur de l'Automobile (in French) (Brussels, Belgium: Editions Auto-Magazine) 34 (784): 35.
- ↑ "2004/51/1 Trophy and plaque, Ermenegildo Zegna Vellus Aureum trophy and plaque, plaster / bronze / silver / gold, trophy designed and made by Not Vital for Ermenegildo Zegna, Switzerland, 2001". Powerhouse Museum, Sydney. Retrieved 2008-04-27.
- ↑ Country Leader, 26 April 2010, Finest wool rewarded, Rural Press, North Richmond
External links
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