Luxury Italian fashion house Ermenegildo Zegna is known for its elegant, finely crafted menswear, which the family-owned company has been designing for more than a century. Though it will always be considered a legacy brand, Ermenegildo Zegna takes pride in adapting its designs every season to reflect the latest in contemporary fashion, and the brand's autumn/winter 2021 line is no exception.
Debuting as part of the brand's #WhatMakesAMan campaign, the collection aims to capture today's changing menswear aesthetic. It also questions what exactly it means to be a man right now—an impossible question, really. After all, the definition of masculinity today has been debated in endless ways. Instead of making any bold statements on the topic, the brand hopes to start a dialogue on the many dimensions of modern manhood.
Luxury leisurewear
Our cultural zeitgeist is always changing, and so is the way we dress. In the past, luxury fashion and leisurewear might have been considered complete opposites — a tuxedo and Oxfords versus a tracksuit and trainers, say — but today, we see a hybrid. Men are just as likely to wear tuxedos with trainers, and invest in leisurewear that costs just as much as a tuxedo.
Ermenegildo Zegna's latest collection, Zegna Luxury Leisurewear, was inspired by these new blurred lines. Without sacrificing quality or sophisticated design, the brand's collection of hybrid garments meet the needs of the modern man, and are meant to be worn 24/7—naturally, effortlessly and without restriction. These clothes are intended to break the boundaries between home, work, leisure and events without forsaking an ounce of style.
Fresh, functional design details
In the autumn/winter 2021 collection, classic tonal hues and fine fabrics that are staples of the fashion house remain. What's new: comfortable and stylish slip-on trainers, tracksuit bottoms, cargo joggers and hooded windbreakers—a range of multifunctional luxe garments designed for the modern man's busy, multifaceted lifestyle. The collection also introduces smart design details such as zips and maxi-pockets, softer materials such as pure cashmere jersey, and more relaxed silhouettes.
One example is the (RE)Jacket, a casual layer that channels the spirit of the men's shirt. Designed to be an alternative to the traditional blazer, this garment seamlessly blends tailoring and utility, formal and casual, indoor and outdoor.
A freeing take on menswear
"The brand isn't talking about a restart", says creative director Alessandro Sartori, but rather a "reset of what contemporary menswear means". He also adds that today's notion of masculinity is "changeable and fluid ", and most importantly, "whatever you want it to be".
In these ways, Zegna argues, masculinity is not being challenged but rather enriched. As the world redefines gender constraints of the past and embraces freedom of expression, fashion should follow suit.
Zegna aims to stimulate dialogue about this complex topic with the hashtag #WhatMakesAMan. Using this prompt, Zegna hopes to reset the conversation about what it means to be a man today. Care to share? They’re all ears.
