Zegna, Ermenegildo

(1892-1966)

   Ermenegildo Zegna began his family-owned business as a textile-manufacturing company in 1910 with one small weaving mill in the town of Trivero, Italy. During the 1930s, the company expanded, selling expensive made-to-measure men's wool suits throughout Europe and the United States. In 1942, Ermenegildo's sons, Aldo and Angelo, entered the business and, by 1954, Zegna had pioneered Italy's foray into the world of finely tailored men's suits, a segment of the market that had, up until then, been monopolized by the British tailors of Savile Row. Most Zegna suits cost in the $2,000-$3,000 range. However, in 1968, it launched a line of ready-made suits that were priced in the $900 range. In the 1980s, Aldo and Angelo's children, Gilda and Paolo, entered the business and are at the helm today. They expanded the company beginning in 2000 by adding Angina, a women's line, and in 2002, signed an exclusive partnership with a private jet aircraft company. In 2003, a fragrance (Essenza di Zegna) was added and, in 2006, the company signed a manufacturing deal with Tom Ford to manufacture his signature men's collection. Zegna operates more than 300 retail locations worldwide, including China, selling fabrics, suits, ties, knitwear, shirts, accessories, and sportswear.