The founder’s sons, Angelo and Aldo, soon learnt the Company’s secrets from their father. They both started working as adolescents while studying.

In the '60s they gradually took over from their father the management of the Wool Mill.

It was during the third generation of Zegna’s that the full vertical integration of the company was completed, through the launch of ready-to-wear collections and made-to-measure, the internationalization of production and distribution, and with the openings of the first mono-brand stores in Paris and Milan.

In 1968, they opened a factory in Novara, Italy, to produce a collection of sleeve units and trousers that was immediately a great success, mainly due to the reliability of the fabrics. The two brothers soon started to expand abroad, first in Spain and Switzerland and then practically worldwide. In the meantime, they diversified production to include accessories and sportswear.

1972 saw the launch of the Made to Measure service. Following in the footsteps of their father, Aldo and Angelo completed the creation of the Panoramica Zegna, a 14km road which linked Trivero with Bielmonte, in the Italian Alps. Understanding that the welfare of the workers was of high importance, they built a residential housing estate in 1963, and ski resort alongside further residential housing in Bielmonte in 1965.

The fame of Zegna fabrics continued to grow, even in a difficult period like the second world war. High quality, in fact, enabled tailors to remake the suit by turning inside-out the fabric. Customers could thus get a “second life” out of their wardrobe. “Style and innovation for strong, distinctive identity"

As Ermenegildo had done with them, so Angelo and Aldo Zegna helped Ermenegildo, Paolo, Anna, Benedetta, Laura and Renata to make their way in the business and prepare to take up managerial positions. The current generation has accelerated Zegna’s global expansion.

At the end of the 90’s a comprehensive strategy of verticalization, shrewd diversification, brand extensions and licensing was implemented; creating a Global Luxury Brand which now ranges from clothing to accessories.

In 2002, Zegna took over the Longhi brand, the luxury leather apparel manufacturers, later in the same year; a joint venture– ZeFer – with Salvatore Ferragamo Group was established, to develop a global scale footwear and leather goods business.

Brand diversification was extended further with the launch of the first Ermenegildo Zegna Fragrance: Essenza di Zegna, distribuited by YSL Beauté in 2003.

A successive three other fragrances have since been added, including Z Zegna and the most recent Zegna Colonia. Ermenegildo Zegna Eyewear was then released in 2004 with De Rigo with the first collection of sunglasses and optical frames.

In 2006, Ermenegildo Zegna Underwear Collection with Perofil was created.

Architecture and design have been important pillars of brand expansion, led in 2007 by the launch of the first Global Store design concept created by acclaimed architect Peter Marino.

Global Stores in Milan, New York, Shinjuku Tokyo, Dubai, Hong Kong, Shanghai Lippo and Las Vegas opened in 2010 within the same year (2007) the 8000m2 Global Headquarters in Milan, designed by architect Antonio Citterio was opened. The building blends Zegna’s understated elegance with classic modernity, housing the Groups global showrooms, product development, store planning, sales and marketing teams.

Ermenegildo Zegna and Z Zegna Milan fashion week shows commenced in 2008, and have enriched the world of “Zegna Style” by combining style, excellence, quality and tradition, with the sophisticated and cosmopolitan tastes of diverse Zegna customers today. These strategies have together laid the foundation for the next chapter in Zegna history.

One of the objectives of the fourth generation is to ensure continuity for the values that stem from the founder’s philosophy, which are the heritage not only of the family but of everyone working in the Group. The mission to keep alive the idea that product quality can only flourish where there is a “culture of beauty”, a culture that must also respect the environment and local communities, is carried forward by the Fondazione Zegna, set up in 2000, and in the establishment of the Oasi Zegna in 1993.

“Our mission is to look to the future and turn our tradition to good account” Gildo and Paolo Zegna