Ermenegildo Zegna.

Now if your like me, you are always on the look out for something that little bit special, an item/brand of clothing that not too many people will wear or know, and if they do, they will appreciate it. Ermenegildo Zegna is a fine italian fashion house. Zegna was initially founded in 1910 producing fine wool suits and is todays largest global producers in fine fabrics, manufacturing for labels such as Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent. It is still managed by the fourth generation of the Zegna family.

One of the ranges which continues to catch my eye is the sport range. Constantly playing with designs and proportions to create a desired elegance. Their winter 09 range consists of some very nice gillets/warmers at present and a very nice range of jackets, using recyled products.

One of their most iconic pieces was the i-pod jacket from the 2006 spring summer electronic range (above), with its ipod compatible controls on the sleeve, allowing its user to store their mp3 player inside the jacket. The following season Zegna produced the Solar Jacket, an ingenious design with solar panels intergrated into the collar, allowing the suns energy to be converted into electricity, which then is stored in a concealed battery capable of charging your mobile phone or Ipod. These two products alone have stapled Zegna's exclusivity and value amongest the fashion elite.

All in all Zegna is a top end clothing empire and is rarely stocked in many stores, so if you do happen to come across anything then please admire whats on offer, purchase and feel happy in the knowledge that only you and a select few others know and understand what Ermenegildo Zegna is all about.