Reviewing the Runway - Ermenegildo Zegna Autumn/Winter 2012-13 Menswear

Label: Ermenegildo Zegna

Designer: Gildo, Paolo, and Anna Zegna

Fashion Week: Milan, Italy

Runway Show: Saturday, January 14

If there is one thing that I've learned from watching many final runway presentations by the finalist designers on "Project Runway", one of the major critiques I frequently hear is whether or not the collection presented told a cohesive story through the different fabrics and looks. While watching the Autumn/Winter 2012-13 catwalk presentation by Ermenegildo Zegna, the first thing that came to mind was: "Corporate executive spending most of the week at meetings in Aspen before ending the trip with a vacation at a posh ski resort!"

After watching the presentation, I was inspired to tell the following, albeit underdeveloped, story:

"There once was a CEO who had a business meeting at a posh ski/conference resort in Aspen. From Monday to Thursday, his agenda was cluttered with business meetings. Showing that he was there for work and not a trip down the slopes, he wore slim-fitted, three-piece business suits in different patterns of plaid tailored from heavy fabrics. He even took along with him three-piece denim suits on the off-chance that he had enough break time to dine at one of the fine-dining restaurants.

To protect him from the bone-chilling cold, he wore a variety of outerwear, such as chunky knits, Fair Isle sweaters, even puffer jackets lined with cashmere details to add a luxurious texture and to make a statement that he is not just an average, non-self-indulgent vacationer!

At the end of the week, he wanted to relax in front of the fireplace and finally catch up on his style magazine readings, before heading home. He packed away his neck ties into one of his many weekend bags, and pulled out his high-necked shirts and turtlenecks and wore them under dress shirts and camel coats and boots. Instead of dark colors, they were in lighter shades of blue and white. The end."

All that came just by watching the various outfits walk down the hardwood catwalk. Of course, the set design (the projected snow-capped trees and fireplace), and the soundtrack of serene music mixed in with the occasional nature sounds consisting of gusting winds and the cracklings of burning embers, helped formulate the generic synopsis. But the bottom line is that if a person can immediately imagine a scenario, that could only mean that the clothes had a distinct point of view, and more important, all wearable!

If ever I made enough money and the necessity to shop for a fine-tailored Italian suit, my first stop would be an Ermenegildo Zegna boutique!