Page 41 - The Book For Men Spring/Summer 2023

Dress to Impress
Classically Italian California cool with Zegna and the Elder Statesman
IN SOME RESPECTS, ZEGNA, THE PURVEYOR OF LUXURY ITALIAN MENSWEAR
and fabrics, and the Elder Statesman, the — relatively — young Californian brand famed for its funky, laid-back aesthetic, are competitors. While consumer impressions of the brands differ, they’re both known for their cashmere, with Zegna increasingly shifting toward silhouettes and styles that call to mind the relaxed ethos championed by the Elder Statesman.
And yet, the two brands have come together for a capsule collection born out of a mutual respect and a shared love of cashmere that highlights and underlines the very things that make them different. In a day and age where collaborations are a dime a dozen — often thought up and executed with haste and without paying attention to the details — Zegna × The Elder Statesman stands apart,
not only because it was three years in the making, but also because it represents true collaboration; a cross-pollination in the truest sense of the word.
Designed together from textiles sourced together and crafted by both brands’ expert artisans, the styles selected and their cut draw on both Zegna and the Elder Statesman’s sartorial language — relaxed takes on menswear staples ranging from shawl collar jackets, bulky cardigans and belted robes to polos, shorts, bucket hats and socks, infused with vivid colours and quirky detailing. The resulting collection strikes a balance between Zegna’s contemporary take on the masculine wardrobe and the Elder Statesman’s signature eccentricity.
Selected styles from the Zegna x The Elder Statesman Collection will be available at Harry Rosen September 1st.
TEXT BY MARC RICHARDSON.
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