Ong Chin Huat reviews the Ermenegildo Zegna Couture Collection recently shown during Men’s Fashion Week in Milan and delights in what the fashionable man will be wearing next summer.

Fusing sartorial with sports, Ermenegildo Zegna Couture’s latest offering from Alessandro Sartori updates the modern man’s wardrobe with high-performance fabrics and couture quality tailoring, creating a breezy and relaxed silhouette for summer 2019.

The locale for Zegna’s Couture show for Summer 2019 set the tone for the collection in Milan recently.

Held at the Oscar Niemeyer building, which houses the Mondadori headquarters, a runway was set up between two pools where models strutted the catwalk against the sleek lines of this architectural marvel.

Oversized suits and jackets gave a light and airy feel to the entire collection with bombers and anoraks paired with high-waisted trousers recreating a sporty and laid-back silhouette. From mustard yellow and beige to sky blue and plum, the palate for next summer is as refreshing as an Italian Gelato is on a hot summer’s day.

Knitwear adds a touch of versatility to otherwise floaty summery looks, giving the wearer an option of layering on cooler summer nights.

Prints make a comeback, as do checks and stripes, while fabrics are an interplay between the luxurious, such as cashmere, silk, cotton, linen and satin, and state-of-the-art materials, such as mesh and membrane. Footwear alternates between sneakers and sandals, both of which are worn with as much aplomb as leather brogues.

“Creation for me always stems from a technical challenge. I am presenting shapes that are bold and voluminous, yet very light, in layers of meshes, wools, silks,” says Zegna artistic director Alessandro Sartori.

He added, “I found the same challenge in the architecture of this space. It is the perfect place to unleash the Zegna crew of individuals who recognize themselves in the Zegna’s Couture logo, which runs from the clothes to the set-up, unifying the message: a symbol of couture craft that is also the most personal and unexpected expression of Zegna.”

For further information on the Ermenegildo Zegna Couture Summer 2019 collection, please visit www.zegna.com