RUNWAY: Ermenegildo Zegna SS12

Ermenegildo Zegna's pebbled runway set the tone for its Spring/Summer 2012 collection. It was beach-y and carefree but all the pieces were very tailored, as one would expect from the master tailors at Zegna's atelier. Zegna continued to utilize cropped pants for two main reasons: (1) they are very much on trend and, probably more likely, (2) they sell well in China. The latter reason may be the main motivator for the cropped proportions as Zegna expands rapidly in Southeast Asia. As proportions of the clothes get smaller, they begin to fit the denizens of those countries better since they are typically shorter and leaner than their European and American counterparts.

Compared to its Fall/Winter 2011 collection, this collection was much more cohesive and true to its nature. Suit jackets were snug, just barely pulling when buttoned, while lapels sat a few inches/centimeters lower than traditional "power suits" but the slouchy lapel mirrored the more laid back feel of the collection. Overall, it was covetable, wearable and a good collection from the Italian giant.