RUNWAY: Ermenegildo Zegna FW19

Ermenegildo Zegna's name is synonymous with tailored suits - that is given - regardless of who is actually designing the collection. In recent history, it has been Alessandro Sartori, a man who's tailoring skills are perfect to meld the classic with the modern and that was on display in this diverse collection that did not shy away from color, patterns and riskier cuts. Starting with colors, the richness of the colors - shoutout to a wine-hued knit! - were only outdone by the richness of the fabrics and for Zegna, the epitome of high-end fabrications for menswear, that's a tall feat. Patterns ranged from abstract to classic to hints of flora, which helped elevate the collection from the mundane solid scheme and proved that one can wear patterns without being garish. Lastly, the shapes shown here, especially on the sportier garments like the 90s-inspired hammer pants cinches with straps, were risky and did not always prove to be inviting but showed a brave side of Sartori and it paid off in the rounded single-and-a-half breast jackets which looks sumptuous and sharp. This was not a home-run collection, there were things that felt off, but what did work, did so spectacularly.