TUCKED IN THE PICTURESQUE GREENERY of northern Italy’s Biellese Alps is Oasi Zegna, an expansive natural territory that has its beginnings in the 1930s, when Ermenegildo Zegna set out to preserve the region’s natural richness.

Decades before the world would pay attention to issues of conservation and climate change, he had already embarked on a massive reforestation project in the area where he grew up and founded his first wool mill. Nearly a century on, more than half a million trees have been planted in the park.

Now, Zegna’s eponymous brand is applying that same tenacity and commitment to environmental conservation in its clothing.

Its Oasi Cashmere, named after the Italian park, is on track to becoming certified as fully traceable by next year, ZEGNA says.

A key tenet of sustainable development, traceability is focused on ensuring the provenances of products are made transparent, allowing for the verification of responsible sourcing practices throughout and across supply chains.

“Oasi Cashmere is based on the assumption that the very best garments can only come from the best natural resources, and that the best natural resources need to be cared for and can be traced… This is responsibility: showing respect across the whole chain,” ZEGNA says.

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“(The material) is intentive to be a trademark of traceability and accountability, moving in the direction of this cashmere being responsibly sourced, from remote farms in the world to innovative manufacturing in Italy.”

Sustainable, stylish, street

Oasi Cashmere is used extensively in the house’s latest menswear collection, with a range of overshirts, jackets, jumpers and caps that effortlessly marry luxury with ethical consumption. QR codes on each garment allow wearers to see, at a glance, where the material was sourced from and where it went on its production journey.

Whereas many other efforts to translate sustainability to fashion have fallen flat on execution, ZEGNA has proven it’s certainly possible to create desirable clothing while placing ample focus on responsible sourcing practices.

The collection brings the house’s classic codes into a new era, combining old-world flair with contemporary streetwear influences. This continues the work of artistic director Alessandro Sartori who, since 2016, has pushed ZEGNA into the top leagues of modern menswear.

Lush browns, maroons, oranges and teals feature heavily here; these lush tones, reminiscent of a cool autumn’s day in the Biellese Alps, complement the cashmere’s soft, supple feel.

The clothes are wearable and adaptable to a range of settings, yet retain a special quality – Oasi Cashmere has an ever-so-slight sheen, catching the light to give its wearer a subtle pop. Sleek silhouettes, meanwhile, allow the finer details of each piece to really shine.

Take, for instance, the ALBA™ overshirt, which thoroughly exemplifies ZEGNA’s aesthetic of refined fashion.

Elbow patches, cut in a crisp octagonal frame, form an abstract symmetry with the pockets on the front. Those details, along with the clean lines of the overall piece, converge for a look that transitions seamlessly from day to evening.

Another design element tying several of the collection’s items together comes in the form of leather detailing. Two strips of leather, mirroring the house’s logo, can be found on the yokes of various pieces, including the Elements bomber and the Foliage polo jumper.

On the former, the Oasi Cashmere is gently felted, highlighting the material’s natural softness. The latter similarly features a play on texture, with a waffle-knit construction that adds dimension, providing an almost emotional quality to the finished product. It feels like a keepsake from a treasured memory, yet has all the trappings of contemporary menswear.

Taken as a whole, the collection expertly showcases the surprising versatility of cashmere. It explores the full gamut of where this refined material can go, from casual days to dressier occasions.

Just as importantly – if not more – the collection represents a step into the future, one where brands are held accountable for their practices, and one where consumers can have a deeper understanding and appreciation for the origins of their clothes.

Sole survivor

Further cementing ZEGNA’s place among the best in luxury streetwear are its Triple Stitch™ shoe.

Since their introduction in 2014, the shoes have walked their way to the top of the footwear game, offering an all-occasions option for the man on the go. They’re also apparently a favourite of Apple CEO Tim Cook, who’s been spotted wearing them on several occasions.

Constructed in a variety of materials – the most popular being the original deerskin and suede – the Triple Stitch™ can be easily dressed up or down.

Stylish professionals might opt to pair the shoes with a sharp suit, for a sleek yet snazzy look. Jet-setters, meanwhile, would nary find them out of place in an in-flight look – perfect for those hopping on the airport fashion trend.

In place of traditional shoelaces, three pairs of elastic bands criss-cross along the shoes’ midline, forming the namesake “stitches”. These make putting on and taking off the Triple Stitch™ a breeze, while paying homage to the hand-stitched detailing on ZEGNA’s tailored pieces.

The lightweight flexible sole adds to the ease of the shoes; they’re comfortable enough to spend a full day – and maybe even more – in.

Describing the Triple Stitch™, ZEGNA says the shoes are “made for anytime, anywhere, any place”; we couldn’t agree more.