Zegna unveils the most luxurious wool you’ve never heard of
The Vellus Aureum wool is finer than cashmere, and every garment is 100 per cent traceable via the Aura blockchain
ZEGNA has always been the gold standard in luxury menswear – think impeccably tailored suits, buttery-soft cashmere, and a legacy of Italian craftsmanship that’s hard to match. But now, the brand is flexing its expertise in a whole new way with Vellus Aureum, a collection built around the rarest, finest wool on the planet.
Vellus Aureum, named after the Golden Fleece in Greek mythology, is not just any wool. It’s sourced from pure-bred merino sheep and is so ridiculously fine – we’re talking 12 to 13 microns in diameter – that it makes even cashmere feel a little rough in comparison.
To put that into perspective, cashmere is typically 15 to 17 microns in diameter, while human hair averages at about 70 to 100 microns thick. So this material is next-level soft.
The journey to creating Vellus Aureum started decades ago, when Ermenegildo Zegna launched the Wool Trophy Awards in Australia in 1963, pushing wool growers to develop the best, most premium fleece in the world. Fast-forward to today: Zegna has cracked the code to producing a type of wool so rare that it accounts for less than 0.05 per cent of global wool production.
For its Spring/Summer 2025 collection, Zegna has rolled out an entire wardrobe built around Vellus Aureum. The impressively fine fibre takes centre stage in garments ranging from suits to the Il Conte jacket, jersey to knitwear, all exuding an air of understated elegance. The jackets drape like a second skin, while the sweaters feel like one is wearing a cloud.
The colour palette is understated, with rich and earthy tones that complement the natural beauty of the wool. The clothes don’t just make you look good – it makes you feel at home.
True to its reputation for quiet luxury, Zegna selected renowned watch collector Auro Montanari for its Vellus Aureum campaign. Montanari is in his 60s and not cut in the usual mould of celebrities and influencers. But he’s known for his refined taste and appreciation for craftsmanship, and thus embodies the spirit of Vellus Aureum.
In a series of intimate portraits shot in a villa in Northern Italy, Montanari showcases the clothing collection in his daily life. From his morning espresso ritual to working in the studio, each snapshot reflects the blend of comfort, elegance and simplicity that Vellus Aureum represents.
Now here’s where things get even more interesting: Beyond its ground-breaking fabric, Zegna is pushing the boundaries of luxury with cutting-edge technology. By the end of 2025, every Vellus Aureum fibre will be 100 per cent traceable, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to transparency and ethical sourcing.
The Zegna Product Passport is a digital certificate stored on the Aura blockchain, that lets consumers track the entire life cycle of their garments.
With a simple tap of the NFC (near-field communication) tag embedded in the label, you can instantly verify its authenticity and provenance. This not only ensures you’re wearing the real deal, but also marks a new era of responsible luxury, where craftsmanship and accountability go hand in hand.
The modern man doesn’t just want a good suit – he wants a story, a purpose, a product that stands for something. And that’s exactly what Zegna delivers: a fusion of heritage craftsmanship, forward-thinking technology, and a commitment to sustainability.
The Vellus Aureum collection is available in select Zegna stores.
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