ZEGNA Opens a New Negozio in Cape Town

Italian luxury menswear atelier ZEGNA brings the legacy brand’s refined aesthetic to the Mother City with the opening of its first store at the V&A Waterfront.

WORDS Gina Dionsio PHOTOS Supplied

Founded in 1910 by Ermenegildo Zegna, the ZEGNA brand was born of his desire to create world-class fabrics produced in harmony with both nature and local communities. This philosophy is embodied by Oasi Zegna, a preserved natural area that surrounds the company’s historic Ermenegildo Zegna Wool Mill in the Italian Alps, which is central to the brand’s identity: a design ethos that prioritises legacy, tailoring and sustainability.

The luxury brand now brings this philosophy to Cape Town with the opening of its first store at the V&A Waterfront.

A wood-panelled facade – a design echoing the pattern of fabric weaves – announces your arrival at the entrance of the new ZEGNA Negozio, immediately setting it apart from the uniformity of the surrounding retail outlets.

The brand’s storied history is echoed in every design detail of the luminous new space. Under the artistic direction of the brand’s global creative director Alessandro Sartori, the interior showcases touches of travertine marble, ash-wood boiserie, and freestanding elements crafted in walnut that enhance the sophisticated atmosphere.

Natural materials and a palette inspired by Oasi Zegna set the tone, with finishes that evoke a sense of understated elegance. Opposite the entrance, the boutique opens into a relaxed area dedicated to ZEGNA’s luxury leisurewear collections, tailored suiting, and a curated fragrance corner.

To emphasise the connection to Oasi Zegna, the space also draws inspiration from Born In Oasi Zegna, the visual chronicle of the brand’s 116-year heritage. Published by Rizzoli, this volume beautifully captures the essence of a legacy that has endured for more than a century. Heightening this connection, contributions by artists, created to reflect the colours and essence of Oasi Zegna, have been adapted for use in this Negozio.

The new boutique is more of an experience than a retail destination. It captures the essence of the ZEGNA legacy, taking all who enter on a curated journey of materiality, craftsmanship and storytelling. | zegna.com

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