Zegna Group has revealed a comprehensive reorganization of its leadership, signaling a strategic shift for its future. The esteemed fashion conglomerate has meticulously planned this transition, aiming to fortify its brand heritage and streamline operational efficiency across its portfolio.
Zegna Group Embarks on Strategic Leadership Transition for Future Growth
Milan, Italy – In a pivotal announcement from the heart of the fashion industry, Ermenegildo “Gildo” Zegna, the longstanding Chair and CEO of Zegna Group, has unveiled a new leadership architecture set to take effect on January 1, 2026. This forward-looking initiative, conceived a year ago by Gildo as he approached his 70th birthday, underscores a deliberate strategy for seamless succession and sustained brand integrity.
Gildo Zegna, who has spearheaded the Milanese label since 2005, will ascend to the position of Group Executive Chair. In this capacity, he will dedicate his efforts to upholding the distinguished legacy of Zegna Group’s three iconic brands: Zegna, Thom Browne, and Tom Ford Fashion. Additionally, his purview will encompass the group’s textile operations, its general counsel’s office, and external relations, which includes critical areas such as sustainability, investor communications, and corporate public relations.
Succeeding Gildo as Group CEO, pending shareholder endorsement, will be Gianluca Tagliabue, currently the group’s chief financial and operating officer. Gildo Zegna lauded Tagliabue's decade of partnership, highlighting his instrumental role in navigating significant challenges and opportunities, including the company's 2021 IPO and the strategic acquisitions of Thom Browne in 2018 and Tom Ford Fashion in 2023. These experiences, Gildo noted, have thoroughly prepared Tagliabue for expanded leadership responsibilities.
Further cementing the family’s commitment to the enterprise, Gildo’s sons, Edoardo and Angelo Zegna, aged 39 and 37 respectively, are appointed as co-CEOs for the Zegna brand. Edoardo, presently Zegna’s chief marketing and digital officer and group chief sustainability officer, will oversee brand strategy, image, marketing, and design collaborations with artistic director Alessandro Sartori. Angelo, who serves as Zegna CEO for the EMEA region and global client strategy director, will direct product development, merchandising, and commercial strategy. Gildo expressed confidence in his sons, emphasizing the foresight of this move at a time of his robust health and energy, viewing it as a proactive step forward for the company.
The Zegna brand has demonstrated remarkable resilience amidst a challenging luxury market, attributed to its strategic focus on premier clientele and key international markets like the United States and the Middle East. Notably, initiatives such as a fashion show and the exclusive “Villa Zegna” pop-up in Dubai yielded exceptional global results, reinforcing the brand's commitment to further investment. Zegna reported a 2% increase in sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2025. Conversely, Thom Browne experienced a 9.6% decline in Q3 sales due to an over-reliance on wholesale channels, prompting a strategic pivot towards strengthening its retail presence. Tom Ford Fashion, however, showed promising growth of 0.9%, with creative director Haider Ackermann at the helm, indicating a positive trajectory for retail expansion and brand development. Overall, the group’s revenues reached €398.2 million in Q3 2025, marking a slight 0.2% increase. Industry analysts from Jefferies and Ortelli & Co. have applauded this succession plan, emphasizing its clarity, continuity, and the balanced leadership mix provided by the co-CEOs, ensuring a strong future for the Zegna Group.
This strategic restructuring within the Zegna Group offers a profound lesson in proactive corporate governance and family business transitions. It demonstrates the critical importance of foresight in leadership planning, ensuring that a legacy brand not only endures but thrives through generational shifts. The careful selection of internal talent, alongside the empowerment of the next generation, illustrates a robust commitment to continuity and innovation. This move also highlights the adaptability required in the dynamic luxury fashion sector, where strategic pivots—like adjusting wholesale reliance for Thom Browne—are essential for long-term health. Ultimately, Zegna’s approach underscores that true leadership extends beyond immediate performance, focusing on building resilient frameworks that can withstand market fluctuations and harness emerging opportunities for sustained global influence.
