[pageLogInLogOut]

#Retail & Brands

Ermenegildo Zegna Group to enter a long-term license for Tom Ford Fashion with the Estée Lauder Companies

Ermenegildo Zegna N.V. (NYSE: ZGN) (“Zegna”, or “Zegna Group”) announced today that it has signed an agreement to enter a long-term license for TOM FORD fashion with The Estée Lauder Companies (“ELC”). This license is contingent upon the closing of the acquisition of TOM FORD by ELC, which is expected to occur during the first half of calendar 2023. ELC will be the sole owner of the TOM FORD brand and all its intellectual property.

As part of this transaction, Zegna Group will acquire operations of the TOM FORD fashion business necessary to perform its obligations as licensee

Zegna Group, the owner of the Zegna and Thom Browne brands, will become a long-term licensee of ELC for all TOM FORD men’s and women’s fashion as well as accessories and underwear, fine jewelry, childrenswear, textile and home design products. The Estée Lauder Companies and Zegna Group will align closely on the creative direction to continue building on the luxury positioning of the TOM FORD brand.

Zegna Group’s ambition is to position TOM FORD among the most respected and successful luxury fashion brands, leveraging the Zegna Group’s platform and capitalizing on the uniqueness of the TOM FORD brand.

Tom Ford, Founder and CEO of Tom Ford International, will continue to serve as the brand’s creative visionary after closing and through the end of calendar 2023.

“TOM FORD is one of the most iconic and distinctive ultra-luxury brands in the world and this next step together perfectly aligns with our strategy. We have been partners and shareholders of the TOM FORD fashion business since its inception and I have worked with Tom for many years and consider him an esteemed friend,” said Ermenegildo “Gildo” Zegna, CEO of Ermenegildo Zegna Group. “This transaction is our first since our listing on the New York Stock Exchange in December 2021, and confirms our commitment to leverage our platform to create value for all of our stakeholders.”



Transaction Details

  • Zegna’s 20-year licensing agreement with The Estée Lauder Companies allows for an automatic renewal for further 10 years subject to certain minimum performance conditions
  • As part of this transaction, Zegna will acquire operations of the TOM FORD fashion business necessary to perform its obligations as licensee
  • The transaction, which Zegna will finance with cash on hand, is expected to be EPS accretive for Zegna shareholders within the first full year post-closing (pre-synergies and related implementation costs)
  • The transaction, which has been unanimously approved by Zegna’s Board of Directors, is expected to close by the second quarter of 2023, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary conditions

In this transaction, Zegna received financial advice from UBS with a team led by Riccardo Mulone. 




More News from Ermenegildo Zegna Group

More News on Retail & Brands

#Retail & Brands

Marks & Spencer expands across Asia Pacific through partnership with Global Fashion Group

Marks & Spencer (M&S) and Global Fashion Group (GFG) have announced a strategic partnership to expand the British retailer's fashion business across Asia Pacific. M&S has launched on Southeast Asian fashion platform ZALORA and plans to enter THE ICONIC in Australia and New Zealand in early 2027. The agreement also introduces regional fulfilment for Australian M&S.com orders, enabling faster deliveries and returns while supporting a capital-light international growth strategy.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

Circ launches first denim collection with H&M featuring TENCEL™ | Circ® with REFIBRA™ technology

Circ today announced that the first men's denim collection featuring TENCEL™ | Circ® with REFIBRA™ technology is now available at H&M, marking the commercial delivery of this unique pilot project first announced in October 2025. Featuring two styles available across the UK, Scandinavia, Central Europe, Eastern Europe, South Europe, Turkey, North America, Mexico, Canada, and the Middle East, the launch brings TENCEL™ | Circ® with REFIBRA™ technology into H&M's standard men's denim assortment for the first time.

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

Global size study for brands and retailers to optimize fit and market coverage

Hohenstein Apparel Fit Solutions, a global leader in apparel fit, sizing, and product development, today announces the launch of its Global Size Study, a new initiative designed to equip brands to better understand and serve their target consumers through more accurate, market-relevant sizing.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

Recover™ secures multi-year recycled cotton agreement with H&M

Recover™ has signed a multi-year agreement with H&M to support the integration of its recycled cotton fiber, RCotton, for use in H&M’s products. Since early 2024, H&M and Recover™ have collaborated on product development, which now enables scaled commercial introduction of Recover™ mechanically recycled cotton into H&M’s collections.

Latest News

#Textile processing

YKK Bangladesh celebrates 25 years of fastening production and business development

YKK Bangladesh Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of Japanese fastening manufacturer YKK Corporation, has celebrated its 25th anniversary with a commemorative ceremony in Dhaka on November 8, 2026. Since its establishment in November 2000, the company has expanded its manufacturing capacity and business operations alongside the growth of Bangladesh's apparel industry.

#ITMA Asia + CITME 2026

Murata Machinery to showcase AIcone winding and high-speed VORTEX spinning at ITMA ASIA 2026

Japanese textile machinery manufacturer Murata Machinery will present its PROCESS CONER AIcone automatic winder and VORTEX 870 EX spinning machine at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2026. Under the theme “Right Choice, Bright Future”, the company will highlight technologies for efficient yarn manufacturing, combining energy-saving winding solutions with high-speed air-jet spinning. Visitors can meet Murata Machinery in Hall 5, Booths E01 and E02.

#ITMA Asia + CITME 2026

DORNIER highlights airbag, filtration and composite weaving technologies at ITMA ASIA 2026

Lindauer DORNIER will present its latest developments in air-jet and rapier weaving technology for technical textiles at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2026. The German machinery manufacturer will focus on the reliable and efficient production of airbag fabrics, high-density filters and reinforcement textiles for fibre-reinforced composites. Alongside its A2 air-jet and P2 rapier weaving machines, DORNIER will highlight its TRITOS FLEX technology for complex 3D composite preforms, retrofit solutions and expanded service capabilities in Asia. The company will exhibit in Hall 3, Stand E02.

#Natural Fibers

Woolmark survey: 82% of consumers prefer natural fibres over synthetics

A new consumer survey commissioned by Woolmark and conducted by Ipsos across five major markets reveals a strong preference for natural fibres over synthetic alternatives. On average, 82% of respondents in the United States, France, Germany, Italy and China said they would choose natural fibres when price, style and fit are equal. The findings coincide with the launch of Woolmark's new global brand platform, “Return to Real”, which highlights the natural performance properties of Merino wool and the growing importance of verified fibre quality.

TOP