On June 12, at Villa Zegna - the exclusive private club created by ZEGNA for one week only inside the iconic Dubai Opera - hosted “Threads of Legacy – When Heritage Becomes Vision,” an inspiring cross-generational talk that brought together two of the most influential families in global fashion: ZEGNA and ELIE SAAB.
The conversation between both founding families offered a rare insight into the heart and soul of brands that have shaped — and continue to redefine — the international fashion landscape.
On stage:
- Gildo Zegna, Chairman and CEO, Ermenegildo Zegna Group
- Angelo Zegna, fourth-generation family member, CEO of the EMEA Region and Global Client Strategy Director at ZEGNA
- Elie Saab, Founder and Creative Director, ELIE SAAB
- Elie Saab Jr., CEO and Vice Chairman, ELIE SAAB
The panel was thoughtfully moderated by Lara Mansour, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of A&E Magazine, who guided the dialogue with depth and sensitivity.
With remarkable openness, both families shared personal stories — of pivotal decisions, generational shifts, to reflections on growth, reinvention, and resilience, the conversation offered deep insight into the philosophies that continue to guide both houses and the challenges of remaining relevant while staying true to their roots.
Together, the two families offered a compelling narrative of legacy not as something inherited, but as something actively shaped — through vision, values, and a constant dialogue between past and future.
This one-of-a-kind encounter between Zegna and ELIE SAAB executives at Villa Zegna reaffirmed that while fashion may evolve with the times, true legacy is rooted in purpose, passion, and the courage to reimagine the future without losing sight of the past.
