The Latin name Vellus Aureum translates to ‘golden fleece’ in English and is a reference to the winged ram in Greek mythology – reflecting the rarity and incredibly high quality of the wool sourced for the collection.

The legend of Jason and the Argonauts is a classic Greek myth about the hero Jason’s quest to retrieve the Golden Fleece, a symbol of authority and kingship, from the distant land of Colchis. The Golden Fleece is a mythical object from Greek mythology, symbolizing authority, kingship, and divine favor. It is the fleece of a magical golden ram sent by the gods to rescue Phrixus, a young prince, from being sacrificed.

The Vellus Aureum logo features 3 main items:

- The winged ram which represents the golden fleece in the myth
- 1963, the date in which Ermenegildo Zegna Wool Awards were created 
- Made in Italy, as the Vellus Aureum collection

The Vellus Aureum trophy is awarded to growers who produced the finest quality merino fleece in the world. The journey began in 1963, when Lanificio Ermenegildo Zegna & Figli established the Wool Awards in Australia. Inspired by the vision of our Founder, the initiative was created to recognise and reward woolgrowers’ pursuit of excellence in wool production. In 2002 we decided to celebrate further the finest wools of the Ermenegildo Zegna Wool Awards creating an even most prestigious prize: the Vellus Aureum Trophy. This achievement highlights the dedication of a select group of woolgrowers whose tireless efforts have yielded wool of unparalleled softness, delicacy and quality. To date, the Vellus Aureum world record for a single wool fleece was reached in 2023 with a fineness of 9.4 microns.

This type of wool represents less than 0.05% of all wool produced in a year. The rarity of Vellus Aureum stems from the limited number of farmers sufficiently skilled in the breeding of and caring for the special sheep that produce it, as well as in the specialised machinery required to preserve its quality during spinning and weaving. These factors restrict expertise to just a few players in the industry, making the fibre exceptionally rare and exclusive. Indeed, the fineness of Vellus Aureum is meticulously preserved at each stage – from fibre to fabric to the finished product. Despite its fineness, Vellus Aureum retains its characteristic elasticity and is more responsive and resilient than cashmere. Its longer, more uniform fibres – grown year-round – result in a fabric that is exquisitely soft, light as air, and effortlessly versatile. This makes it ideal for all-weather and all-season wear, delivering unparalleled warmth in cooler conditions while remaining breathable in warmer climates.

The primary breeding area for this wool is in Australia. The warm climate and sparse vegetation create the ideal conditions for wool production.

The wool used in the Vellus Aureum collection comes from pure-bred Merino sheep, which produce wool for longer than standard breeds as they are not bred for meat. The sheep are also fed a healthy, controlled diet, illnesses and ailments are quickly tended to, and they can roam freely, primarily in the New South Wales region, where the warmer climate and vegetation are optimal.

Softness is not given only from the material but also from the fineness of the fibres.

Vellus Aureum wool is finer than the finest cashmere. While cashmere fibres typically range between 14 and 17 microns. The enduring quality of the extraordinary Vellus Aureum, averaging an exquisite fineness ranging from 12 to 13 microns, means that it truly represents the pinnacle of luxury – offering unparalleled softness, fluidity, and warmth.

Yes, the Vellus Aureum collection is entirely MADE IN ITALY.

ZEGNA will ensure the traceability of Vellus Aureum fibres by the end of 2025. This includes documentation that guarantees chain of custody and monitoring at each stage of production—from the raw materials to the fabrics and finished products. Traceability documents for the fibres and yarns used will be certified and audited by a third party and supported by blockchain technology. When manufacturing finished garments, traceability will be guaranteed within ZEGNA’s production tracking systems.


Yes at the moment, the ZEGNA Product Passport is available for products made with Vellus Aureum fabric.

For more details, we invite you to explore our dedicated ZEGNA Product Passport FAQ section.


Vellus Aureum was inspired by our Founder’s quest for extraordinary. Ermenegildo Zegna’s dream was to create the finest fabrics from the highest quality natural fibres, even finer and rarer than cashmere. Vellus Aureum wool lives up to this ambition.

Yes, the fabric used for the collection is 100% Vellus Aureum – enhanced with calf leather details positioned on pockets and collars. Additional features may include buttons engraved with the Vellus Aureum logo, painted in gold. 
 
For outerwear, certain models feature a 100% Vellus Aureum lining with a SECONDSKIN leather outer material or synthetic materials, such as polyester or nylon, for wind resistance and waterproofing. 
 
Vellus Aureum is protected by a registered trademark and represents the pinnacle of our offering, showcasing yarns made from extraordinary, rare and high-quality wool fibres. From the meticulous processing of the fabric to the creation of the finished garments, each step embodies unparalleled excellence. The Vellus Aureum collection stands as the ultimate expression of excellence across our offering.


Due to the exclusivity and limited availability of these products, Vellus Aureum garments are available only at select ZEGNA stores worldwide. To learn more about the availability of Vellus Aureum products at stores near you, please contact ZEGNA Customer Care.

EUROPE

Switzerland
- ZEGNA Zurigo
- ZEGNA Lugano
- ZEGNA Saint Moritz
- ZEGNA Geneva Bongenie

United Kingdom
- ZEGNA London New Bond Street
- ZEGNA Harrods
- ZEGNA Selfridges

Italy
- ZEGNA Milano Montenapoleone
- ZEGNA Roma Borgognona
- ZEGNA Firenze Tornabuoni
- ZEGNA Milano La Rinascente

France
- ZEGNA Paris Avenue George V
- ZEGNA Courchevel Rue de l'Église

Monaco
- ZEGNA Montecarlo

Spain
- ZEGNA Madrid
- ZEGNA Madrid Plaza Canalejas
- ZEGNA Barcelona Passeig de Gràcia 91
- ZEGNA Puerto Banús

Portugal
- ZEGNA Lisbon
- ZEGNA Porto New

Netherlands
- ZEGNA Amsterdam

Germany
- ZEGNA Munich Maximilianstrasse 25
- ZEGNA Düsseldorf Königsallee 68
- ZEGNA Frankfurt

Austria
- ZEGNA Wien Golden Quarter

Greece
- ZEGNA Athens Voukourestiou 24
- ZEGNA Astir Marina

MIDDLE EAST

UAE
- ZEGNA Dubai Mall
- ZEGNA Dubai Mall of the Emirates
- ZEGNA Abu Dhabi The Galleria Al Mariyah
- ZEGNA Dubai Harvey Nichols (Mall of the Emirates)

Saudi Arabia
- ZEGNA Riyadh Solitaire

Kuwait
- ZEGNA Kuwait The Avenues Mall

Turkey
- ZEGNA Istanbul Istinye Park

ASIA

China
- ZEGNA Beijing World Trade Centre
- ZEGNA Beijing SKP
- ZEGNA Beijing Seasons Place
- ZEGNA Chengdu IFS
- ZEGNA Shanghai IFC
- ZEGNA Shanghai Plaza 66 Pop-up
- ZEGNA Hangzhou Tower
- ZEGNA Shenyang The MixC
- ZEGNA Shenzhen The MixC Phase II
- ZEGNA Nanjing Deji Plaza
- ZEGNA Xian SKP
- ZEGNA Taiyuan Tianmei 
- ZEGNA Changchun Charter Time Square

Macau
- ZEGNA Macau Four Seasons

Hong Kong
- ZEGNA Hong Kong Kowloon Peking Road
- ZEGNA Hong Kong IFC Mall

Japan
- ZEGNA Ginza
- ZEGNA Isetan Shinjuku
- ZEGNA Matsuzakaya Nagoya
- ZEGNA Hankyu Men's Osaka

South Korea
- ZEGNA Shinsegae Gangnam
- ZEGNA Hyundai Pangyo
- ZEGNA Lotte Downtown

Singapore
- ZEGNA Singapore Paragon
- ZEGNA Singapore Marina Bay Sands

Thailand
- ZEGNA Bangkok Siam Paragon Shopping Centre
- ZEGNA Bangkok Central Embassy

India
- Zegna New Delhi - Emporio

OCEANIA

Australia
- ZEGNA Sydney Westfield
- ZEGNA Melbourne Collins

NORTH AMERICA

USA
- Zegna New York 57th Street
- Zegna Bloomingdales 59th NY Concession
- Zegna Saks NY
- Zegna Meatpacking
- Zegna Miramar
- Zegna Beverly Hills
- Zegna Costa Mesa
- Zegna Palo Alto Stanford Shopping Center
- Zegna Las Vegas The Shops at Crystals
- Zegna Miami DD
- Zegna Miami Bal Harbour
- Zegna Palm Beach
- Zegna Boston
- Zegna Aspen
- Zegna Dallas Highland Park Village
- Zegna Houston Galleria
- Zegna Atlanta One Phipps Plaza
- Zegna Honolulu Ala Moana Center
- Zegna Chicago
- Zegna Washington

Canada
- ZEGNA Harry Rosen Vancouver

Mexico
- SIS El Palacio de Hierro Monterrey
- SIS El Palacio de Hierro Polanco
- ZEGNA Masaryk

SOUTH AMERICA

Brazil
- ZEGNA Sao Paulo JK Mall
- ZEGNA Sao Paulo Iguatemi

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