Fabric Partner · Trivero · Since 1910
Cloth by Zegna — Italian textile art for over 110 years.
At Christian Weilert in Düsseldorf, we craft your custom-made suits, jackets, and coats using fabrics from Lanificio Ermenegildo Zegna—from Trofeo to the famous 15 MilMil 15 and the exclusive Vellus Aureum.
A selection that sets the standard
Our favorite weaver. And for good reason.
We love fabrics—and if we had to choose a favorite, it would be Ermenegildo Zegna. Since 1910, the Trivero-based company has been producing the finest textiles in the world. Complete control over every stage of production—from the wool sourced in Australia to the finished fabric in Piedmont—is the foundation of a quality you can feel from the very first moment.
The Story
Trivero, 1910 — four looms and a grand vision.
In 1910, at the age of 18, Ermenegildo Zegna founded Lanificio Zegna in Trivero—a small village in the Biella Pre-Alps, nestled between the mountains and the play of light on the Alps. His father, Angelo, originally a watchmaker, had left him a small workshop with four looms. From this, Ermenegildo built one of the world’s leading houses for the finest suit fabrics.
As early as the 1920s, he was sourcing wool directly from Australia to ensure he used only the finest fibers. By 1930, the company had grown to around 1,000 employees. To this day, Zegna controls the entire value chain—from raw material procurement to spinning and weaving in Trivero, right through to final garment production. Lanificio Ermenegildo Zegna produces around two million meters of fabric per year.
The MilMil Family
Four levels of refinement.
The number in the name indicates the fiber diameter in micrometers. The smaller the number, the finer the fabric—and the rarer it is—the more exclusive it becomes. There are four fabric qualities to choose from.
Introduced in 1992
15 MilMil 15
15-micrometer fiber diameter
A family favorite. Made from select Merino sheep in Australia and New Zealand—fiber counts under 15.5 micrometers are considered “ultra-fine.” Exceptionally soft, lightweight, and with a subtle natural sheen. The perfect choice for long business days and formal occasions.
Refined
14 MilMil 14
14-micrometer fiber diameter
A step above the rest. Only a few thousand kilograms of this fiber grade are available worldwide each year—making 14 MilMil 14 a true collector’s item. Its tactile sensation and luster surpass even cashmere.
Introduced in 1999
13 MilMil 13
13-micron fiber diameter
In terms of fineness, 13 MilMil 13 surpasses even cashmere and vicuña. It feels silky against the skin and has a subtle sheen that exudes timeless sophistication—while also offering the durability a tailored suit needs for everyday wear.
The Crowning Moment
12 MilMil 12
12-micron fiber diameter
The pinnacle of merino wool processing—finer than most other natural fibers. 12 MilMil 12 is available exclusively through Zegna’s Su Misura line. Unparalleled precision at every stage of production—for discerning customers who seek the very best.
The Trofeo Line · Since 1965
Trofeo — the fabric that wins competitions.
Introduced in 1965, Trofeo remains one of Zegna’s most iconic collections to this day. The name says it all: the wool comes directly from Zegna’s own competition with Australian sheep farmers, the “Wool Trophy,” which Ermenegildo Zegna launched back in 1963 to recognize top-quality wool.
Trofeo strikes the perfect balance between luxury and everyday practicality—typically in the Super 140's to Super 160's range. It has a beautiful drape, an elegant fall, and a silhouette that holds its shape even after long days. For many connoisseurs, it is the epitome of a custom-made business suit.
The Crowning Moment · “Fiber of the Gods”
Vicuña — the rarest natural fiber in the world.
High up in the Andes of South America, at altitudes ranging from 3,500 to 5,000 meters, lives the vicuña—a slender camelid considered the smallest wild relative of the llama and alpaca. Its golden-brown fleece is among the rarest and most precious natural fibers in existence. Even in Inca times, it was considered the “fiber of the gods” and was reserved exclusively for the Inca ruler and his family.
With a fiber diameter of about 12 micrometers, vicuña is finer than cashmere and silk—and at the same time offers thermal insulation that few other natural fibers can match. A single animal yields only about 200 to 250 grams of fleece per shearing. Vicuña may only be sheared while alive and no more than once every two years, in accordance with strict CITES regulations. As a result, the fleece from about 25 to 30 animals is needed to make a single suit.
In the 20th century, the vicuña was nearly extinct—the population in Peru had dwindled to around 5,000 animals. Today, thanks to international conservation programs, several hundred thousand vicuñas once again roam the Andes. Zegna sources its fiber exclusively from certified, traceable sources. A custom-made suit made of vicuña is therefore not just a statement of elegance—it is a piece of natural history worn on the body.
Innovation · Responsibility · Supply Chain
Textile art meets nature conservation.
What sets Zegna apart from many other fabric manufacturers is its consistent vertical integration and a commitment to the environment that goes far beyond the norm.
Oasi Zegna since 1993
A 100-square-kilometer nature reserve in the Biella Alps around Trivero. As early as the 1930s, Ermenegildo Zegna began reforesting the barren slopes with over 500,000 trees—a pioneering sustainability project. Today, it is open to the public.
Vellus Aureum Trophy
The ultimate accolade for the world’s finest wool fleeces. In 2023, a new world record was set at just 9.4 micrometers. These exceptional fleeces are used to create Zegna’s rarest fabrics—limited edition, numbered, and one-of-a-kind.
Filiera
The Italian textile manufacturers integrated into the group form a seamless production chain. Every piece of fabric meets the same standards as it did when the company was founded—from the sheep in Australia to the finished fabric in Trivero.
Milestones
Over 110 years of textile art.
At the age of 18, Ermenegildo Zegna founded Lanificio Zegna in Trivero—using four looms belonging to his father, Angelo.
The start of the reforestation of the Biella mountains with over 500,000 trees—the roots of today’s Oasi Zegna.
Launch of the “Ermenegildo Zegna Wool Trophy” in Australia — an award for the world’s finest merino wool.
Launched: 18 MilMil 18 and 17 MilMil 17 — the first fabrics in the MilMil family.
Launched: Trofeo — one of Zegna’s most iconic collections to this day.
Introduction of the Su Misura custom-tailoring service.
Launched: 15 MilMil 15 — still the classic choice for premium suit fabrics today.
Official founding of Oasi Zegna by the third generation of the family.
Launched: 13 MilMil 13 — finer than cashmere and vicuña.
New world record at the Vellus Aureum Trophy: 9.4 micrometers in fiber thickness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Good to know.
Who is Ermenegildo Zegna?
Ermenegildo Zegna founded Lanificio Zegna in 1910 at the age of 18 in Trivero, a small village in the Biella Prealps of northern Italy. To this day, Zegna remains one of the world’s leading fabric manufacturers, supplying bespoke tailors worldwide and producing its own bespoke suits under the Su Misura line.
What do the numbers 15 mil-mil 15, 14 mil-mil 14, and so on mean?
The number indicates the diameter of the wool fibers in micrometers. 15 mil means 15 micrometers, and 12 mil means 12 micrometers—the smaller the number, the finer and sparser the wool, and the finer the fabric.
Which Cloth by Zegna fabrics can I choose from at Christian Weilert?
We carry the most important Cloth by Ermenegildo Zegna collections—including Trofeo, 15 MilMil 15, 14 MilMil 14, and 13 MilMil 13, as well as Su Misura-exclusive fabrics such as 12 MilMil 12 and vicuña fabrics for special occasions. At our atelier in Düsseldorf, you can take your time to handle and compare the fabrics.
What is Trofeo?
Trofeo is a suit fabric collection launched in 1965, featuring wool sourced from Zegna’s own “Wool Trophy” award. The Wool Trophy was established in Australia as early as 1963 to recognize the world’s finest wool producers. Trofeo is considered the ideal balance of elegance and durability for everyday business wear.
What is Vellus Aureum?
Vellus Aureum (Latin for “Golden Fleece”) is the finest wool processed by Zegna. It comes from the winners of the annual Vellus Aureum Trophy in Australia. In 2023, a new world record was set with a fiber diameter of 9.4 micrometers—it doesn’t get much finer than that. Fabrics made from Vellus Aureum are extremely limited.
What makes vicuña fabrics so special?
Vicuña is considered the rarest and finest natural fiber in the world. At around 12 micrometers, it is finer than cashmere and silk. A vicuña yields only 200 to 250 grams of fleece per shearing, and it may be sheared while alive no more than once every two years. It takes the fleece of about 25 to 30 animals to make a single suit. At Christian Weilert, vicuña fabrics from Zegna are available upon request and for special occasions.
What is Zegna's "Filiera"?
“Filiera” refers to Zegna’s vertically integrated production chain: several Italian textile manufacturers are directly integrated into the corporate group. This allows Zegna to control every single step—from the selection of raw wool in Australia to the finished fabric in Trivero.
What is Oasi Zegna?
Oasi Zegna is a 100-square-kilometer nature reserve in the Biella Alps that is open to the public; it originated from Ermenegildo Zegna’s reforestation project in the 1930s—he had over 500,000 trees planted on the once barren slopes. Oasi Zegna was officially established in 1993 and has been under the patronage of the Fondo Ambiente Italiano since 2014.
Which MilMil variety is best for everyday use?
15 MilMil 15 is the ideal introduction to the MilMil family and offers an excellent balance of fineness, durability, and comfort—perfect for professional business attire. For special occasions, the finer 14 or 13 MilMil qualities are worth considering. We would be happy to advise you personally.
How much does a custom-made suit made from Cloth by Zegna fabric cost?
The price depends on the fabric quality you choose. We would be happy to provide you with a custom quote—ideally during a personal consultation at our studio in Düsseldorf.
Your next step
Experience Cloth by Zegna in person.
Take your time to explore the MilMil family and the Trofeo collection at our studio in Düsseldorf. We’ll take the time to listen to you and work with you to find the fabric that will make your next custom-made suit truly special.