By asking Adjani to turn the camera on her son, and present him in the way that she sees him, it beautifully dissects
the defining traits of the men in their lives, thus exploring the subject of masculinity through a more personal
lens. Throughout the campaign, Adjani and Day-Lewis reflect on the lessons and values that define the latter as a
modern man. Both mother and son are styled in a selection of sleek and minimalistic tailoring and outerwear, but in
Day-Lewis’s case there is a nice contrast between the sensibility of the tailoring’s clean lines, with a more
rebellious edge, which emanates from his tattoos, jewellery and choice of accessory. This mixture of responsibility
with freedom of expression that Day-Lewis exudes in his appearance is beautifully translated to Day-Lewis the person
by his mother - as she says: “Sometimes my son sounds like he has an old soul”. The actress continues, “behind the
boy that’s sometimes rebellious and really stubborn, there is so much wisdom and beautiful philosophy about love and
kindness and generosity.”
It is also poignant that the campaign is set in Oasi Zegna, where Zegna’s HQ and central facilities, including mills,
factories and logistics lie. By capturing mother and son, at the origins of Zegna, it is a reminder to look inward
and be accountable for our own assumptions and expectations of masculinity, without becoming biased from external
influences. The collection perfectly encapsulates the loving and long-standing relationship between mother and son
with honesty, integrity and with a nice blend between the elegant expression of manliness, and also the
vulnerabilities.
