Sage Advice

Pop Psychology

In honor of Father’s Day, top menswear execs share lessons they’ve learned from Dad. By Karen Alberg Grossman

“Whoever does not have a good father should procure one,” advised the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. The importance of fatherhood is universally recognized, as is the tremendous impact fathers have. Here, top menswear execs share some of the wisdom they’ve derived from their dads:

Ermenegildo Zegna, CEO of Ermenegildo Zegna

“My father Angelo was my role model. He taught me the importance of family and how to lead by example. He showed his children the significance of having vision, of taking risks, of thinking long-term. Most important, my father had a strong sense of humility and discipline. I am forever grateful to have learned these attributes from such an important figure in my life.”

Brunello Cucinelli, CEO and founder of Brunello Cucinelli

“Be ever so careful that the ox does not step out of the furrow.” As odd as this might sound, the greatest teaching I received from my father stems from this warning. My family were farmers in Umbria, and each of us had a precise task to carry out in order to make ends meet. One of my tasks was to lead the oxen during ploughing, while my father would operate the plough behind me. Once our work was done, he would stare at the newly traced furrows and say with satisfaction: ‘See how perfectly straight they are? Good job!’ And when I asked him why it was so important, he would reply: ‘Because they look better straight!’

“As a teenager I did not pay much attention. But over the years I’ve started to slowly understand how many things were meant by that apparently simple warning, and how important they all were.

“I understood that the ploughshare, polished by use, shines in the sun like the purity of human labor; that the furrow is like the womb of generous Mother Earth; that year after year, through our ploughing, we were writing the great book of fathers; that tradition holds the values of the brightest future; that the straight furrow represents the integrity of the righteous.

“Last but not least, I understood that beauty is indispensable for a good life. I thank my father and, so far, I’ve always tried to live by his teachings.”

Mike Faherty, co-founder of Faherty Brand

“I’ve always had a fascination with clothing and style. My dad Roger, who worked in finance on Wall Street, was a sharp dresser with genuine flair and a deep appreciation for quality fabrics and construction, which certainly rubbed off on me. I remember his closet full of tailored suits neatly lined up for the week and the perfectly soft Hawaiian shirts he would wear with panache in the summer. The clothing brand my brother and I founded six years ago is in many ways an homage to our dad.”

Gianluca Isaia, CEO of Isaia

“‘My Way’ sung by Frank Sinatra was my father’s favorite song, and it’s the way he lived his life. Everything I know about our business I learned from my father, Enrico. He was a risk-taker and pioneer in his field, taking over for my grandfather to run the second generation business.

“Throughout my career, I had the great fortune to travel across the globe with this man who taught me every aspect of the business. Everything you do has an impact. It was amazing to work alongside him and experience firsthand the evolution of the brand. One piece of advice he gave me was the Latin phrase ‘Etiam capillus unus habet umbram suam,’ which means even a single hair casts a shadow.

“My father had a great sense of style and was one of the first members of Pitti Uomo [the menswear trade show in Florence], which he attended regularly throughout his lifetime. He loved the Neapolitan classics and took styling references from elegant Neapolitan men as well as from Totò and other Italian film greats. Ultimately, though, my father taught me to define my own sense of style.

“We carry on his legacy at Isaia by working hard and never compromising who we are and our own identity—made in Napoli.”

EFFORTLESS SOPHISTICATION. MAXIMIZED COMFORT.