Born in 2011 as a photography project exploring LA skate culture, Palm Angels soon evolved into a book, a clothing line, and ultimately an iconic international fashion brand and symbol of contemporary streetwear. It’s a journey that not only shows the ever-shifting nature of the project, but also embodies the experimental approach of its founder and artistic director, Francesco Ragazzi.
With that same attitude – ever enthusiastic when it comes to collaborations – Francesco has teamed Palm Angels up with outerwear giant Moncler, for the latest chapter in their series of legendary collaborations: Moncler Genius.
Combining the souls and codes of the two brands, the collection draws from the visual paraphernalia of American sports culture and subverts it according to the bold and uncompromising spirit of Palm Angels. From the symbolic power of uniforms to the juxtaposition of textures and graphic elements, Francesco reinterprets archetypal garments and elements of the Californian landscape – a constant source of inspiration for the designer.
Incorporating a Tod’s x 8 Moncler Palm Angels footwear collaboration, the collection uses Moncler and Tod’s know-how to create a celebration of individual style. Marking the collection’s release and its new campaign shot in Miami – fronted by Naomi Campbell! – we asked Francesco Ragazzi a few questions about the project.
You were inspired by sports uniforms for the 8 MONCLER GENIUS collection. What fascinates you about this type of clothing?
What intrigues me about uniforms is the concept hidden in the very name itself. It describes something that always stays the same, that has no variations. That represents a big challenge for creative people: trying to create garments that are apparently no different from one another; just like the sports uniforms I was inspired by for this collection.
How would you describe the collection?
Through a contemporary language and a precise aesthetic, the collection reinterprets the codes of US sports culture by applying the distinctive values of Made in Italy: craftsmanship and high quality.
What’s your favorite garment or accessory in the collection, and why?
I can never pick just one piece or product to represent a collection, even when it comes to Palm Angels. Each element is part of the bigger creative process, which always has a unified value for me. I don’t have a favorite one; all the garments, in the end, are part of an excursus that led me to think them up, and then make them.
Palm Angels and Moncler have two very distinctive identities: what are the touchpoints that tie the two brands together and enhance each other?
My relationship with Moncler started a long time ago. As soon as I finished my studies, I began my professional path with an internship at the brand’s press office. At the time, I was interested in fashion photography. I had studied for that, but I already knew that I wanted to create my own brand in the future. The time spent at Moncler served as a culmination of my studies, and that experience allowed me to learn and grow to eventually launch Palm Angels. The two brands are definitely different, but they’re both driven by a huge passion for making high-quality garments drenched in creativity. And they both found a way to build their own distinctive and globally recognised language.
Did you face any obstacles during the creation of this collection?
Maybe not obstacles, but lessons I find myself learning each time when approaching a new project. For me, obstacles are opportunities to grow both personally and professionally.
What is a must-have in your moodboards?
My moodboards are like puzzles filled with many different elements. They have meaning if taken in individually, but only when put together do they find a way to build a world of their own — one that represents exactly what I had in mind. Each creative process has its very own journey.
What advice would you give to a new generation of fashion designers?
Believe in your dreams and make them come true, without ever giving up your uniqueness and your authenticity.
The 8 Moncler Palm Angels collection is available now in selected Moncler, Palm Angels and Tod’s stores and online.
Credits
All images courtesy of Moncler and Palm Angels