In a single word, Palm Angels’ creative mastermind, Francesco Ragazzi, describes his latest venture with Moncler Genius as “post-prep.” Since the outset, Ragazzi’s dynamic collaborations with the reigning outerwear powerhouse have unfolded like chapters in a thrilling fashion saga. Each installment builds upon the previous one, introducing a wholly novel concept while remaining grounded in the essence of “effortless style” – a concept that transcends both the tangible aspects of their voluminous designs and the intangible spirit of unabashed individualism
“This marks our third season in partnership with Moncler,” Ragazzi notes. “It’s all about scripting another chapter with an unwavering design philosophy.” The narrative for their latest fashion tale took root at The Art of Genius London Fashion Week event in February, where a sea of fashion aficionados found themselves immersed in foam at Palm Angels’ Boiler Room soirée. This youthful exuberance effortlessly segued into a campaign, brilliantly lensed by Suzie and Leo, showcasing the collection on a merry band of partygoers through a series of film vignettes and stills. And now, the collection is poised to make its debut this week.
For this creative rendezvous, Ragazzi delved into his passion for vintage treasures, particularly those from the ’90s, and the iconic hallmarks of Americana’s collegiate fashion. “I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of strolling into a vintage boutique, especially in the United States, and encountering an array of styles – outerwear, sportswear, and beyond. I relish weaving these vintage elements into my collections with Moncler.” Through the Palm Angels lens, he reimagined Moncler’s conventional aesthetics by reshaping the silhouettes that define the Italian outerwear brand, crafting a gender-neutral array.
“Some might argue that Palm Angels and Moncler’s DNA don’t naturally align, but that’s precisely what I find intriguing,” Ragazzi observes. For this collection, we set out to deconstruct the notion of a preppy wardrobe, transforming traditional Moncler forms into something altogether different.”
In practice, this creative philosophy sees Oxford shirts metamorphose into down jackets, with signature patterns adorning more substantial coats. Aged leather biker jackets assume a warmer facade. Patch shirts evolve into full-blown puffer jackets boasting duvet-like insulation. Outdoor prints find their way onto cargo pants sporting cricket stripes, while classic button-down collars add the finishing touch to zip-up coats. Casualness reigns supreme, with oversized skater jeans and tracksuit pants enhancing the look, complemented by beanies, caps, spacious totes, and iconic sunglasses.
In a mesmerizing synergy of two Italian design powerhouses, this collection marries California prep with a plethora of unforeseen twists. “It’s all about reinterpreting the established codes,” Ragazzi concludes. “And it’s designed for everyone.”
The Moncler x Palm Angels collection will be available for exploration and acquisition through Moncler and Palm Angels’ online boutiques, as well as select brand boutiques, starting October 26. Dive deeper into the collection in our gallery above.