FASHION

THE SPIRIT OF MIAMI BY 8 MONCLER PALM ANGELS

By Roisin Breen

Moncler is continuing its 70th celebrations in style, this time with a surprise drop in its renowned line with Los Angeles-based luxury streetwear label Palm Angels, “8 Moncler Palm Angels”. Founded by Milanese multi-disciplinary artist Francesco Ragazzi in 2015, the must-have label quickly gained momentum on the heels of the book of the same moniker, published by Ragazzi a year earlier, when he was then artistic director at Moncler.

A collaboration between the two streetwear icons was inevitable: the two both expertly mixing Italian craftsmanship with exceptional design. Under the guise of the Moncler Genius project, the technical savoir-faire at Moncler elevates the Palm Angels line to a new level of notoriety.

This latest drop comes after a series of collaborations with artists and designers on the Moncler Maya 70 puffer jacket, including: Pierpaolo Piccioli, Giambattista Valli, Rick Owens, FRGMT by Hiroshi Fujiwara, Thom Browne and Palm Angels.

For this collection Ragazzi was smitten with the Miami sunshine and the hedonistic and pluralistic spirit there. Remaining as fixated as ever on American subcultures and streetwear, the collection embodies the icons of this “more-is-more” era of 1990’s Miami. Think luxurious gold shiny two pieces, bedazzled sweatpants, and the Palm Angels teddy bear logo emblazoned across t-shirts, as well as a reworking of the Moncler logo into the playful shape of a palm tree.

Photographed by Philadelphia star Quil Lemons on the ultimate 90’s icon, Naomi Campbell, she brings to life a collaboration with footwear label Tod’s: Gommino flame and intarsia loafers are revealed on deckchairs and basketball courts, while Gommino boots swing on diving boards and walk on pontoons overlooking the sea. Even in winter, the Palm Angels heart remains in summer.