The sun and salts of the Earth make up some of the most beautiful and iconic spectacles when captured in the right light. They become all the more iconic when the community element is pictured with the landscape. One particular imagery of such energy is a Californian sunset, punctuated by the rugged grace of skaters that soar across the frame as "palm angels".
Such is the birth of the Palm Angels label, founded by Francesco Ragazzi first as a photography book before expanding into a brand that lifts its followers with the same entrepreneurial spirit, inspired by the LA skate subculture. Over the years, the brand has gained a solid foothold in the international streetwear scene and has parked itself this year on the roster of Milanese luxury house Moncler’s headliner collaboration project — Moncler Genius — alongside JW Anderson, Craig Green and Rick Owens, combining Ragazzi’s characteristic take on the West Coast’s grungy romance with Moncler’s innovative approach to fashion.
But this is not the founder’s first encounter with Moncler. In this exclusive interview, Men's Folio speaks with Ragazzi about his special relationship with Moncler, why he decided to take up this collaboration project, and how he intends to continue expanding the Palm Angels universe with his love for all things Americana and the paradoxical allure of future nostalgia.
Hi Francesco! You were one of the first designers confirmed on the Moncler Genius roster — what made you take up this project?
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 2023 من MEN 'S FOLIO Singapore.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 2023 من MEN 'S FOLIO Singapore.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
For Your Ears Only
Colde (the stage name of Kim Hee-soo) made his long-awaited English debut earlier this year with YIN.
High Standing
What does it mean to be a five-star hotel? We find out during our stay at the Shangri-La Singapore.
A Class Of Its Own
The rumours are true. Emirates' new premium economy class feels more like business than it does economy.
Take A Closer Look
Cathay Pacific's new Aria Suite, the Hong Kong-based airline's first business class equipped with sliding doors, is a minimalist seat that boasts very subtle touch points.
A Salute to the East
Royal Salute unveils the Asia-exclusive 24 Year Old Cognac Cask Finish, which is all the richer from finishing in first-fill French cognac casks.
Unapologetic Touch
After its debut foray into jewellery earlier this year, Loro Piana returns with more pieces that engage in textural play for its Fall/Winter 2024 costume jewellery collection.
The Pearl Provocateur
Mikimoto christens a first-of-its-kind collaboration that reframes its 131-year history of cultured pearls with Chrome Heart's iconic gothic gildings and irreverent cool.
Quatre Out For It
Boucheron celebrates 20 years of its iconic Quatre collection - an allegory for harmony, resilience and the unfettered embrace of innovation.
A Take on Destro
The Panerai Luminor Destro Otto Giorni PAM01655 is deeply set in military precision, with its eyes resting on modern sophistication.
A Second Look
After an initial reportage on the Patek Philippe Cubitus in the previous issue, we take another look at the manufacture's first model in 25 years.