With each passing season, the brand's adventures in rejecting fashion's rules and preconceptions become more apparent. While the brand's clear concept is based on the West Coast skater culture of the US, the inspiration behind its name, the culture and ideas it incorporates are borderless. The accuracy of this marketing strategy is evidenced by the social phenomena of Louis Vuitton and Supreme, which have swept cities around the world. Palm Angels presented their Fall/Winter 2018-19 collection on January 15th, the third day of Milan Fashion Week Men's. This year, Palm Angels' third show in Milan, featured lasers strewn throughout the venue, creating a sci-fi feel. The transition from last season's futuristic, wasteland construction site to an indoor setting demonstrates designer Francesco Ragazzi's signature storytelling. While a model wearing a Russian winter hat with protruding studs caught the eye, "cool" pieces continued to appear. This season, Ragazzi collided punk and western looks. While it's tempting to draw the connection, it's probably unrelated to The Clash's Joe Strummer wearing a western shirt while performing reggae. Punk icons like tartan and studs were applied to western pieces. Shirt yokes featured studded leather, a concept also seen on corduroy and glen plaid jackets, chester coats, and velour zip-up blousons. Western buckles engraved with the brand's logo appear not only on belts but also on bolo ties. For women, the collection included elegant pieces like a similar western-inspired jacket paired with fitness tights, a dress with an all-over religious print, and a pink latex shirt with long gloves and track jacket details.

Their use of influencer-oriented motifs and accessories, such as the pop plastic vanity bags carried by both men and women and the industrial tags attached to nylon coats and down vests, is nothing short of brilliant. The influence of this brand, which leads the luxury streetwear sector, shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.


Text: Tatsuya Noda