"I Want to Be Considered a Global Brand": Francesco Ragazzi Prepares for Palm Angels FW19
Watch our backstage video of the designer’s first-ever NYFW presentation.
One of New York Fashion Week’s big moments, Palm Angels departed its native California for a debut runway presentation in The City That Never Sleeps. Rife with progressive clothes that blended skate culture, suiting and hunting gear, the collection was bolstered by a laser light show and pounding music, attuned perfectly to the models’ movements.
It didn’t all simply fall into place, however, as designer Francesco Ragazzi reveals to HYPEBEAST as we accompany him during his preparation before the show. “If I had one more day,” Ragazzi says, trailing off as he swirls his hand like time is physically flowing past him. “But we don’t have one. So we’re gonna make the best of what we have.” Ragazzi requests multiple run-throughs with and without models, to get the timing of the accompanying effects just perfect. “seriously, like every two minutes something bad happens,” Ragazzi admits, laughing. “One model just dropped. Even though everything seems impossible, [I'm] super lucky to have very passionate people around me … people that believe in creating something new.”
The hunting and fishing-inspired collection is packed with vests, jackets and coats that boast anywhere from three to five net-lined pockets, giving new life to functional clothing. “This is really my new perspective on what streetwear can be,” Ragazzi notes, underlining the designer’s intention to not merely present a solid runway show, but to truly elevate the world that his brand inhabits. By the end of the show, Ragazzi is all smiles, with a crowd that includes Heron Preston and Gunna co-mingling backstage to congratulate him on a job well done.
Relive the extravaganza above and check out the show in action below.
Most recently, Palm Angels finally released its eagerly-awaited Recovery Sneaker.
