SSENSE x Palm Angels

Francesco Ragazzi did not skate in his youth. But as soon as the Italian artistic director's first stay in the City of Angels, he is captivated by Venice Beach skateboarders. "I think it's because they're authentic - especially in LA, where this culture was born," says Ragazzi. "You always feel that energy. He then began taking pictures that would become Palm Angels: a set of elegant images of LA skating groups, juxtaposed with close-ups of saints and seraphs drawn from the frescoes of the Scrovegni Chapel painted by Giotto, Italian master of the Pre-Renaissance. The next step? Start a collection of streetwear inspired by the book. Seeing the clothes in action in the skateboard movie co-directed by Ragazzi and SSENSE,
On the occasion of the world premiere of the Palm Angels collection on SSENSE, Ragazzi told us about his desire to magnify skateboarding, and the revelation by which it all began.

Francesco Ragazzi: Before I even set foot in LA, I dreamed of the Californian lifestyle. As soon as I landed there and saw this golden light, I realized that my ideal was not far from reality. I began to photograph every detail of this new world.

It's a photo in particular, that I took a summer, which made me come back to LA several times. It was a vision in my mind: blond hair floating in the air, rays of light touching bodies defying gravity. In some religions, this is how angels are represented. It was the starting point for me.

I had only three or four good pictures taken at random, but I had a clear idea of ​​what I had to do. So I returned to LA as soon as I had the opportunity, and fell more and more in love with the city every visit. Like Giotto in his day, I wanted to take another perspective and tell a story through my camera. I wanted to represent skateboarding beyond prejudices and observe it from an outside point of view.

Here, I testified of a belief. I believe that passion for a sport and its practice is like a religion. The moments when the skaters are in action are like prayers: a moment of solitude or one plunges into oneself. They wait their turn under the palm trees and, when the time comes, fly away in this radiant light which draws their silhouette. For me, they are angels.

This book helped me to imagine the style of the Palm Angels brand. It's as if I've written a manifesto that would have defined the brand even before it exists.

As I had a strong concept for my book, I wanted it to be reflected in my collection. I felt that such an inspiring culture did not yet have a brand that fit my concept. My partner and I took Palm Angels to the next level. I founded the entire project on the desire to ennoble skateboarding, with maximum quality and know-how.

I was inspired by brands like Brooks Brothers and Ralph Lauren: extremely authentic brands. I really wanted to work this classic American wardrobe and reinterpret it in a modern way. I am passionate about California minimalist art. This architectural style defines my brand; we must find this simplicity in every garment of the collection.

SSENSE was one of the first supporters of the Palm Angels project because you saw something different. And it's a privilege to be able to communicate with your customers. The SSENSE x Palm Angels video showcases the spirit of the brand. We really wanted to image religion and skateboarding.

With Palm Angels, I wanted to take this classic found in the wardrobe of his father and project it into the future. Palm Angels is based on authenticity, and authenticity is an immortal thing. It's an ode to eternity. "