Francesco Ragazzi: Skate Subculture Sovereign
Jessica Scicchitano,
By day: Moncler. By night: Palm Angels. Milan vs. Los Angeles. Are their spirits interchangeable? With ease, Francesco Ragazzi navigates the Californian dusky skate scene while charming the prim, front-row darlings as Art Director for Moncler. Does the blunt extend across the aisles? It’s possible, and with his unisex Palm Angels collection, he’s adding L.A. trick culture to the polish and whimsy of Milan fashion week, reminding us that streetwear is as much style as it is fashion. What or who is a Palm Angel, anyway?
A version of this exclusive interview first appeared in the pages of the 13th issue of ODDA Magazine.
In WWD, you talk about your interest in designing for celebrities. To you, what is a celebrity? How do they inform your work differently than the average consumer?
I’m interested in the idea of reaching people, spreading a message. A collection for me is just a medium to achieve this.
Do you and marijuana always play nice?
We get along pretty well.
Beyond LA and Italy, where do you feel ideas come most naturally?
I’m that kind of person who produces his best when under the stress of impending deadlines. Somehow, tension gets my creative juices owing and helps me develop new ideas, that’s why I find it difficult to be creative when I am relaxed.
Palm Angels
How do Moncler and Palm Angels inform one another, or don’t they?
They are completely different realties and therefore their approach is very distant too. I believe that they complete each other and allow me to grow as an individual in a vaster way. Of course, my professional path, allowed me to build the basics to create something of my own.
What are you listening to right now?
In this moment, I am listening to many tracks in order to put together the music for my next show. I like to select them as I work on the collection
from the beginning so that they blend together perfectly.
What designer are you all over right now? Why?
I love Prada because they are one step ahead of everyone else with a collection from ten years ago. I just wish they could be able to communicate more with the new consumers.
Beyond what we already know of your work, what are your obsessions?
I don’t think I have obsessions, but what I really like is to have an idea and to put it into practice. This is often really hard because I tend to get bored quickly. I guess this is the consequence of being continuously submitted to new stimuli.
When photographing a subculture, do you believe you’re capturing something anyone can then learn? Or is a further mystery created between your subjects and the viewer?
When photographing, I transmit my point of view on the culture. Actually, in everything I do, I am giving my singular opinion on the matter. Anyone can interpret my work in different ways, they can either be inspired by it or not.
Palm Angels
What can we read to get a greater idea about skate culture?
I think the best way to learn more about the skate culture is to observe it so you can see its authenticity.
What have you learned about yourself through examining the lives of skaters?
That skating is not just a sport or hobby. It’s a lifestyle, it has its own community and culture.
Three things that are always on you?
My jewellery, a tracksuit and my phone.
What’s your sign?
I am a Gemini. I am curious about astrology but not obsessed.
You seem very preoccupied by the now. Will you ever find yourself an artist whose muse is nostalgia?
I am all about the now and what the future will be. I believe that the past is important but life goes too fast to look back.
Has skate culture in LA changed since Trump?
Skate culture has probably evolved in time as all things do, but I don’t believe this has much to do with Trump.
How do you need to be better?
I am happy with what I have achieved up until today, but ironically, even though I do 1000 things I could try to be less lazy.
In your Palm Angels F/W menswear collection, the models were shown with clothing and accessories tightly hugging the face and body. What can this tell us about you and what is most important when showcasing someone’s style?
I like to create tension in my shows. I believe that models should be used to create a character not only to show the collection.
-
- Palm Angels FW Menswear
-
- Palm Angels FW Menswear
-
- Palm Angels FW Menswear
I’ve read you might photograph basketball if not skating. Why?
Like skating, basketball is a religion and I think it could be interesting to view it through my aesthetics.
What advice have you never let go of?
Be patient. If you stay true to the brand’s DNA, then a constant, organic growth is bound to happen – however slow that may be!
What’s a dream collaboration?
Home Francesco Ragazzi. Palm Angels Delivers Punk Tartan for Fall/Winter 2018.
For sure an unexpected one. We have a few interesting collaborations coming up this year, so I guess you should just wait and see.
What are you hungry for?
Handcrafted work.
Beyond all of this, what means the most to you?
Beyond all, of course my family and a good health are essential to me.
What period of your own life would you want to be photographed?
Photography is unique because you are able to capture a moment that is gone forever and impossible to reproduce. So, I guess that every day and each moment is worth being photographed.
Jessica Scicchitano
Jessica Scicchitano was born and raised in Upstate New York. She is the author of the chapbook "Dear Bucolic Landscape," and received her MFA in Poetry from Syracuse University, where she was the nonfiction editor at Salt Hill Journal. You can find some of her work in Sixth Finch, Prelude, Potluck, Foundry, glittermob, and more. Past internships include Bullett Magazine, Vanity Fair, and Women's Wear Daily. Though working as an editorial assistant at a community college, she wishes to host a show on the Home Shopping Network. This all happens in Philadelphia with her three-legged cat, Will.
Jessica Scicchitano
Jessica Scicchitano was born and raised in Upstate New York. She is the author of the chapbook "Dear Bucolic Landscape," and received her MFA in Poetry from Syracuse University, where she was the nonfiction editor at Salt Hill Journal. You can find some of her work in Sixth Finch, Prelude, Potluck, Foundry, glittermob, and more. Past internships include Bullett Magazine, Vanity Fair, and Women's Wear Daily. Though working as an editorial assistant at a community college, she wishes to host a show on the Home Shopping Network. This all happens in Philadelphia with her three-legged cat, Will.
this is happening on 
Related articles