As a seasoned fashion enthusiast with a knack for deciphering the intricacies of each designer’s vision, I must say that Moncler’s Shanghai City of Genius was nothing short of extraordinary. The event seemed to be a playground for the world’s most creative minds, where dreams and reality intertwined in an exhilarating dance of fashion, technology, and performance.
On the weekend, the sight of South Korean singer YEONJUN’s fiery red hair sparked deafening cheers from fans at Moncler’s Shanghai City of Genius – a bustling metropolis with an audience of 8,000 (excited) attendees. This city was sectioned off into 10 unique neighborhoods, each designed by renowned figures such as Edward Enniful, Hiroshi Fujiwara, Lulu Li, NIGO, Palm Angels, A$AP Rocky, Willow Smith, Donald Glover, Rick Owens, and Jil Sander.
Inside Owens’ residence, Anne Hathaway gracefully waved from atop the designer’s advanced shelter installation, sparking a sudden surge of excited fans; Jada Pinkett Smith’s visit to her daughter’s district ignited a frenzy of cheering supporters, just like Naomi Campbell’s arrival in Enniful’s territory did. When A$AP Rocky and Rihanna first set foot on Planet Moncler, it was as if pandemonium (or paradise?) erupted. That evening, the 30,000-square-meter CSSC Pavilion became a chaotic mix of fashion and fandom, where admirers and designers intermingled wildly on the same ground.
Muting the yells for supermodel Campbell, Enniful’s collaboration with the Italian outerwear label tested the elements in three extreme scenes: a sandstorm, snowstorm and windstorm. The former British Vogue Editor-in-Chief’s designs—dramatic, layered and textural black coats—dressed nomadic sand dune explorers and frozen iceberg dwellers alike. The spectacle was fashionably dystopian, especially considering the iced-over copies of Vogue thawing under one model’s hands.
Along the road, Fujiwara displayed his artworks over a tranquil, pitch-black pond, crafting an intriguing reflective piece called “Looking Glass, 2024“. This renowned FRGMT designer’s reinterpretations of the Moncler puffer jacket, featuring lightweight and compact versions adorned with playful kitten motifs, reversible color patterns, bright inner linings, and quotes from Nietzsche and Aristotle, were delicately lifted and lowered above the mirror-like surface. This innovative creation was made in partnership with British sculptor Richard Wilson RA.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by HYPEBEAST (@hypebeast)
In a more vibrant location, Glover transferred his Gilga Farm from Ojai, California to the Eastern Paris. The sunny orange orchard provided a relaxed setting for his whimsical collection, featuring coats with peach and meringue undertones in workwear styles, suede shirts, and lightweight jackets adorned with cartoonish emblems.
Lulu Li increased the brightness even more, experimenting with light, perspective, and reflection in a one-way mirror setup. This artwork, influenced by the artist’s investigations into AI and crafted with care, features a capsule containing down jackets, vests, and urban textures drawn from Li’s digital muses and minimalist Zen principles.
In a unique partnership, NIGO teamed up with Moncler and Mercedes-Benz to design an exclusive version of the G-Class, named “Project Mercedes-Benz G-Class Past II Future“. Expressing his love for the G-Wagen, NIGO shared with TopMob (through a translator), “I’m a fan of the G-Wagen. Mercedes suggested the 1971 model for this project, and I made adjustments to the color and details. I also refurbished the engines from the 1954 300 series, and it was a delight to modernize the vintage models for today.
Significantly, NIGO’s vehicle features Devon Turnbull’s OJAS speakers. In a conversation, he mentioned that he listened to ‘Moanin” by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers in Devon’s New York listening room, and was left astounded by the experience. He described it as if the music was playing live right before him. Given this experience, it comes as no surprise that he has also integrated these sound-sculpting systems into his personal collection of Mercedes-Benz cars.
In the city known as a hotbed of genius, this unique automobile won’t leave NIGO’s garage, but he playfully imagines cruising it around Tokyo. However, what enthusiasts can acquire is the collective ready-to-wear line that the trio has created, which seamlessly blends the history of each collaborator into jackets, T-shirts, and sweaters.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Mercedes-Benz (@mercedesbenz)
Turning a corner, Palm Angels created an exhilarating racetrack, filled with the thunderous noise of go-karts. Drivers sported the brand’s Moncler collaboration, a blend of Italian racing attire and Americana university-inspired clothing. Looking beneath the helmets, one could spot Palm Angels designer Francesco Ragazzi skillfully navigating the track at high speed.
At Rocky’s local area, visitors snuggled in a modern, mountain-side lounge pit, where actual and AI-created visuals merged, creating uncertainty about what was genuine and what wasn’t. What followed, though, was undeniably real: the Bottega Veneta-donning rapper arrived with Rihanna, who sported a coat from Rocky’s Moncler collaboration, and they took their seats in the center of the ravine, dancing over champagne glasses before a rainbow-hued runway began. Scattered with AWGE references and hints towards his eagerly awaited fourth album titled “Don’t Be Dumb”, Rocky’s collection showcased motorcycle and biker-inspired elements such as protective shoulder, knee, and elbow pads, along with insulated vests, gauntlet gloves, and helmet hats. The show came to an end; the adorable duo departed, and the shouts of delight that arose could have awakened all of Shanghai. It seemed like a dream, but it was not.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Moncler (@moncler)
In a distant location, Willow’s domain was a lush, post-apocalyptic garden, where humans and nature lived in harmony. Abundant with thriving greenery, the once deserted village had been rejuvenated by organic life, which included her unique black-and-white bulbous structures. Among these distinctive elements were fitted gowns, robust, form-fitting layers, and rounded, sturdy boots.
In contrast to Smith’s block being grounded on the earth, Owens constructed his sanctuary high above the skies. This designer of ritualistic items created a mountainous “Refuge,” or an off-grid retreat capable of enduring every weather condition, serving as its central point. Under powerful lights and eerie fog, Owens’ uniforms, which resembled aliens with their oversized puffers, flight jackets, vast robes, and enormous boots, were showcased. Once again, Rick’s following gained dominance.
Instead of the disorder previously mentioned, Lucie and Luke Meier presented a tranquil Jil Sander concept, encased within a circular screen that showcased stunning natural scenes. On several occasions throughout the evening, they displayed their collection on the runway, creating a space for “temporary rest and refreshing inhalation.” The collection featured wool resembling shearling, paper-like ‘feathers’, expansive padded materials on cocooning shapes, emphasizing Moncler’s distinctive touches. This was a sophisticated, minimalist instance.
As night fell, residents of the City of Genius gathered around a central stage. Here, performance director Henry Lau orchestrated a spectacular event with Chen Lijun, a renowned Yue opera actress, kicking things off. Lau showcased his top hits, accompanied by a breathtaking light display and professional choreography. The climax was as explosive as fireworks, and the excitement within Moncler’s metropolis reached an all-time high.
Step inside Moncler’s Shanghai City of Genius above.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Moncler (@moncler)
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-10-22 20:57