By
Fibre2Fashion
Published
Oct 4, 2023
Designed for exploration, Moncler and Adidas Originals’ new collection pushes the boundaries of co-creation as the two brands find inspiration in the journey from mountainous peaks to the city below. Moncler’s mountain birthplace meets the metropolitan base of Adidas Originals as a selection of forward-thinking designs advance the notion that function creates unlimited potential for discovery.
The campaign, titled ‘The Art of Explorers’, turns its attention to explorers themselves. With human endeavour a core ideal of both brands, the explorer steps into the spotlight as a shared figurehead, represented first through a series of AI-generated adventurers, then through a collection of unique mixed-media sculptures, the company said in a press release.
Building on The Art of Genius show that first unveiled the collaboration at London Fashion Week in February, artists from diverse fields, from sculpture to costume, set design to make-up, were challenged to create human-esque explorers inspired by looks from the collection. Sculptures by Gary Card, Ibby Njoya, and Kate Tabor, alongside real-life explorers in looks styled by Ai Kamoshita, with makeup and accessories by Isamaya Ffrench, were brought to life by photographer Hanna Moon.
Inspired by an explorative journey from the summit to the city, the new collection unveils puffers, both long and short, as well as track jackets and vests that epitomise the intersection of two identities.
Signature Moncler shapes in iconic lacquered nylon are re-imagined through Adidas Originals details, including adi-break panelling. A mix of luminous colours recall traffic lights in greens, oranges, and reds, before oscillating between concrete-gray and sky blue, via off-white and organic dark greens. Sinuous quilting, jacquards and prints take inspiration from patterns created by skiers on snow-covered slopes.
Bold footwear grounds the looks: the NMD has been Moncler-ised and given a winter makeover in Gore-Tex, puffed up by bubble padding. The iconic Campus has also been cocooned in bubble padding for an augmented Moncler feel. Form and function meet at the intersection of outdoor mountain life and city streets: a new meeting of worlds made for exploring.