“Missoni & Pigalle Combine Sport, Nostalgia, and Craft in their Latest Collaboration”

Iconic textiles of the past meets Parisian street style of the present in the recent collaboration between Missoni and Pigalle. It’s a melding of heritage and leisure that refines contemporary sport while deeming a luxury brand all the more timeless. With approachability and prestige at play, the Missoni x Pigalle menswear line is a collaboration we can all get behind.

There’s been a surge in partnerships between streetwear brands and luxury fashion houses. Luis Vuitton x Supreme set the tone earlier this year, leaving a wake of esteemed sports attire. As streetwear transforms from niche to ubiquitous, these partnerships are only become more frequent. It’s the “something borrowed” aesthetic that draws people to the unique duality. Leisure with a coveted edge is a comfort zone to sink into.

Missoni x Pigalle masters this juxtaposition with originality, authenticity, and an emphasis on both designers’ roots. While Missoni honors its earlier days, cult favorite Pigalle pays tribute to designer Stéphane Ashpool’s undying love for basketball. From coaching local kids to spearheading a collaboration with Nike to this current collection, the sport has been a constant in the life of the unconventional designer. If athleisure is here to stay, Ashpool’s voice is the one to listen to.

Missoni reintroduces archived fabrics dating back to 1985. The signature luxury knitwear triumphantly returns as side panels on fleece sweatpants, angular patches on robes, and the bodies of varsity jackets. The loudest piece in the collection is a basketball finished in the Japanese art of Temari. Standing as a showpiece or a possible accessory for the sartorial baller, the addition pays tribute to the similarities between the ancient practice and Missoni’s venerable aesthetic.

By Samantha Lockhart