Yes, we went back to Moncler’s Studio Ascenti presentation this year — and it did not disappoint.
Last year saw the Italian brand showcase its previous footwear collection on its home turf in Milan, but this year, the new silhouettes landed in the heart of Paris with a multi-sensory event that saw footwear experts, cultural hotshots, and everyone in between flock to the French capital — Mr.Bailey, Naomi Watanabe, Lena Waithe and Beka Gvishiani of Stylenotcom were just a few of the all-star attendees.
Studio Ascenti is the epitome of experiential, celebrating all that is Moncler footwear from the past, present, and future. This year we got a glimpse into many different Moncler designs, including some highly anticipated collabs (cue one of our fave design genii’ Salehe Bembury) and some seriously vintage archival pieces.
From the Trailgrip, Gaia boot, and Peka Trek to Moncler Genius drops like Salehe Bembury’s Trailgrip Grain, Moncler x adidas Originals, and Moncler x Billionaire Boys Club Trailgrip Après Mid, we were spoilt for choice when it came to checking out the new pieces. Oh and let’s not forget, before the event, Moncler joined forces with 3D printer Zellerfeld on a very unique and very limited Trailgrip.
The whole event felt like you were entering a museum room (albeit somehow shiny and nature-themed at the same time) that was dedicated to dissecting every aspect of Moncler footwear. From library books on the Himalayas, trails, and hiking to annotated material breakdowns of the different layers of each shoe (and literal hand-cut stone rocks scattered around the room), the space had a consistent red Moncler thread running through it.
Bembury’s twist on the Trailgrip was transformed into an immersive workshop that involved planting ginseng, Bonsai style, into concrete remakes of his collaborative shoe. Led by the design mastermind himself, alongside cultural expert Samutaro, the duo talked about the inspiration behind the sneaker and his famous thumbprint motif, touching on Bembury and Moncler’s overlapping love of the great outdoors.
Speaking of the outdoors, 23-year-old London-based archivist, Dapper Dylan, whipped out some timeless golden gems from his personal Moncler collection. Nodding to the mountaineering history and ‘born to protect’ identity that is so closely tied to the brand, his Goretex alpine sleeping bag and puffy blue down gloves from the '70s actually came from the original Moncler family, buying it from Anni Charlon, the daughter of René Ramillon who founded the company in 1952. Where did Dylan find these, you ask? Well, the archive enthusiast is constantly searching online and in London to give pieces that have been hidden in the dark for the past 50 years their moment to shine, and his Moncler collection is his biggest yet.
The Italian brand always hit the mark when it comes to manifesting elevated outdoorsy fashion and longstanding functional heritage. With its various Trailgrip offerings, it brings GORE-TEX and Vibram into the luxury sphere whilst staying true to its rugged roots. Meanwhile, the knee-high Gaia boot looked like something out of an icy runway yeti dream, and the adidas collaboration could have well been Uma Thurman’s partner in crime in her snowy Kill Bill fight scene.
It’s safe to say that this year’s Studio Ascenti was one for the books. Keep your eyes peeled tomorrow as we will be dropping the Moncler x Salehe Bembury Trailgrip exclusively on the Highsnobiety shop.
