Decoding Palm Culture Celebrates the Brand’s Tenth Anniversary with New Photographs by Founder Francesco Ragazzi
Palm Angels celebrated a significant milestone at Milan Fashion Week with the launch of founder Francesco Ragazzi’s new photobook, Decoding Palm Culture. The brand, which began as a photography project capturing the skate scene of Venice Beach, LA, has evolved over the past decade into a global fashion presence. The new book release, launched officially on September 21, marks 10 years since Ragazzi’s first Palm Angels book, also published by Rizzoli New York.
The original 2014 photobook, which was prefaced by Pharrell Williams, featured Ragazzi’s striking images of the LA skate scene and sparked the creation of the Palm Angels fashion brand. “Palm Angels the book was a passion project born from my love for photography. It also became the seed of Palm Angels, the fashion brand,” Ragazzi recalls. “Ten years on, it seemed right to return to the roots of Palm and revive the process that first birthed our journey into Palm culture. It’s a way of looking back to look forward – a return to the source.”
The new volume, curated by Stefano Tonchi, delves into Palm Angels’ cultural essence through 50 never-before-seen photographs by Ragazzi. These images will be at the heart of the launch event, which will be held at a former military space in Via Vincenzo Monti, Milan. The exhibition will present the images in a variety of formats, including large prints, plexiglass impressions, and silver foil reproductions, offering a deep dive into the cultural and artistic significance of palm trees.
In addition to Ragazzi’s images, the event will feature essays by Luca Scarlini, philosopher Emanuele Coccia, and author Giovanni Aloi, exploring the palm tree as a symbol of shelter, aspiration, and beauty. The new book will also include an essay by Ragazzi reflecting on the brand’s origins and achievements, alongside a foreword by Tonchi.
The launch event functioned as an exhibition while evolving into one of the most anticipated parties of Milan Fashion Week, including DJ sets from Chloe Caillet, Prospa, and Simone de Kunovich. “The palm is the key that first unlocked the Palm Angels state of mind. It continues to be both the symbol and catalyst for everything we do. Now is the time to celebrate that,” Ragazzi shared.
