The Season of Sport
For its second Milan Fashion Week outing, FILA takes inspiration from maritime pursuits, as seen in its RTW spring/summer 2020 offerings
FILA returns to the runways of Milan Fashion Week for its second consecutive showcase
It was a burgeoning interest in sporting activities that put FILA on the fashion map in the 20th century. Originally a knitwear manufacturing company, it changed lanes and went into designing and producing activewear when the demand began to grow.
Last year, the athleisure brand showcased its firstever standalone collection (spring/summer 2019) on the runway at Milan Fashion Week. As the urban streetwear trend was all the rage at the time, the collection was well-received by the fashionable crowd. Creative directors Antonino Ingrasciotta and Josef Graesel, who had just come onboard the year prior, stayed true to FILA’s DNA while presenting their ideas in a contemporary style.
The RTW spring/ summer 2020 outing, titled See Now, Buy Now, remains sportinspired, though leaning more towards maritime pursuits such as surfing and sailing. The looks are sleeker, too, embracing the sporty spectrum of athleisure while moving into dressier territory.
Ingrasciotta and Graesel
The looks are sleeker, too, embracing the sporty spectrum of athleisure while moving into dressier territory
sent models out in a sea of reds, whites, yellows, and blues. They walked the runway in swimsuits, anoraks, tailored outwear, and even dresses, showing a more sophisticated side of the brand.
Many of the looks are unisex. Anoraks were cut from traditional technical fabrics such as neoprene and laminated nylon. Combined with more lightweight materials such as mesh, jersey, and chiffon, the utilitarian pieces were given a softer, fresher update. There was a notable revival of one of the brand’s most iconic sailing jackets: yellow, zippered, and emblazoned with the FILA logo. An iridescent purplish green anorak whose colours shifted under the light was a scene stealer. The tailored blazers and coats—pieces one might not expect to see from an athleisure label—were paired with dresses for the ladies and slacks for the gents. It is through such pieces that one can see how the creative directors are carefully shifting gears, expanding FILA’s horizons and broadening its appeal.
One can see how the creative directors are carefully shifting gears, expanding FILA’s horizons and broadening its appeal
Womenswear adopted a more feminine style. Looks ran the gamut of flowing black dresses with deep V necklines, striped halter-necks with handkerchief hems, bodycon dresses, skater skirts, and even slinky sequined numbers. On the other hand, the approach to menswear is dressy casual. There was an abundance of sweatshirts and sports tops, with tailored matching sets thrown into the mix. Accessories such as hats, duffels, and belt bags, and footwear like stilettos, boots, and—of course—sneakers, helped tie the looks together.
During the show, attendees sat comfortably on white F-logo cushions. A billowing scrim printed with blue waves—meant to resemble the sea—wrapped around the dark room, enveloping models and audience alike. FILA Philippines owner and CEO Cris Albert, who was present at the 2019 show, was again one of the VIP guests this year. She was joined by actress and VP for Advertising at FILA Philippines Ana Abad Santos and FILA brand ambassador Tessa Prieto-Valdes, among others. Representatives from FILA Japan, Korea, Germany, as well as stylists, celebrities, and influencers rounded out the guest list. A gala dinner at the Museo Diocesano Corso di Porta Ticinese was held post-show.