Moncler’s Genius platform, a radical reimagining of the traditional fashion show format, is back with a bold statement: The City of Genius. Taking place in Shanghai later this month, this event promises to be a global epicenter of creativity, showcasing a diverse range of collaborators in an immersive experience spread across a vast 30,000 square-meter space.
This time around, the Genius lineup boasts an eclectic mix of established names and unexpected newcomers. Donald Glover, known for his multifaceted talents, will present his installation under the banner of Gilga Farm, a project he describes as “like Erewhon for culture.” A$AP Rocky, a fashion icon and musical force, will also be making his Genius debut. Adding to the mix is Willow Smith, whose interest in the “existential and extraterrestrial” might find resonance in the work of LuLu Li, a Zen Buddhist whose practice encompasses alien life forms and AI eyewear.
Adding a surprising touch, former British Vogue editor-in-chief and ongoing Vogue advisor, Edward Enninful, will make his design debut with a highly anticipated Moncler collaboration.
Returning to the Genius fold are established collaborators like Nigo, creative director of Kenzo, and Hiroshi Fujiwara’s FRGMT. Francesco Ragazzi’s Palm Angels, a foundational Genius partner since the beginning, will also be present.
The star-studded lineup doesn’t stop there. Rick Owens and Jil Sander, under the creative directorship of Lucie and Luke Meier, are set to add their unique perspectives to the mix.
Moncler draws inspiration for The City of Genius from a 1960s study that found 98% of five-year-olds qualified as geniuses, but this percentage dwindled to only 2% by adulthood. This study highlights the potential for “de-geniusing” that can occur as we grow up. The City of Genius is a bold counterpoint to this, a celebration of unbridled creativity that aims to rekindle the spark of genius in all of us. Get ready to be re-geniused in Shanghai, or via multiple online platforms, later this month.
