Flora Rabitti is a fashion designer, illustrator, creative director and founder of Florania: solarpunk design collective “glocal” (local goes global) that works in a circular way, using regenerated or recovered fabrics and social tailoring.
Circular Fighters is the name of this collaboration with MAX&Co. Could you explain why you chose this title? The Circular Fighters (a Sailor, a Punk, an Auntie) are characters present in everyone’s imagination who have always embodied ‘circularity’ in fashion: a Punk customizes clothes to express transgression, a Sailor mends old clothes to make them last longer, an Auntie puts ‘in order’ clothes inherited from nephews. They are very positive figures that represent a change in perspective in the fashion world.
How would you describe your collaboration with MAX&Co.? It was like designing costumes for a movie, specifically for the three characters. Circular thinking is made of continuous work of research, experimentation. I am very happy with the result of the project and the goals we achieved together.
What inspired the creation of Circular Fighters? Did you have a particular female figure in mind when you designed the collection? It’s more about different characters, perhaps intersecting into one. I’m passionate about cinema, and there are several films that inspired the collection, especially Velvet Goldmine by Todd Haynes (1999), Practical Magic by Griffin Dunne (1998), Querelle de Brest by Fassbinder (1982), SLC Punk! by James Merendino (1998), The Old Man and The Sea by John Sturges (1958). I’m fascinated by creating a story, evoking a character, before creating the individual garment. It’s as if the design projects, in this way, come more to life.
MAX&Co. FW24 &Co.LLABORATION with FLORANIA: CIRCULAR FIGHTERS
Tell us about your creative process: what was it like collaborating with the MAX&Co. team? Every meeting at the Reggio Emilia headquarters was inspiring and motivating: the reception of the message I want to promote about circularity, the deepening of the company’s experience, and the richness of craftsmanship culture have contributed to amplifying the possibilities of the project and accelerating my growth as a designer.
What is your favorite piece from the collection and why? There are several pieces that I feel very drawn to. Especially a limited edition sweater with ‘patches’ made from deadstock yarns.
What advice would you give for pairing the different pieces in the collection? I think these are such comfortable and versatile pieces that they can be paired according to the personality and taste of each customer. The project was created precisely with this intention, to dress without constraining but to give a sense of freedom, distinction, and in some ways, even rebellion.
