Inter Milan's president has triggered some serious hype levels by publicly teasing a potential collaboration between the club and Milan-based streetwear label Palm Angels. Steven Zhang, the 29-year-old chairman shared an Instagram DM conversation between himself and Francesco Ragazzi, founder of the Italian fashion brand, leaving fans hyped for an official link-up.
Zhang became the youngest ever chairman in Serie A in June 216 when his dad Zhang Jindong became the club's majority stakeholder. His old man also happens to be the founder of Suning Holdings Group – the company that will become Inter’s main shirt sponsor from the 20/21 season. While Zhang Junior might have landed on his feet he's clearly connected to youth cultural trends by tapping into a cross-over market that has produced immensely successful revenue and brand reputation for PSG with Jordan, and Juventus with Palace Skateboards.
Palm Angles, which is part of Italian contemporary luxury fashion production New Guards group, is a brand that's being repped by hundreds of young professional footballers and has gone on to become one of the hottest streetwear labels thanks to that backing. Zhang is obviously aware of this and looks keen to link-up with a brand that has a genuine connection to the club thanks to Ragazzi's support of the club and Milan roots.
Zhang took time out of attending the Gucci show at Milan Fashion Week, perhaps inspired by his surroundings, to share the exchange with Palm Angels and to confirm an interest in making a debut collaboration happen.
The next chapter of the football x fashion story appears to be in motion. Let's go...
