Finnish footwear designer Achilles Ion Gabriel is taking on a new endeavor with the launch of his own ready-to-wear brand. Currently serving as the creative director for Spanish label Camper, Gabriel will unveil his clothing line at the Pitti Uomo men’s fashion trade fair in Florence on January 11, 2024. This will mark his debut collection for Autumn/Winter 2024/25.
Pitti Uomo has previously showcased renowned designers such as Luca Magliano from Italy, Steven Stokey-Daley from the UK, and Todd Snyder from the US. Now, it’s Gabriel’s turn to be a part of the 105th edition of the fair, scheduled to take place from January 9 to 12. He has been invited to participate in a special project called “Debut Collection Pitti Uomo 105”.
With a reputation for designing cool, bold, and colorful shoes, the 36-year-old designer is well-equipped and experienced to embark on this new adventure. Supported by financial partners, Gabriel is launching a gender-neutral brand that will offer ready-to-wear clothing, accessories, and shoes from his Paris-based studio.
While Gabriel is keeping the details of his brand under wraps until the show, he assures that it will embody his own style and essence. The production of his collections will take place in factories located in Italy, Portugal, and the UK. The highly anticipated first collection, described as “completely immersive,” will be exclusively available on Gabriel’s website and in carefully selected multi-brand stores worldwide.
Simultaneously, Gabriel will continue his work at Camper, splitting his time between Paris and Mallorca, where he has resided since 2020. Born in Lapland, Gabriel completed his studies in footwear at the Häme University of Applied Sciences in Finland before making the move to Paris. In 2012, shortly after graduating, he launched his own shoe label. However, his collaborations and consultancy work with major brands took precedence. Gabriel gained recognition for his distinctive creations and partnered with renowned brands including Marni, Sunnei, Courrèges, and Marimekko. In 2019, he introduced a new footwear label called Ion. The same year, he was recruited by Camper to spearhead their experimental line, Camperlab. Within just two years, Gabriel’s creative direction contributed significantly to the brand’s sales success.
Useful links:
– Pitti Uomo official website
– Camperlab project by Camper
