Summary
- The immersive exhibition takes over Portrait Milano from February 8 through February 28
- Three distinct trails highlight the brand's evolution from historical mountaineering gear to contemporary runways
- Rare archive pieces include loans from collector Dapper Dylan and original prototypes by Lionel Terray
Moncler Grenoble has officially unveiled The Beyond Performance Exhibit, a public installation situated within the courtyard of Portrait Milano that explores the technical label's dedicated mountain dimension. Unveiled on February 8, the experience transforms the Milanese venue into a lush forest trail, designed to echo the brand's 1952 origins in Monestier-de-Clermont. The exhibit is structured around a "mountain mindset," guiding visitors through the brand's heritage, performance history, and future ambitions.
The journey splits into three specific pathways, beginning with "The Blue Trail," which documents the genesis of the brand. Immersive soundscapes recreate the atmosphere of the 1954 Italian K2 expedition, showcasing the equipment Moncler provided for the climb. Key archival pieces featured here include original sleeping bags, anoraks, and early puffer prototypes developed with French explorer Lionel Terray. The centerpiece of this section is the Karakorum jacket, a silhouette created for the 1954 expedition that remains a core icon of the brand's outerwear offering today.
Moving into "The White Trail," the exhibition pivots to ski innovation and the label's history on the slopes. The display contrasts the original ski suit created for the French Olympic team in 1968 against Moncler's official 2026 race suit designed for Brazil's Olympic ski team. This section also highlights the convergence of performance and culture, featuring a 1980s piece by Parisian designer Chantal Thomass and a 1990 Paninaro puffer signed by legendary skier Alberto Tomba. Moncler notes that the exhibition includes pieces loaned from the personal archive of Dapper Dylan.
The final leg, "The Red Trail," utilizes a mirrored runway to create an optical illusion representing the brand's future. This area focuses on the "performance luxury" era solidified under Remo Ruffini’s stewardship since 2003. It gathers key moments from past runways — ranging from the 2010 New York Fashion Week debut to shows in St. Moritz and Courchevel — and concludes with an exclusive preview of the Aspen Fall/Winter 2026 collection.
The Beyond Performance Exhibit is open to the public now through February 28 at Portrait Milano, Corso Venezia 11. Slots are reservable online.
Portrait Milano
Corso Venezia 11
20121 Milano MI
Italy
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