Words - Tajinder Hayer

Mango has just (today) launched a new and exciting collaboration with luxury tailoring brand Boglioli. Both European brands have worked together to carefully create a capsule of eight tailored jackets, inspired by Boglioli's iconic K-Jacket. The first edition of the collaboration includes eight tailored jackets produced with materials that achieve excellent adaptability to the silhouette, making them the ideal option for every type of occasion.

The collaboration will launch in two drops with the first available today and another drop scheduled for Spring 2024. 

To celebrate the launch and find out more, we had the pleasure of speaking with Mr. Roberto Pastore, Creative Director at Mango. After graduating from the Accademia della Moda in 2007, Pastore entered the world of fashion design at Heyu, designing the menswear collections before becoming the Menswear Fashion Designer for outerwear at Massimo Dutti. In 2012, Roberto Pastore joined Mango Man as Head Designer, focusing on outerwear and denim and in 2016, Pastore was promoted to Creative Director of Mango Man.

Why choose Boglioli as a partner to collaborate with?

Founded in the early 20th century, the Milanese tailor’s Boglioli has made its heritage its core value. When it is combined with the modern character of our Barcelona roots, the result is this unique tailoring collaboration, in which quality and design can be perceived in every stitch. Together, we have worked to reformulate tailoring, with the focus on the excellence of the materials and the need to translate the garments to our vision and our values.

We have reinterpreted the spirit of the iconic Boglioli tailored jacket, to create eight pieces that summarise our shared passion and whose names refer to Italian cities: Cremona, Lodi, Milano, Mantova, Brescia, Como, Monza and Lecco. These are garments produced with materials that achieve excellent adaptability to the silhouette, making them the perfect option for all types of ambiences.

What is so iconic about the K-jacket and what was it especially about that piece that led to it being the first piece to showcase as part of the collaboration?

Tailored jackets are usually associated with formal events, our aim was to shift the focus and achieve comfortable proposals that are perfect for everyday wear or for the office, thanks to the lightweight and adaptable materials. In this regard, our concerns were shared, given that Boglioli translates the excellence of tradition and craftsmanship into pieces that are perfect for relaxed occasions.

In your view, what makes Mango Man stand apart from its competitors?

At Mango, we are very clear about what differentiates us: a unique design proposal. As well as a unique style, the key attribute of the company is a quality positioning above that of its competitors. A key focus on quality in our collections and present in all the Mango Man milestones this year.

Winter will be dominated by a combination of fabrics with a heritage knit and materials inspired by tradition, as well as contemporary designs. As well as welcoming a key launch, such as the collaboration with the Italian firm Boglioli, October will be a month of great importance, given that it will also feature the first edition of the Selection collection.

How do you approach designing for a new season?

For us, the most important thing is to observe our clients. We analyse their needs and their lifestyle. Mango Man accompanies the contemporary man in his continual day-to-day challenges, with options ranging from casual streetwear trends to the smart requirements of formal occasions.

How are Mango Man approaching challenges involving sustainability and shopping more consciously?

Environmental and social sustainability has been consolidated as a transversal axis integrated into Mango's business model, including the Mango Man line. The company sees sustainability not as an objective, but as a way to make decisions and implement projects and actions to develop the business and the product in a responsible way and with the least possible impact on the environment. In 2022, we launched a new strategy with a 2030 horizon, with a view to incorporating new objectives and more demanding measurement systems aligned with the main and most rigorous market standards. The new roadmap, called Sustainable Vision 2030, is designed to reduce the company's environmental and social impact. It aligns Mango's objectives with the ambition of the most advanced operators in the industry and establishes three lines of action related to the product, the planet and people. To make a more sustainable product and collection, we are working to prioritise more sustainable materials and design with circularity criteria with the aim that by 2030 these will predominate in Mango products and that 100% of the fibres used in its garments will be more sustainable or recycled.

How important is the campaign/ imagery in presenting your vision for the season?

In Mango designed by Boglioli, the campaign has been focused on explaining to the customer the reason for the collaboration through the shared values and common imaginary, not only of both brands, Mango and Boglioli, but also of their two cities of origin, Barcelona and Milan. Their common passion for art and design is what gives shape to this collection.

Are there any particular pieces within the Mango Man AW23 collection that you would recommend to readers of The Rakish Gent?

Selection is a timeless premium collection with a sober and minimalist style, made up of garments with exceptional materials and fabrics. Cashmere sweaters, leather ankle boots and suits in neutral tones will create sophisticated outfits, producing a wardrobe that will resist the passing of time.

What can we look forward to from Mango Man in 2024?

We are working on 2024: Mango Man reinterprets the current trends with unique designs, offering quality garments with a Mediterranean character. We observe what's around us, the style being worn on the streets, and detect what our customers need. Also, as you know, SS24 will include a new drop of the collaboration with Boglioli.

Explore further and shop the collection at Mango Man.