Italy’s Founding Father of Streetwear Marries Equestrian Sculptures and Nike Sneakers for Pitti Uomo

Photo: Giovanni Gianonni.

If sculptor Marino Marini were alive, would he wear Nikes? A Pitti Uomo exhibit by Slam Jam — the brand that effectively brought streetwear to Italy — suggests so. The exhibition for this year’s addition of Pitti Uomo includes contributions by Carhartt, Nike, and Stussy interspersed among the figurative equestrian sculptures of the famed Italian sculptor at his museum in Florence, which was formerly the San Pancrazio church. “What some time ago wasn’t considered by the traditional fashion system now has its voice,” says Luca Benini, who founded Slam Jam in a tiny warehouse on the outskirts of Ferrara. Those voices includes that of the Parisian Danish duo OrtaMiklos and the buzzy New York-based experimental jazz group Onyx Collective. Below, the collective’s short film about the collaboration, complete with an original soundtrack. The weeklong exhibit is on view until January 14.