Marcelo Burlon has left his brand

Marcelo Burlon announced today the end of his role as Creative Director of Marcelo Burlon - County of Milan, the fashion brand he founded in 2012 that bears his name. From today, his internal team will take over the design responsibilities, as confirmed by the leaders of New Guards Group. Burlon's departure comes at a turbulent time for New Guards Group, which has been involved in the financial instability of its owner, Farfetch. The e-tailer, initially fallen from grace, was recently saved by the Korean tech giant Coupang, and amidst these changes, the investment company Style Capital has shown interest in acquiring the group, although negotiations have not yet produced a final agreement. The genesis of Marcelo Burlon - County of Milan was a t-shirt project that quickly transformed into a comprehensive brand that uniquely blended fashion, clubbing, and merchandise creating a blueprint that would become the new paradigm of the industry with Virgil Abloh, who was among Burlon's past collaborators. His designs often draw inspiration from the culture of his native Patagonia, mixing traditional crafts with a modern, techno-folk aesthetic.

During the streetwear wave, Marcelo Burlon demonstrated the power of branding and storytelling that revolved around Milan: before him and New Guards Group, the idea of a designer was that of an unapproachable individual, very distant; he was the first to conceive the idea of a brand linked to clubbing, to the community. The celebration of the 10th anniversary of the brand during Milan Fashion Week in 2022 was a testament to this, with a large parade at the Velodromo Vigorelli where we interviewed Burlon backstage, who at the time was already ready to retire from the scene to turn to new projects. Beyond fashion, Burlon has dedicated himself to philanthropy and other creative projects: in 2021, he established the Marcelo Burlon Foundation, aimed at supporting disadvantaged and marginalized communities that has been actively involved in various humanitarian efforts, including support for transgender individuals and Ukrainian refugees. Moreover, Burlon's interests span various fields. He is an avid supporter of the arts and owns a residence in Ibiza that serves as a sanctuary of contemporary art, with works by renowned artists such as Keith Haring, Helmut Lang, and Damien Hirst. His entrepreneurial spirit has also led him to invest in a Mezcal brand and a padel club in his native Patagonia.