Bang Pineda intersects sports, fitness, and high fashion in his latest collection, with the help of Oliver Moeller who made his runway debut
Bang Pineda’s current collection, “State of Bang,” is an integration of sports, passion, and landscape. This idea is brought to life not just via the designs, but also through the models, who include Oliver Moeller, a lawyer-cum-model making his runway debut. Pineda’s interaction with Moeller accentuates the dynamic junction of multiple backgrounds, demonstrating the designer‘s ability to combine beauty with athleticism and then the lawyer‘s ability to fuse professionalism with character.
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Rediscovering Passions
During the pandemic, Bang Pineda regained his childhood enthusiasm for the beach, tennis, and Paris, all of which served as inspiration for his latest collection. Beach style transformed print into ideal waves, with a navy blue marine-like spirit. Then, the tennis-inspired segment featured high-end outfits with distinct tennis elements, from neon accents to intricate beadwork that mimics tennis balls. This fresh take on sportswear elevated it to a new level, making it both fashionable and versatile.
Yet, what was supposed to be predictable became somewhat surprising merely because it was not exactly what we expected of the designer. But in true Bang Pineda fashion, he delivered something uniquely refreshing. His Paris segment, inspired by the city’s architectural brilliance, presented a series of structured, well-tailored outfits in muted gray hues.
Oliver Moeller on His Runway Debut
A standout feature of Pineda’s show was the inclusion of Moeller making his runway debut. Moeller’s transition from legal practice to modeling mirrors the collection’s theme of blending different worlds, much like Pineda’s fusion of sports and fashion.
Reflecting on his first experience walking in a fashion show, Moeller shared, “I was a bit nervous at first but excited at the same time. It was well organized and all the models were properly briefed beforehand so I was eventually at ease leading up to the show. I’m still not used to all the cameras but still pretty happy with how everything turned out. All I was thinking about was ‘Don’t trip’.”
Moeller found the intersection of sports, fitness, and fashion to be particularly resonant. “I feel like the co-mingling of all those things resonates with me. I dabble in formal wear for work and athletic wear when I train, so the fact that Bang’s show was a fusion of sports, fitness, and fashion reflected things I’m equally passionate about. On a side note, it’s a crazy coincidence that I actually flew in from Paris to make Bang’s show, a city that was one of his inspirations.”
Working with Bang Pineda on his first official runway show was an honor for Moeller. “He was really friendly and professional. He made sure I was comfortable with the fitting process and the pre-show activities. After working with him, I’m not surprised he works closely with many A-list celebrities and TV networks.”
Bang Pineda on the Intersection of Sports, Fitness, and Fashion
When asked about his model selection, Pineda explained, “I wanted the looks to feel very international hence the tall models for the segment and Oliver fits perfectly.”
Pineda believes the appeal of sports, fitness, and fashion lies in their growing integration into daily life. “I feel today that sports and fitness are a big part of our everyday lives. More and more are into self-care and are health-conscious, and sports integrated into fashion is very much seen. People want to look good physically and fashionably.”
Regarding the future impact of his collection on local trends, Pineda is optimistic. “I think sports and fashion go hand in hand very well nowadays. We dress up to look good; we do sports also to look good.”
Bang Pineda’s “State of Bang” collection perfectly captures the convergence of sports, fitness, and fashion. The experiences and perspectives of Pineda and Moeller demonstrate how personal interests and career moves can affect and enrich the business, establishing new norms and trends in the merging of athletics and fashion.
Photographed by BIMPOMAN