Marcelo Burlon
MILAN, ITALY – JUNE 16: Designer Marcelo Burlon acknowledge the applause of the audience at the Marcelo Burlon County Of Milan show during Milan Men’s Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2019 on June 16, 2018 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)

Marcelo Burlon, the creative force behind the founding of the impactful streetwear label County of Milan, has announced his departure as the brand’s creative director. This news comes after a decade of solidifying County of Milan’s position in the fashion world, recognized for its distinct fusion of club culture, South American symbolism, and Milanese attitude.

County of Milan
MILAN, ITALY – JUNE 16: A model walks the runway at the Marcelo Burlon County Of Milan show during Milan Men’s Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2019 on June 16, 2018 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)

Burlon’s exit marks a turning point for the brand he established in 2012. His creative vision, heavily influenced by his experience as a DJ and nightlife impresario, infused County of Milan with a unique energy. The label’s now-iconic t-shirts featuring a stylized bird’s wingspan became a symbol of self-expression for a generation drawn to Burlon’s uninhibited world.

Marcelo Burlon
MILAN, ITALY – JUNE 17: (L-R) Nicola Formichetti, Marcelo Burlon and Renzo Rosso attend Renzo Rosso And OTB Launch ‘Radical Renaissance 55+5’ Book on June 17, 2016 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Jacopo Raule/Getty Images for OTB)

This departure wasn’t entirely unforeseen. Burlon has always been known for his restless creativity. Those familiar with his journey recognize him for his expertise in both design and nightlife promotion. Recently, Burlon expressed a desire for a more personal creative space, a shift reflected in his latest collection that drew inspiration from his Patagonian heritage and the free-spirited atmosphere of Ibiza, where he currently resides.

County of Milan
MILAN, ITALY – JUNE 16: American albino model Shaun Ross is seen backstage ahead of the Marcelo Burlon County Of Milan show during Milan Men’s Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2019 on June 16, 2018 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Rosdiana Ciaravolo/Getty Images)

The future direction of County of Milan remains to be seen, but Burlon’s legacy is undeniable. He is credited with pioneering a new approach to luxury streetwear, seamlessly blending high-fashion aesthetics with the raw energy of club culture. Burlon’s success paved the way for a generation of designers who dared to challenge the boundaries between high and low fashion.

Party planner, DJ, designer, creative mind, photographer, nightlife master and social aggregator Marcelo Burlon attends the inauguration of Moysa, the innovative creative hub founded by Fabrizio Ferraguzzo and Shablo. Milan (Italy), May 11th, 2023. (Photo by Elena Di Vincenzo/Archivio Elena Di Vincenzo/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)

For GRAZIA readers, Burlon’s departure serves as a reminder of the ever-evolving nature of fashion. It’s a world where creative leaders take chances, forge new paths, and sometimes, step aside to make room for the next wave.

While County of Milan embarks on a new chapter without its namesake at the helm, Burlon’s influence on the fashion landscape, and the spirit of self-expression he championed, will undoubtedly continue to inspire.