Palace Founder Lev Tanju Joins Fila to Launch New Line

Fila has tapped Lev Tanju, founder of the acclaimed skate brand Palace, as the creative director of its newest line.

Called Fila+, the company describes the new collection as an elevated take on sportswear, featuring a variety of apparel and accessories that draw inspiration from Fila’s archives.

The collaborative development with More Consulting and licensing partnership with 247 will see Fila+ distributed globally, focusing on a selection of major e-commerce platforms, local department stores, and key boutiques.

The first Fila+ collection will be presented to buyers this month, followed by a public and media reveal through a campaign in June 2024.

According to Fila, Tanju’s role in the debut collection of Fila+ is the beginning of a new chapter of creativity and collaboration for the company.

“We are thrilled to welcome Lev as the creative director of Fila+,” Todd Klein, global brand president of Fila, said in a statement. “His forward-thinking approach is aligned with our mission to innovate while honoring Fila’s legacy as a premium sports brand. This partnership emphasizes Fila’s ongoing ambition to be a leader in the sportswear Industry and our dedication to engaging a new base of loyal consumers.”

Raised and influenced by the vibrant skate culture of London, Tanju became a prominent name in streetwear after launching his brand in 2009. As he joins the Fila team, he will continue his role as Palace’s creative director.

“Fila has such a rich and amazing history spanning over a hundred years,” Tanju said. “I was blown away by how vast the archive was, and loved all of it. The story of Pierluigi Rolando, his drive towards innovation and his groundbreaking advancements really inspired me. I was also fond of the whole Italian FILA team: they are extremely genuine and like a family.”

At the heart of Fila+ is a fresh take on the brand’s signature F-Box logo. The updated logo boasts vibrant new colors, with green and a brighter shade of red against a white background, embodying the colors of the Italian flag. “For me, Italy stands for all things stylish,” added Tanju. “And I want Fila’s rich Italian heritage to be at the heart of Fila+.”

This announcement comes just days after the company elevated Klein from Fila USA president to global brand president. On Monday, Fila stated Klein will assume oversight for the operations of the Fila brand — including global product and marketing strategies — in addition to his existing responsibilities.

Fila, in its statement announcing the move, referenced its five-year “Winning Together” strategy announced in 2022, which was created to make the company the “leading authentic sports brand inspired by the style, elegance and passion of its Italian heritage.” Fila said the creation of the global brand president role was intended to “unify and enhance Fila’s global brand and presence and foster a cohesive and superior consumer experience, while continuing to invest in accelerating innovation.”