Yesterday, Gosha Rubchinskiy showed his SS17 collection as part of the Pitti Uomo schedule and it was a three-pronged venture: a runway show, a 17-minute silent film and a new photography book.

And right on cue, today comes the announcement of the Russian wunderkind’s new book release, titled The Day of My Death. Marking his third book to be published by IDEA – following Crimea / Kids (2014) and Youth Hotel (2015) – this new publication runs in parallel with his latest collection.

Shot entirely in Florence, the Russian creative explores similarities between the Italian city and his native Russia. Like the Manifattura Tabacchi location for his SS17 show, Italian Constructionist buildings take centre stage as Rubchinkiy finds aesthetic parallels between Mussolini’s Italy and Soviet Russia.

“I wanted to do something special. A collection, a short film and a book. Three ways to explain my message,” explained Rubchinskiy. “The book and film have the same title. Both are dedicated to and inspired by P. P. Pasolini. I wanted to pay attention to this artist now. Some of his ideas and poetry suit the moment very well.”

It all ties into enveloping themes of togetherness and unity. “The questions I am asking are; What is Europe now? Are countries together or separated? What is global and what is unique?” – Vital discussions in light of the upcoming EU referendum and a global state of uncertainty.

The Day of My Death
Under a linden warm with green
I shall fall into the black
of death, which the sun
and lindens will dispel.
Beautiful boys
will run in the light
that I’ve just left,
flying out of the schools,
curls falling onto their brows.

Pier Paolo Pasolini
English translation by Stephen Sartarelli. 

THE DAY OF MY DEATH from Comme des Garçons on Vimeo.

]https://vimeo.com">Vimeo.

An edition of 1000 copies, the book will be launched with a book signing at COMME des GARÇONS Trading Museum Paris during the Paris Mens Shows on 25th June.