In looking back to my first ever interview with Midfld founder Daniel D’Angelo, I now come to realize how much of a visionary in himself Daniel really is. At that time, I asked him essentially what the future of his brand looked like. Despite not providing any specifics in terms of projects or collections, Daniel did say, “I am influenced by many things: the game, music, fashion, skate. So really I see making things that are all over the place. But having the positive message behind the brand always stands.” With a few collections now under his belt, D’Angelo’s words ring truer than ever.
It is only fitting then that vision itself becomes the subject of Midfld’s latest offering. As expected, the term comes with more than one meaning. For the soccer fan, the theme is intended to pay tribute to all the great players who made the game uniquely theirs through their own vision. In typical Midfld fashion, however, the term extends well beyond the pitch. This larger theme of perception beyond ordinary sight takes inspiration from the Buddhist traditions steeped within the brand. In this case, the reference is to the third eye which in Buddhist belief is said to be the gate that leads to inner realms and spaces of higher consciousness. The third eye is also associated with religious visions, clairvoyance, and the ability to observe chakras.
It is in learning about this larger meaning that I understand the theme in a soccer sense more clearly. Looking back at all the visionaries I have been lucky to witness, none stand out more than Ronaldinho. Aside from his incredible playmaking ability, I will remember Ronaldinho more for how in tune he was with himself. His no-look pass is perhaps the most telling of all as it not only captures his innate field vision but also that infectious and unselfish energy which I believe really distinguished those visionary field players more than anything.
Ironically, it may be this same infectious and unselfish energy that now draws artist Geoff Gouveia to Midfld. Perhaps best known for his LAFC mural, Gouveia now lends his talents to the eye graphics that form part of the front and back of Midfld’s two shirt offerings. As abstract representations, Gouveia’s graphics emphasize this theme of vision by forcing you to look past all that is immediately perceptible. In doing so, you appreciate the depth behind his work from the minute details to the unique interrelationship of color.
In saying all this, I think back to a point I only briefly touched upon in other collections from Midfld. At one point or another, I praised Midfld for allowing me to believe that one’s space can also be a space for others. I see this now in this offering more than any other and it gives me great satisfaction to know that with Geoff Gouveia stepping into this space, he too sees what Daniel always saw. At the very least, not all of us may be visionaries like them, however, the philosophy of finding our own space should still leave a lasting impression on all of us as well. There is obviously no better way to start believing in this philosophy than by picking up one of the limited Midfld x Geoff Gouveia shirts at Midfld’s online shop.
