SS26 Menswear - Riccardo De Rinaldis on Frammenti and Emotional Balance

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Riccardo De Rinaldis Finds Soft Power in Frammenti

written CHIDOZIE OBASI

Oftentimes, an actor’s creative chops can extend beyond all manner of practicalities, basking in sensitivity and stretching its emotional ground to the max. For Riccardo De Rinaldis, the latter was very much a case in point. “I consider myself an empath and a big crier, and lately, I’m falling down the rabbit hole of matcha,” he tells LE MILE.

The past year was very transformative for De Rinaldis, as lots changed in his inner self. “I’ve grown emotionally, and I’m starting to find my balance through meditation, letting things go, and living in the present,” he says. Professionally, he’s more focused on projects that really speak to him and give him the opportunity to challenge himself more. “Like my latest project ‘Frammenti,’ where I play a young, rebellious ballet dancer. I had never done any dance in my life, even though I respect and appreciate it very much. That’s what sold me when I auditioned,” he says.

Speaking about inspiration, he answers with unguarded honesty. “I want to say something interesting or very philosophical, but in reality, my parents were my biggest inspirations,” he freely admits, “but family in general: my dad’s been working really hard all his life, he carried the weight of his family first—his grandpa died when he was only 14—and then ours, never complaining about anything but doing all of it with a big smile,” he says. “Mom taught me how to love and pursue my dreams. She’s my angel, my priestess in tarot cards.” As for the rest? There’s more to the story, which you’ll probably read here first. You’re welcome.

Riccardo wears jacket, sweater and tie by DIOR, shirt by PAL ZILERI, pants by SEBAGO, shoes by CHURCH’S and hat by EXTREME CASHMERE

Riccardo wears blazer and bag by CELINE, sweater by ISABEL MARANT, white shirt by PAL ZILERI, shirt and pants by DOLCE&GABBANA and shorts by DEAD COUTURE

Chidozie Obasi
When did you get acquainted with the creative - and in particular, acting - world?

Riccardo De Rinaldis
I grew up singing and performing with my sister in front of people since I was a little boy. I always loved it because it gave me the chance to live as my true self. With the years, everything changed. I started to feel lonely and unwanted by society and the so-called “friends”. So, I stopped. I worked in commercials from four to eighteen, and during my last year of high school, I got my first television gig and never stopped working. I am falling in love with the craft day by day.

Leaning on to the crucial moment that changed your path forever: could you unpack it with us?

I have to be honest. There’s not really a crucial moment, but every project that I get the chance to do is always a moment to appreciate and consider as something that is changing and fulfilling my path.

It’s a painful time for the creative industry and the arts in general - at a time of major changes, crisis and saturation - how do you navigate these moments and manage to stay afloat?

Like I mentioned, I’m a big crier over everything. So, in my lowest moments, I feel terrible, but when there’s hope and you believe in your dreams, nothing can really stop you. Everyone is in the same boat. We’re not alone. I would love to see the rise of a new generation of artists in every art form that takes power and brings a really big change of scenery and a shake-up to the industry. We are the future.

Could you unpack your most ‘complex’, dare I say, moment of your journey? Or has it always been an easy path?

Nothing in life is easy. We’re here on this earth to grow and be challenged. Highs and lows are necessary. I had a moment last year where I was really down and wanted to change the path that I was creating. I wanted to quit acting and maybe start something else. But then, thanks to my friends and family, I remembered that I was meant for this. I love what I do with every cell of my being and I couldn’t see myself doing anything else. It was tough but, as I said, necessary.

Riccardo wears jacket by TOD’S, sweaters by SANDRO and EXTREME CASHMERE, shirt by LABO.ART, pants by LORO PIANA and shoes by AQVA ALTA

Riccardo wears a total look by PRADA

Riccardo wears shirts by MANUEL RITZ and MICHAEL KORS, pants by ISSEY MIYAKE, shoes by PREMIATA, tie by PAL ZILERI and belt by CELINE

Do you feel like you’ve had support during your acting career, or has it been partially cutthroat?

As I grew up, I always had my mum supporting me in every decision I made. She saw the spark, like a clairvoyant, and she pushed me to get out of my comfort zone because she knew that I had the potential for this career. With a lot of sacrifices, we fought and are still fighting togethery.

What’s the most exciting production that you took part in?

In 2024, I had the chance to star as one of the main actors in an international movie called Death Do Us Part, which is a comedy/fantasy with a little bit of music in it, set in Italy during the plague. It was also a big challenge because of the English, they asked us to have a British accent and I have an American one, and also because of the singing. But everything was worth it. I met incredible people and artists, such as Alan Cumming. It is insane thinking about it, it was the biggest set that I’ve ever been on and I’m so grateful. I can’t wait to see the reaction of people when it comes out.

Any dream roles you’d like to have try and take under your belt?

I’ve always been the biggest fan of Jackie Chan when I was growing up, and I also did karate for a few years, so maybe an action movie with a lot of fighting would be awesome to do, and probably a sci-fi movie like Avatar or Interstellar.

What’s next for you, and where are you hoping to take your career in time to come?

I try not to make a plan. Like I said before, I try to live in the present, but I have few things that are coming out later this year and at the beginning of next year, so we’ll see you around very soon, I guess.

Any final reflections?

An advice: do things out of love and for love.

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seen COSIMO BUCCOLIERI via STUDIO REPOSSI
fashion market director + stylist CHIDOZIE OBASI
head of production JESSICA LOVATO
fashion coordinator EDWARD PUSCA
make up KIM GUTIERREZ via STUDIO REPOSSI
hair GIUSEPPE LORUSSO
talent RICCARDO DE RINALDIS
photography assistant ANTONIO CROTTI
fashion assistants DAIANA EDOSA + ANGELINA PERSIANI + LUIZA ANGELOVA + FILIPPO CANCELLIER + ALICE GAVIN

credits
all Images (c) LE MILE
and Cosimo Buccolieri