Kingpins Community Celebrates Adriano Goldschmied
On April 15, the Kingpins community came together in Amsterdam to celebrate the life and legacy of visionary denim maker Adriano Goldschmied. It was a deeply meaningful gathering, with colleagues, collaborators, friends, and admirers sharing stories and paying their heartfelt respects — all united by the impact Adriano had on their lives and on the industry he helped shape.
Joining the occasion were those who knew him most intimately: his wife, Michela, and his daughters Glenda, Marta, and Sara, whose presence made the tribute all the more moving.
Kingpins Chief Executive Officer Vivian Wang, who worked with Goldschmied early on in her career, opened the tribute, saying, “For me, he changed the way I see things not just in work but in life.”
“ He always made time for people, no matter who you are, and that to me is what communities really means,” she added.
Goldschmied saw possibilities in denim that reflected the culture and looked to the future, Wang said. And his ideas resonated throughout the industry.
“He was a teacher to so many of us,” Wang said. “But what made him special is that he never stopped being a student. Always curious, always learning, always asking.”
For the younger generation who maybe never had the chance to meet Goldschmied, Wang offered some perspective: “ You are standing in a world that he helped shape, not just one generation, but more than two. That is his legacy.”
She concluded by addressing his family, saying “We’re so grateful that you are here with us today. We know that denim and Kingpins took so much of his time, his energy, and his heart. Beyond that, there was always your love and your support, your understanding, your patience, and the sacrifices you made so he could continue to do what he loved.”
Speaking for the family, Sara Goldschmied talked about her father’s relationship with Kingpins, noting that he always attended the show.
“Until the last days, Adriano was determined to be at Kingpins on April 15,” she said. “I think, in a strange way, he timed it perfectly in order for us to be here with his second family during this time.”
She also shared her father’s wish that his work continues.
“In one of the last conversations with my dad, he shared his wish for my sisters, Marta and Glenda, continue to carry on with his business and design,” she said. “I couldn’t think of a better place of them to start than here at Kingpins. Adriano, he’s here because his legacy is here. Today our hearts are full of pride, love, and gratitude for having taught us to stand out, to make our own choices, to be courageous and always look beyond our limits. Thank you for teaching us to dream and imagine our future.”
In the lead-up to the show, Kingpins reached out to the community to collect memories and reflections, which were shared during the tribute. Many in the denim world asked how they might offer support to the family. For those who feel moved to contribute, a GoFundMe has been established with more information available at Support Michela Go Fund Me
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