Crossover collaboration, or dare we say… hack? Nah. Kim Jones, Artistic Director of Fendi calls this one a “swap”, while icon Donatella Versace fondly recalls the “sense of friendship and energy we had when we were designing the collection”. After all, both designers did temporarily switch houses for their respective VERSACE BY FENDI and FENDI BY VERSACE collections.
Fendace, thus, is the culmination of the two luxury Italian fashion houses combining their creative forces for a series of ready-to-wear, bags, shoes, and other accessories, in “an exchange of roles and brand codes” that give way to some statement wardrobe pieces bearing both the Fendi FF logo and Versace’s Medusa.
The collection launches 12 May, with Fendi stores presenting the VERSACE BY FENDI collection, and FENDI BY VERSACE styles available at Versace boutiques and the brand’s online store. A capsule of co-branded looks will also be available across both brand’s stores.
If you can’t already tell, Fendace is all about fun, sexiness, and gilded glamour, and combines the most recognisable elements of the brands into a shared vision. A fabulous cast of supermodels — namely, Adut Akech, Amar Akway, Anja Rubik, Anok Yai, Imaan Hammam, and Lina Zhang — are seen entering the Fendace nightclub, dressed in head-to-toe Fendace like the fantasy it should be. Cue loud prints and in-your-face logos that are made to be flaunted, no thanks to Versace’s more-is-more aesthetic.
Jones had created 24 looks for VERSACE BY FENDI, with the idea of duality and opposition, where Fendi’s sophisticated, modern style almost clashes with Versace’s love of classic Grecian motifs. Of these, the bags are some of the most talked-about pieces within the collection. The Fendi Peekaboo and Baguette are iconic silhouettes that now come embellished with Versace codes, including the Medusa and Greek key in chunky gold hardware.
On the other hand, FENDI BY VERSACE has a keen punk-rock aesthetic that’s all about “disruption”, played out across their version of the series, with safety pins, denim, and chain mail being prominent accents, while the classic Fendi F monogram is studded with crystals. The Versace La Medusa handbag is also stamped with the Fendi FF logo, while all items across both collections see the co-branded ‘Fendace’ logo, just so we know how special they are.
See some of the major pieces here:
[click on the images below to expand.]
The Fendace collection launches May 12 through a series of global pop-ups at New York, London, Paris, Osaka, and more, and are the only stores to offer the full collection.
Fendi retail boutiques will carry the VERSACE BY FENDI collection, while FENDI BY VERSACE styles will be available at Versace boutiques and their online store. A capsule of joint Fendace branded looks is available from both fashion houses.
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