Milan,
September 2021
When rival brands align, the natter does get high decibel; more so when they are two iconic fashion houses like Fendi and Versace. The whispered surprise moment unfolded in the courtyard of the aristocratic Versace Mansion on Via Gesù 12, Milano, where Fendi and Versace jointly presented the FENDACE women’s wear collection. Donatella Versace, Chief Creative Officer Versace and Silvia Venturini, Creative Director Fendi have stepped away from their respective family houses to be inspired by the other’s vision.
Kim Jones, Fendi’s artistic director along with Venturini, take on the design of women’s and menswear respectively, displaying their exceptional vision of Versace while Donatella Versace takes on the design of all, displaying her inimitable interpretation of Fendi. With the archives fully opened to both, a unique cross-fertilisation occurs, with elements transposed from each house. Both collections are for pre-fall 2022 and will be exclusively available at Fendi and Versace boutiques by mid-2022.
Inspired by the mid-to-late nineties period of the storied house, VERSACE BY FENDI explores an idea of duality, most pointedly seen in a melding of the Fendi Monogram with the Versace Greek Key motif. Here, garments metamorphose, many revealed to be reversible with hidden codes and the exquisite craftsmanship of the Fendi atelier on display, such as in chainmail made leather. Here a multigenerational approach is embraced throughout. FENDI BY VERSACE takes a more punk rock stance with Donatella Versace declaring contamination and disruption to be key. Versace safety pins proliferate, puncturing Fendi signs and symbols. Chain mail is married with lace and crystal-encrusted F’s in an interpretation of the Monogram. While silk faille mimics denim and shearlings are shaved, making the world of Fendi that little bit more youthfully rebellious.
Versace, owned by Capri Holdings, and Fendi, belonging to the LVMH stable, created 25 iconic looks.
