It was the highlight of Milan Fashion Week this September. It was not a collaboration.
The coming together of Fendi and Versace, two iconic fashion houses, , has led to this unique moment in fashion.
Both a celebration of Italian fashion, Fendace is Fashion with a capital F – and a capital V. Together they stand for Freedom, Fun and Virtuosity.
Jones and Venturini-Fendi take on the design of women’s and menswear respectively, displaying their exceptional vision of Versace while 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; at heart remains a deep admiration for the codes and cultures of both, together with a mutual encouragement for the designers to be themselves.
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.
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.