One of the most exciting and buzzed about collections to come out of the recent Milan Fashion Week was the VERSACE by FENDI – FENDI by VERSACE collection. A marriage of two of Italy’s, and arguably the world’s, most iconic fashion houses, the collection was a celebration of their codes, styling, and even some of their most legendary ambassadors. This unique moment in fashion history was made possible by the friendship and respect that Donatella Versace and Silvia Venturini-Fendi have for each other and their respective family houses.
Friends, idols, mentors… It’s the beauty of togetherness.
– Kim Jones, Artistic Director Fendi Couture and Womenswear
It’s a first in the history of fashion: two designers having a true creative dialogue that stems from respect and friendship. It led to us swapping roles to create these two collections.
– Donatella Versace, Chief Creative Officer Versace
Donatella swapped creative control with Venturini-Fendi and Kim Jones, Artistic Director Fendi Couture and Womenswear, to create the ultimate in luxury Italian fashion. Fendace, a merging of these two great fashion houses is a celebration of “freedom, fun, and virtuosity.” The designers were deeply inspired by the mid-to-late nineties period and utilized the storied archives of each respective house to create pieces that referenced some of the most iconic fashion moments of the era. VERSACE by FENDI explores the nature of duality with the melding of the Fendi monogram with the classic Versace Greek Key motif. The mastery of the FENDI atelier was on full display with chainmail made leather. FENDI by VERSACE saw a one of most famous gowns of the 1990s, the safety pin Versace gown worn by Elizabeth Hurley, as a major reference point.
Other stand outs of the collection were the lust worthy accessories. Logo heavy, the pieces mix and match the two houses’ most notable codes and motifs. The bijoux is decidedly of the statement variety and begs to be layered for a stunning maximalist approach. The bags in particular are undoubtedly poised to be some of the most highly coveted of the season. Baguettes and Peekaboos took centerstage in particular and were shown in a multitude of fabrications and sizes.
I would be remiss in not mentioning the presence of some of the most iconic models of the nineties that took to the runway for this incredibly special collection. Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Shalom Harlow, Kristen McMenamy, and Amber Valetta help define the era of the Super Model and it only seemed fitting for them to walk for this particular show.
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