WeeklySA_AdminSYNERGY: Iconic fashion duo create haute couture’s historic moment…
By Mpumi Brown
Two heritage Italian brands came together in one history-making catwalk event, as Fendi and Versace closed out Milan Fashion Week with an unexpected twist. The two fashion houses collaborated on a show named ‘Fendace’ for one show.
Donatella Versace switch places with Fendi’s creative leads, Kim Jones and Silvia Venturini-Fendi designed an innovative design in which married both Fendi and Versace signatures together.
“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.” said Donatella Versace.
The show placed a lot of emphasis on ‘90s supermodels which also reflected and influenced both collections. Kristen McMenamy opened the show showcasing The “Versace by Fendi” collection explored the idea of duality – most pointedly seen in the fusing of the iconic Fendi monogram with Versace’s signature Greek Key motif.
The looks were designed to morph and change, with many pieces reversible or concealing hidden codes, and had an emphasis on multigenerational design.
Naomi Campbell closed the show with the “FENDI BY VERSACE”, which takes a more punk rock stance with Donatella Versace declaring contamination and disruption to be key.
Donatella focusing on “contamination and disruption”, Versace safety pins embellished Fendi classics in a series that was designed to feel youthfully rebellious.
The show notes on behalf of the two brands explained:
“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. Needless to say, the results could only be achieved with fundamental respect and reciprocal trust. Ultimately, Fendace is about the need for sincerity in fashion today rather than strategy. “
Although most were drawn to the collections, there were also numbers that were against the collections’ take on combining their logos.
This was a moment meant to be captured in fashion history books.
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