September 29, 2021: Defined more as the coming together of Fendi and Versace, two iconic fashion houses, more rightly, two iconoclastic groups of people, than a collaboration, this show has led to a unique moment in fashion. Fendace is a celebration of both Italian fashion and to-hell-without disruption of the established order of things; and together they stand for Freedom, Fun and Virtuosity.
Inspired purely by friendship and mutual professional respect, it crosses the ‘party lines’ of luxury conglomerates, making the double signature of Fendace a swap, with roles exchanged. It is for the first time that Donatella Versace and Silvia Venturini Fendi have stepped away from their respective family houses, and have been inspired by each other’s vision, while Kim Jones points the way, who has now become an old hand at inhabiting and reinventing other people’s houses.
Taking on the design of women’s and menswear respectively, Jones and Venturini-Fendi respectively display their exceptional interpretation of Versace, while Donatella displays her inimitable interpretation of Fendi. A unique cross-fertilisation has occurred, as the archives were fully open to both, and with elements transposed from each house, the deep admiration for the codes and cultures of both remains at heart, together with a mutual encouragement for the designers to be themselves. In the end, Fendace showcased sincerity in fashion along with that hint of fun and unexpectedness.
“Friends, idols, mentors… It’s the beauty of togetherness,” said Mr. Jones, Artistic Director Fendi Couture and Womenswear.
Versace by Fendi has been inspired by the mid-to-late nineties period of the storied house, and explores an idea of duality, most prominently seen in a melding of the Fendi Monogram with the Versace Greek Key motif. The garments metamorphose, while many revealed to be reversible with hidden codes and the exquisite craftsmanship of the Fendi atelier on display, such as in chainmail made leather – a multigenerational approach is embraced throughout. Mr. Jones signature streetwear style is wrapped in the glamour of Versace house codes.
Taking on more of a punk rock stance, Fendi by Versace has Donatella declaring contamination and disruption to be key. Chain mail has been married with lace and crystal-encrusted F’s in an interpretation of the monogram, with Versace pins proliferating, and puncturing Fendi signs and symbols. The world of Fendi has been made that little bit more youthfully rebellious with silk faille mimicking denim and shearlings shaved. Sparkling metallics – a Donatella-aesthetic – make a sexy appearance on the catwalk.
The collection is exaggerated, seamlessly blending the codes of the two houses – Fendi's bold logo with Versace's larger-than-life prints.
“It’s a first in the history of fashion: two designers having a true creative dialogue that stems from respect and friendship. It led us to swapping roles to create these two collections,” said Donatella Versace, Chief Creative Officer, Versace.
