The major Italian luxury fashion houses are not known to support each other enthusiastically.
Last night, however, Milan Fashion Week closed with an unprecedented exchange between Fendi and Versace, both names that automatically make any fashionista kneel.
They insisted it wasn’t a collaboration, but a “creative dialogue” with Fendi’s chief designers Kim Jones and Donatella Versace interpreting a new SS / 22 collection for each other’s labels.
The show featured supermodels from past and present, including Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Winnie Harlow, Amber Valetta, Gigi Hadid, and Kristen McMenamy.
The handwritten invitation promised “something special” and was delivered.
Watch: Fendi 2020 Milan Fashion Show
The connection was first teased by Kim Kardashian in an Instagram photo earlier this year that starred Kim Jones and Donatella Versace. It was only much later that it became known that the designers with garlands had given each other permission to rummage through the archives and develop a new collection.
The prominent audience was first spoiled with Versace’s interpretation of Fendi, with the classic Medusa print on wrapped silk, FENDACE logo belts, swimsuits and gold jewelry as well as a new version of the baguette bag.
Fendi’s makeover of Versace featured bright pink pencil skirts, sequined scarves and a pink chain mail with the “F” on it, as well as a redesign of the famous Versace safety pin look made unforgettable by Elizabeth Hurley, who sat in the front row.
Other participants were Dua Lipa, Addison Rae and Iris Law, the model daughter of Jude Law and Sadie Frost. The next generation was very much in attendance, with Damian Hurley, 19, model son of Elizabeth Hurley, and Lila Grace Moss Hack, Kate Moss’ model daughter, who joined their famous parents.
The guests pulled out all the stops – here are the fashion highlights.
Watch: Jennifer Lopez closes the Versace show in a reimagined version of the iconic Gucci green dress