This years most distinctive collaborations
From the very baroque Fendace capsule to Balenciaga's urban and loose-fitting collection with Adidas and Balmain's Barbiecore trend, the editors of FashionNetwork.com look back at the most stylish and original fashion collaborations that marked the fashion world in 2022.
Balmain X Barbie
Barbie becomes the latest fashion icon with the Balmain X Barbie capsule collection. An ode to femininity and inclusiveness, this collab, imagined by Olivier Rousteing, Balmain's creative director and toy manufacturer Mattel, features key pieces - such as a sailor with gold buttons - in a palette of euphoric pinks, ranging from metallic blush to acidic fuchsia. This collection unveiled in early 2022, which features Valentino's 'Pink PP' shade of pink, undoubtedly follows the "Barbiecore" trend. Enough to keep us waiting for the release, in summer 2023, of the eponymous film by Greta Gerwig, staring Margot Robbie, dedicated to the legendary blonde, starlet of toys.
Fendi X Versace
Fendace, the daring collaboration between the two Italian luxury houses Versace and Fendi celebrates friendship and decadence with a touch of bling. Released last May in pop-up stores and exclusive events, and then globally on their websites, this hybrid collection is called "The swap". This creative dialogue resulted in twenty-five looks with a baroque style, mixing the aesthetic codes and heritage of both brands, as their creative directors swapped places and created their vision of each others label. The collaboration includes pieces by both houses as well as a Versace collection designed by Fendi and a Fendi collection designed by Versace.
Adidas X Balenciaga
Last November, Balenciaga transformed the sportswear heritage of German label Adidas with its streetwear DNA. Sportswear classics such as hoodies, bomber jackets and tracksuits are ultra loose-fitting, and in the campaign, oversized T-shirts flocked with three white stripes are worn by actress Isabelle Huppert and supermodel Bella Hadid. Demna, the luxury label's creative director presented this capsule on May 22 at Wall Street, the New York stock exchange, during the Balenciaga house cruise show.
Ami X MyTheresa
Alexandre Mattiussi, the designer of fashion label AMI, has created a menswear collection for MyTheresa, blending sophisticated style and modern dandy looks. The collection was unveiled by the German luxury e-tailer at the end of November, and includes seven ready-to-wear items and accessories in a palette of beige and cream. An indigo blue denim hat adds a twist to the looks, all of them cut in laid-back lines. The pieces are decorated with the cute red “Ami de Cœur” emblem, which the Parisian label has affixed on its creations since 2011, and a sweater features the emblem as an all-over motif.
In a year busy with collaborations, Ba&sh, the label founded by Barbara Boccara and Sharon Krief, joined forces at the end of summer with Veja, the successful French brand of vegan, eco-designed sneakers. Veja’s Alveomesh sneakers, distinctive for their vintage 1970s look with a notched sole, were given a fresh twist with a gold and ochre, sunset-inspired colourway, and another in beige and sky blue. The Alveomesh shoes are made of materials derived from sugar cane, rice waste and recycled polyester, combining aesthetics and sustainability.
Rimowa X RTFKT
This is a suitcase that can travel in the metaverse. Long-established German luggage brand Rimowa, together with creative studio RTFKT, a subsidiary of Nike, has created a limited-edition collection of suitcases available both in the real world and on Web3. Rimowa’s best-selling cabin-luggage suitcase now sports a pixelated pattern on its aluminium shell. The suitcase has been produced in 888 physical units but also in a digital version of 888 NFTs, available on a virtual space station created by RTFKT and Rimowa.
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