IF FASHION is all about having a moment then Fendi are truly having theirs. Announcing their second collaboration within a month, Kim Jones is taking the Italian heritage brand to the forefront of 2021. Debuting a capsule collection early yesterday morning, Fendi unveiled their partnership with Kim Kardashian West’s shapewear brand Skims.
Focusing on the needs of the modern woman, the two very different cultural powers that these brands hold both aim to push boundaries and widen the gap for inclusivity with this new coming together.
Fendi x Skims. Photograph: Steven Meisel
“The idea for the collaboration came about when my team and I were sitting around a table at the studio in Rome,” begins Jones. “Suddenly, all the women went silent and started looking at their phones. I didn’t know what was going on, but they were waiting for the launch of the new SKIMS collection. It was then that I thought: let’s do something together”.
The foundation of the designs stems from the sketches of the 1979 collection by Karl Lagerfeld where twisted tube tops, pop colours and tights were at the centre of the clothes. Fendi x Skims focuses on fit and hugging the female form, bringing together the past of Fendi with the present day focus of Skims.
Fendi x Skims. Photograph: Steven Meisel
Delving into ensuring the materials used are flattering on the body, special velvet has been engineered to support curves, while aesthetically neutral shades are manipulated into bonded leather dresses to hint at the Roman aesthetics mirroring statues. In contrast, there is also an injection of bold, bright colours in the beach and shapewear to give this collection a modern twist.
Kim Kardashian West explains, “The innovation in fabrics and fit typical to Skims paired with the luxury and quality of Fendi may feel unexpected to some people, but the similarities between our creative vision and goals are so closely aligned. It’s that tension that excites me”.
Fendi x Skims. Photograph: Steven Meisel
In true Fendi style, accessories were far from being forgotten about. Coming in a complimentary palette to the clothing, the Peekaboo, Fendi First, Baguette Chain and the Sunshine Shopper are reintroduced getting a makeover for this collaboration – also, available in mini and nano versions.
While this announcement of Kim Jones and Kim Kardashian West may come as a surprise to many, this sort of mergence is part of Jones’ vision for Fendi. “My Fendi is about creating something for every woman, every different shape – and that’s something at the heart of Skims too”. With two being better than one, Kim² is our new favourite duo.
by Imogen Clark