After a quick short break of quarantined 2020, 2021 was, fortunately, the year of fashion again. Celebrating milestones of fashion, many luxury houses came together to unveil a never-seen-before unison that blew our brains away! Be it a centennial occasion or just celebrating fashion in its truest form, these powerhouses brought us the collaborations of the year that left everyone stunned! Indian designers collaborating with international brands or two ‘so-called competitors’ joining hands, this year was all about unleashing fashion while doubling the dose!
Glamorous and charming as they come, PeepingMoon.com brings to you the best fashion collaborations we witnessed this year, however with a fun twist. We happily collaborated with renowned designer Nikhil Thampi and ace stylist Eka Lakhani, to bring forth their top picks for the year because what’s better than having the validation from the best?! Having said that, allow us and the above-mentioned maestros to present you the kick-ass collaboration of the year, that got the fashion circuit talking!
Please note: there aren’t any ratings per se, they have all stood out this year!
THE GUCCI x BALENCIAGA HACKER PROJECT: A UNANIMOUS PICK
Gucci’s highly-anticipated ‘Hacker Project’ in collaboration with luxury brand Balenciaga finally hit the stores in November, this year. As the name suggests, this collection witnessed Gucci’s creative director Alessandro Michele ‘hacking’ through Balenciaga’s codes for its F/W21 collection. As revealed in its runway show in April, the collection displayed a wide range of ready-to-wear garments and accessories, along with handbags and shoes. In addition to this, the collection also featured a lineup of jackets and bags featuring the Gucci monogram ‘hacked’ by Balenciaga logos. Hacking our hearts and collab of the week charts!
SKIMS x FENDI: A UNANIMOUS PICK
Hands down, this went down as the most successful collab of the year with 2 back-to-back demanding drops! Kim Jones and Kim Kardashian West’s Fendi and SKIMS joined forces this November to unveil a limited-edition capsule collection. Drawing inspiration from an archival Fendi collection that was originally presented by Karl Lagerfeld in 1979, the collection featured an array of bodysuits, leggings and skirts along with a skin-tight jerseys, knitwear, underwear, hosiery and sports-derived separates. This collab turned out to be the beauty moghul’s biggest launch since she started her shapewear brand in 2019. The hit collection raked in $1 million after 1 minute of going live thus giving us another major drop in December. The Drop 2 offered ‘a special, the second release of best-selling styles from Drop 1: the logo printed bodysuits and underwear.’
VERSACE x FENDI: BY NIKHIL THAMPI
In the times where fashion houses compete to thrive their place in the biz, two heritage Italian brands- Fendi and Versace came together to create a historic catwalk even for the finale of Milan Fashion Week in September, this year. Kim Jones and Silvia Venturini Fendi of Fendi and Donatella Versace of Versace swapped houses to design and innovate 25 looks on behalf of the others' brand and the results were downright FABULOUS! Split into segments called ‘Fendi by Versace’ and ‘Versace by Fendi’ this collection was described as a ‘swap’ and not a ‘collaboration.’ The ‘Versace by Fendi’ took inspiration from the late ‘90s that dwelled deeper into the concept of duality fusing Fendi’s monogram with Versace’s Greek key motif. As opposite to Fendi’s design aesthetics, ‘Fendi by Versace’ reimagined the punk-rock era with chainmail besides lace and chunky safety pins featuring Fendi’s ‘F’ logo. Forces of fashion in the truest sense.
RHEA KAPOOR FOR CAI: BY NIKHIL THAMPI
Adding another feather to her extraordinaire hat, the producer, fashionista and tastemaker Rhea Kapoor unveiled her latest collaboration with vegan footwear brand, The CAI Store this November. Called ‘Self Portrait: Tired and Fabulous,’ this collection was curated for every girl who ‘wants to kill it without killing her spirit. Founded in 2015 by Aradhana and Dhanraj Minawala, The CAI store has been an environmental-conscious brand with a knack for fashion. Its footwear collection is loved and adored by many. The drop featured Sona Boots- inspired by a staple favourite from the closet of Rhea and Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, Masu Heels, inspired by designer Masaba Gupta, Block heels, Mules, Pearl Flats, Platform Sandals and small heels.
TIFFANY CO x SUPREME: A UNANIMOUS PICK
Another mutual pick by both the maestros! Two mega brands Supreme and Tiffany & Co finally made their collaboration public in November. Releasing an official collab video, they gave us a glimpse of their co-branded pearl necklace that featured Tiffany’s string of pearls along with Supreme’s silver oval pendant. Together, the famous box brands launched an exclusive line of sterling silver necklaces, a heart-shaped key pocket knife and studs, and a star bracelet.
BILLIE ELISH x NIKE: BY NIKHIL THAMPI
When a Grammy winner joins forces with a sneaker giant to collaborate on sneakers, the end result has got to be kick-ass! Billie Eilish partnered with Nike earlier in September to release two sustainable shoes. The duo has curated two Air Jordan styles that are 100 percent vegan and made of 20 percent recycled materials. Way to give back to the environment. Not just this, Nike has paid an ode to Billie’s career through this collab as the shoes come in popping neon and beige colours- Ellish’s signature hues. Kick-ass collab, isn’t it?!
H&M x SABYASACHI: BY NIKHIL THAMPI
After a long wait from its first announcement back in 2020, H&M and Sabyasachi finally unveiled their much-awaited collaboration this year in August and oh boy, did it get some tongues wagging. The collection was launched in 18 countries and across 48 markets globally including India, USA, South Africa, Great Britain, Austria, Mexico, Japan, Sweden, Philippines, Vietnam, South Korea, Germany, Spain, Portugal, and Belgium. Themed 'Wanderlust', the collection consisted of both menswear and womenswear bursting with rich patterns and luxurious fabrics across modern as well as classic Indian silhouettes that the two brands hope will 'resonate with the global nomad mindset'. This affordable and sellout collection consisted of striped kaftans, khaki shorts, printed co-ords for men and women, floral sarees, Royal Bengal tiger logo printed t-shirt, fanny packs, off shouldered tops, printed pants, amongst many others. Although it raked negative reviews for being a sellout so soon but it was also deemed as a start for something spectacular.
NIKHIL THAMPI x RSVP BY NYKAA: BY NIKHIL AND PEEPINGMOON
Fashion forces designer Nikhil Thampi and raging e-retail brand Nykaa’s RSVP joined forces to close the year with a bang in December. Launching exclusively for the e-commerce brand, Nikhil Thampi for RSVP presented an all-inclusive, trans-seasonal party collection featuring bling, bling and some more bling. Ranging from size XS to 4XL, the collection includes sequined blazers, cut-out jumpsuits, modish separates, and timeless gowns along with tasseled wrap-around skirts and shimmery palazzo pants. Shining bright like a diamond, now and forever!
So, which of these collections satiated your inner fashionista?
(Source- Instagram)
