Unseen chains bind the fabric of the intangible together. The future is linked to the past, and dichotomies exist only because they have each other. Infinite numbers of seemingly different chains interlink together to weave our present today. Versace’s latest Chain Reaction shoe collection is the embodiment of multiple stories woven together to form a cohesive design.
Bringing out the big guns with this latest collection, Versace’s Chain Reaction is not demure like a subtle pendant necklace. Every pair of shoes exerts a presence that onlookers cannot ignore, akin to bling that rappers use to amplify their looks. In this regard, Chain Reaction sneakers are the bling, and larger-than-life “chains” are brought together to present this showpiece to sneaker fans.
The first link in the chain is the design collaboration with rapper 2 Chainz. Donatella Versace’s obsession with music is widely known, and she even describes herself as someone who only stops playing songs when she sleeps. No one knows for sure about 2 Chainz’s role behind her inspiration unless Donatella Versace lets the cat out of the bag, but here is a guess: There has always been a long-standing cultural relationship between Versace and rappers. The brand’s over-the-top prints suggest a lavish lifestyle, which rappers and their audience adore, and 2 Chainz is well known for his fashion style and penchant for luxury. Furthermore, with his assured cool confidence, proposing to the mother of his children on the steps of the largest fashion and glitz event, the Met Gala 2018, it would not be a stretch to say Versace’s opulent style and 2 Chainz’s love for the luxurious lifestyle make their relationship an obvious fit.
The second part in the chain is designer Salehe Bembury, a self-proclaimed sneaker nerd. Wanting to pursue fashion design but not be pigeonholed into one specific industry, Bembury studied industrial design instead. The practical decision provided him with design languages beyond fashion that informed his designs. Upon graduation, Bembury gained working experience through a string of shoe-focused brands, from Payless to Yeezy. The grind gave him an informed and dedicated skillset to design any type of shoe. With a leap of faith, Bembury sent a clearly detailed sneaker plan using all his prior experience to Versace via LinkedIn. Perhaps Bembury foresaw how the chains of fate brought him to his current position, thus inspiring him to design the Chain Reaction. With chains as the sole under each pair of shoe, wearers are literally wearing “2 Chainz”. Intellectual and fitting in our metamodernist world, one can only hazard a guess if this tongue-in-cheek idea was ever in the designer’s mind.
A chain reaction between 2 Chainz, Salehe Bembury, and Donatella Versace resulted in the Chain Reaction collection. Amidst a sea of trending oversized shoes, Versace’s stands out by staying true to its DNA while incorporating smart design elements.
From afar, it is as va-va-voom as one would expect from a fashion establishment that birthed the concept of the supermodels. On closer inspection, the collection also has several hidden design decisions. Subtly sprinkled on the sneakers are signature decorative details, from the Greca motif that embellishes the shoe’s midsole and lace cage to puff croc neoprene elements. The latter are as functional as they are decorative, ensuring comfort as the shoe’s lining and tongue. Meanwhile, the TPU lace cage provides lateral stability while sporting the Greca motif.
Perhaps the reason why the shoe is done in such a tactile way is best explained by the braille details on the toe cap that reads “Love”. “Love is blind,” according to the collection, as it appeals to one’s sense of touch. Hidden beneath the sole is Versace’s icon, the Medusa, which serves as a metaphor for the Chain Reaction. Just like how curious adventurers turn into stone when they wander into Medusa’s cave, one’s intimate exploration of the sneaker’s entirety lets it cast its magic on him. It reels one in, and there is no way back from falling deeper in love.
RELATED ARTICLES
Rising Hemlines Have Us Hot and Unbothered
