Fendi expands its network of collaborators, this time calling upon FRGMT and Pokémon for a perky capsule that maxes out all the base stats.
The latest Friends Of Fendi installation may not be a fire-breathing level of mythical, but it is legendary in its own way. This time, Kim Jones and Silvia Venturini Fendi are seeking out collaborators in the form of Hiroshi Fujiwara of FRGMT and Japanese animation franchise, Pokémon. As part of Fendi’s growing bid at “crossing party lines” of fashion — lifted verbatim from the house’s presser — the team-up checks all the right boxes.
Pokémon, which has facets of movies, series and games offline and online, can be likened to that one thing that fans just can’t shake, no matter their age or life stage. It may be that twinge of nostalgia that reminds of the rush experienced by one in their adolescent encounter with the franchise; or it could merely boil down to the badges of endearment bestowed upon, and then maintained by the characters for their darling designs and lore of evolution. But in revisiting all the times the franchise has rematerialised in the fashion world, one thing is certain: the Pocket Monsters have an unlikely air of je ne sais quoi that triggers a “gotta catch them all” mindset.
It is no wonder that Fendi’s artistic directors Silvia Venturini Fendi and Kim Jones, and FRGMT founder Hiroshi Fujiwara have Pokémon in mind to tackle an endeavour as tricky of ingraining playful reinvention in the house’s DNA.
Fujiwara, who has been quoted to be a long-time associate of womenswear and couture director Jones, has found success with his label FRGMT; in thanks to his acute appreciation for the intersections of art, culture, design and more. A frequent collaborator in high fashion circles all around, a reflection two decades since his label’s inception will depict his superlative as one of the pillars of streetwear — as attested to by Jones himself. “I first met Hiroshi Fujiwara in London in 1999 – and what can I say? He’s one of my idols and I love him. He’s an instigator of the Japanese club scene, its youth fashion scene and its streetwear scene. I have been in love with Japan for a long time; its influence on me and what I do is huge – Hiroshi is a major part of that,” said the latter in a statement. “When Kim asks me to work on a project together, I have no reason to say no. I very much enjoyed working with Kim again, and this time also with Silvia. It was a true honor to work with the house of FENDI, a traditional brand with outstanding craftsmanship. Grateful for this opportunity,” states Fujiwara.
The capsule thus unspools bifold: first, a majorly bright and electrifying rendition by FRGMT, and then a timely Dragonite-plastered reserve of Baguettes and Peekaboos. “Our bag shapes are a logo themselves; they are so representative of the house. While our workmanship is another important part of our iconography. At the same time, we never want to be too precious with either – we enjoy celebrating both in new ways! It’s a living history that Hiroshi Fujiwara adds to with both FRGMT and Pokémon; he’s taken our handbags and made them into mini pop monuments,” says menswear director Venturini Fendi.
And as expected, there is no skimping on savoir-faire, no matter how light-hearted the design angle goes. Leather marquetry reveals the animations in Baguettes and Mini Baguettes, amongst other house-signature techniques of micro-beading, inlays and prints on can’t-miss-it FF jacquard. From jewellery to RTW to SLGs, should Dratinis and Dragonites be a select of choice, there is plenty to go around — especially for the Year of the Dragon.
A singular gripe, if any? That the capsule has been limited to the Dratini evolution line. But there is always next time to see FRGMT’s iconographic lightning bolts situated in proximity to Pikachu.
The Fendi X FRGMT and Fendi X FRGMT X Pokémon collections will be available to purchase in selected Fendi boutiques worldwide and on fendi.com, from January 4 2024. Once you are done with this story, click here to catch up with our December/January 2024 issue.
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