As Jonathan Anderson releases his collaboration with Larry Clark, we explore some of our other favourite collaborative pairings in fashion
Miuccia Prada once told us that "since Dalí and Elsa Schiaparelli nothing really meaningful has happened, maybe Vivienne Westwood with music. That was the last collaboration that was something relevant and original." And, although we rarely find ourselves disagreeing with the doyenne of fashion, this is one of the few times we have found that our opinions differ. As Jonathan Anderson releases his zine collaboration with Larry Clark for Document Journal, we take a look over some of our favourite fashion collaborations.
Raf Simons and Sterling Ruby: Raf Simons Menswear A/W14 (2014)
Art and fashion united for this menswear collaboration that had a youthful, punk aesthetic that spoke to the sensibilities of both Simons and Ruby (who were already close friends). Patchworked, spattered with paint and scrawled upon with slogans, the nostalgic and hotly-anticipated collection was sold through Simons' curated concept store – and even made its way onto Kate Moss for one of AnOther Magazine's A/W14 covers.
Vivienne Westwood and Miu Miu: The Miu Miu London (2012)
For the opening of the inaugral The Miu Miu London, a three-day members club pop-up at Café Royal offering full immersion into the world of Miu Miu, Vivienne Westwood designed a window showcasing of Joe Rush sculptures. With food cooked by female chefs, talks from London women from Penny Martin to Bonnie Wright and Miu Miu Women's Tales playing on loop, Westwood fit in perfectly to a female-first Miu Miu extravaganza.
Converse and Maison Margiela: Converse 1st String x Maison Martin Margiela (2013 and 2014)
Maison Margiela has now twice collaborated with Converse for a minimalist reimagining of the classic Chuck Taylor All Stars and Jack Purcell styles. Their white, hand-painted exterior sent haute fashion and sportswear fans alike into a frenzy to get their hands on the union of two of the most distinctive brands around.
Miu Miu and Miranda July: Somebody (2014)
Miu Miu's collaboration with Miranda July earns their second spot in our selection of favourites. The eighth in their Woman's Tales series of shorts is a wonderfully witty take on digital-era relationships, accompanied by an iPhone app that supported a new messaging service allowing you to outsource your communication.
Marc Quinn and Alexander McQueen
For S/S15, the orchid sculptures of British artist Marc Quinn filled the Alexander McQueen showspace. From painted bronzes to giant, white casts of the flower, his giant, phallic commentary on desire (two of the pieces were literally titled Etymology of Desire and Prehistory of Desire) felt like a natural match with Sarah Burton's beautifully provocative collection.
Junya Watanabe and Loewe : Loewe x Junya (2013)
A capsule collection of denim/leather hybrids, Loewe x Junya was another example of a luxury-meets-conceptual collaboration and, while surprising at the time, it was perhaps a precursor to the Italian house taking on Jonathan Anderson as Creative Director last year. Plus, the resultant range was wonderful.
Jil Sander and Luca Guadagnino: I Am Love (2009)
I Am Love has Tilda Swinton dressed in custom-designed Raf Simons for Jil Sander in a film that explores the discourse of consciousness that can be present within fashion. A commentary on the "false hierarchy" of some luxury fashion brands, not only did it offer material for a book of costume analysis, but it also looked ridiculously chic.
Cindy Sherman and Louis Vuitton: Celebrating Monogram (2014)
As part of their Celebrating Monogram project, Louis Vuitton's initiative that invited iconoclasts from Cindy Sherman to Karl Lagerfeld to collaborate on monogrammed specialties, Sherman designed a camera messenger and trunk that "drew on memories of the colorful hotel labels affixed to vintage Vuitton trunks." The kitschy-yet-chic collaboration is also documented by Johnny Dufort, and definitely deserves a space within our favourites.
Linder Sterling and Richard Nicoll
Iconic artist Linder Sterling's ongoing collaboration with designer Richard Nicoll has seen them designing costumes for The Northern Ballet as well as showing during fashion week. After a chance meeting through a friend, the power-duo have been working together since A/W09 and, whether on collection prints or costume design, it is always to consistently captivating results.
Comme des Garçons and Hermès: Comme des Carrés (2013)
When Bali Barret, the womenswer Artistic Director of historic fashion house Hermès, collaborated with Comme des Garçons' queen of the avant-garde Rei Kawakubo, the result was an incredibly special series of scarves. Archive Hermès prints were revived with signature Comme twists: polkadots and nylon gingham, a scrawled motto instructing us to "Live Free With Strong Will" (one of Kawakubo's favourie expression). A fine addition to any accessories drawer.
