So, forget Alexander McQueen for Puma, forget Kim Jones for Umbro, forget Y-3. Also forget Raf Simons and Church's. Okay, actually I like these as well, but the neatest designer collaboration I can remember was back in the late 1990's, when Menichetti (then working on menswear with Jil Sander) comissioned Silvano Lattanzi, maker of completely handmade and exotic shoes,to make a collection of men's shoes for the brand. This was back in the glory days, before Prada and thecuts that resulted in Jil leaving, before Raf and the silhouette that makes the wearer look like they're wearing daddy's oversizedcoat.
As for this collaboration, the results were sometimes frightening (I also have a pair of oxfords that look like something Frankenstein would have worn), but they also succeeded in creating some of the highest quality, most expensive mainstream shoes for a fashion house ever. They were a one time deal, unfortunately, but I've been able to snag a few pairs over the years on the net.
After all the talk about Ann D, Undercover, Junya,and such, I thought I'd post a pair of my Lattanzi for Jil Sander boots, which I think looks great with jeans and shirts bythese designers. Anyway, I think the initial retail on these things was almost $2300 in 1998 or so... but thank God I was able to get a MUCH better deal on them.
Anyway, if you have any experience with this collaboration, any questions about it, or would simply like to post pics of your favorite odd/interesting designer collaborative items, please feel free!
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