Mixing a shared irreverence for tradition with love for their London origins, a collaboration between Palace and the iconic Vivienne Westwood makes sense. Featuring clothing, accessories, jewellery and skateboards, the collection is set to release in all its chaotic glory this week from Friday 6th September.
Palace founder Lev Tanju described the collaborative opportunity as "a dream come true", while co-founder Gareth Skewis expressed what a "massive inspiration" Vivienne Westwood had been for them as a fellow independent London-based brand, expressing that the collection is "a true reflection of our shared values and influences".
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Andreas Kronthaler - Creative Director of Vivienne Westwood - shared that he has been a fan of Palace for several years, and that the pairing felt "natural".
The exciting collection fuses the signatures of both houses across men’s and womenswear designs, clashing bold patterns and art references with tech fabrics and repeat logo designs.
Encapsulating this energy is a collection of GORE TEX hooded jackets, track pants, skirts and skate decks printed with the Vivienne Westwood ’Salon‘ imagery.
Originating from the Spring / Summer 1992 "Salon" collection, the print depicts an 18th-century salon. The graphic reimagines imagery from a nostalgic past and recontextualises it into the future, an apt metaphor for the collection at large.
Neither brand shys away from their own takes on "logomania", this collection sees both the Palace Tri Ferg and signature Westwood orb logo merged as one and splashed across pieces with abandon - on hoodies and t-shirts, matching denim sets, jean shorts, ultra mini skirts and an all denim flight suit.
The sense of fun carries over to the collection's many accessories, including on oversize teddy bear bags inspired by Vivienne Westwood’s early 90’s iconography. A beanie features Westwood ‘horns’, and features alongside trucker caps and tartan GORE TEX berets. Long printed socks, orb necklaces, studded small leather goods and skateboards complete the offering.
The whole collaboration is energised by contradictions - fluffy bears on dress shirts, BDSM straps across bomber jackets, even an appearance from Palace founder Lev Tanju's dog Stuart commemorated in regal fashion on corset tops.
This energy is borne out through the campaign lookbook - shot in London by FRUITS magazine founder Shoichi Aoki - which unites artists, musicians, skaters, goths and activists to show off the collection in their own unique style.
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Models bringing the collection to life include: US rappers and singers Semetary and Matt OX; 90’s model and activist, Sibyl Buck; model couple Ed Teller and Issa Lish; Palace rider Lucien Clarke plus DJ and singer Josh Café and more.
The PALACE and Vivienne Westwood collection will release online and via flagship stores globally, as well as Dover Street Market London, LA and Tokyo from Friday 6th September, releasing in Asia from Saturday 7th September.
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A limited-edition zine capturing the campaign imagery will be available for free with purchase in store.