LONDON — British skate and streetwear brand Palace is setting foot in women’s fashion for the first time via a collaboration with Vivienne Westwood.
The capsule, which features clothing, accessories, jewelry and skateboards, will launch Friday at Palace and select Vivienne Westwood stores worldwide, as well as Dover Street Market in London, Los Angeles and Tokyo.
The co-branded collection will feature a new logo that combines Westwood’s signature Saturn orb motif with Palace’s triangle logo.
The logo can be widely seen across the collection on pieces like hoodies, T-shirts, underwear, matching denim sets, miniskirts and a flight suit. The Salon print, first seen in Westwood’s spring 1992 collection, will appear on Gore-Tex hooded jackets, track pants and skirts.
Westwood’s classic corsets are reproduced and updated in black and white satin featuring a print of Palace cofounder Lev Tanju’s dog, Stuart. There is also a less formal ribbed cotton version in black or white.
A standout style in the collection is the oversized teddy bear bags, inspired by the late designer’s early ’90’s iconography. There are also beanies with horn-like details, tartan berets and trucker caps, as well as printed socks, orb necklaces and studded small leather goods.
Andreas Kronthaler, creative director at Vivienne Westwood, is a longtime fan of Palace. He has been seen queueing outside the London store in Soho several times when new collections drop on Fridays.
“From the first day I went to Palace years ago, I liked what they are doing. Their designs are made with quality, they are accessible and democratic. It felt natural for us to join forces, it was a very playful exercise and it was a pleasure working with the team and making new friends,” said Kronthaler.
Gareth Skewis, cofounder of Palace, said Vivienne Westwood’s ever-evolving creative output has long been a big inspiration.
“We are immensely proud to have collaborated with such an iconic British brand. This collection is a true reflection of our shared values and influences, bringing together two distinct perspectives united by a common ground of independent thought, all with a uniquely London twist,” said Skewis.
Tanju added: “Collaborating with Vivienne Westwood, it’s a massive thing for us: we love them, and we always have. To bring this collection to life was a dream come true and we wanted to shoot the collection in London, our shared home. Palace is independent, Vivienne Westwood is independent, and we admire independence.”
Shoichi Aoki, founder of the Japanese street-style magazine Fruits, shot the collection campaign in multiple locations in London: the arcades of Soho to Chinatown, a vintage store in Camden and a souvenir store on the edge of Shaftesbury Avenue.
Aoki reimagined the models — rappers and singers Semetary and Matt OX; models Sibyl Buck, Ed Teller, and Issa Lish; Palace rider Lucien Clarke, as well as DJ and singer Josh Caféas — as if they were trailblazing characters he had encountered in the streets of Tokyo.
To celebrate the launch, Vivienne Westwood will host a preview event at its Conduit Street flagship in London on Thursday night.
