Fendi Launches the Pokémon Collection of Our Dreams Just in time To Celebrate the Year of The Dragon
Following the announcement on December 2023, Fendi released its Pokémon-inspired capsule collection on January 4. Created in collaboration with Hiroshi Fujiwara, the streetwear genius behind the label FRGMT, the new drop is part of The Friends of Fendi series. Fendi’s collaboration with Pokémon also extends to the company’s augmented reality app Pokémon GO! to bring fashion pieces into the digital realm.
Fendi for the Year of the Dragon
The exclusive three-way collaboration between Fendi, Fujiwara’s FRGMT, and Pokémon arrives ahead of the Lunar New Year. Pieces from the collection feature Dratini, Dragonite, and Dragonair imagery, paying homage to next year’s Chinese zodiac sign: the dragon. Items in the collection include purses, Ready-to-Wear and accessories decorated with the first generation of dragon-type Pokémon.
Fujiwara drew on his long-term status as a fan of the Pokémon brand to create the designs, but remembered to honor Fendi’s creative legacy. The dragon-type Pokémon can be seen on some of Fendi’s signature bags, including the Baguette, the Peekaboo, and the Shopper.
Regarding this collaboration, Kim Jones, Fendi’s artistic director said, “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, youth fashion, and streetwear scenes.”
Breaking Down the Collection
The Fendi x FRGMT x Pokémon collection features a wide range of items from jewelry and leather goods to clothing. Some of the collection’s pieces play with texture, such as embroideries (and fringes!) while others turn to a bold shade of yellow as a more subtle hook — case in point: the Dragonite-decorated Mon Tresor bucket bag.
Other smaller, comparatively more everyday-ready pieces include a Dragonite keychain, a Dragonite patch cap and a Dragonite-printed silk bandeau scarf. Of course, the new capsule shows off the Fendi logo in practically all of its pieces — and where the logo isn’t present, the FF jacquard takes its place.
One of the collection’s key pieces is a Dratini-inspired Baguette bag, which is designed to replicate the character’s head and also comes in a mini keyring form. Similarly, a leather model of Dragonite will excite fans of the Pokémon franchise. As per Fendi, the hand-crafted collector’s item takes more than 30 hours to produce and is a staple of the collection.
Kicking Off 2024 on an Animated Note
The dragon-themed Fendi, FRGMT, and Pokémon collection is the year’s first animation and luxury fashion crossover, following a series of successful collaborations in 2023. Heritage fashion labels are connecting with broader audiences through exciting releases that tap into the world’s love for animation and nostalgia. Last year, Loewe joined forces with Studio Ghibli’s whimsical film Howl’s Moving Castle, Jimmy Choo paid homage to Sailor Moon, and Onitsuka Tiger announced a collaboration with Astro Boy to celebrate its 75th anniversary.
The Fendi x FRGMT x Pokémon collaboration drops on January 4 and will be available in selected Fendi boutiques worldwide and online. Check out the full collection here.
Interested in more fashion and animation crossovers? Check out how Thai icon Gulf Kanawut is sporting the Astro Boy x Onitsuka Tiger collaboration here.
