M.I.A.’s Versus Versace Collaboration Knocks Off Knockoffs

Update: The full lookbook for M.I.A.'s Versus Versace collection is here! From the looks of it, she's paid an honest homage to the house's tongue-in-cheek opulence while maintaining her own Internet-meets-Windows 95 aesthetic. You certainly won't go unnoticed donning a piece from this collection, that's for sure.

In a twist that switches Canal Street and Seventh Avenue, Versus Versace's next collection is inspired by Versace knockoffs found on the street. Oh, and yes, it's definitely designed by M.I.A. "When I was contacted by Versace, it seemed a great idea to invert the circle," the recording artist said in a press release. "Versace’s designs have always been copied, now it’s Versace that copies the copies, so those that copy must copy the copies. So this will continue." How meta! Of course, we'd expect nothing less from the artist who repeatedly leaks her own tracks as a middle finger to her label.

The 19-piece collection will feature both men and women's designs with bootlegged medallions, Medusa heads, and Greek key symbols from Versace's signature arsenal, done up in a mismatched, label-heavy way typical of cheap knockoffs. Silk shirts, T-shirts, printed jeans, and military-inspired outerwear will be available in stores and online October 16. "I love the energy of the street," Donatella Versace told the press. "So when M.I.A. suggested we use bootlegs of Versace, I thought it was such an incredible idea." It's rather brilliant, and completely in line with M.I.A.'s sonic aesthetic. It's going to take an incredibly trained eye to spot the real Versace from the fake ones now. (WWD)