Versace is bringing us some sci-fi sneaker goodness in the form of its brand-new Mercury sneaker collection. The three iterations fall under the Versace Mercury design umbrella and come packed to the brim with futurism and versatility, with each addition reflecting Versace’s dedication to pioneering artisanal techniques.
The capsule comprises three sneakers: the M_VS_01, M_VS_02, and M_VS_03, with each style referencing other sneakers in the capsule. The M_VS_01 is available in a sleek all-black and all-white colourway, featuring a shell-like roped upper, perfect for the summer.
The M_VS_02 features luxurious rhinestone appliques hand-sewn onto a hand-woven cotton netting. This special edition shoe arrives in a “Black-Silver” and “Dusty Pink-Silver” hue, with subtle contrast setting the shoe apart with its easy-on-the-eye colour scheme. The M_VS_03 includes a white-silver-gold base, replacing the rhinestones with an artisanally knotted upper, mirroring the netting featured on the M_VS_02.
The trainers’ features not only mark a bold new direction for the House of Versace’s footwear, but also nod to the brand’s past, where the ropes on the sneaker speak to the iconic ropes seen in Versace ads in the ‘80s and ‘90s. When it comes to other Versace trademarks, the EVA sole is adorned with the House’s Greca pattern and hand-painted interior, reflective of the attention to detail intrinsic to the Italian label. But it doesn’t stop there. Each design drives recognition with subtle and understated branding, and personalisation details include metal Versace lettering on the heel. These features are brought together by a team of 27 craftspeople for a fully-fledged “Made in Italy” sneaker.
The Versace Mercury and its textured detailing represent an exploration into the unknown, merging the celestial with otherworldly techniques. This is reflected in campaign shots where the sneakers come together in a play with shadow, light, and texture. Accompanying video shots show the celestial sneaker being studied, as if from another dimension, leaving behind footprints to be examined by scientists.
The collection concludes with a Versace Mercury crew sock, complete with contrasting branding, a Metaverse-technology experience on Snapchat, and a digital fashion collection for Bitmoji.
The Versace Mercury collection will release in limited numbers on June 4 via the Versace webstore and select boutiques.
Cover Image: Versace ©
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