THE CRAZY COLLABS OF GUCCI

These days, a collaboration is practically a sure-shot way of making Internet headlines (Coldplay and The Chainsmokers, seriously?). The ones from the Italian label this season fall on the right side of “I-never-saw-that-coming”. Putting an unexpectedly sweet, childlike twist on creative director Alessandro Michele’s eclectic vision: tees, backpacks, knits and silk scarves printed with the kawaii characters from Japanese manga artist Chikae Ide’s cult 1968 comic Viva! Volleyball. Meanwhile, suitcases featuring signature design elements such as the Flora print and

GG monogram help the brand up its stake in the status luggage game, albeit with some old-world charm – they were co-designed by British heritage lifestyle company Globe-Trotter. And for those who still cannot believe – or get enough of – Gucci’s tie-up with Major League Baseball from Pre-Fall (mostly accessories embroidered with Yankees logo patches), it’s now expanded to not only include four more clubs (the Los Angeles Angels, San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates and Detroit Tigers), but also ready-to-wear and footwear.