M.I.A. x Versus Versace

Grammy-award winning artist M.I.A. is the latest name to team up with Versus Versace, confirming recent rumours that the London-born rapper was collaborating with Donatella Versace.

The 19-piece collection, which launches on October 16, is inspired by the bootleg Versace merchandise she found in London markets as a teenager and features kaleidoscopic prints of the label’s most famous designs including the Versace logo and the interlocking Greek key.

"I adore the energy of the street, so when M.I.A. proposed to expose the issue of counterfeit Versace pieces by creating a collaboration inspired by these items, I thought it was an incredible idea," said Donatella Versace. "The collection represents all that I love of the new Versus Versace: it's fast, it's noisy, it's brazen and it blends the world of music with that of fashion. I can't wait to see it worn."

The capsule line, which mixes Versace’s graphic prints with the “energy of the street”, includes pieces for both men and women, from T-shirts and printed jeans to silk shirts, jersey dresses and military-inspired outerwear.

“It’s always been part of the M.I.A. culture – to talk about bootlegs, and people that sell them or make them. When I was approached by Versace, it seemed like a good idea to take that and reverse the cycle,” said M.I.A. “Versace designs have always been bootlegged, now it’s Versace bootlegging the bootleg for the bootleggers to bootleg the bootleg. This is to keep that cycle going.”

M.I.A. x Versus Versace will be available online, and in selected stores, from October 16.