FENDI launches futuristic slip-on shoes & leather peekaboo designed by MAD’s ma yansong

MAD architects’ ma yansong designs FENDI collection

FENDI has unveiled the futuristic Lycra running shoes and two leather Peekaboo handbags designed by MAD Architects’ Ma Yansong. They first appeared on the runway during the Fall/Winter 2024 fashion show of FENDI in Milan. Today, fans of the architect and the fashion house can own the collection. The running shoes come in three colors, while there are two versions of the Peekaboo, all of which display the fluid architecture that punctuates MAD Architects’ designs. Ma Yansong collaborates with FENDI’s creative director, Silvia Venturini Fendi, for the series.

The brief of natural forms converging with a futuristic edge surely comes up in the final design. The sloping lines with hard edges seem to recreate ocean waves if they were more graceful in the way they crash. Flapped-open slits around the Peekaboo handbags show the saturated shades of yellow and purple, two colors that contrast with the primary hues of gray and black. For the campaign of the collection, FENDI and MAD Architects tap short-track speed skater Lin Xiaojun to wear the Lycra running shoes and leather Peekaboo, donning them for the audience as he strikes poses and performative movements on the Harbin Grand Theatre designed by MAD Architects.

all images courtesy of FENDI

Three pairs of Lycra running shoes and two leather peekaboos

MAD Architects’ Ma Yansong designs his FENDI sneakers as slip-ons. They have elastic laces that criss-cross on the mesh upper that’s padded with Lycra. An extra-light sole wraps around the rubber shell. Depending on the version, users can have the injected detailing in metallic silver, yellow, or dark blue. Futurism is the theme that the principal architect has gone for, inspired by the structures he and his architectural firm have brought to life. In a way, his ethos of bringing visual harmony between the environment and society comes through, only this time it’s between the users and their surroundings.

The Peekaboo is a signature bag of FENDI, so for Ma Yansong to work with the Italian fashion house’s icon may be a natural step they’ve taken. They’ve played with the handbag’s proportion, shape, and volume, visible through the wavy lines and cut-up and folded-open parts of the accessory. Both models spring to life from the use of Cuoio Romano leather. One has yellow varnished aluminum inserts, while the other has dark blue varnished aluminum inserts. Even the handle and twist lock are redesigned in varnished aluminum because this element harks back to the organic forms typical of MAD Architects’ designs.

FENDI MAD sneakers with gray Lycra

handbags with removable interior pocket

There are two compartments within the FENDI Peekaboo handbags, divided by a stiff partition. The front features the twist lock, and the back features a zip fastening. There’s also a removable interior pocket made of yellow or dark blue leather, both with a dedicated tag. The Ma Yansong-designed handbag is hand-carry ready, and users can shoulder it too. Each model comes with a handle and an adjustable, detachable shoulder strap. As of publishing the story, the FENDI collection by MAD Architects’ Ma Yansong is available. The running shoes have a price tag of 995 USD per pair, while it’s 9,000 USD for the yellow Peekaboo and 10,500 USD for the black one.

MAD x FENDI Peekaboo ISeeU handbag with the slip-on shoes