Imagine ronaldo and messi in the same team? Or an album by kanye west and drake? Or a sneaker collab between adidas and nike? Those are the kind of levels we're dealing at when it comes to the collab of the year. 

The unveiling of the “aria” collection set for april 15 is expected to be a major moment for gucci as 2021 marks the name’s 100th year anniversary. The presentation is expected to be a series of short films that will be released digitally through a variety of global platforms. It is also important to note that “aria” falls in line with gucci new brand strategy, being shown outside of a fashion week and that in music, an aria is used to describe a self-contained piece for one voice.

It's not the first time two luxury names under the same umbrella have collaborated before: most recently, lvmh's alexandre arnault brokered a collection between rimowa and kim jones's dior in 2019. But in terms of scale and clout, it is entirely unprecedented. Bear in mind both brands ranked first (gucci) and second (balenciaga) in lyst's most recent q4 power rankings, with the former buoyed by its #guccifest film festival and the north face tie-up.

Michele and gvasalia have more in common than one might first assume. After turning the fashion world upside down in 2016, the duo has both preached the importance of individuality and expressed their distaste for the ephemerality of fashion.