Sibling stories that made fashion history When fashion is a family affair

Brotherhood: a vast, volatile concept that varies depending on the historical, social, or cultural context in which this relationship is situated. It's no coincidence that literature has spilled countless ink on stories of love and rivalry between brothers. Fashion itself is not unfamiliar with sibling pairs who have made their synergies the strength of their own brands, and rivalries between brothers rarely shine in the spotlight or are openly declared during an official interview. However, Guram Gvasalia, while announcing his new role as designer for Madonna's upcoming tour to The New York Times, has overturned all our certainties regarding fraternal narratives in the fashion system by making some scathing statements about Demna.

«My brother is six years older. When I was in second grade, he was in eighth grade. He had certain opportunities in life before me. But if you consider where I am today and where my brother was when he was my age, I think I am much further ahead» he revealed to Vanessa Friedman on July 5th. «I think my brother has a lot of talent, but I have a completely different approach to things. He had a good career for 10 years, and I believe his era is slowly coming to an end. Now it's my time.» A statement of intent that holds little weight in the face of Vetements' latest collection, an oversized carbon copy of Demna's most famous designs, even more bitter when considering the difficult moment Balenciaga's artistic director went through following last December's Gift Campaign scandal. But not everyone is like Guram; some have built successful empires with their siblings and continue to achieve milestones. Here are three stories of inseparable designer siblings that aim to smooth over the bittersweet aftermath of the complicated Gvasalia affair: 

Mary-Kate Olsen & Ashley Olsen - The Row

Twins from Brescia, by now familiar faces in the most fashionable Milanese circles, but above all founders of one of the most cult brands of recent years, Medea, which has brought to the wardrobes of half of the fashion bubble their bags together geometrically minimalist but, at the same time, so vibrant. The sisterhood is the foundation of a brand that, in addition to actual handbags, has expanded into footwear, eyewear, and leather goods, and promises to expand further. Over the course of their career with Medea, the two worked with Maurizio Cattelan on a fanzine called Medealand created in conjunction with Toiletpaper, collaborated with two of the leading cult designers of their generation, Peter Do and Craig Green, and, in short order, became a powerhouse in no time.