Accompanied by an eerie audio experience and against a hazy gray runway, Han Kjøbenhavn’s collection full of sculptural shapes, futuristic edge and brutal design elements conjured images of dystopia and ruin in Milan. While the Danish fashion house tends to favor the dark and mysterious, the brand seems to have dove head-first into the aesthetic this season, bringing audiences a presentation of what could be. 

This raw, experimental atmosphere provided the ultimate backdrop for the surprise reveal of the global collaboration between the house and Diablo IV, the hugely anticipated genre-defying action game from Blizzard Entertainment. While high-fashion and gaming may be seen as disparate worlds, this collaboration represents a blurring and bending of the rules of collaboration. 

“Working with Blizzard Entertainment is one of the most natural collaborations that I have ever done,” shares Founder and Artistic Director Jannik Wikkelsø Davidsen. “We share visions, aesthetics, and creative views, which has made it such a joy to work on this. The visual expression in the game and how I work have a lot of similarities and that has given me the opportunity to really combine the two worlds and the emotions attached”

Both brand’s synergy and visions come to life on the runway. Jannik Wikkelsø Davidsen stuck to the basics in terms of colors – black, white, gray and some hints of red. The simplistic color scheme allows the other elements of the collection to take center stage, including sharply geometric designed jackets, suits and tops. An iridescent, chrome sculpure top engulfs a model’s frame and face, draining into a floor-length vegan leather skirt. A sheer cream gown is equal parts angelic yet distressed, as is a sheer red gown that features a facial covering. 

Faux fur and full-feathered gowns and sleeves also make an appearance, the dominating materials of the collection coming together to create a collection specifically raw yet uniquely elegant. 

Tight-fitted bodysuits embroidered with Diablo IV logo showcased the companies’ vision of making ‘hell a beautiful place’, as welted boots, draping fabrics and chrome eyewear furthered the project’s ability to transport its audience – which is only fitting, considering that the game features the dark, gothic world of Sanctuary, in which players must take on demon hordes in order to save it. 

“To work with a fashion brand as iconic as Han Kjøbenhavn is a hugely exciting move for Blizzard Entertainment and we can’t wait to showcase even more creativity and collaboration from our minds in the future,” Diablo IV Art Director John Mueller says. “Diablo IV is a game we can’t wait to launch and to be able to connect with the fashion world in such an authentic and original way has been a joy to be a part of.”