Fashion Fame

Keeping in tune with Fendi’s affinity for furs, the designer combo – Karl Lagerfeld and Silvia Venturini Fendi, unveiled a ladylike collection at Milan Fashion Week, roughened-up a bit with an interesting use of texture. Revealing much of fashion in a sportswear mood, Fendi’s Karl Lagerfeld collection served up one of the season’s strongest takes. Key message throughout collection was volume, especially of billowing tent and A-line sort, which should let his ladies breathe a little more easily while looking ultra chic.

To describe Fendi as verging on reserved and sober when there was a white lynx coat, (à la Cruella de Vil that costs a whopping 250,000 euro) right there at the top, might seem fashion-delusional, but even the Roman home of super-deluxe furs has indeed caught the season’s mood of restraint. For this winter, Karl Lagerfeld pulled back to work on swing coats; mid-calf dirndls; soft, billowy blouses; and slightly countrified, muted palette of gray, navy, beige, and mustard.

Lagerfeld started out with focus on structure and intriguing architectural cuts before moving on to roomier and more relaxed silhouettes. To wit, stylish smock dresses came up with wide bishop sleeves, some with cascading drape details, while tailored vests and coat dresses were cut into swingy trapeze shapes. His Forties-meets-Seventies vibe was clearly seen in maxi circle skirts, long gilets and an earthy palette of browns, mustards and hunter greens.

Even the footwear was a play on sensible and utilitarian. There were no teetering statement platforms, but high-heeled booties detailed with ribbed rubber toe caps and top lacing to Wellingtons or Muckers that horsey girls wear in stable yard. Fendi’s beauty team perfected a hairstyle on models that instantly conjured up memories of Elvis and his ‘hunka hunka voluminous updo’. Peachy, bronzed cheeks and coral lips were to softened up the look for catwalk.

The velvety nap of evening wear (above right) was constructed from ribbon strips of organza and fur, too. Still, from the point of view of current drive toward chic practicality, the collection listed least showy coats; simple, narrow and collarless suede cardigans along with shearling on the inside—that was enough to have the greatest fashion appeal in reality!!

1 Comment