Photo courtesy of Fendi
This week saw the last-ever Fendi collection designed by Karl Lagerfeld walk down the runways of Milan. While the German designer’s work for Chanel has always taken centre-stage with its theatrical shows, elaborate set design and over-the-top concepts, some of his best design work was done at the Italian luxury house – but the Fendi runways on top of the Trevi Fountain and Great Wall of China weren’t bad either. Here are some things to know about Fendi’s last collection.
The show was staged from a hospital bed in Paris
Photos courtesy of Fendi
Although Lagerfeld died two days before the show, he was rumoured to have been giving notes and directions from the hospital in Paris. To commemorate its fallen leader, the show closed with a film of Lagerfeld drawing himself on his first day of work.
The double F logo went more demure
Photos courtesy of Fendi
Karl Lagerfeld originally introduced the double F logo in 1965, which stands for “fun fur” – not to be confused with faux fur, as the house was founded as a furrier. The fur has been scaled-down for the last couple of seasons and the double F, which usually appears in bold sans serif, was given a delicate cursive treatment, signalling that bold logos may be falling out of fashion.
The cast was star-studded
Photos courtesy of Fendi
While many designers are featuring faces from the 90s supermodel era, the Fendi show went with models of the moment, including: Linsey Wixon, Adwoa Aboah and the Hadid sisters.
Lagerfeld ran Fendi longer than its founders
Photos courtesy of Fendi
Adele Fendi and her husband Edoardo, who passed away in 1977 and 1954, respectively, founded the eponymous label. Lagerfeld joined the house in 1965, working alongside the five sisters of the second Fendi generation, giving him 54 years with the company — two more than Adele. After more than half a century with the brand, he has been integral in shaping its identity.
The house is going back to the Fendi family
Photos courtesy of Fendi
A tearful Silvia Venturini Fendi, walked out for the bow at the end of the Milan show. The granddaughter of the founders, Fendi had been in charge of accessories and menswear since 1994, including the creation of the iconic baguette bag, but now she will be taking over for Lagerfeld with ready-to-wear.
The last Lagerfeld-designed show will premiere next week as Chanel debuts its aw19 womenswear collections.