IN CELEBRATION of the ageless beauty of Rome and its own brand heritage, Fendi presents their AW19 Haute Couture collection. Marking the first couture collection since the passing of Karl Lagerfeld, who had been the creative director for fifty-four years at the Roman house, Silvia Venturini Fendi paid tribute to the designer’s tenure by sending exactly fifty-four looks down the catwalk.
Set on top of the Palatine Hill, one of the most ancient areas of the city, the location played an important part for the birth of the Roman empire, and by extension, the house of Fendi. Palatine Hill was the fabled first home of Romulus and Remos, the brothers who historically fought each other to create Rome’s ancient foundations. The ruins of the ancient city create the backdrop for the collection’s themes, presenting an eclectic combination of styles– classical architecture mixes with natural elements of the earth, creating the cinematic glamour of the Roman woman.
Inspired by the stunning marble mosaics of Italy, pastel shades model after gems and stones, fusing to create rose quartz, jade and gold-flecked evening gowns, dazzling the eye as the sun begins to set. Column dresses mirror ancient Roman ruins while fur coats emphasise shape through geometrical astuccio stripes, meticulous weaving techniques and fringed shearling.
Hand-picking archive sketches of Lagerfeld’s previous designs, Silvia Venturini Fendi creates glimpses of the late creative director throughout the collection. An emphasis on tailoring is exhibited by structured blazers with billowing sleeves and tapered cuffs, strong, defined shoulders and delicate patterned graphics throughout many of the pieces.
by Mirabella Shahidullah