MILAN, ITALY — In recent seasons, the sensual, street-inflected spirit of Fendi has evolved into something looser and more understated—think weekday wear for the house’s woman, who moves with ease through daily occasions and leans into charming, elegant moments at dusk.
The timing couldn’t be better. In chaotic times like these, there’s something genuinely refreshing about clothes that are easy to wear.
Fendi’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection brimmed with offerings that fit this fuss-free brief, from a cinched-waist graphic suit to wide-leg trousers and panelled dresses rendered in unfussy tones across both menswear and womenswear. A body-hugging tucked dress emerged as the season’s definitive silhouette, reimagined in cropped forms as well as wide, flowing shirt-dresses.
Throughout, finely cut tailoring lent an air of unassuming comfort and reinforced the idea of streamlined classics. For those fearing the mood might skew too pared-back, the collection added a dose of edge—most memorably through a stellar cast that included Adwoa Aboah, Angelina Kendall, Amelia Gray, Paloma Elsesser, Karen Elson, and Mariacarla Boscono, among others.
“It’s about a relaxed and colourful sense of ease with a romantic elegance,” explained Creative Director Silvia Venturini Fendi. “It’s not about a single definition but a fluidity between everyday life and exquisite craftsmanship. Simple gestures with complex work behind them: this duality has always attracted me.”
But the collection was far from austere. Shown in a Marc Newson–designed set where a pixelated colour field merged with the house’s signature codes, florals blossomed into vibrant layers—piped into motifs or sculpted into fabric for an abstract effect. Other highlights included layered contrasts, often in two-toned, unexpected hues, and the interplay of sporty elements with soft, voluminous silhouettes, allowing texture and movement to unfold in carefree abandon.
“I noticed that every outfit had an element of surprise, and I found that really joyous,” actress and singer Hilary Duff told GLASS after the show. “The colours were truly beautiful—there was this mint green that moved like air, and it incorporated a floral print I thought was stunning. And then there was also this sporty element that made things feel young and fun.”
A longtime fashion enthusiast, Duff recalled her own Fendi milestone: “I remember when I bought my first bag. I actually brought my Spy bag here with me—I found her, dusted her off, and she’s gorgeous, good as new. Fendi feels like a forever brand, and it’s so impressive to be at a show and see what they’ve created.”
Indeed, textures and structure took centre stage, their intricate qualities giving the collection a subtly transformative edge. Ease, function, and airy elegance—the lingua franca of Milan—are proliferating fast across today’s fashion landscape, but Fendi continues to make its case by refining these codes into mainline collections. The result remains polished yet emotionally resonant—touching, one might say, is believing.
by Chidozie Obasi