Fendi Honors Karl Lagerfeld at His Final Runway Show for the Italian Fashion House
He was the brand’s Creative Director for over half a century.
News of Karl Lagerfeld’s death shook the world on Tuesday, but at Milan Fashion Week, his final Fendi show must go on. Since being appointed Creative Director of the Italian luxury brand in 1965, the legendary designer had been driving trends with his inimitable sense of style and unmatched imagination. During his time at Fendi, which spanned more than half a century, Lagerfeld created some of the most iconic designs in fashion, with the Zucca “FF” logo – a design that he came up with when he first joined the house — being one of the most memorable.
Jonathon Smith/HYPEBAE
Jonathon Smith/HYPEBAE
The Fendi insignia is one of the key motifs at the house’s Fall/Winter 2019 show, and it comes in a new look, too. As seen on the beige carpet on the runway, the double F logo has received a caligraphic treatment that models after Lagerfeld’s own handwriting. The late designer’s “love KL” signature also made a presence on the catwalk.
Jonathon Smith/HYPEBAE
Jonathon Smith/HYPEBAE
With Lou Reed and John Cale’s “Small Town” playing in the background, the show kicked off with British model Fran Summers wearing a look that’s based on a self-portrait of Lagerfeld from his early days at Fendi. She wore a white, silk Lavallière tie with a brown, double breasted jacket. On her legs were a pair of sheer tights covered with the newly unveiled inverted FF logo, now known as the “Karligraphy.”
More A-list models, many of whom have got to where they are now at their career in part thanks to Lagerfeld, took turns to strut down the runway in some of the designer’s last creations. Adut Akech, Edie Campbell, Adesuwa Aighewi, Ruth Bell, Dilone, Adwoa Aboah, Lindsey Wixson, Sora Choi, Kaia Gerber, Gigi and Bella Hadid and more were styled in separates fit for a tasteful office lady who excel both in their profession and personal style.
In a sea of brown and black silhouettes, we spotted pops of vibrant hues from bubblegum pink to bright turquoise. See-through button-ups were worn with stylish leather coats and vinyl boots, while floor-length trousers were paired with Fendi’s “Fun Fur” jackets and headwear. Statement-making sunglasses with retro tinted lenses and unique frames were a highlight in the accessories area. Then of course, the show also saw leather and fur-covered handbags coming in different shapes and forms — including a crossbody style attached with a micro bag comparable to the size of a phone. Gigi Hadid, who walked right behind her younger sibling, closed the show in a buttercup yellow dress worn with a turtleneck bodysuit underneath.
Jonathon Smith/HYPEBAE
Jonathon Smith/HYPEBAE
Following the finale, where David Bowie’s “Heroes” was aptly played, a clip from Loïc Prigent’s documentary, Karl Lagerfeld Sketches His Life, was projected on the screen above the catwalk. Members of the audience held their phones up to capture the moving tribute, which sees the designer drawing the outfit that he wore on his first day at work at Fendi.
Jonathon Smith/HYPEBAE
Jonathon Smith/HYPEBAE
Jonathon Smith/HYPEBAE
Jonathon Smith/HYPEBAE
Jonathon Smith/HYPEBAE
Jonathon Smith/HYPEBAE
Jonathon Smith/HYPEBAE
Jonathon Smith/HYPEBAE
Celebrities including Jasmine Sanders, Japanese model ROLA and South Korean actress Lee Sung-kyung were spotted front row at the star-studded show among other friends of the house. Scroll through above for more familiar faces in street style.
For more from Milan Fashion Week, read our recap of the latest runway shows presented by Prada , Moschino and more.
