Fendi Explores the Duality of Soft and Strong Femininity at FW20 Show
Silvia Venturini Fendi’s second womenswear collection is a medley of contrasts.
Departing from the vacation mood and retro nods of its Spring collection, Fendi‘s recent Fall/Winter 2020 show at Milan Fashion Week presented a polished and dangerously seductive range that celebrates the multifaceted modern woman.
Inspired by the subversive idea of “soft power,” the collection seeks to take the boudoir into the boardroom, with items of clothing typically associated with sensual pleasure seamlessly woven into the work wardrobe of women in authority. Dusty pink satin, often used in lingerie, was found on a Juliet-sleeved dress and a quilted bustier that meshes with a lace pencil skirt adorned with rows of beaded fringe. Garters became a part of the footwear, as they embraced the ankles and legs like buckled straps, while the criss-cross pattern of fishnet stockings formed the boot shaft.
Creative Director Silvia Venturini Fendi‘s take on executive realness arrived in the form of leather outerwear designed with a perfectly nipped waist. And in a remarkable (albeit overdue) move for the storied Italian house, these second-skin-like silhouettes were made for a diverse size range. Model Paloma Elsesser, who described her debut at the Fendi catwalk as a “monumental moment,” strutted down the velvety pink runway in a buttercup yellow coat cinched in with a belt. Jill Kortleve, another curvy model cast for the show, was styled in a black corset dress accented with sultry Chantilly lace detailing.
The contrasts between soft and strong femininity were further explored in the FW20 accessory lineup. Besides updated iterations of the Peekaboo and the iconic Baugette bag, as well as the upside-down headbands that’ll likely be an It item come fall, the show unveiled a collaboration between Fendi and British label Chaos, best known for its personalized phone cases and tech accessories. Echoing the corporate-cool looks, the partnership was filled with office-ready accessories ranging from scribble pen earrings to monogram phone pouches, to keychains for your AirPods and smart watch.
See the Fendi FW20 collection up-close by flicking through our backstage photos in the gallery above.
