This collection showcases a tribute to their iconic Baguette and Peekaboo bags, capturing the essence of the era. The accessories in this collection are as opulent as those favored by affluent Roman women. The reason for highlighting women over 50 is significant. Ever since 2020, my constant inspiration has been to encourage women aged 50 and above to display their unique style on the streets. The Fendi show, which kicked off Milan Fashion Week, showcased an impressive catwalk featuring 20ft marble-effect sculptures of the brand’s popular Baguette and Peekaboo bags. Due to this extravagant display, seating was limited, but the front row was filled with well-known celebrities such as Demi Moore, Cara Delevingne, Gwendoline Christie, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, and Linda Evangelista, attracting the attention of paparazzi.
The large white bags not only occupied physical space, but also served as a constant reminder of Fendi’s focus on accessories. Originally established as a family-owned furrier in Rome nearly a century ago, Fendi has evolved into a thriving 4.5 billion dollar enterprise, renowned for its iconic handbags that have made a lasting impact on fashion trends. The Baguette, for instance, gained significant recognition for its prominent appearance in the popular TV series, Sex and the City.
Currently under the ownership of LVMH, Fendi continues to be influenced by the Fendi family, particularly through the creative direction of Silvia Fendi, who oversees the brand’s accessories, and her daughter, Delfina, who is a renowned jewelry designer. This family connection sets the tone for the brand. The artistic director, British designer Kim Jones, acknowledged this fact prior to the show.
All the models on the runway wore stylish day gloves in lemon, sky blue, and bright orange, as mentioned by Jones. The bags, including clutches, purses, and small top-handle bags reminiscent of Grace Kelly’s style, were vibrant in shades of orange, yellow, and a python print that Lagerfeld had introduced during his time designing for the house in the 1990s. It is evident that Jones had an enjoyable time exploring the brand’s archives.
The variety of shoes included kitten-heeled boots, court shoes, and flats, all adorned with a gold bangle around the ankle. The entire fashion show was accessorized like a wealthy Roman matron, with most models wearing a large gold ear cuff or ring (or both) from Delfina, along with gloves and arm candy.
The elegant and classic Hitchcock-inspired look was elevated by the stylish and mature mannish overcoats and jackets (Jones also designs menswear for Dior) and flowing jersey dresses or cropped wide-legged trousers in vibrant shades of egg-yolk yellow, baby blue, and caramel and fawn tones.For those who prefer shorter hemlines, there were miniskirts available, while keyhole polonecks provided more coverage for those who desired it. Additionally, there was a white shirt that Karl himself would wear, as per Jones’ statement. Yellow is a great colour for winter blues.
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According to the designer, the models walked down the plain white carpet with a relaxed and unhurried pace, resembling a leisurely stroll through the streets of Rome, rather than displaying a scowling and stomping demeanor accompanied by a fast-paced soundtrack.
Fendi has maintained its essence as a female-centric family business throughout its almost century-long existence, despite its expansion. Credit goes to Joness for recognizing this and giving the accessories their well-deserved spotlight.
During my time in Milan this week, I made it a priority to immerse myself in the vibrant street-style scene that the city is renowned for. Additionally, I had the pleasure of visiting the Fendi boutique, an exquisite establishment. It is worth noting that they continue to offer real fur products, which are still in high demand. You can never go wrong with silver.
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