Fendi Couture Honors Karl Lagerfeld in Historic Rome Show

Fendi unveiled its first haute couture collection directed by Maria Grazia Chiuri, held in Rome, the city of its founding. The luxurious display showcased black and cream ensembles, reinterpreted swirls, and 1930s Art Deco motifs, utilizing satin and delicate sheer fabrics. This significant fashion event also paid tribute to the late Karl Lagerfeld. Guests experienced a revival of his renowned 1985 museum exhibition, "Work. Fendi/Karl Lagerfeld 1985." This exhibition, originally held at the same venue, highlighted Lagerfeld's creative process through sketches and garment construction.

The show's venue, The National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art, provided a grand backdrop for the collection and the tribute. The event underscored Rome's burgeoning importance in the global fashion landscape, a sentiment echoed by Mayor Roberto Gualtieri. He celebrated Chiuri, a native Roman, as an "extraordinary artist." The exhibition "After steps through work. Fendi/Karl Lagerfeld 1985" is open to the public from Friday through October 25, offering a deep dive into the Fendi design heritage. The practice of museums hosting fashion exhibitions has evolved from a controversial idea in 1985 to a celebrated norm today.