SO contributor Jordan Anderson reports from the Fendi show at Milan Fashion Week where Karl Lagerfeld’s final collection was revealed…

Thursday, February, 21 was an emotional day for many during the usual run of Milan Fashion Week. The celebrated designer Karl Lagerfeld’s passing earlier that week [Tuesday, Feb 19] had caught the fashion world off guard! This women’s wear collection for Fendi would be his last. The world and his wife were in attendance. Plus, raucous fur protesters. Lagerfeld was not one to be swayed by naysayers!

The mood inside was a sombre contrast. The set was different. The signature FF header mounted at the top of the runway was replaced with the words “Love, Karl” in his own handwriting which he called his “Karliography”. The grief was palpable as guests picked up cards that featured a heart and the date of the designer’s death prior to taking their seats; and PRs anxiously awaited the arrival of the late designer’s dear friends Anna Wintour and Suzy Menkes to begin the show.

The dimming of the lights and the soundtrack of Lou Reed & John Cale’s Smalltown signalled not only the start of the show but uncontrolled grieving… tears flowed, not only because the words of the song were quite descriptive of Lagerfeld’s story, but also because the first look that went down the runway was very much one of his signatures. The entire collection was in part a compilation of his half-century with the Italian luxury house. As supermodel Gigi Hadid walked the final look, Lagerfeld’s co-creative director Silvia Venturini Fendi peeked out from the edge of the runway to acknowledge the crowd. Then, as guests readied to leave, the lights cut out, a screen rose from the runway and a video of the late designer sketching the look he wore on his first day at Fendi in 1965 was played. The applause was tumultuous.

“The bond between Karl Lagerfeld and Fendi is fashion’s longest love story, one that will continue to touch our lives for years to come. I am profoundly saddened by his passing and deeply touched by his constant care and perseverance until the very end. When we called just a few days before the show, his only thoughts were on the richness and beauty of the collection. It’s a true testament to his character. He shall be so missed.” – Silvia Venturini Fendi.