Fendi Men's FW19: Silvia Venturini Fendi and Karl Lagerfeld reminisce about their decades-long friendship

A sleek dual-level wall library of matte black books awaited guests at the Fendi Men's Fall-Winter 2019 show venue. The runway had new FF logo imprinted on the carpet designed especially by guest artist Karl Lagerfeld for Silvia Venturini Fendi.

"Dualism is in the DNA of Fendi, under every form," says Silvia Venturini Fendi.

This collection celebrated friendship, an endearing and entrusting one between two personalities: Silvia Venturini Fendi and Karl Lagerfeld. She has known him since she was five. Their friendship blossomed with years of encounter through handwritten notes, letters, and exchange of sketches from their respective studios in Rome and Paris. Alike best friends reminiscing memories, their lifetime creative relationship inspired a collage print of dialogues explicit throughout the collection, prevalent on oversize puffer jackets, lightweight trench coats and even on the runway trunks. This collage even captivated an image of dashing young Karl in his 20s.

Transparency is another key element in this dual-themed collection, seemingly reflecting the trust between Silvia and Karl, with the free-flowing lightness of communication, playing with volumes and materials: the tuxedo is cut in organza, just like halves puffer parkas and intarsia fur pieces, and trunks protected by transparent covers.

Everything is dual: futurism and classicism swirl in a palette dominated by black, beige and brown, with accents of red and electric blue. Zippers split knitwear and plongé nappa pieces in two, functionally, interchanging left with right, front with the back. The metallic and shimmering luster of silver and gold is a streetwear reminiscent presence, from the anorak to the mink coat. Little chains draw pinstripes on high-collared shirts and lines on ribbed knits.

According to Silvia Venturini Fendi, the moment is ripe to bring sartorial formality back, but always with a Fendi twist.

Below, highlights from the Fendi Men's FW19 show:

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