Fendi Spring Summer 2024 “A Roman Odyssey of Elegance and Freedom“. Story by Eleonora de Gray, Editor-in-Chief of RUNWAY MAGAZINE. Photo Courtesy: Fendi.
The Roman Inspiration
In the heart of Rome, where every cobblestone echoes with centuries of history, Kim Jones, FENDI’s Artistic Director of Couture and Womenswear, found his muse for the Spring Summer 2024 collection. “When I am in Rome, every day I walk from the hotel to the Colosseum wearing my ear pods. It’s like listening to a soundtrack to an imaginary film with FENDI characters I see along the way,” Jones remarked, encapsulating the essence of this extraordinary collection.
Elegance in Ease
Jones aimed to capture Rome’s unique charm – an elegance in ease and a disregard for external judgments – the epitome of true luxury. The collection is a celebration of women who dress for themselves, embodying the confidence and chicness that comes from being true to oneself. It’s not about being a spectacle but about being someone.
Rome Reimagined
This collection is a walk through Rome, where the ordinary transforms into the extraordinary. Histories intertwine, and the past seamlessly melds with the present. Insouciant personal style becomes a mirror of the wearer’s inner world.
The Duality of FENDI
Jones masterfully explores the duality intrinsic to FENDI. Masculine tailoring and materials meet a more fluid and feminine sensibility, creating a harmonious blend of pragmatism and playfulness. Kid mohair and silks merge, and tailored trousers reveal their construction with sinuous knitwear. It’s a fusion of masculine utility and feminine flourish, designed with the wearer’s agency in mind.
Nod to FENDI’s Past
FENDI’s rich heritage is brought to life with recurring codes and motifs. The Selleria stitch, inspired by Roman master saddlers, ties the collection together. It appears on leather bags, garments, and even as metal thread hardware on shoes. Delfina Delettrez Fendi, FENDI’s Artistic Director of Jewellery, adds her touch with playful and abstract interpretations of the iconic FF logo.
“In Rome, there is an elegance in ease and not caring what anybody else thinks – that is real luxury. In this collection, I wanted to reflect that. It is about women who dress for themselves and their own lives, I see it with Silvia and Delfina all of the time. It’s not about the spectacle of being looked at but the reality of wearing and the confidence and chicness that comes with it. It’s not about being something but being someone.”
Silvia Venturini Fendi’s Vision
In the realm of accessories, Silvia Venturini Fendi, Artistic Director of Accessories and Menswear, introduces a plethora of styles, sizes, materials, and techniques. The collection embraces the diversity of FENDI’s wearers, offering everything from the iconic Peekaboo and Baguette to the innovative Flip, a shopper that folds into a clutch.
Embracing Roman Freedom
Throughout the collection, there’s a clear message – there is not just one FENDI woman, but many FENDI women. The runway encourages each individual to embrace their unique style and the idea of Roman freedom.
Celestial Sounds
As the models graced the runway, the celestial sounds of “This Bitter Earth / On the Nature of Daylight” filled the air. A composition merging Dinah Washington’s hauntingly beautiful “This Bitter Earth” with Max Richter’s ethereal “On the Nature of Daylight” added a poetic layer to the show’s ambiance.
In conclusion, Fendi’s Spring Summer 2024 collection, under the guidance of Kim Jones, pays homage to Rome’s effortless elegance and celebrates the freedom of personal style. It seamlessly weaves together the past and present, offering a collection that is both timeless and contemporary, just like the city that inspired it. With celebrities like Christina Ricci, Demi Moore, Gwendoline Christie, and Linda Evangelista gracing the event, FENDI’s show was indeed a spectacular ode to the beauty of individuality and the enduring allure of Roman fashion.
See all Looks Fendi Spring Summer 2024
