Fendi SS21 collection

Silvia Venturini Fendi's latest fashion show at the helm of Fendi womenswear, before the new artistic director Kim Jones presents his vision of the brand next season, is an ode to family, to craftsmanship, to those traditions that are passed down from generation to generation. 

Previewed by La Famiglia, a series of shots by Nico Vascellari portraying members of the Roman dynasty in their homes wearing SS21 items, and announced by an invitation that was actually a package of pasta, the co-ed show featured a heterogeneous cast of models, some of whom were related, such as Edie and Olympia Campbell, which included Ashley Graham, Penelope Tree, Karen Elson, Mariacarla Boscono, Paloma Elsesser and Jill Kortleve. 

Among white curtains and the projection of shadows of stained glass windows open to the outside world, the Roman designer has reworked the concept of "Dance Tonight Revolution Tomorrow" bringing on the catwalk a refined collection, inspired by the past, with clothes recalling the mood of the traditional "corredo" of the Italian family.

The silhouettes are fluid, the colors soft, gradually changing from red, sky blue, to total black, with some vibrant pastel tones for the accessories. Opening the show were shirts, protagonists in different declinations: from destructured chemisier in light fabrics to linen caftan, from mini dress to jumpsuit, worn with ankle boots and gloves en pendant. The 40s cut longuette dresses, combined with hats with wide rounded visors, alternate with elegant power suits and floral midi dresses with wide sleeves. On these romantic creations stand out the à jour embroidery and bobbin lace work, reminiscent of the linen sheets that mothers gave their daughters when they got married.  

The accessories? Fendi plays with shocking color accents, from pink to yellow, with a new version of the Peekaboo, a straw bag declined in different models, from the one with the double F perforated to the one in lace or covered with feathers. The novelty is the fluorescent turtlenecks combined with gloves and ankle boots.

Even the hairstyling was retro. Sam McKnight has created the "Fendi rolls", a kind of chignon made by combining rolls of hair to form a sort of square mosaic on the back of the neck, while the front is sleek. Peter Philips' make-up opts for two looks, both with a super glamorous effect: the first is focused on the look, with stone gray shading on the eyelids; the second gives a touch of color to the lips with a dark pink lipstick.