Fashion aficionados and style enthusiasts alike are buzzing about Fendi's latest showcase at Milan Fashion Week, celebrating the luxury house's 100th anniversary. The Spring/Summer 2025 collection signifies more than just another season; it stands as a tribute to the brand's rich heritage and milestones over the past century. Under the creative direction of Kim Jones, Fendi is not just revisiting the past but reinterpreting it with fresh designs and elevated craftsmanship.
Kim Jones, the Artistic Director of Couture and Womenswear, looked back to the roaring 1920s—a pivotal decade for women's fashion. This era, bursting with modernity and self-expression, laid down the groundwork for numerous style principles still relevant today. "The foundations of how women dress today and, in many ways, how we think, are rooted in the 1920s. It’s about modernity in style and attitude," Jones expressed, effectively nodding to the cultural awakening this era initiated.
For the SS25 collection, Jones drew inspiration from notable events of the 1920s, including the founding year of Fendi itself. It was 1925 not just for the inception of the brand by Adele Casagrande and Edoardo Fendi, but also marked the year of the Art Deco exhibition, which introduced the term 'Art Deco' to the world. Iconic literature from this time, like Virginia Woolf’s Mrs Dalloway and F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, influenced the collection deeply. Jones aimed to merge historical references with contemporary needs, achieving what he termed as “an amalgam of epochs, moods, and techniques — then and now.”
What transpired on the runway was nothing short of spectacular, showcasing glamorous attire from drop-waist slip dresses to boxy, genderless silhouettes reminiscent of the flapper lifestyle. The 1920s served as the backdrop for Jones’ vision, yet he infused it with modern elements like sheer fabrics and daring shorts, thereby marrying nostalgia with the needs of today’s woman.
Silhouettes glided down the runway, adorned with exquisitely detailed embroiders, echoing the house's dedication to luxury and timeless elegance. The soft, luxurious materials comprised silks and organzas, expertly crafted with innovative designs. There was something uniquely theatrical about the collection, inviting onlookers to lose themselves within the flowing forms of the garments.
Accessory design has always been central to Fendi’s DNA, and this collection was no exception. Accessories like the Mamma Baguette—a reinvention of the classic Fendi Baguette—were prominent, available in diverse styles and sizes, echoing various elements from the brand's illustrious past. Silvia Venturini Fendi, the Artistic Director of Accessories and Menswear, emphasized quality as the defining feature of the collection. “Quality is the number one point besides the beauty of design… it is the timeless testimony of our hundred-year history,” she stated.
Innovative materials characterized the latest designs, with Jones employing plush suedes, delicate fringe, and transitional layers made to celebrate the essence of femininity without constraint. Elements of relaxed elegance permeated the collection, appealing to the modern woman who balances style with practicality.
Among the standout pieces was the collaboration with Red Wing Heritage, showcasing the iconic Classic Moc boots. These boots, introduced alongside dresses and sleek tops on the runway, are crafted from premium leathers, embodying the luxury craftsmanship associated with both brands. Notably, the boots come embellished with the Fendi logo, eleving practical footwear to luxuriously stylish options. "For this project, we wanted to celebrate craftsmanship, skill, and history, reflecting the values both Fendi and Red Wing Heritage stand for," said Jones.
Throughout the show, models walked with confidence, embodying female empowerment which has always been fundamental to Fendi's ethos. The aesthetic ranged from seductive sheer tops to impeccably structured blazers, juxtaposing styles and highlighting the multifaceted nature of the modern woman. The use of contemporary layering techniques and refined structures paid homage to the women who do—not just those who are.
The earthy color palette of the collection also spoke volumes—evoking warmth and comfort, making the viewer appreciate not just the clothing, but the emotion behind each piece. Jones aimed for viewers to recognize the power and strength of women, drawing parallels between the past and the present.
Reflecting on the show, Fendi’s centennial anniversary clearly set the stage for modern exploration of styles derived from the past. The union of tradition and innovation made for one compelling presentation—a daring invitation to embrace one's individuality through fashion, all the more potent as Fendi sets out to continue inspiring future generations.
With the melding of heritage and forward-thinking design principles, Fendi’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection encapsulates the spirit of the Roaring Twenties, perfectly blending it with the sensibilities of the present. For Fendi, this is not just the celebration of 100 years but also the launchpad for the next century of fashionable excellence.
Here’s to another 100 years of Fendi being at the forefront of fashion!
