With the help of superstar models Gigi and
Bella Hadid, Karl Lagerfeld on Thursday unveiled his vision of what stylish
young women will be wearing next summer: glitter lips and big pants that
everyone can see.
The veteran German designer’s latest work for Fendi was a playful affair —
or “decorative opulence twisted with an athletic elan,” as he put it in his
notes to the Roman house’s 2017 Spring/Summer collection. Tennis champion
Serena Williams provided some sporting star power to the front row,
chatting animatedly with fashion Godmother Anna Wintour and veteran style
correspondent Suzy Menkes.
Adding to the celebrity star dust, the Hadid sisters pouted their
glitter-coated lips obligingly for the backstage cameras to highlight a look
that Lagerfeld revealed had been inspired by a cartoon princess: Vanellope
von
Schweetz from “Wreck-It Ralph”.
After years in which many of fashion trendsetters have seemed obsessed with
getting young women to bear their nipples to the world, Lagerfeld’s take on
showing off your knickers was all about the fabrics rather than skin-tone.
Asymetric, layered mini-dresses allowed only occasional flashes of
underpants cut like track shorts of an Olympic sprinter.
But floating aprons and ribbon-tied gowns left less to the imagination from
what fashionistas will presumably now have to call the rear view.
Dresses were frequently pinched at the waist, enhancing the transparency of
cascading sheer materials. Where fewer see-through textiles were deployed
slashes up the side kept the lingerie on show. A body top was paired with a
sheer skirt fastened by a bow over the derriere.
The colour palette was designed to catch the eye: apricot, blush pink and
pale mint were combined with sporty stripes in scarlet, burgundy and
marigold.
The collection also saw Fendi unveil the latest addition to the
eye-wateringly expensive range of accessories that drive the company’s
revenues. The Kan I study lock bag comes covered in candy-coloured studs,
rosette embroidery and floral ribbons. “In terms of innovation and
research, this was one of the best collections we have ever produced,”
Fendi CEO told Pietro Beccari told reporters.
The same playful spirit was to be found in Massimo Giorgetti’s colourful
collection for Pucci and Max Mara also appeared to be predicting a heatwave
for the warmer months of 2017.
Figure-hugging jersey dresses and tight nylon leggings gave the latter’s
practical collection a sexy edge. Flagging giant Prada were to unveil their
collection on Thursday evening with Giorgio Armani and Versace taking
centre stage on Friday. (AFP)
The international Fashion Week season for women’s ready-to-wear kicks off
in the month of September, with all eyes set on New York, Paris, London and
Milan for next seasons latest trends. For all the women’s wear catwalk
season must reads, click .
Photos: Fendi SS17, Courtesy of Fendi