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Last February, the fashion world mourned the loss of Karl Lagerfeld who passed away shortly before the fall 2019 Chanel and Fendi fashion shows. At Chanel there was small moment of silence, while at Fendi the brand paid tribute to “Karl’s unparalleled creativity and timeless legacy,” with a small video tribute. This July, Fendi is taking things one step further, staging a proper farewell tribute to Lagerfeld at their Rome couture show.
According to WWD, Bernard Arnault, chairman and chief executive officer of LVMH, spoke fondly of Lagerfeld at a meeting early Thursday morning, who he called “the soul of the house since many years” before announcing the couture runway show that will “reprise all his creations during his time at Fendi.”
The tribute show will take place on July 4, although the brand hasn’t announced an exact location. A spokesperson for the brand told the outlet that the couture collection, which will be designed by Silvia Venturini Fendi and the creative team, will be on display in Rome following the show.
At Karl Lagerfeld’s last Fendi collection in Milan earlier this year, models walked out with a sign that read “Love, Karl” at the runway marquee. Lagerfeld was the creative director of Fendi for 54 years and in the show’s notes, Silvia Venturini Fendi remembered her dear friend.
“The bond between Karl Lagerfeld and Fendi is fashion’s longest love story, one that will continue to touch our lives for years to come. I am profoundly saddened by his passing and deeply touched by his constant care and perseverance until the very end,” the quote read. “When we called just a few days before the show, his only thoughts were on the richness and beauty of the Collection. It’s a true testament to his character. He shall be so missed.”
