Silvia Venturini Fendi, the esteemed Artistic Director of Accessories and Menswear, unveiled her exquisitely practical Spring/Summer 2024 Men’s collection amidst the breathtaking setting of the recently inaugurated FENDI Factory nestled in the scenic Tuscan hills. This state-of-the-art facility, established in 2022, serves as a hub for visionary artisans and is poised to produce a remarkable 35 to 40 percent of the Maison’s coveted leather goods. The collection not only commemorates this new chapter but also pays homage to Florence, a city steeped in history, where Silvia Venturini Fendi’s grandmother, Adele Fendi, honed her expertise in the art of leatherworking nearly a century ago.

Emanating an air of refined craftsmanship, the collection took center stage within the atrium of the FENDI Factory, a captivating ode to the archetype of the ‘corporate artisan.’ Meticulous manifestations of FENDI’s mastery were interwoven into each ensemble, evoking a distinct workwear aesthetic. A repurposed apron and tools intricately tattooed onto a bag echoed this motif. A harmonious interplay of proportions captivated the eye, showcased through shrunken ribbed body tanks, high-waisted suit trousers, and knee-length dress shirts, gracefully fastened at the elbow.

Carefully selected materials embraced the spirit of summer, with lightweight wools and nettle fiber knitwear taking center stage. These textiles were meticulously dyed using vegetal pigments derived from acacia, juniper, henna, and poppy. Continuing in this vein, woven paper fabrics and sumptuous silk emerged, paying homage to the revered Italian tradition of basket weaving. The iconic FF ‘tweed’ resurfaced, adorning coated cotton and linen shirts as well as a captivating, featherweight knit shearling coat. Artisans’ virtuosity was further unveiled through trompe l’oeil effects, spanning tonal jacquards, cotton floral embroidery, and a striking tack-stitch motif designed for eveningwear. The color palette encompassed a comforting array of warm, earthy tones including green, terracotta, and blue, complemented by timeless FENDI shades of black, grey, beige, and white.

The accessories collection embraced a playful exploration of the ‘corporate artisan’ concept, with intricately woven baskets, jacquard lunch bags, and meticulously embroidered raffia handbags. An exceptional highlight was the FENDI Kengo Kuma project, an enchanting artistic collaboration bridging the realms of Italy and Japan. This visionary endeavor seamlessly fused Kengo Kuma’s architectural principles with FENDI’s iconic designs, resulting in captivating iterations of the Peekaboo, Baguette Soft Trunk, and FENDI Flow sneakers. These pieces were ingeniously crafted from traditional waranshi paper, woven bamboo, birch bark, and Tusan olivewood.

Delfina Delettrez Fendi, the Artistic Director of Jewelry, imbued the accessories line with her signature creativity, infusing everyday elements from the FENDI Factory with a delightful twist. Playful nods to the brand’s heritage included locker key-shaped pendants, ‘Made in Fendi’ dog tags, ‘Staff Only’ pins, and elegant 1925 hoop earrings, rendering each piece a wearable work of art.

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