Lagerfeld's Fendi Pre-collection

[Astrid21]

Originally posted by Fashion Wire Daily Milan July 2@ 2003

More Practical - but Don't Call It Commercial! Lagerfeld's Fendi Pre-Collection

By J.J. Martin

It's tough imagining Fendi's foxy ladies taking it down a notch on the fantasy runway, and even more of a stretch to picture ultimate fashion dreamer Karl Lagerfeld pitching sellable clothes, but fashion times are a-changin'.

"This is about the clothes you see in the shop," said Karl Lagerfeld, before the start of Fendi's first runway presentation of their women's pre-collection staged this morning in Milan.

Dressed in his usual slim jeans, black leather tie, neck brace collared shirt and white cowboy boots, Lagerfeld was jazzed about the spring/summer 2004 pieces, which normally never get runway time and are destined for the eyes of buyers back in the showroom.

"We stand behind these clothes and we love them," he said right before sexy, but subtle models sauntered out wearing feminine silk blouses, strapless belted dresses and structured suits traced in zips, in Fendi's most toned down runway show to date.

There were no improbable hemlines, no problematic hole slits, and no impossible embellishments -- just gorgeous, simple clothing with all of the panache of Fendi style.

"It's not like this is a commercial collection. Commercial is a stupid word," Lagerfeld told FWD.

Semantics aside, this collection was down right wearable, and even -- sorry, Karl -- commercial. But it should be a compliment to Lagerfeld that these clothes -- jersey dresses with subtle patent leather patches, zip jackets with double belt rows, double F printed skirts -- will have plenty of women, seeking confidence and a quieter type of beauty, reaching for their wallets.

But it's not like the collection lacked in punch. Hints of the sliced fabrics and swirling lines which dotted Lagerfeld's spring/summer 2003 collection popped up on special items like an aqua and violet featherweight leather dress, or on Lagerfeld's new graphic print -- white with swirls of circles and colorful scribbles -- which he dubbed "freaked out CDs."

"This is an evolution of what I have done in the past. It's not a revolution -- one can not have a revolution every six months," Lagerfeld said.

LVMH's Sidney Toledano, newly appointed to the burgeoning Fendi business, was clearly pleased with the show. He told FWD backstage: "This is so important for the customers. You need to show the image, the atmosphere, the mood of these clothes."

The pre-collection, which hits stores at the end of November, is the bread and butter of the collection, providing wearable, easy alternatives to the catwalk pieces. For Lagerfeld, it's like a sneak preview of his women's collection to be presented in September in Milan, but destined for the buyer's world.

"Buyers have to see how the clothes are supposed to be -- not on a hanger, but on a girl," he said.

Plus, Lagerfeld said the process got everyone at Fendi jazzed up, working on over time. "You know, seamstresses aren't exciting unless they're working for a show!!" he said with a wink.

 

[LolitaLuxe]

very cool info, thank you. i in love with the strapless dress

 

[Spacemiu]

intresting

 

[Meg]

very. I really like it. It's very modern and clean and so wearable. tres enjoyable.

 

[Lush]

looks like banana republic with a twist.

 

[Lena]

Originally posted by Lush@Jul 3rd, 2003 - 4:28 am
looks like banana republic with a twist.

absolutely so lush

 

[ignitioned32]

Wearble is always good but I wish they had more individual pieces! It's like with that collection you have to buy the whole ensemble not get one beautiful embellished mink jacket and pair it with jeans!