Stories In Fur

Karl Lagerfeld, creative director, FENDI, gives us an haute couture collection based on their tribute to fur—befitting dramatic brides.

- Dishari Basu

A quick glance through the fashion records of the 20th century would reveal that unlike its contemporaries, FENDI had an early appointment with fur. A front runner in the game and renowned for its extensive repertoire of fur creations, the Roman fashion house started its creative explorations with the exotic material back in the early 1920s, when the world was still reeling from the aftermath of World War I, the series of violent protests and bans that ensued, and the sudden hike in the prices of commodities. The mid-20th century saw fur clothing become a representation of pedigree and social status, owing to its luxuriance. But it wasn’t until the 1960s that FENDI decided to cement its prowess in fur by merging its artistic vision with Karl Lagerfeld’s own, captivating us with their collaborative magic thereafter. Thus formed an A-team born of innovation that put fun in fur and revolutionised it, and whose spell is discernible to this day, even after six-odd decades. In sync with the atelier’s fur tradition, FENDI showcased three couture shows rechristened