Michigan Avenue - Niche Media - Michigan Avenue magazine is a luxury lifestyle magazine centered around Chicago’s finest people, events, fashion, health & beauty, fine dining & more!
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VIVA ROMA! COUTURE KAISER ARL LAGERFELD MARSHALS THE ITALIAN CAPITAL'S HIGH FASHION TEMPLE INTO ITS TENTH DECADE. BY KRISTIN YOUNG "Fendi is Italian to its core," says longtime creative director Karl Lagerfeld. "It's not only Italian, it's Roman." The wonderfully prolific Lagerfeld, who has been at the helm of Fendi for longer than many of us have been alive— since 1965—claims it's easy to differentiate the Italian collection from those of Chanel and his namesake label, the other two fashion houses under his direction. "I don't have one personality, I have three," the designer muses. "Fendi is my Italian version, Chanel my French version, and Lagerfeld. is my own version. I never made something that looked like Chanel at Fendi and never made something that looked like Fendi at Chanel, because both have a [separate] identity." There is perhaps no greater tribute to Fendi's quintessential romanità than the staging of its 90th anniversary fashion show upon Rome's Trevi fountain in July. Models literally walked on water—an illusion created by a clear platform placed over the newly-restored fountain and pool—revealing a collection inspired by illustrations of legends and fairy tales. "Very romantic, but modern at the same time," says Lagerfeld of the collection, which comprised romantic, flowing dresses, many with Fountain of inspiration: Kendall Jenner (ABOVE RIGHT) was among the models who walked on water during Fendi's Fall 2016 couture fashion show, which was staged on the Trevi Fountain in Rome. HERE: Karl Lagerfeld and Silvia Venturini Fendi, who oversee the brand's designs, walk the runway. LEFT: Lagerfeld's sketch of the fountain. PHOTOGRAPHY BY VENTURELLI/WIREIMAGE (MODELS, JENNER); VICTOR VIRGILE/GAMMA-RAPHO VIA GETTY IMAGES (STATUE, LAGERFELD); SKETCH (COURTESY OF FENDI) MICHIGANAVEMAG.COM 81 STYLE OF THE CIT Y