FENDI Men’s Spring/Summer 2024 Show Draws A-List Celebrities and Global Ambassadors

FENDI, the renowned Italian luxury fashion house, showed its Men's Spring/Summer 2024 collection in a groundbreaking event at the new FENDI Factory in Capannuccia, Tuscany. 

A host of notable personalities were in attendance at the FENDI Men's Spring/Summer 2024 collection showcase. Among the esteemed guests were Diplo, the renowned American DJ and music producer; Jeremy Pope, the talented actor known for his roles on stage and screen; and Alexander Skarsgard, the Swedish actor recognized for his captivating performances. Adding to the star-studded lineup was British actor Nicholas Galitzine, who was recently appointed as FENDI's First Global Menswear Ambassador, a testament to his impeccable style and influence in the fashion world.

Joining the personalities mentioned above were Hero Fiennes Tiffin, the British actor known for his role in the "After" film series; Massimiliano Caiazzo, the esteemed Italian actor Shohei Miura; the accomplished Japanese actor, Luo Yizhou, the versatile Chinese actor, singer, and dancer, Greg Hsu, the acclaimed Taiwanese actor and winner of multiple awards, Oscar Wang, the talented Chinese artist, Louis Garrel, the French actor, and Eden Dambrine, the Belgian Oscar-nominated actor. The presence of these esteemed individuals, French gamer Squeeze, and more further highlighted the FENDI brand's global appeal and cultural diversity.

This collection represents a creative collaboration between Silvia Venturini Fendi, the Artistic Director of Accessories and Menswear, and the esteemed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. The collaboration resulted in exclusive accessories seamlessly blending traditional Japanese craftsmanship with FENDI's innovative design approach. Moreover, the new FENDI Factory is an environmentally sustainable hub for artisans, highlighting the brand's commitment to social responsibility and material innovation.

Silvia Venturini Fendi describes Kengo Kuma as a master of naturalist architecture, known for his ability to integrate nature into architectural designs. This shared vision of blending the artificial with the natural world forms the foundation of their collaboration. Kuma's natural materials and craftsmanship expertise aligns perfectly with FENDI's commitment to innovation and research. By applying ancient Japanese techniques and materials to FENDI's iconic accessories, Kuma brings a subtly radical and nature-inspired touch to the collection.

One of the principal interventions in the collection is the use of waranshi, a hybrid style of washi paper made from cotton and tree bark fibers. Traditionally used in origami, lantern-making, and kimono details, Warashi adds a dry, soft, and textural fabric to accessories like the Peekaboo bag, Baguette Soft Trunk, and FENDI Flow sneakers. Another standout design features a Peekaboo bag constructed from delicate skeins of pale birch bark, paying homage to FENDI's Pequin stripe and incorporating an internal frame sculpted from Tuscan olivewood.

Kuma also draws inspiration from the Japanese tradition of yatra ami weaving, known for its irregular plaiting technique using fine bamboo strands. This technique is applied to the internal frame of the Waranshi Peekaboo bag and inspires a 3D-printed sole on the FENDI Flow sneakers. The sneakers feature a recycled poly-cotton knit or warship upper, a laced and zipped design, a cork insole, and an undyed, bio-based EVA sole.

The FENDI Factory, situated in the scenic countryside of Capannuccia, reflects the brand's commitment to environmental sustainability and social responsibility. Designed by the Milan-based architecture firm Piuarch, the factory covers a vast area and houses production facilities, laboratories, offices, and services. Blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces, the factory features glazed courtyards that bring natural light into the workspace while integrating Mediterranean scrub tree species, olive groves, and native plant species into the landscape.

In line with FENDI's dedication to sustainability, the FENDI Factory has achieved the prestigious LEED Platinum certification. The building's perimeter and interior walls are made of glass, allowing ample natural light and serene views of the Tuscan countryside. The external walls blend soil and concrete in an earthy tone that pays homage to the region's color shades. Terracotta core cladding, handmade tiles, and Italian-made furnishings contribute to a bright and sustainable working environment.

The FENDI Men's Spring/Summer 2024 collection showcased at the new FENDI Factory in Capannuccia, Tuscany, marks a significant milestone for the luxury brand. Designed by Silvia Venturini Fendi, the Artistic Director of Accessories and Menswear, the collection pays homage to the heritage of craftsmanship while embracing innovation and sustainability.

The collection captures the essence of a "corporate artisan" with practical elegance. The garments feature patch pockets inspired by workwear belts, apron-like halter neck collared shirts and skirts, and a play on proportions with shrunken ribbed body tanks and high-waisted zip-off suit trousers. The color palette reflects the hues of the Tuscan landscape, with mineral shades of terracotta, burnt umber, and deep indigo, accented by softer tones of sage, limestone, and chalk. Raw materials such as woven paper textiles, linen, cotton drill, and nettle fiber knitwear add texture and depth to the collection.

Accessories take center stage in the Men's Spring/Summer 2024 collection in true FENDI fashion. The range of bags showcases the craftsmanship of the FENDI Factory, with new Baguette and Peekaboo styles featuring vegetal-dyed textiles, debossed leather scales, and trompe l'oeil pattern-print graphics. Woven baskets, knotted jacquard lunch bags, and raffia-embroidered weekenders add a playful touch to the collection. The FENDI Lab clog, designed with a swivel heel strap and a molded FF sole in bio-based rubber, combines style with comfort.

With the FENDI Factory and the Men's Spring/Summer 2024 collection, FENDI reaffirms its dedication to preserving tradition while embracing innovation and sustainability. The collaboration with Kengo Kuma showcases the brand's commitment to cross-cultural exchange and exploring new material possibilities. Explore the entire collection, guests, and after-show party below, courtesy of FENDI. fendi.com