FENDI Womenswear Spring-Summer 2025: A Centennial Celebration of Modernity and Heritage

As the golden afternoon light suffused the windows of Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana, FENDI unveiled its Spring-Summer 2025 collection, marking a century of innovation and style. The show, a tour de force tribute to the house's enduring legacy, seamlessly melded past and present in a display that was both nostalgic and audaciously forward-looking.

Kim Jones, Artistic Director of Couture and Womenswear, set the tone: "The foundations of how women dress today and, in many ways, how we think are in the 1920s. It's about modernity in style and attitude." This ethos permeated the collection, which drew inspiration from FENDI's inaugural year, 1925, and the cultural zeitgeist of that transformative epoch.

The front row crackled with palpable anticipation as luminaries from entertainment, art, and fashion converged. Jade Thirlwall exuded effortless sophistication in a structured ensemble, while Shailene Woodley captivated onlookers in a meticulously modern outfit. Marina Abramović blended fashion with performance art in a dramatic black coat, and both Hayley Atwell and Pia Wurtzbach further showcased the brand’s star power, embodying the diverse influences that shape FENDI’s allure.

As models glided down the runway, the collection's color palette—a sophisticated interplay of muted earth tones and striking jewel hues—evoked the essence of the Art Deco movement. Each look served as a carefully curated statement, reflecting Fendi’s rich heritage while simultaneously embracing a daring vision for the future. Notably, pieces like the reimagined Mamma Baguette showcased how the brand fuses iconic design elements with modern silhouettes, creating a dialogue between past and present.

Throughout the show, the indomitable spirit of Adele Fendi, the house’s matriarch, was palpable. Her words resonated: “My mother was an extraordinary woman… the energy of the house.” This energy was evident in every piece, from the softly structured suede robes to the reimagined Mamma Baguette bags, each a testament to FENDI’s enduring legacy of innovation.

The accessories, overseen by Silvia Venturini Fendi were a sight to behold. The collaboration with Red Wing on boots anchored the ethereal dresses in practicality, marrying ruggedness with elegance. Enlarged Mamma Baguette bags playfully nod to the brand’s storied history while providing modern functionality, illustrating Fendi’s artful balance of heritage and contemporary needs. “Quality is the number one point besides the beauty of design,” Silvia emphasized, echoing her grandmother’s timeless ethos and reinforcing the brand’s commitment to craftsmanship.

As the final looks paraded past, Anna Fendi herself graced the show with her presence, reinforcing the message that FENDI’s centenary was a celebration of the past and a bold manifesto for the future. The collection, with its masterful blend of technique and wearable designs, reaffirmed FENDI’s position at the vanguard of fashion, continually redefining luxury for the modern woman.

The show’s soundtrack, a composition by Max Richter interwoven with reflections from Anna and Silvia Fendi on Adele’s legacy, created an emotionally charged atmosphere that enveloped the runway. This poignant auditory backdrop not only heightened the visual spectacle but also served as a powerful reminder of the family’s enduring influence on both the brand and the broader fashion landscape. It encapsulated the essence of Fendi’s centenary celebration—honoring its storied past while confidently stepping into the future.

FENDI's Spring-Summer 2025 collection transcended fashion by way of innovation, family legacy, and the enduring power of Italian craftsmanship. The sensational collection not only honored a century of fashion but also boldly charted the course for its future.