The Hadid Sisters Closed the Show at Fendi, Setting the Scene For a Fitting Tribute to Karl Lagerfeld

After the sad news of Karl Lagerfeld's passing earlier this week, the Fendi show was always going to be a hugely poignant part of Milan Fashion Week. It represented the last time we will see Karl's work as part of a Fendi runway show, though his legacy and hallmarks will no doubt continue on for years to come as Silvia Venturini Fendi continues to take the label forward. "Love KL" was written above the runway, while a graphic "F" in that same script curved its way onto the end of the runway, and indeed onto items of clothing that were shown as part of the collection.

The show itself was full of twists on classics: a succession of grown-up neutrals, tied with oversize bows and dotted with dashes of color: a green pleated skirt here, a pink boot there. Models carried matching buckled shoulder bags and top handle styles in patent and leather. The runway was closed by Bella and Gigi Hadid, both wearing nipped-waist midi dresses in sheer monogrammed fabrics — but their finale was by no means the end of the show.

As they left the stage and the lights went down, a video appeared, showing Karl Lagerfeld sketching the outfit he wore for his first day at Fendi, 54 years ago. "In the '60s we didn't hold back," he explained, before illustrating a young Karl wearing a Cerruti hat, an English hunting jacket, culottes, and his ever-present dark shades. What better way to pay homage to the Kaiser, than with a clip of him doing exactly what he loved? See the full collection ahead, as well as that moving video tribute.

click to play video