La Reine de Seduction ... Fendi SS10 Ready-to-Wear

There’s nothing much to say about Fendi’s spring/summer 2010 lineup. The styles are almost the same as the previous spring/summer offerings – seductive and timeless. But the good thing is, they’re getting more feminine these days.

Playing with the subtle hues of ecru, ivory and off-pastels mixed with hints of red, orange and yellowish green, the show was presented to Fendi coveters and supportive media members in a transitive way.

The show started with a lineup of clothes bearing the basic silhouettes. Almost everything was done using sheer fabric, except for an iridescent belted dress with long skirt.

Amidst the conventional and clean shapes, designer Karl Lagerfeld has added some hints of understated quirkiness such as the mini paper bag skirt with slim self-belt in a darker tone, translucent chiffon shirt-like cape with standing collar, ecru jumpsuit with graceful butterfly sleeves and a skirt in grapefruit hue with heightened pleated front. There were a couple of looks worn with bra tops, bringing forth nuances of a woman’s sensuality.

In the second set, I can hear Lagerfeld’s message to women all over clearly. He’s likely trying to confide them to embrace their sensuality and forget about their problems and yes, the bad economic situation. Just get into the dresses or ensembles and play.

Here, he injected hints of the French flair with darker mood and a heavy dose of sensuality; possibly reinventing the dark, sombre image of the legendary Black Widow. Entirely swathed in black, the silhouettes are ubiquitously sexy and feminine with lots of transparencies.

Outstanding all-black pieces that stole fashionistas and fashion critics’ attentions were little black dress in bundled paper silhouette with cinched waist and straps; transparent chiffon collared mini dress with long sleeves paired with matching bra top and sporty shorts; full-skirted belted shift with matte and sheer over-layering bodice worn with a string bra top, and an ultra sheer tie-front blouson worn with furry black bolero and black string bra, plus a high waist shorts in earthy brownish tone.

Towards the end of the show, the palette gradually shifted from black to the subtle hues of ecru, ivory and off-whites with French boudoir-cued styles. Again, dresses were either detailed with cutouts or simply sheer while two-pieces ensembles were fashioned according to the post-war lingerie styles.

What is my favourite pick from this line? Definitely the silky halter neck mini dress with chiffon train detail and worn together with feather-shearing long-sleeved bolero, just as seen on supermodel Abbey Lee at the show finale.

And what Fendi would be without its infectious line of accessories, right? Well, for the next spring/summer, keep your eyes on these must-haves: leather Peek-a-boo bags with gold hardware, high-heeled strappy platform sandals with silk straps, slim belts with key-holed wooden buckles, cuffs studded with semi-precious stones in wooden tones, and most importantly, Plexiglas box clutch that looks like a spitting image of a finely cut diamond.

Fendi’s spring/summer 2010 collection will be available at all Fendi stores and selected department/multibrand stores worldwide early next year.

*Photos by Don Ashby & Olivier Claisse/style.com

Fendi – Adorn Floor, Starhill Gallery, 181, Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur; Ground Floor, Suria KLCC, Jalan Ampang, 50088 Kuala Lumpur.