Fendi shows Karl Lagerfeld's final collection at Milan Fashion Week

Fendi said its final goodbye to the late Karl Lagerfeld, showing the designer's final collection for the label on Thursday. The esteemed designer had helmed the brand for 54 years - from 1965 right through to his death earlier this week.

Speaking to WWD at the brand's Milan Fashion Week show, creative director Venturini Fendi said that Lagerfeld had been fully dedicated to designing the collection and looking forward to attending the show and taking a bow.

The women's Fall 2019 collection showcases exactly what would be expected of Lagerfeld's work for Fendi: tailored, yet relaxed fits in earth tones and a playful mix of textures across jackets, trousers, flowing and pleated skirts and dresses. Fur was used conservatively, only shown in a couple of looks.

A touching tribute

To pay tribute to the legendary designer, Fendi had the words “Love, Karl” sketched on top of the runway.

After the brand showed the collection, the brand played a portion of “Karl Lagerfeld Sketches His Life,” a 2013 documentary by Loïc Prigent as a tribute to the designer.

The clip showed Lagerfeld drawing a sketch of himself from when he had first started working with Fendi at age 32.

"Karl would like it," Fendi told WWD. "This collection made him live longer. Because we had been working a lot.”

Image: Fendi AW19, Catwalkpictures