Fendi ended its spectacular fall/winter 2019-20 show at Men’s Fashion Week in Milan with a powerhouse performance by Chinese singer and rapper Jackson Wang

 

Outside, a small crowd of about 100 Italian and Asian fans swooned and screamed when the rapper arrived. Wang, who is based in South Korea, took his time, stopping to wave for the flashing smartphones.

Performing his hit Fendiman for the fashion crowd, and rapping from an archive balcony that was the runway backdrop, Wang intoned, “Call me Fendiman, welcome to my Fendi-land”.

Fendi-’s fall/winter collection encourages men to get in touch with their feminine side. 

During three days of previews, designers at men’s fashion week sent clear signals for next autumn and winter: feminine touches are not only acceptable, they are necessary.

The trend towards femininity in men’s wear could also be seen as a sign of solidarity with the MeToo movement.  

The trend could be interpreted as encouragement to get in touch with one’s feminine side, or as an explicit sign of solidarity after a year when the sexual harassment and assault of women became a global theme.

 

The brand’s menswear collection was designed with input from Karl Lagerfeld.

Fendi wants to tempt young adults into choosing to dress more formally.

Sober dress shoes finished the looks, often with a lip on the sole in a contrasting colour – a male version of the celebrated Fendi Baguette bag. And underlining the formal tone were ties.

The collection featured suits in shiny materials, metallic accents on knitwear and sheer-collared shirts, and organza tuxedo jackets.

Models were sent down the runway clutching handheld trunk bags. 

A suit jacket with contrasting lapels – one shawl-style and one notched – already has been dubbed the “Karl jacket”.

Fendi also wants to entice younger adults into eschewing streetwear and dressing more formally.

“There is nothing more subversive than a young man wearing a formal suit,” Silvia Venturini Fendi told Italian reporters.

Sheer shirts with jewellery featured prominently.  

Collections also featured plenty of shiny and sheer textiles, sequinned garments, lace and scoop necks.