"It's a whole new spirit in Rome," said Fendi co-designer Silvia Venturini Fendi. "This is evident when we have a new pope going back to real Christianity, which lately was far from the church. People are looking for meaning, and the real meaning of fashion is as a tool to express yourself. Sometimes fashion hides your language, but we look for meaning in materials and fabrics to allow true personality to come out."
Papal Values |
The New York Times' Suzy Menkes reports that his humbleness is having an impact on the industry - with fashion houses adopting a more sombre, restrained aesthetic. Dolce & Gabbana's latest collection referenced southern Italian churches, while Valentino's most recent offering was demure and even featured a floor-length, plain red dress that echoed the robes traditionally worn by cardinals. Italy's emerging designers, who showcased work at last week's AltaModa event, also displayed a move away from the flamboyant, high-octane glamour that the country is known for.
"Maybe there is a moment when we want to focus on other things in life and give fashion a different meaning to clothing," Venturini Fendi said. "Women are thinking and dressing more ethically. This pope is what we all needed."
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