#Italy #Rome #Art Exhibition #Fendi #Karl Lagerfeld

Fendi's Tribute to Karl Lagerfeld: A 1985 Exhibition Revival

In October 1985, the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea in Rome hosted an exceptional exhibition titled "Steps Through Work. FENDI / Karl Lagerfeld 1985." This exhibition commemorated the first twenty years of collaboration between Fendi and the iconic designer Karl Lagerfeld, a partnership that lasted until his passing in 2019. Curated by Ida Panicelli, the exhibition was designed by Lagerfeld himself, with spatial contributions from Claudio Lazzarini and Carmela Vigliotti.

This event marked a pioneering moment for fashion brands being showcased in art museums, allowing visitors to experience the intricate processes from conception to the production of fur designs. The exhibition also spotlighted experimental attempts by Lagerfeld to redefine fur as a material, elevating it to innovative artistic expressions.

Fast forward to 2026, Maria Grazia Chiuri, the Chief Creative Officer of Fendi, plans to resurrect this groundbreaking exhibition for contemporary audiences. Chiuri aims to recreate this exhibition as authentically as possible, reflecting the artistic spirit of the original while crafting a new, engaging experience for today’s viewers. The exhibit aims to build a new relationship between the artworks and their audience, surpassing conventional expectations.

This initiative to revisit a past exhibition interrogates the essence of fashion as it exists in the present. It invites reflection on the meaning and potential of the 1985 exhibition, creating new boundaries within the context of today’s fashion discourse. The title "After" signifies a clear intent: to reinterpret the artworks and images from 1985 within today's context, generating new values and possibilities extending into the future.

Reconstructing the exhibition within a different space of the same museum involves tackling various challenges, particularly in terms of layout and the availability of original works. Not all pieces from 1985 are extant, resulting in a limited selection of artifacts for display. To maintain fidelity to the original layout, replicas based on Fendi's heritage materials have been employed for works that cannot be physically displayed, such as certain canvas and fur pieces.

Exhibition Structure

This revival will encompass eight sections:
1. Sample Boards
2. Kaleidoscope
3. Design Framework
4. Theatre Comb
5. Video Sketch
6. Computer

The exhibition will conclude with a collection of newspaper articles and magazine reports from the time of the 1985 exhibition. These documents provide insights into the discussions surrounding the display of fashion within a museum setting and highlight ongoing challenges in the study of fashion museums in Italy.

Key Exhibition Highlights

A diverse array of materials showcasing Fendi's creative process will be on display, including:

• - 22 Paper Models
• - 7 Prototype Canvases
• - 50 Sample Boards
• - 180 Sketches
• - 25 Fur Works
• - Jacques de Bascher’s 1977 film "Histoire d'Eau"
• - Interview footage with notable figures such as Paola Fendi, Ida Panicelli, and Arturo Carlo Quintavalle
• - Press materials and valuable archival documents.

Curated by Maria Luisa Frisa, the exhibition design is crafted by Lazzarini Pickering Architetti, while graphic design is managed by Irene Bacchi and Leonardo Sonnoli. The exhibition pieces and materials are generously provided by both the Fendi Archives and the National Gallery of Modern Art in Rome, under the visionary direction of Maria Grazia Chiuri.

Event Details

• - Venue: Galleria Nazionale di Arte Moderna e Contemporanea
• - Address: Viale delle Belle Arti, 131, 00197 Rome
• - Dates: July 10 – October 25, 2026
• - Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM

By revisiting this monumental exhibition, Fendi not only honors Karl Lagerfeld's legacy but also prompts a renewed dialogue in the intersection of fashion and art, showcasing how timeless pieces can continue to inspire future creativity.