PHOTO COURTESY OF FENDI
Fendi Kengo Kuma is a collaboration between the Italian fashion house and celebrated Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. After the sneak peek of bags, accessories and shoes during Fendi’s Spring-Summer 2024 menswear show at Milan Fashion Week, you will be glad to know that selected pieces have arrived in stores worldwide.
PHOTO COURTESY OF FENDI
Kengo Kuma pairs traditional waranshi (a hybrid of washi paper, cotton and tree bark) with state-of-the-art 3D printing techniques to elevate Fendi icons. Bags like the Baguette Soft Trunk and Peekaboo ISeeU Medium incorporate elements that are handmade in Japan. After that, they fly to Fendi ateliers in Italy for additional treatment to add density and strength.
Another version of Fendi’s Peekaboo underwent an artisanal reinterpretation for the limited-edition Fendi Kengo Kuma collaboration. Constructed in natural-coloured birch bark, the exclusive piece offers a touch of individuality while paying homage to nature. An olive wood handle and matching wooden partition, all sourced from trees in Tuscany near the Fendi factory, complete the look.
PHOTO COURTESY OF FENDI
Kengo Kuma’s design philosophy of integrating natural materials with traditional Japanese craftsmanship further extends to the Fendi Flow. The running sneakers feature an innovative 3D-printed sole. While the outsole takes inspiration from the Japanese Yatara-Ami weave, the insole is fully lined in cork.
The Fendi Kengo Kuma collection successfully showcases a harmonious blend of architecture and fashion. The use of natural materials is amplified thanks to Fendi’s savoir-faire, so you can look forward to these artisanal bags and shoes as part of the current menswear line-up.
