These Lips Might Sink Ships...: Fendi

The latest Fendi show put forth a look suitable for a proper English countrywoman with eccentric tendencies. Or perhaps the woman of inspiration was an art student (or even teacher), with a sense of flamboyance, but also a serious nature enforced by the expectations of academia. Truthfully, she wasn't so serious that she washed the paint out of her hair after leaving the studio. Designers Karl Lagerfeld and Silvia Venturini Fendi integrated the less pragmatic elements with their use of color and the ruffle details that seemed to unfold from just below the models' necks. To be clear, the oddity didn't appear forced, but quite easy. Colorful tights and grown-up Mary Janes were just kooky enough, creating a balance with the more sober, buttoned-up elements. The obligatory fur pieces took shape as expected outerwear and in more surprising ways, such as down the front of the dress. All of them had a mixed-up quality to them without being as untamed as those patchwork numbers of Fall 2010. In an interview with style.com Ms. Fendi noted the intention to "invent furs that don't exist," but while they were in a way unnatural, they didn't look artificial. Another arguably unnatural moment on the runway was the two looks featuring chic sweatpants. Paired with matching cozy-looking sweaters, furry toppers, and enormous sunglasses, they gave me thoughts of the chicest possible hangover. I would err more towards the open shearling coat on Bianca Balti, my favorite piece of the collection. Perhaps I'd even wear it with shorts and a pair of tall orange socks that are rarely seen under my skinny jeans. This collection is one that makes you think about the way you get dressed and those "risks" you might avoid otherwise. For that reason and many others, it is a delightfully unexpected achievement.

Anja Rubik