Stars Shine at Fendis Milan Fashion Week Debut

A host of stars headed to Fendi's show on Wednesday to see Maria Grazia Chiuri make her creative debut.  

Maria, 62, who previously led Dior for nine years, returned to the Italian house where she began her career as a handbag maker in 1989.

Model Iris Law, 25, hit the front row alongside Hollywood's Uma Thurman, 55, and Dakota Fanning, 32. 

Iris looked effortlessly glamorous in a black slip dress which she teamed with a furry cape. 

She wore diamonds, large sunglasses and styled her hair back in a Audrey Hepburn style.

Uma looked chic in a white shirt and suit trousers while Dakota teased a glimpse of her lingerie in a black suit. 

Jessica Alba, 44, looked stylish in a three-piece suit and heels from the brand as she arrived with her daughter Jennifer, 14. 

Yasmin Finney rocked a double denim look and a tiger print bag to the showcase. 

Titled Less I, More Us the autumn/winter 2026/27 collection signaled a new era for the brand.

The show also drew attention for Fendi's controversial decision to continue using real fur - something which sparked debate within the industry.

Fendi ambassador Bang Chan was also in attendance. Hundreds of K-pop fans waited outside with homemade signs and drawings of their favorite singers, across the street from a dozen anti-fur protesters.

Fendi was born a century ago in Rome as a furrier and leather goods maker, and heritage fur looks were strong on the runway, from bombers to patchwork coats. Wispy fur collars complemented silken dresses and sheer, beaded eveningwear; fur-lined hoods adorned parkas, while plush collars topped trench coats.

Dark blazers and overcoats defined the opening looks, layered over trousers, casual dresses and sheer lace. Lace was reinterpreted on laser-cut leather dresses, anchored by starched white collars and dainty bangles.

Boho florals made a quick appearance, along with a sheer Art Deco-style dress. A smattering of denim and animal prints punctuated the mostly black and navy palette.

Maria´s was one of the most highly anticipated debuts during this Milan Fashion Week of mostly womenswear collections. She started her career at Fendi as a handbag designer and later was co-creative director of Valentino and creative director of Dior.

The creative director shuffle reshaping European fashion has been male-dominated, with Chiuri among a handful of women taking top jobs at major houses. They include Louise Trotter, who will show her second collection at Bottega Veneta, and Meryll Rogge, who will make her debut at Marni this week.

Silvia Venturini Fendi, who stepped aside as creative director of the fashion house last fall, took a front-row seat for Wednesday's collection.

'It´s very moving,' said Venturini Fendi, who until this season has been busy backstage during shows. 'It´s the first time I have watched a Fendi runway show.'