From The Straits Times    |

Mohicans strutted down the Fendi catwalk at Italy’s fashion week on Thursday in a visually provocative show set to The Prodigy’s Fire Starter which left the snowy world of Milan far behind.

Fendi’s models emerged from behind a giant door which swung down at the start, kicking off a spectacle which played homage to furs and feathers.

Fendi's Mohicans light a spark at Milan Fashion Week

Their hair done in French plaits, each sported a Mohican hairband in shades of electric blues and oranges — which matched the fluffy, fur-lined arms on their sunglasses, colourful fur cuff bands on wrists and soft, shaggy bags.

Black and white dominated the autumn-winter 2013 collection — from short snakeskin jackets to loose white trousers and skirts worn to the knee.

The two or three-tone outfits — such as dresses made of leather on one side and wool on the other, or tight dress silhouettes softened with a cape — came out in blocks of colours, predominately shocking pinks and rich wine purples.

Though fur was the main highlight of the collection, the leather pieces also shone, especially a navy biker jacket and a full leather knee-length coat.

Fendi director Karl Lagerfeld’s collection, which he baptised “Icons Unchained”, gave a fresh spin to the house’s previous feathered creations — though a black and blue skirt did bring to mind Sesame Street’s Cookie Monster.

Shoes were black high-heeled booties and lace-ups trimmed with white fur.

The German-born Lagerfeld, 79, who has his own fashion label and is also the creative director at Chanel, emerged after the show in his trademark sunglasses, ponytail hair and black leather gloves to a standing ovation.

Founded in 1925 in Rome, Fendi is now owned by French luxury giant LVMH.