Fendi paid understated tribute on Thursday to Karl Lagerfeld, who was the Rome-based fashion house’s creative director for 54 years

The fashion house said in notes for its show that the autumn/winter 2019-2020 collection “is the final collection designed by Karl Lagerfeld, representing a lifetime of dedication and creation from 1965 until today”.

Gigi Hadid closed the show in a diaphanous mango-coloured dress with a snug Fendi-logoed bodysuit. A big bow floated on the back.

In a note, Venturini Fendi said the bond between Lagerfeld and Fendi “is fashion’s longest love story”.

“When we called just a few days before the show, his only thoughts were on the richness and the beauty of the collection,” she wrote. “It’s a true testament to his character. He shall be so missed.”