Dressed in a black suit complete with leather gloves, head designer and creative director Karl Lagerfeld was overshadowed by two lifesize pink and purple furry mascots at the re-launch of the Marina Bay Sands store of Italian luxury fashion brand Fendi.

Photographed with the two metre mascots at the event, the 83-year-old designer who is also head designer and creative director for fashion house Chanel, did not even rate a mention in a report by Asian luxury and lifestyle magazine Senatus.

Instead, it focussed on the two “very special guests”, the “Fendirumi”, namely Bug-kun and Piro-chan. Covered with Fendi “fun fur”, the mascots were created by the brand last year as they “perfectly embody the Fendi fun spirit”, according to Silvia Venturini Fendi, creative director of accessories and menswear, and the only family member still working at the historic Italian business.

With rounded yellow eyes, blue crest and Fendi logo, the pink Piro-chan was inspired by the Qutweet charm, while Bug-kun, with its yellow crest and double FF logo was inspired by the Bag Bugs charm.

“Japanese pop culture and Kigurumi mania gave me the idea of having two Fendi mascots to attend our events, shows, openings,” says Fendi.

Since making their first appearance, seated in the front row for the Fendi fashion show in Milan this year, the Fendirumi have been on a world tour, popping up in Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles and New York.

During their time in Singapore they are visiting tourist destinations such as the Merlion Park, Gardens by the Bay and the National Museum, as well as making in-store appearances.

Fendi has not released details about the store’s re-opening nor mentioned why it was closed in the first place. There is also no word on Lagerfeld’s itinerary…