Fendi

Fendi is one of the most famous Italian fashion houses, founded in 1925 in Rome by Adele and Edoardo Fendi. Initially specialized in fur and saddlery, Fendi then established itself in the ready-to-wear, accessories, perfumery and fine watchmaking sectors. The brand is known for its elegant and innovative style, which combines tradition and modernity, quality and creativity.

Throughout its history, Fendi has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the world of art and design, such as Karl Lagerfeld, Silvia Venturini Fendi, Kim Jones, Delfina Delettrez, Damien Hirst and Zaha Hadid. Among his most iconic creations are the Baguette bag, the FF logo, the Pequin monogram and the Zucca motif.

The history of Fendi

Fendi was born in 1925 as a fur and bag workshop in Rome, on via del Plebiscito. The founders are Adele Casagrande and Edoardo Fendi, who married in 1925 and gave the brand its name. Their goal is to offer customers high quality products, made with the best leathers and with artisanal attention to detail.

In the 1930s, Fendi opened a second boutique in Via Piave and began to expand abroad, participating in international fairs in Paris and New York. In 1946, the five daughters of Adele and Edoardo joined the company: Paola, Anna, Franca, Carla and Alda. Each of them deals with a different aspect of the business: production, sales, communication, management and creativity.

In 1965, Fendi hired Karl Lagerfeld as artistic director of the fur line. Lagerfeld revolutionises the concept of fur, making it lighter, more colorful and versatile. He also invented the FF (Fun Fur) logo, which became the symbol of the brand. In 1977, Fendi launched its first women's ready-to-wear collection, followed by the men's collection in 1990.

In 1994, Silvia Venturini Fendi, Anna's daughter, joined the creative team and took care of the accessories line. In 1997, he created the Baguette bag, a small clutch bag to carry under the arm, which became a worldwide phenomenon thanks to the television series Sex and the City. The Baguette is available in over a thousand variations of materials, colors and decorations.

In 2000, Fendi became part of the LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy) group, world leader in luxury. In 2005, Fendi celebrated its 80th anniversary with a spectacular fashion show on the Great Wall of China. In 2009, Fendi inaugurated its new headquarters at Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana, a historic building of rationalist architecture in Rome.

The Fendi collections

Fendi offers a vast range of products ranging from fur to ready-to-wear, from accessories to perfumery, from fine watchmaking to eyewear. Each collection reflects the brand's distinctive style: elegance, innovation, quality and creativity.

• Fur is Fendi's core business, which offers high-quality fur garments, made with tailoring techniques and with a modern and original design. Among Fendi's most famous furs are mink, beaver, fox, astrakhan and karakul.
• Ready-to-wear is Fendi's women's and men's clothing line, which expresses a contemporary and sophisticated vision of fashion. The collections are characterized by a mix of fine materials, bright colors, graphic prints and refined details.
• The accessories are Fendi's line of bags, shoes, belts, jewelery and small leather goods, which complete the look with a touch of personality and glamour. Among Fendi's most famous accessories are the Baguette bag, the Peekaboo, the Selleria, the Dotcom and the Kan I.
• Perfumery is Fendi's line of women's and men's fragrances, which express the essence of the brand through refined and seductive olfactory notes. Among Fendi's best-known perfumeries, there are Fan di Fendi, L'Acquarossa, Furiosa and Fendi Uomo.
• Haute horlogerie is Fendi's line of luxury watches, which combine goldsmith craftsmanship with innovative design. Among Fendi's most prestigious watches are the Selleria, the Crazy Carats, the Momento and the Policromia.
• Eyewear is Fendi's line of sunglasses and eyeglasses, which stand out for their original shapes, bright colors and distinctive details. Among Fendi's most iconic glasses, there are the Cat Eye, the Lei, the Hypnoshine and the Run Away.

Fendi's artistic collaborations

Fendi has always had a strong connection with the world of art and design, collaborating with some of the greatest artists and designers of our time. These collaborations have given rise to unique and surprising projects, which have enriched the image and culture of the brand.

• In 1988, Fendi collaborated with sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro to create a series of bronze sculptures in the shape of a bag.
• In 1997, Fendi collaborated with photographer Richard Avedon to create a black and white advertising campaign featuring models Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington and Kate Moss.
• In 2004, Fendi collaborated with architect Zaha Hadid to design a limited series of woven leather bags.
• In 2008, Fendi collaborated with artist Damien Hirst to create a series of Baguette bags decorated with real butterflies.
• In 2013, Fendi collaborated with designer Marc Newson to launch a capsule collection of exotic leather bags.
• In 2016, Fendi collaborates with designer Delfina Delettrez to create a collection of jewelry inspired by the FF logo.
• In 2019, Fendi collaborates with rapper Nicki Minaj to launch a capsule collection called Fendi Prints On.
• In 2020, Fendi collaborates with artistic director Kim Jones to present his first haute couture collection for the brand.

Final considerations

Fendi is one of the most prestigious and influential brands on the international fashion scene. With its almost centenary history, it has been able to continuously reinvent itself, offering high quality products with an innovative design. Collaborating with world-renowned artists and designers, he has created unique and astonishing works of art. Fendi represents the excellence of Made in Italy in the world.