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 leather goods, Fendi then established itself in the field of prêt-à-porter, accessories, perfumery and high-end watchmaking. 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 its most iconic creations, we remember 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 leather workshop in Rome, on via del Plebiscito. The founders are Adele Casagrande and Edoardo Fendi, who married in 1925 and gave the name to the brand. Their goal is to offer customers high-quality products, made with the best skins and with an artisanal care of details.

In the 1930s, Fendi opened a second boutique on 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 takes care of 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 revolutionized the concept of fur, making it lighter, colorful and versatile. He also invented the FF logo (Fun Fur), which became the symbol of the brand. In 1977, Fendi launched its first prêt-à-porter women’s collection, followed by the men’s one in 1990.

In 1994, Silvia Venturini Fendi, daughter of Anna, joined the creative team and took care of the accessories line. In 1997, she created the Baguette bag, a small clutch to be worn under the arm, which became a worldwide phenomenon thanks to the TV series Sex and the City. The Baguette was declined in over a thousand variants of materials, colors and decorations.

In 2000, Fendi became part of the LVMH group (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy), a world leader in luxury. In 2005, Fendi celebrated its 80th anniversary with a spectacular 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 collections of Fendi

Fendi offers a wide range of products ranging from fur to prêt-à-porter, from accessories to perfumery, from high-end watchmaking to eyewear. Each collection reflects the distinctive style of the brand: elegance, innovation, quality and creativity.

  • Fur is the core business of Fendi, which offers high-quality fur garments, made with tailoring techniques and with a modern and original design. Among the most famous furs of Fendi, there are mink, beaver, fox, astrakhan and karakul.
  • Prêt-à-porter is the line of women’s and men’s clothing by Fendi, 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.
  • Accessories are the line of bags, shoes, belts, jewelry and small leather goods by Fendi that complete the look with a touch of personality and glamour. Among the most famous accessories by Fendi are the Baguette bag ,the Peekaboo ,the Selleria ,the Dotcom and the Kan I.
  • Perfumery is the line of women’s and men’s fragrances by Fendi that express the essence of the brand through refined and seductive olfactory notes. Among the most famous fragrances by Fendi are Fan di Fendi ,L’Acquarossa ,Furiosa and Fendi Uomo.
  • High-end watchmaking is the line of luxury watches by Fendi that combine goldsmith mastery with innovative design. Among the most prestigious watches by Fendi are the Selleria ,the Crazy Carats ,the Momento and the Policromia.
  • Eyewear is the line of sunglasses and eyeglasses by Fendi that stand out for their original shapes, bright colors and distinctive details. Among the most iconic glasses by Fendi are the Cat Eye ,the Lei ,the Hypnoshine and the Run Away.

The artistic collaborations of Fendi

Fendi has always had a strong bond 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 with models Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington and Kate Moss.
  • In 2004, Fendi collaborated with architect Zaha Hadid to design a limited series of bags in woven leather.
  • 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 bags in exotic leather.
  • In 2016, Fendi collaborated with designer Delfina Delettrez to create a collection of jewelry inspired by the FF logo.
  • In 2019, Fendi collaborated with rapper Nicki Minaj to launch a capsule collection called Fendi Prints On.
  • In 2020, Fendi collaborated 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 in the international fashion scene. With its almost centenary history, it has been able to reinvent itself continuously, offering high-quality products and innovative design. Collaborating with world-famous artists and designers, it has created unique and amazing works of art. Fendi represents the excellence of made in Italy in the world.