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Fendi Srl () is an Italian luxury goods fashion house producing fur, ready-to-wear, leather goods, shoes, fragrances, eyewear, timepieces and accessories. Founded in Rome in 1925 by fashion designers Edoardo Fendi and Adele Casagrande, Fendi is known for its fur, fur accessories, and leather goods. Since 2001, Fendi has been part of the "Fashion & Leather Goods" division of the French group LVMH. Its headquarters are in Rome, in the Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana.
In 1946, the five sisters Paola, Anna Fendi, Franca, Carla Fendi, and Alda joined the company in its second generation as a family-owned enterprise, each owning 20 percent. Karl Lagerfeld joined Fendi in 1965 and became the creative director for the fur and women's ready-to-wear collections (launched in 1977).
In 1966, Lagerfeld created the company logo, a double F in a square, which would later be the subject of various reinterpretations. Also in 1966, Fendi presented its first high fashion collection, expanding its interests in the United States and Japan. In 1969, its first commercial line of fur was launched, and in the following years, cosmetics and men's accessories were released. In 1977, Fendi introduced clothing for the first time, its ready-to-wear collection.
In 1989, Fendi opened its first United States boutique in New York on 5th Avenue.
In 1994, Lagerfeld launched the Knicoat collection, a line of wool coats and sweaters designed to be worn together.
Also by 1994, fashion operations were responsible for 90 percent of the firm's total revenue, of which 50 percent came from leather goods and accessories, 20 percent from apparel and 20 percent from furs. That year, Paola Fendi handed over the presidency of the company to her younger sister Carla. Silvia Venturini Fendi, daughter of Anna, also joined the fashion house in 1994 and has since been the artistic director for accessories and co-designer of the women's line alongside Karl Lagerfeld; in 1997 she designed the Baguette Bag, an iconic model that beat all sales and notoriety records.
On 19 October 2007, Fendi chose the Great Wall of China to present its spring-summer collection and with 88 models, the first fashion show there.
In 2009, Silvia Venturini Fendi created the Peekaboo bag, achieving a success comparable to the Baguette Bag.
In 2017, Fendi collaborated with Rimowa on an aluminum multiwheel suitcase. Also in 2017, Fendi released a customization shop in collaboration with e-commerce platform Farfetch for made-to-order handbag designs.
By 2018, Fendi crossed the 1 billion euro ($1.2 billion) threshold in annual sales and had 3,000 employees worldwide, including around 400 in specialist leather and fur ateliers in Italy, and operated a network of 215 stores.
In May 2024, Fendi announced its return to the perfume market with a first collection of seven scents directly inspired by its origins.
In October 2024, LVMH announced the departure of Kim Jones from Fendi. There was no announcement of a successor.
Other diffusion lines have included Fendi 365, Fendi Country (later Fendi Jeans), and Fendi Maglia knitwear. Through licensing agreements, Gruppo Nadini manufactured and distributed several of these lines.
In 2007, Fendi introduced its Fendi Palazzo women's fragrance but stopped selling it in 2009 already. In 2010, the brand launched a new fragrance – Fan di Fendi –, the first Fendi scent to be unleashed under LVMH Fragrance Brands, before discontinuing its fragrances in 2015. In 2024, Fendi unveiled a high-end fragrance collection consisting of seven scents.
In 2021, Fendi ended its partnership with Safilo and entered into an agreement with LVMH-owned Thelios to create, produce, and distribute its eyewear collection.
Karl Lagerfeld joined Fendi in 1965 as the lead designer in efforts to modernise the company. He also oversaw the 1977 expansion into ready-to-wear. After Lagerfeld's death in 2019, Silvia Venturini Fendi took over the artistic direction of the women's collections. Fendi had overseen the accessories and menswear divisions since 1994.
From September 2020, the women's collections were entrusted to Kim Jones, former stylist for the Dior men's collection, who was appointed artistic director of haute couture and womenswear. Jones' debut collection was for Fall / Winter 2021/2022. During his tenure at Fendi, he frequently referenced Lagerfeld's ready-to-wear. He left the company in 2024. Following Jones departure Silvia Venturini Fendi oversaw the women's collections alongside keeping her previous role as artistic director of accessories and menswear.
In 2021, Delfina Delettrez Fendi, Silvia's daughter, was appointed artistic director of jewelry.
Silvia Venturini Fendi stepped down from her role as artistic director in September 2025.
In October 2025, Italian designer Maria Grazia Chiuri was appointed Chief Creative Officer.
Fendi has also dressed Sophia Loren, Diana Ross, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Soraya, and Liza Minnelli.
Past campaigns have featured Mark Ronson (2012), Catherine Zeta-Jones (2019), Zoey Deutch (2020), Linda Evangelista (2022),Vanessa Friedman (10 September 2022), Linda Evangelista, the It Bag and 'Sex and the City' The New York Times. Naomi Campbell (2023)Kristopher Fraser (23 March 2023), Naomi Campbell Stars in Fendi's Peekaboo Bag Spring 2023 Campaign Women's Wear Daily. and Nicholas Galitzine (2023),Sandra Salibian (13 June 2023), Nicholas Galitzine Named Fendi's First Global Menswear Ambassador Women's Wear Daily. among others.
In 2018, Fendi signed a partnership with the Galleria Borghese to support the museum's exhibitions for the following three years.
In 2021 and 2022, Fendi collaborated with the Juilliard School on assigning the Fendi Vanguard Award – including a cash prize and a mentorship program – to four out of Juilliard's final-year students enrolled in the bachelor's, master's and advanced diploma programs.
Also in 2010, Fendi reached a $2.5 million settlement with the former parent company of Filene's Basement to resolve counterfeiting claims.
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