Fendi
Corporate brand
UnclaimedItalian luxury fashion house known for fur, leather goods, handbags, ready-to-wear, and accessories.
Last updated October 14, 2026
Overview
Fendi is an Italian luxury fashion house founded in Rome in 1925 by Edoardo Fendi and Adele Casagrande. It began as a small fur and leather shop and developed into one of Italy’s best-known international luxury brands. The company’s identity has historically been shaped by Roman craftsmanship, experimentation with fur and leather, and a distinctive design vocabulary built around the double-F logo, refined materials, and highly recognizable handbags. The founders’ five daughters—Paola, Anna, Franca, Carla, and Alda—joined the family business after the Second World War and helped transform it from a local retail operation into a broader fashion enterprise. A decisive turning point came in 1965, when German designer Karl Lagerfeld joined the house. Lagerfeld modernized Fendi’s approach to fur, helped establish its international profile, and created the interlocking double-F logo in 1966. The mark was initially associated with the brand’s fur business but later became one of its most widely recognized visual signatures. Fendi introduced haute couture and expanded into the United States and Japan during the 1960s, launched a commercial fur line in 1969, and entered ready-to-wear in 1977. During the 1980s and 1990s, Fendi broadened its business into fragrance, eyewear, jeans, home furnishings, and other accessories. It opened its first United States boutique on New York’s Fifth Avenue in 1989. The brand’s leather-goods business became increasingly important, while its apparel and fur collections continued to reinforce its luxury positioning. Silvia Venturini Fendi, a member of the founding family’s third generation, joined the company’s creative leadership in the 1990s. Her 1997 Baguette handbag became a defining product, often described as a compact shoulder bag designed to be carried under the arm like a French baguette. Its strong cultural visibility helped establish the modern luxury “it bag” phenomenon. In 1999, LVMH and Prada acquired a controlling interest in Fendi. LVMH later became the sole controlling owner after acquiring Prada’s stake and additional shares in 2002. The transition gave Fendi access to the resources and international infrastructure of a major luxury conglomerate while preserving its Roman identity and family influence for several years. Carla Fendi remained associated with the business as chairwoman and minority owner until 2008. Fendi continued to develop major leather-goods franchises in the twenty-first century. Silvia Venturini Fendi designed the Peekaboo bag in 2009, creating a second globally important handbag line. The company also expanded through children’s fashion, eyewear, fragrances, home furnishings, real-estate collaborations, and selective partnerships. Its 2015 fur haute couture presentation and a 2016 event at Rome’s Trevi Fountain emphasized the relationship between the brand and its home city. Fendi later moved its headquarters to the Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana, where it also established a large retail and hospitality presence. Karl Lagerfeld remained associated with Fendi for more than five decades, until his death in 2019. Silvia Venturini Fendi subsequently oversaw the women’s collections until Kim Jones became artistic director of couture and womenswear in 2020. Jones’s tenure included collaborations with SKIMS, Versace, and Stefano Pilati. He departed in 2024, after which Silvia Venturini Fendi again oversaw the women’s collections for a period. Delfina Delettrez Fendi became artistic director of jewelry in 2021. In 2025, Maria Grazia Chiuri was announced as chief creative officer, subject to the timing and scope of the appointment described by the available reference material. Today Fendi operates as part of LVMH’s Fashion & Leather Goods division. Its business spans handbags and small leather goods, fur, women’s and men’s ready-to-wear, shoes, eyewear, fragrances, watches, jewelry, children’s products, and home furnishings. The brand combines high-end retail, seasonal r…
History
Fendi began in 1925 when Edoardo Fendi and Adele Casagrande opened a fur and leather shop on Rome's Via del Plebiscito. A second boutique on Via Piave opened in 1932 and became popular with visitors to the city. After Edoardo's death, the couple's five daughters—Paola, Anna, Franca, Carla, and Alda—joined the family enterprise in 1946, each holding an equal share. Karl Lagerfeld joined Fendi in 1965 and helped reposition the company through a more modern approach to fur and fashion. In 1966 he designed the double-F logo and helped present the house's first haute couture collection. Fendi introduced a commercial fur line in 1969 and expanded into ready-to-wear in 1977. The following decades brought fragrances, eyewear, denim, home furnishings, and other licensed or directly operated categories. The Fendissime diffusion line launched in 1983 and ended in 2001. Fendi opened its first American boutique on Fifth Avenue in New York in 1989. In the 1990s, the founding family continued to influence the business while the company increasingly emphasized accessories and leather goods. Silvia Venturini Fendi joined the creative organization in 1994 and designed the Baguette in 1997. The bag became a signature product and helped make Fendi a major force in luxury accessories. In 1999, Prada and LVMH jointly acquired a controlling stake. LVMH later acquired Prada's interest and additional shares, becoming Fendi's controlling owner in 2002. Carla Fendi remained connected to the business as chairwoman and minority owner until 2008. Fendi staged a landmark show on the Great Wall of China in 2007. In 2009, Silvia Venturini Fendi created the Peekaboo handbag, which became another enduring franchise. The company expanded its children's label in 2011, reorganized eyewear licensing in 2021, and continued to develop home, fragrance, jewelry, and real-estate activities. In 2015 the house celebrated its long creative relationship with Lagerfeld through a fur-focused haute couture presentation. It marked its ninetieth anniversary with a show at Rome's Trevi Fountain and later established a major presence at the Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana. After Lagerfeld's death in 2019, Silvia Venturini Fendi temporarily oversaw the women's collections. Kim Jones was appointed artistic director of couture and womenswear in 2020 and presented his first collection for the house for the fall-winter 2021/22 season. His tenure included collaborations with SKIMS, Versace, and Stefano Pilati. Jones departed in 2024. Silvia Venturini Fendi subsequently resumed oversight of the women's collections while retaining responsibility for accessories and menswear, before stepping down from her artistic-director role in 2025. Maria Grazia Chiuri was announced as chief creative officer in October 2025, while Delfina Delettrez Fendi has led jewelry design since 2021. Fendi's broader cultural activity includes costume design for films such as Once Upon a Time in America, Evita, and The Royal Tenenbaums; support for visual-art projects in Rome and Venice; a partnership with Galleria Borghese; and educational or charitable initiatives. The brand remains an LVMH-owned luxury house with a global product portfolio anchored by handbags, leather goods, ready-to-wear, shoes, fur, fragrances, jewelry, eyewear, and home furnishings.
- 2025
Maria Grazia Chiuri is appointed chief creative officer
[1]Fendi announces Chiuri's appointment to a senior creative leadership role.
- 2024
Fendi returns to fragrance
[1]The house introduces a collection of seven fragrances inspired by its origins.
- 2021
Fendi partners with Thelios for eyewear
[1]The house replaces its former Safilo eyewear arrangement with a partnership involving LVMH-owned Thelios.
- 2020
Kim Jones becomes womenswear and couture artistic director
[1]Jones is appointed to lead Fendi's couture and women's collections.
- 2017
Rimowa and Farfetch collaborations
[1]Fendi collaborates with Rimowa on luggage and launches a made-to-order handbag customization project with Farfetch.
- 2016
Fendi establishes a major presence at Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana
[1]The brand opens a large store and hospitality operation at the Roman landmark that becomes its headquarters.
- 2015
Fendi presents Haute Fourrure
[1]The house stages a fur-focused haute couture presentation in Paris and celebrates its long association with Lagerfeld.
- 2011
Fendi Kids debuts
[1]The children's label is introduced for the spring-summer season.
- 2009
Peekaboo handbag launches
[1]Silvia Venturini Fendi introduces the Peekaboo, which develops into a core handbag line.
- 2007
Collection shown on the Great Wall of China
[1]Fendi presents a major fashion show at the Great Wall, one of its most prominent international events.
Showing the 10 most recent.
Products and positioning
A high-end Italian luxury house combining Roman heritage, artisanal leather and fur expertise, fashion experimentation, and globally recognizable accessories.
Handbags · 1997
Baguette
Introduced in 1997 by Silvia Venturini Fendi, the Baguette is a compact shoulder bag distinguished by its short strap, broad range of materials and embellishments, and prominent brand identity. It became one of the best-known products in contemporary luxury fashion and has been repeatedly reissued in different colors, fabrics, and limited editions.
Handbags · 2009
Peekaboo
Created by Silvia Venturini Fendi in 2009, the Peekaboo is structured around a partially concealed interior and a formal, architectural silhouette. It became a major successor to the Baguette as a core Fendi handbag franchise and has been produced in multiple sizes, leathers, colors, and seasonal interpretations.
Apparel · 1977
Fendi ready-to-wear
Fendi's ready-to-wear business began in 1977 and includes women's and men's seasonal collections. The clothing line combines Roman-inspired styling, technical and decorative treatments, leather and fur expertise, tailoring, knitwear, and the house's recognizable logo language.
Fur and apparel · 1925
Fendi fur
Fur was central to Fendi's original business and remains a defining part of its historical design identity. The house developed both commercial fur products and high-fashion fur collections, while experimenting with construction, surface treatment, color, and combinations of fur with leather and textiles.
Home furnishings · 1987
Fendi Casa
Fendi Casa is the house's furniture and interiors activity, begun in 1987 through a licensing model. Its products extend Fendi's luxury codes into residential furnishings and interior objects and have been produced and distributed through changing external partners.
Fragrance · 1985
Fendi fragrances
Fendi has operated fragrance businesses under several licensing and group arrangements. Earlier lines included Fendi Palazzo and Fan di Fendi. After periods in which fragrances were discontinued, the house announced a new seven-scent collection in 2024 positioned as a high-end extension of its heritage.
Children's fashion · 2011
Fendi Kids
Fendi Kids debuted for spring-summer 2011 and adapts the house's apparel, accessories, and logo vocabulary for children. It extends the brand into a family-oriented luxury segment while retaining Fendi's materials, motifs, and styling codes.
Eyewear · 1987
Fendi eyewear
Fendi's eyewear range includes sunglasses and optical frames developed through licensing and manufacturing partnerships. Safilo handled the category from 2013 to 2021, after which LVMH-owned Thelios became the house's production and distribution partner.
Controversies
2010
Burlington counterfeiting settlement
The long-running counterfeit-goods dispute ended with Burlington agreeing to pay approximately $10.05 million, following a magistrate recommendation involving damages, fees, and costs.
2010
Filene's Basement counterfeiting settlement
Fendi reached a reported $2.5 million settlement with the former parent company of Filene's Basement concerning alleged counterfeit merchandise.
1986
Counterfeiting lawsuit against Burlington
Fendi sued Burlington over alleged sales of counterfeit Fendi handbags and leather goods. The dispute continued for decades, with a further action filed in 2006 alleging violation of an injunction.
Marketing campaigns
- 2023Fendi x Stefano Pilati
Global
Fendi collaborated with designer Stefano Pilati on a collection during the Kim Jones period.
Outcome. Added an external designer perspective to Fendi's fashion offering.
- 2022Fendi x Versace
Global
Fendi and Versace exchanged creative perspectives in a joint collection project associated with their respective Italian luxury identities.
Outcome. Created a high-profile cross-house luxury collaboration.
- 2021Fendi x SKIMS
Global
Fendi and SKIMS collaborated on a clothing and shapewear-oriented capsule collection during Kim Jones's tenure.
Outcome. Connected Fendi with a prominent contemporary direct-to-consumer fashion and shapewear brand.
- 2017Fendi x Rimowa
Global
Fendi collaborated with Rimowa on an aluminum multiwheel suitcase combining Rimowa's travel format with Fendi's design and branding.
Outcome. Expanded Fendi's reach into luxury travel goods.
- 2016Trevi Fountain anniversary show
Italy · Global
Fendi staged a runway event at Rome's Trevi Fountain as part of its ninetieth-anniversary celebrations.
Outcome. Reinforced the brand's association with Rome and Italian cultural heritage.
- 2007Great Wall fashion show
China · Global
Fendi presented its spring-summer collection at the Great Wall of China in a large-scale event designed to connect the Roman house with an important international luxury market.
Outcome. Strengthened Fendi's international visibility and cultural positioning.
Brand decisions
2024
Fendi re-enters the fragrance marketProduct launchBackground
The brand had experienced several fragrance interruptions after earlier licensing arrangements and discontinued lines.
Action taken
Fendi launched a new collection of seven fragrances inspired by its origins.
Aftermath
The collection restored fragrance as an active product category within the house's luxury portfolio.
2021
Eyewear production moves from Safilo to TheliosStrategyBackground
Fendi's prior eyewear licensing agreement with Safilo ended after operating from 2013 to 2021.
Action taken
Fendi entered an agreement with LVMH-owned Thelios to create, produce, and distribute its eyewear.
Aftermath
The change aligned eyewear more closely with LVMH's internal luxury manufacturing and distribution network.
2020
Kim Jones appointed to lead womenswear and coutureStrategyBackground
Fendi needed new leadership for women's collections after Karl Lagerfeld's death and Silvia Venturini Fendi's interim oversight.
Action taken
The house appointed Kim Jones artistic director of couture and womenswear.
Aftermath
Jones presented his first Fendi collection for fall-winter 2021/22 and subsequently pursued several high-profile collaborations.
2002
LVMH consolidates ownership of FendiM&ABackground
Prada agreed to dispose of its interest while LVMH increased its ownership.
Action taken
LVMH acquired Prada's 25.5 percent stake and an additional 15.9 percent of Fendi.
Aftermath
LVMH became Fendi's controlling owner and integrated the house into its Fashion & Leather Goods activities.
Reported purchase price for Prada stake. US$265 million (2002)
1999
Fendi accepts investment from LVMH and PradaM&ABackground
The family-controlled house sought a major strategic transaction as it expanded internationally and competed in the increasingly consolidated luxury sector.
Action taken
LVMH and Prada jointly acquired a controlling 51 percent interest.
Aftermath
The transaction brought Fendi into the ownership structure of two major luxury groups; LVMH later became the controlling owner.
Reported acquisition value. US$545 million for the 51 percent stake (1999)
Recent events
- 2025
Fendi appoints Ramon Ros as chief executive officer[3]
Leadership change
LVMH announced that Ramon Ros would become Fendi chief executive officer on 1 July 2025, following leadership changes within the group.
- 2025
Ren Meguro becomes the first Japanese model selected for a Fendi global advertising campaign[4]
Campaign
Snow Man member and actor Ren Meguro appeared alone in Fendi’s global Spring/Summer 2025 men’s advertising campaign, which ran in magazines and outdoor media internationally.
- 2024
Kim Jones leaves Fendi[1]
Leadership change
LVMH announced Kim Jones's departure from Fendi; a successor was not announced immediately in the reference material.
- 2024
Fendi returns to the perfume market with a seven-scent collection[1]
Product launch
The house introduced a high-end fragrance collection drawing on Fendi's heritage and origins.
- 2024
Fendi launches its Fall/Winter 2024–25 men’s advertising campaign[5]
Campaign
The campaign featured global menswear ambassadors Nicholas Galitzine and Zhang Ruoyun and used creative direction by Nico Vascellari.
- 2023
Fendi presents Spring/Summer 2024 men’s campaign[6]
Campaign · Product launch
The campaign featured Kuanghan Hsu, Jeremy Pope and Massimiliano Caiazzo, while a related accessories collaboration with architect Kengo Kuma explored Japanese materials and craft techniques.
- 2021
Fendi enters an eyewear partnership with Thelios[1]
Other
Fendi ended its Safilo arrangement and moved design, production, and distribution of eyewear to LVMH-owned Thelios.
- 2020
Kim Jones appointed to lead Fendi womenswear and couture[1]
Leadership change
Fendi appointed Kim Jones as artistic director of couture and womenswear following the death of Karl Lagerfeld.
- 2009
Fendi introduces the Peekaboo handbag[1]
Product launch
Silvia Venturini Fendi created the Peekaboo, which became one of the house's most commercially important handbag franchises.
- 2007
Fendi presents a collection on the Great Wall of China[1]
Campaign
The house staged a major spring-summer fashion show at the Great Wall, strengthening its international cultural profile.
Showing the 10 most recent.
Sources8 sources
- 1Fendien.wikipedia.org
- 2Fendi official websitefendi.com
- 3Fendi任命Ramon Ros为首席执行官fashionsnap.com
- 4目黑莲成为首位被选入Fendi全球广告企划的日本模特fashionpost.jp
- 5Fendi发布2024–25秋冬男装广告企划prtimes.jp
- 6Fendi发布2024春夏男装广告企划fashionpost.jp
- 7Fendi unveils world's first fragrance-infused handbagsaninews.in
- 8Fendi unveils world’s first perfume-infused handbagshindustantimes.com
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