FENDI 100th Anniversary Celebration Since 1925

FENDI 100th Anniversary Celebration Since 1925, FENDI THE HISTORY OF THE FUTURE.

Stepping through the doors of FENDI feels like entering a vortex of tradition and modernity that continues to resonate, especially today, as the brand celebrates its 100th anniversary and make history of the brand. It is a world full of magical encounters, energy, and talent, united by a common thread: a disruptive, pioneering attitude. From the founder, Adele Casagrande Fendi, to the five legendary Fendi sisters who conquered the world, starting from Rome, to the arrival of Karl Lagerfeld, the German fashion emperor with a boundless vision. The original signature came with the FF logo, standing for “Fun Furs.” The first fashion shows, the love affair with film stars, Silvia Venturini Fendi’s creation of the Baguette and Peekaboo bags—the ultimate fashion icons. The arrival of LVMH, the show on the Great Wall of China, and the monumental headquarters at Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana in Rome. Artists are invited to engage in intellectual collisions, music stars interact with the Maison, and the digital world becomes a collaborator. FENDI’s story is one of daring creativity, looking to the future while honouring the past.

From matriarchs to strong, inspiring women and prominent designers, FENDI’s journey is a tale of a chosen family, built on deep connections and core values passed down through generations. For over 100 years, the House has amazed with its duality—combining the hypnotic beauty of Rome with a forward-looking vision, like Janus, the two-faced god, one of FENDI’s enduring symbols.

FENDI 100th Anniversary, the brand history from, founded in Rome in 1925 by Adele and Edoardo Fendi, FENDI blossomed from a small, artisanal fur and leather workshop into a global luxury House, entering a new era in 2000 with its acquisition by LVMH. The brand’s legacy is deeply rooted in the founders’ commitment to exceptional materials and craftsmanship, with Adele’s avant-garde vision continuing to propel it forward. In the 1940s and 1950s, Adele and Edoardo’s five daughters—Paola, Anna, Franca, Carla, and Alda—joined the family business, each contributing unique talents that fueled the brand’s expansion and innovation.

A pivotal moment came in 1965 with FENDI’s collaboration with Karl Lagerfeld, marking the start of the longest creative partnership in fashion history. Spanning 54 years, this partnership transformed FENDI, broadening its scope to include ready-to-wear, eyewear, watches, and ultimately FENDI Couture. But above all, it marked a historic moment: five Italian women, at a time when such bravery was rare, recognised Lagerfeld’s talent and remained unwaveringly loyal, guided by a vision and dedication that never faltered. This steadfast loyalty became one of the secrets of FENDI’s success. With Karl Lagerfeld by their side, they continued to push boundaries and created an eternal phrase: “Nothing is impossible.” The FENDI credo is captured in this simple yet ambitious family motto, where the daring, pioneering spirit of the House meets the eagerness to look forward without losing sight of the past.

FENDI has staged some of the most iconic fashion shows in history, making bold statements with unforgettable events. In 1996, the brand held a spectacular runway show in Tokyo, accompanied by an orchestra and José Carreras. The fashion spotlight also shone on cities like Hong Kong, Buenos Aires, and Moscow, where the historic Bolshoi Theatre opened its doors for the first time to host a fashion show. In 2007, FENDI became the first fashion House to stage a show on the Great Wall of China, continuing its tradition of daring spectacles. The brand also presented its first Haute Fourrure show at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, paving the way for FENDI Couture. In 2016, FENDI marked its 90th anniversary with the Legends and Fairytales show at the Trevi Fountain in Rome. In 2019, FENDI honoured Lagerfeld’s legacy with a combined Men’s and Women’s fashion show in Shanghai, followed by a Couture show at the Temple of Venus and Rome in its hometown, showcasing 54 looks to commemorate Lagerfeld’s 54 years at the Maison. In 2022, FENDI paid tribute to its iconic Baguette bag with a special show at New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom, celebrating the bag’s 25th anniversary and its cultural impact through exclusive collaborations with Marc Jacobs, Tiffany & Co., Sarah Jessica Parker and Porter. It was Parker’s famous line, “It’s not a bag, it’s a Baguette,” from Sex and the City that changed fashion rules forever and created a myth.

Thanks to Silvia Venturini Fendi, the concept of boundless creativity reached new heights with an unsurpassed devotion to materials and details in the FENDI icons. Part of the third generation in 1992 and played an essential role in redefining the brand with iconic accessories. In 1997, she created the Baguette bag—a cultural phenomenon and work of art, open to countless variations and constant collaboration with international artists, from Jeff Koons to Francesco Vezzoli and local artisans with the ‘hand in hand’ initiative. In 2008, she designed the Peekaboo bag, inspired by the children’s game “peekaboo-I-see-you.” Once again, it was a tribute to craftsmanship, design, and art—a combination that embodies one of FENDI’s defining attitudes: constantly reinventing itself while staying true to its core codes. Behind every detail, from the Squirrel and Pergamena to fur, the Pequin, and the Selleria, there is always a story to be told. In 2024, with the Men’s Spring/Summer 2025 Collection, the House introduced the FENDI Crest—a heraldic shield divided into four parts—celebrating the symbols of FENDI’s heritage and solidifying the connection between its past and present.

In September 2020, Kim Jones was appointed Artistic Director of Couture and Womenswear until 2024, while Delfina Delettrez Fendi, the fourth generation of the Fendi family and daughter of Silvia Venturini Fendi, joined the Maison as Artistic Director of Jewellery, creating new iconic pieces through a blend of creativity. This is the style lesson confirmed by “Friends of FENDI,” a diverse series of projects and collections, including capsules with Kim Kardashian, Marc Jacobs, Stefano Pilati, Hiroshi Fujiwara, and Donatella Versace. Still, it’s all about encounters—collisions of energy that will never stop.

The archive was prophetic. Hidden in a special box on the shelves, a sketch by Karl Lagerfeld featured three Italian words: “Ieri, Oggi, Domani” – Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow. Lagerfeld knew it: FENDI was writing the history of the future.