Featuring Fendi

Fendi is one of the most well-known luxury brands in the world and currently our top pick for vintage accessories, so we wanted to dive deeper into the who/what/where of Fendi. 

Fendi began in 1925 when Edoardo and Adele Fendi opened a leather and fur store in Rome. However, the Fendi as we know it today was created when Edoardo and Adele’s five daughters started working for the family business all at a very young age (between 15 and 18). 

In 1964, the family opened their office on the via Borgognona in Rome and the following year, they began their collaboration with the infamous Karl Lagerfeld. This collaboration would become known as a critical fashion revolution in the industry. Both the Fendi’s and Lagerfeld had a love for fur and they continued to design their clothing based around this love and leather. During this time, the famous double "F," one of the first company logos, was created.

In the 1960’s, people started to question the idea of fur and it became old fashioned and bourgeois. Largerfeld saw this as an opportunity to start experimenting with different materials and dyes which took Fendi to the next level. He completely changed how fur was worn by incorporating it in new ways that had not been seen before, thereby revolutionizing the label. 

In 1977, Fendi launched their ready to wear line “365 — a dress for everyday of the year." Shortly thereafter, they dived into the world of footwear and limited edition collections, resembling the Fendi we know and love today. However, it wasn't till the late 80s when the first North American Fendi storefront was opened to the general public.

In 1997, Fendi began making a series of handbags that are still cult classics. The baguette bag is one of the most coveted handbags in the luxury fashion world and if you can get your hands on a vintage edition you should consider yourself lucky! Fendi signature handbags are reinvented every year and often include sequins, fur, studs, and intricate flower applique in eye-catching patterns.

As the brand grew, the five Fendi sisters all took on separate roles and were successful with continuing to grow the brand alongside Karl Lagerfeld for generations. "The bond between Karl Lagerfeld and Fendi is fashion's longest love story, one that will continue to touch our lives for years to come," read a statement from the house days after his passing. Currently, Silvia Fendi continues to work as the creative director of the business and although Lagerfeld's passing was extremely hard on her, she has discussed how she will now write her own story as she continues to grow the brand. 

Visit the studio for our curated Fendi collection.

Images courtesy of Fashionista and CNN.