Biography
As creative director of accessories, menswear and children at Fendi, Silvia Venturini Fendi is the only family member still working at the historic Italian business, where she was responsible for the creation of the iconic Baguette bag.
Along with her mother and four sisters, Fendi inherited the furrier and leather goods company founded by her grandparents Edoardo and Adele in 1925. In 1965, when she was five years old, Karl Lagerfeld was appointed Fendi's artistic director — a role he held until his passing on February 19, 2019, and the longest collaboration between a fashion house and a designer in fashion history.
After studying in Italy and London, Fendi received an extensive education across all facets of the company. She worked in marketing in Los Angeles, launched the secondary line Fendissime in 1987, managed fashion shows and promotional activity for the brand and since 2000 has also been the designer for its menswear collections. In 1997 she designed the iconic baguette handbag, which earned Fendi the Fashion Group International award for accessories in 2000.
In 2001, Fendi was bought by LVMH. Today, the company has over 210 boutiques, and in 2016 celebrated its 90th anniversary over the Trevi fountain using a plexiglas floor. Fendi has also signed a partnership with the Galleria Borghese to support the museum's exhibitions for the following three years.