Fendi was established in Rome in 1918 as a leather and fur workshop by Adele Casagrande.

The name was changed to Fendi when Adele married Edoardo Fendi in 1925.

The Fendis had five daughters, Paola, Anna, Franca, Carla (Photo at left, Fall 2001) and Alda. They inherited the business from their parents and currently, the 5 sisters run the company.

Anyone who says women aren't tough as leather doesn't know the five Fendi sisters, who has been involved with the running of the company since the death of their father in 1954. (Adele Casagrande Fendi died in 1978).

The continued success of Fendi can be attributed to the strong blood links which is an intrinsic part of the business.

Fendi also manufactures a sports line, but they are better know their dramatic fur collection which has been designed by Karl Lagerfeld since 1962. It was also Lagerfeld who was responsible for the well known double F griffe which symbolizes Fendi.

Though the company is still based in the Eternal City, it has set its roots worldwide. There is a Fifth Avenue flagship, nearly 100 boutiques in other countries and a menswear product line that's successful enough to prove that the design business isn't just a man's world.

For a long time, luxury houses Prada and LVMH owned stakes at Fendi. But in 2001, Patrizio Bertelli sold Prada's stake to LVMH due to mounting debt.

Currently, LVMH owns majority of the shares in Fendi. Karl Lagerfeld designs the womenswear collection.

News about Fendi:

Fall 2007 Photo by Giovanni Pucci

Menswear Spring 2007 Photo by Giovanni Pucci

Website: www.fendi.it

Address:
FENDI:
Via Flaminia 1068
00189 Rome RM
ITALY

Press Contact:
FENDI UFFICIO STAMPA
Carla GABETTI
Tel: +39 06 33 45 01
Fax: +39 06 33 45 03 10

Karl Lagerfeld on the runway Spring 2005