Meredith Ho reports the nine things about Fendi’s Silvia Venturini
- Family legacy in the house
Silvia Venturini Fendi is the third generation of the Fendi family to lead the fashion house. She is the granddaughter of Adele and Edoardo Fendi, who founded the brand in Rome in 1925. Silvia joined the company in 1994, carrying forward the legacy while infusing her own modern sensibilities.
- Creative force behind Fendi accessories
Silvia is best known for designing some of Fendi’s most iconic bags. She created the legendary Baguette bag in 1997, which became a global “It” bag and a cultural phenomenon thanks in part to its appearance on Sex and the City. She also designed the Peekaboo and the 2Jours bags.
- Only Fendi family member still working in the company
While Fendi is now owned by Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy, Silvia remained actively involved as artistic director. After Karl Lagerfeld’s death in 2019, Silvia temporarily took on the role of creative director of womenswear until Kim Jones was hired in 2020, showing her versatility and dedication.
- Inspired by Roman culture
Silvia and the Fendi brand have always drawn inspiration from Rome. Many collections reference the city’s architecture, lifestyle, and artistic history. Fendi’s headquarters are famously located in the Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana, also known as the “Square Colosseum.”
- Known for reimagining classic luxury with humor
Silvia often injects playfulness and irony into Fendi designs. Whether through bold color, whimsical shapes, or tongue-in-cheek logos, she pushes the boundaries of traditional luxury, making high fashion feel fun and youthful.
- Passionate about sustainability and craftsmanship
Silvia has emphasized Fendi’s commitment to artisanal craftsmanship and sustainable practices. She frequently highlights the work of Italian artisans and has supported slow fashion values, making sure Fendi’s leather goods and fur pieces are responsibly sourced and produced.
- Female creativity in a male-dominated industry
She is one of the few women to have held a top creative position at a major luxury house for decades. Rather than following the traditional fashion playbook, Silvia brings a unique lens rooted in intuition, emotion, and personal storytelling.
- Collaborated closely with Karl Lagerfeld
Silvia worked side-by-side with Lagerfeld, the creative director of Chanel, for nearly 25 years. While he handled women’s ready-to-wear, Silvia focused on accessories and menswear. Their dynamic creative partnership helped define Fendi’s identity through the 1990s and 2000s.
- Passionate about gardening and the outdoors
Outside the fashion world, Silvia finds peace and inspiration in nature, especially through gardening. She has spoken in interviews about her love for spending time in her garden, cultivating plants, and escaping the fast pace of the industry.
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