Franca Fendi, one of the influential sisters who played a vital role in transforming their parents’ small fur business into one of Italy’s most esteemed fashion labels, has passed away in Rome at the age of 87. Alongside her sisters Paola, Anna, Carla, and Alda, Franca took joint charge of the label founded by their parents, Edoardo and Adele Fendi. Together, these remarkable women turned the small fur business into one of Italy’s most enduring brands, known for its outstanding quality and design of leather goods, as well as its extensive collaboration with Karl Lagerfeld.
Born in 1935, Franca dedicated her youth to running the family business. However, it was in the 1960s, under the collective leadership of the five sisters, that the Fendi label truly flourished. Each sister took on different managerial roles, with Franca responsible for purchasing and serving as the director of Fendi’s via Borgognona store in Rome.
It was during this period, in 1965, that Fendi began its collaboration with revered German designer Karl Lagerfeld. Lagerfeld joined the label as its creative director, initially focusing exclusively on womenswear. He famously compared the Fendi sisters to the five fingers of a hand – inseparable, interconnected, and always united in their work.
In 2018, Franca published a book titled ‘Sei con me’ (You are with me), dedicated to her late husband Luigi Formilli, who had provided unwavering support for her dedication to the Fendi business. During the book launch, Franca emphasized that significant decisions were always made collectively as a family, involving not just her parents and sisters, but later, their children as well. Each member had a specific professional domain in which they could express their creativity.
The Fendi brand was established in 1918 as a fur workshop by Adele Casagrande. After marrying Edoardo Fendi, the workshop transformed into the label’s first boutique in 1925, taking on the name Fendi. Initially focusing on leather goods and accessories, the boutique gained international recognition in the 1930s and 40s due to the exceptional quality of its handbags, leather accessories, and raw materials.
In 1946, the founders passed the business down to the next generation, and ever since, the company has been led by the five Fendi sisters. In November 1999, the sisters sold a 51% stake in Fendi to French luxury entrepreneur Bernard Arnault, valuing the brand at 1.9 billion lire (approximately €1 billion at the time). Despite being currently owned by luxury conglomerate LVMH, the Fendi family still maintains control over the brand’s style. Silvia Venturini Fendi, Anna’s daughter, now serves as the creative director and represents the third generation in this extraordinary all-female family legacy.
Sources:
– Fendi
– Wikipedia – Fendi
