Fendi, the luxury fashion label known for fur and leather goods, was founded in Rome in 1925.
Adele and Edoardo Fendi established the business as a fur and leather shop on Via del Plebiscito. It later moved to Via Piave, where the family’s boutique became popular with visitors to Rome. Their five daughters eventually joined the company and helped guide its second generation.
Fendi became internationally influential after Karl Lagerfeld joined in 1965. He designed the brand’s famous double-F logo and helped modernize its fur collections. The company introduced its first ready-to-wear clothing line in 1977, expanding beyond its original specialty.
Fendi is sometimes confused with Prada, Gucci, or Valentino because all are major Italian fashion houses. The key distinction is the combination of Fendi’s Roman origin and its historic reputation for fur, leather goods, accessories, shoes, and luxury ready-to-wear. Since 2001, Fendi has been part of LVMH.