FENDI

Fendi began in 1918 when Adele Casagrande opened a leather and fur shop in Via del Plebiscito in central Rome. When Adele married Edoardo Fendi in 1925, they made a decision to change the name to Fendi. The business prospered, and a new shop was opened in Via Piave in 1932. By 1946 Paola, the eldest of the couple's five daughters, went to work for the firm, followed by her sisters Carla, Anna, Franca, and Alda.

In 1965 a marriage between the Fendis and german designer Karl Lagerfeld was sealed, and it proved to be fortuitous for both. Lagerfeld immediately created the inverted FF logo that joined the growing list of international status symbols.

In the year of 1966, Fendi released its first couture line, which was completely designed by Karl Lagerfield.

In around 1980's, Fendi's entire line of fur and ready to wear goods were set and under-going an amazing success, so the company decides to dabble into other forms of designer goods. The company started producing coats and dresses, and even shoes. Fendi further extended their areas of marketing in the years to come. They started manufacturing numerous new products, such as ties, jeans, gloves, hats, ties, lighters, pens and countless other items the fashionable would love.

Vuitton and Prada bought 51 percent of the company in November, 1999, from the sisters. In 2001 Prada ceded its share to Vuitton. Carla Fendi is the only sister involved with Fendi. Karl Lagerfeld continues to design the fur and women's collections.