Karl Lagerfeld designed for Fendi for 54 years, from 1965 until his death in 2019
Fendi (@fendi) was founded in Rome in 1925 by Adele and Edoardo Fendi, and their five daughters, Paola, Anna, Franca, Carla and Alda, joined in 1946. They brought in Karl Lagerfeld in 1965. He stayed until he died in February 2019, which makes 54 years, against 36 at Chanel (@chanelofficial). The double F he drew for the sisters stood for Fun Fur. Fendi shows in Milan, where that final collection walked.
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01KARL LAGERFELD DESIGNED FOR FENDI FOR 54 YEARS. HE STARTED IN 1965, AND HIS LAST COLLECTION WALKED TWO DAYS AFTER HE DIED.
02FENDI BEGAN AS A FUR AND LEATHER SHOP IN ROME IN 1925. BY THE SIXTIES IT WAS RUN BY THE FOUNDERS' FIVE DAUGHTERS.
03EACH SISTER OWNED A FIFTH AND EACH HAD A JOB: FURS, LEATHER GOODS, SALES, MARKETING, ADMINISTRATION.
04THEY HIRED LAGERFELD, THEN A YOUNG GERMAN DESIGNER IN PARIS, TO MODERNISE THE FUR. HE DREW THEM A LOGO: A DOUBLE F.
05THE TWO LETTERS STOOD FOR FUN FUR. FUR THEN WAS HEAVY AND FORMAL, SO THE NAME WAS THE PLAN.
06HE MADE THE COATS LIGHTER AND BROUGHT IN CHEAP PELTS LIKE RABBIT AND SQUIRREL, WHICH HIGH FASHION HAD NOT TOUCHED.
07HE RAN CHANEL FROM 1983 AS WELL. FENDI WAS STILL THE JOB HE HELD LONGEST, AND THE DOUBLE F IS STILL THE HOUSE LOGO.