Today, interior collections from fashion houses seem like a typical branding solution. But just a few decades ago, in 1988, when Fendi's creative director, Alberto Vignatelli, decided to go in this direction, many considered the idea insane. How can one transition from evening dresses to decorating sofas? And it turned out, it can be done, and quite successfully.
Thus, the Roman fashion brand became a pioneer in the field of luxury interior design, launching a line of furniture and home accessories. The rich heritage and avant-garde vision of Fendi's home are evident in each item and collection. For instance, one of the first Fendi Casa sofas adorned the iconic FF logo, created by Karl Lagerfeld in 1965, along with chocolate-toned stripes inspired by the print of the famous Fendi Pequin Bag. Modern sofas also feature the distinctive stitching of Fendi Selleria Bags and motifs from Villa Borghese, which has become a contemporary classic.
The connection with the fashion world significantly influenced the style of furniture: meticulous attention to the details, refined color combinations, and a wide diversity of textured solutions: velvet, suede, nubuck, mink fur, and even sable. The best designers, such as Toan Nguyen, Thierry Lemaire, Marco Costanzi, and Dimitri Rybaltchenko elaborate on the brand’s collections.
In 2013, French artist Maria Pergay created the limited Metamorphosis collection, playing with the combination of contrasts and opposites: metal and fox fur, icy shades and rose gold, smooth curves, and sharp breaks. These elements were naturally interwoven into the design of tables, chairs, and poufs.
A year later, in 2014, another French decorator, François-Joseph Graf, created a capsule collection at the joint of the Ming dynasty and Art Nouveau. Some items in the collection, like a cocktail table covered in red lacquer, are in a traditional Chinese style, while others, such as benches made of black oak, only hint at the East, revealing more European traditions and the distinct influence of Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
In 2014, François-Joseph Graf, a French decorator, curated a capsule collection that seamlessly merged the essence of the Ming dynasty with Art Nouveau. Within this collection, certain pieces, like a red lacquer-covered cocktail table, embody a traditional Chinese aesthetic, while others, such as benches crafted from black oak, delicately suggest Eastern influences, showcasing a harmonious blend of European traditions and the unmistakable impact of Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
Meantime, Fendi Casa doesn't forget its Italian roots. In 2016, the brand reissued the most iconic models designed by Italian designer Guglielmo Ulrich for the World Furniture Exhibition in Rome in 1942. Due to the start of World War II, the exhibition never took place, and many works remained only as a draft. But now, thanks to Fendi Casa, they have finally come to life.
Another significant project is the restoration of the Medici Villa, one of Rome's most luxurious residences for many centuries already. Today, it is owned by the French Academy and serves as an art space and a venue for cultural and artistic events. The creative directors of the brand, Kim Jones and Silvia Venturini, worked on the design for the villa's six salons. They faced the important task of organically integrating modern furniture into the historical space of the villa. Therefore, the starting point in choosing the color palette was the wall paintings of the halls, and the inspiration for forms and ornaments came from Ancient Roman history and culture. For example, in the decoration of the Borghese table in the Salon des Pensionnaires, you can discern the silhouettes of famous Roman pines, and on the furniture in the Salon de Lecture, there are images of the ancient Appian Way.
The role of the creative designer and head of the house is currently held by the granddaughter of Fendi's founder, Silvia Venturini. Under her careful guidance, Fendi Casa celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2018, summing up a significant journey at the Salone Internazionale Del Mobile in Milan. Along with the new collection, three iconic models created by Fendi Casa were presented to the public—one for each decade. The Cosima sofa from 1994, with leather capitonné upholstery, is captivating with its elegance and comfort. The avant-garde Eros sofa from 2004, is known for its versatility, clean lines, and balanced style. And the newcomer—the One sofa from the 2018 collection, embodying stylistic rigor and nobility.
Currently, the connection between fashion and interior design is stronger than ever, and Fendi Casa successfully realizes this creative symbiosis through the brand's key codes: refined design, impeccable quality, and perspective in the future.
