Silvia Venturini Fendi
Honorary president of Fendi since October 2025
Silvia Venturini Fendi is an Italian designer and a third-generation member of the Fendi family who created the Baguette bag in 1997 and led the house's menswear and accessories for more than two decades. After serving as Fendi's sole artistic director from late 2024, she became honorary president on 1 October 2025, and Maria Grazia Chiuri was named chief creative officer.
| Role | Honorary president, Fendi |
|---|---|
| Since | 1 October 2025 |
| Signature designs | Baguette (1997), Peekaboo |
| Owner of Fendi | LVMH, since 2000 |
| Born | 1960, Rome |
| Nationality | Italian |
Who is Silvia Venturini Fendi?
Silvia Venturini Fendi was born in Rome in 1960 into the family that founded the house of Fendi. Trained in the family business from an early age alongside her mother Anna Fendi, she represents the third generation of Fendi and is best known as the designer behind some of the most successful handbags in modern luxury.
Career
In 1987 she designed the youth-oriented Fendissime line. From the early 1990s she worked closely with Karl Lagerfeld, who designed Fendi womenswear for decades, and she took responsibility for accessories and later menswear. In 1997 she created the Baguette, widely regarded as one of the first modern It bags, followed later by the Peekaboo.
- 1987: designs the Fendissime line
- 1990s: creative lead for accessories, working with Karl Lagerfeld
- 1997: creates the Baguette bag
- 2000s: leads menswear; the Peekaboo bag follows
- Autumn 2024 to September 2025: sole artistic director after Kim Jones's departure
- 1 October 2025: becomes honorary president
After Kim Jones left the womenswear and couture collections in 2024, she led all of Fendi's collections. In September 2025, as the house celebrated its centenary, Fendi announced that she would become honorary president from 1 October 2025, with a remit to support the brand's heritage and promote it globally. In October 2025 Fendi named Maria Grazia Chiuri, who had begun her career at the house in 1989, as chief creative officer, with Silvia Venturini Fendi continuing as a central collaborator.
Influence on the fashion business
The Baguette transformed Fendi's business and helped establish the handbag as the commercial engine of luxury fashion. Its success in the late 1990s coincided with the arrival of LVMH, which has controlled Fendi since 2000, and it has been reissued and reinterpreted many times since, demonstrating the long-term value of an iconic product.
Her career also illustrates the role of founding families inside luxury groups, where family members can act as custodians of heritage while the group manages strategy and investment.
Why it matters
Silvia Venturini Fendi is one of the designers most associated with the rise of the It bag, a product category that continues to drive profitability across luxury. Her transition to honorary president marks the end of an era of family creative leadership at one of Rome's most important fashion houses.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Silvia Venturini Fendi?
Silvia Venturini Fendi is an Italian designer from the third generation of the Fendi family. She created the Baguette bag in 1997 and led Fendi's accessories and menswear for many years.
What is Silvia Venturini Fendi's role now?
Since 1 October 2025 she has been honorary president of Fendi. In October 2025 the house appointed Maria Grazia Chiuri as chief creative officer, with Silvia Venturini Fendi continuing as a close collaborator.