Fendi’s New Era: Silvia Venturini Steps Back, Paving Way for Creative Transition

Fendi faces the baton. The Italian house has opened a new chapter in its history with the appointment of Silvia Venturini as honorary president. The move, effective October 1st, confirms the step back of the heiress of the founding family, who for more than three decades has led key areas of creation and culminated her career with the centenary women’s collections. The company said in a statement that it will soon announce a new creative organization.

Silvia Venturini, Adèle’s granddaughter and third generation of the Fendi saga, has been a key figure in the contemporary evolution of the brand. Since 1992, she has worked alongside Karl Lagerfeld in the artistic direction and, since 1994, she has led the accessories and men’s lines. More recently, he also took over the direction of the women’s collections, consolidating the creative unit of the brand after the departure of creative director Kim Jones.

In a statement, the designer recalled her family and professional ties. “My heart goes out to Karl, an extraordinary teacher who taught me the art of sharing, a defining quality in the history of the women in my family,“ Venturini said. The creative stressed that her career has been not only a creative journey, but also a human one, shared with Lagerfeld, with Jones and with “a fantastic team that is already part of my family.“

Fendi places Silvia Venturini in an institutional role after three decades of management

Among her milestones, Silvia Venturini signed the creation of the Baguette bag, which became a cultural emblem of the 2000s and one of the luxury brand’s most profitable pieces. Her contribution also consolidated the men’s business, which today represents one of the fastest growing divisions in the luxury industry. With her appointment as honorary president, Fendi ensures the symbolic continuity of the founding family at a time of transition.

Spaniard Ramon Ros, president and CEO of Fendi, has underlined Venturini’s contribution to the internationalization of the brand. “His vision has guided Fendi from its Roman artisanal roots into the future, culminating in the centenary celebration,“ he said. According to Ros, in her new position the designer will also contribute to the universe of design and artisanal savoir faire on a global level.

The company will soon announce the plans for the new creative successor

The company has not yet announced who will take over as creative director. The move comes in a context of transition for several Italian houses, where luxury groups seek to strengthen the identity of their brands in an increasingly competitive global market. In the case of Fendi, the strategy is to maintain the connection with its Roman heritage and at the same time update the creative discourse towards new generations of customers.

Silvia Venturini’s step back does not mean a total withdrawal, but rather the assumption of a role as custodian of the brand’s heritage and international projection, which also includes the Fendi Casa universe. Her creative legacy remains as a pillar for the immediate future in which LVMH will have to decide the direction of the brand in its second century of history.

In the first half of the year, LVMH posted sales of €39.81 billion, down 4% from the €41.67 billion it achieved in the same period of 2024. Meanwhile, net income fell by 22% to €5.698 billion, down from €7.267 billion in the same period of the previous year.