This fall 2025, Italian designer Silvia Venturini Fendi, a member of the third generation of the Fendi family, is stepping down as creative director to become honorary president of the house.

This transition marks the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter for the Italian brand.

An Impressive Legacy

Silvia Venturini Fendi's arrival in this role is no accident, as she is deeply intertwined with Fendi's history.

She comes from the Fendi family, founders of the house in Rome. She has worked for the house since the 1990s : notably, she co-directed the creative direction alongside the legendary Karl Lagerfeld from 1992 to 2019.

She oversaw the accessories and menswear lines from 1994, and then the womenswear lines after Kim Jones' departure in 2024.

Her career thus illustrates a continuity between Fendi's Roman artisanal heritage and the house's modernization on a global scale.

The circumstances of her departure

On September 29, 2025, the LVMH group announced that Silvia Venturini Fendi would step down from her operational creative roles and become honorary president, effective October 1.

The press release specified that the new creative direction would be announced "in due course".

Several factors may explain this change.

The economic context of the luxury sector: Fendi is among the brands seeking to reinvent itself in a more challenging luxury market. The house's desire to pass the torch to a new generation of designers while maintaining its family roots.

Silvia Venturini Fendi's intention to refocus her role on heritage, patrimony, and the métiers d'art rather than on day-to-day creative work.

What does this mean for Fendi ?

This change marks a new creative phase for Fendi. The departure of a historical figure opens the door to renewal.

The fact that Silvia Venturini Fendi will remain with the company as honorary president signals that the heritage remains valued: the craftsmanship, the Roman savoir-faire, the brand's history.

The timing is also symbolic: Fendi celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2025, suggesting a strategic shift on this occasion.

In conclusion,

Silvia Venturini Fendi's departure marks the end of an important chapter for the Fendi house, but also the beginning of a new era. With an iconic figure passing the torch while retaining a symbolic role, Fendi is preparing to reinvent its creative future on the eve of its centenary. For fashion enthusiasts, it will now be crucial to closely monitor who will be tasked with shaping this new chapter.

Picture : © Fendi