Silvia Venturini Fendi
Creative Director - Accessories and Menswear
Fendi s.r.l
"Yes, my confidence and positive attitude are my strengths and should be every other persons too."
"Yes, my confidence and positive attitude are my strengths and should be every other persons too."
Fibre2Fashion: We would like to know you better as a creative director at Fendi?
Silvia Venturini Fendi:
I represent the third
generation of the family. I studied in Italy and London and then started my
professional training in Los Angeles. I joined the business in 1987 and in 1994,
I created the Selleria Line, made of unique items in Roman leather, retrieving
the tradition of Roman master saddlers.
F2F: You have the confidence to dress in the dark. Confidence and attitude are your strength. How important are they in the world of fashion?
SVF:
Yes, my confidence and positive attitude are my strengths and they
should be every other person’s too. I believe in tradition with vision. My
grandmother’s vision was that nothing is impossible and that is what her
daughters and I have been trying to keep alive all these years. It is the
confidence and attitude that help you evolve in the world of fashion.
F2F: Many call Karl Lagerfeld the sixth child of Fendi, because of his contribution to the Fendi house. How do you rate his encyclopedic knowledge on fashion? Can you elaborate his contributions and achievements for the Fendi House?
SVF:
Karl Lagerfeld started working with my mother and sisters in the
1960s. He became a trustworthy, extraordinary person to share experiences and
ideas with. I have the greatest respect for Karls work and ideas.
F2F: How important is it to have a family name in the world of fashion? Did it make any difference for you?
SVF:
It has been fantastic for me to be the third generation of the Fendi family and to work with the Fendi brand. It is also a great honour for me to continue to try and keep this vision alive in a global scenario where large groups have taken over family firms and a few family members are still working in them. Sacrifice and hard work let me challenge myself regularly.
F2F: Would you prefer handmade apparel and accessories over those manufactured through automation?
SVF:
We believe in tradition, innovation and experimentation together
for a whispered luxury.