Dual Force
InStyle Australia|September 2019

FENDI’S VERY FIRST CO-GENDER RUNWAY SHOW CELEBRATED ANOTHER OF THE LABEL’S POWERHOUSE PAIRINGS: KARL LAGERFELD AND SILVIA VENTURINI FENDI

Natalie Mell
Dual Force
If I look back at pictures when I was a little girl, I was always dressed in black,” reflects Silvia Venturini Fendi of her first fashion memory. “And I remember one day we were at the seaside on holidays—my mother worked, so I was on holidays with my nanny and my sisters— and this lady stopped us and said, ‘Oh, I like those girls, are they orphans? They are always dressed in black.’” Not an unfair question considering that in Italy, where Venturini Fendi was born and raised, wearing black for an extended period of time is a traditional mourning ritual. But this wasn’t the case, and her nanny quickly quashed that theory with her to-the-point response, “No, they’re from fashion.” No further explanation needed.

The granddaughter of Adele and Edoardo Fendi, who founded the label that bears her last name in Rome in 1925, Venturini Fendi is as “from fashion” as you can get. Her mother, Anna, also worked for the brand, and while Venturini Fendi recalls questioning why Anna never dressed her in the type of frothy-pinkcreations that can light up a little girl’s eyes, she adds, “But then I understood that she was right, because she never put me in a box.”

Now the brand’s creative director of childrenswear, menswear and accessories, this helps explain why Venturini Fendi—and the “Fendi is a brand that has a long history. A history made of strong women and strong men” label generally—is so adept at crafting fashion that can’t be pigeonholed. The designer is, after all, the mind behind the wildly successful Baguette bag, in all its embellished, bright and logo-adorned variations, as well as the cleanlined and classic Peekaboo bag, which celebrated its 10th anniversary last year.

This story is from the September 2019 edition of InStyle Australia.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the September 2019 edition of InStyle Australia.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM INSTYLE AUSTRALIAView All
Made With Love
InStyle Australia

Made With Love

Julia Busuttil Nishimura has gathered a legion of fans with her easy-tofollow recipes. Her new cookbook takes comfort food to the next level

time-read
9 mins  |
June 2020
Get Your Clicks
InStyle Australia

Get Your Clicks

Want to treat yourself while supporting local business? Online shopping is a win-win right now, especially with this hot list of brands and the instyle team’s top tips for getting it right

time-read
10+ mins  |
June 2020
THE NEW MASTER
InStyle Australia

THE NEW MASTER

Valentino’s PIERPAOLO PICCIOLI creates fashion dreams, but his greatest power is being himself

time-read
9 mins  |
June 2020
THE STARTUP VANGUARD
InStyle Australia

THE STARTUP VANGUARD

CELEBRATING ENTREPRENEURIALISM WITH A HEART-LED TWIST

time-read
8 mins  |
June 2020
SHALOM
InStyle Australia

SHALOM

FOR SUPERMODEL SHALOM HARLOW, THE GRUELLING DEMANDS OF HER INDUSTRY LED TO A LONG, SELF-IMPOSED HIATUS. NOW, BACK IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA ON HER OWN TERMS, SHE IS READY TO SHARE HER STORY

time-read
9 mins  |
June 2020
PUNK be a LADY
InStyle Australia

PUNK be a LADY

LADY GAGA is returning to her original sound and style, but the thing she wants next might surprise you

time-read
7 mins  |
June 2020
SKIN FOOD
InStyle Australia

SKIN FOOD

TRIED EVERY LOTION AND STILL NOT SEEING RESULTS? DIETITIANS AND NUTRITIONISTS AGREE: WHAT YOU PILE ON YOUR PLATE IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS WHAT YOU APPLY TO YOUR FACE

time-read
6 mins  |
June 2020
The Style Set
InStyle Australia

The Style Set

PIP VASSETT, THE BRAINS BEHIND LUXURY BEDDING, SLEEPWEAR AND HOMEWARES LABEL IN BED, TALKS US THROUGH HER EFFORTLESSLY COOL AESTHETIC, WHICH PRIZES QUALITY DESIGN THAT STANDS THE TEST OF TIME

time-read
4 mins  |
June 2020
leading ladies
InStyle Australia

leading ladies

Together, they are two of Australia’s most iconic and inherently elegant women. On the 55th anniversary of her fashion label, CARLA ZAMPATTI chats life, family and finding your calling, with women’s rights pioneer and dear friend of 40 years, former governor-general DAME QUENTIN BRYCE

time-read
7 mins  |
June 2020
Beauty Talk
InStyle Australia

Beauty Talk

Actor LAURA DERN on going filter-free, owning her sexiness and taking a clean approach to skincare

time-read
3 mins  |
June 2020