A Century of Style: Fendi’s 100th Anniversary at Milan Fashion Week

• Fendi commemorated its centenary at Milan Fashion Week by celebrating the history and tradition of craftsmanship, as well as the presentation of a modern and innovative collection.
• The family values of Fendi were on display, with Silvia Venturini Fendi herself leading the show and Sarah Jessica Parker discussing the cultural significance of the iconic Baguette bag.

It was an out-of-this-world event at Milan Fashion Week for his hundredth anniversary in the business. It brought together fashion, history, and family legacy into an event theatrical enough to be remembered. Not only did that event remind the rest of the world about how far the brand has come from a simple Roman boutique to a global luxury power, but it also served to stress the importance of family values and artisanal integrity for the brand.

From Roman Roots to Hitting the World: The Process with Time

In 1925 Edoardo Fendi and Adele Fendi opened their leather and fur store on Rome’s Via del Plebiscito. Little did they know that this insignificant little shop would emerge as the saviour and become the overwhelming concept of Italian luxury. Fendi’s drive toward very fine workmanship and innovation was to serve as the foundation for the edifice of one of the most important names in fashion.

Under the aegis of the five Fendi sisters—Paola, Anna, Franca, Carla, and Alda—the empire flourished and embraced tradition and modernity. But the identity shift began as soon as Karl Lagerfeld signed on with Fendi in 1965. It was his radical designs and irreverent attitude to fur that freed it—light, bright, and modern. His collaboration with Fendi lasted till his death in 2019, a fitting closure to a partnership that spanned fifty-four years, the longest ever in fashion history.

The Nina Show—This is a sort of celebration towards the central stage for the reflection of the brand culture of Italy into something worldwide. The focus will not only be on retrospection but also on how Fendi has made innovations over time while conserving its ancient culture.

Family Celebrations are at the Core of Everything

An integral part of Fendi is its family ties. Generations have gone by, being passed through the family. This concept was truly brought to life at the centenary celebration, where the family was the focal point. The Autumn/Winter 2025-26 collection was organised by Silvia Venturini Fendi, granddaughter of the founders, who was in charge of Fendi menswear and accessories. Her idea was to connect the history of the firm with modern-day fashion into a collection that can be described as contemporary yet timeless.

The opening of the runway was deeply moving. Silvia’s twin grandsons, Dardo and Tazio Delettrez Fendi, led the show at the tender age of seven. This act indeed symbolically reiterated Fendi’s strong generational history and the concern for the future. Rather poignant reminder that it is the strength of the brand that lies in the ties of a family that can keep its culture and values intact and still be passed over to the next generations.

A Way of Being in Elegance and Innovation: The Collection

The Autumn/Winter 2025-26 collection was an awe-inspiring homage to Fendi’s history, even more so because it succeeded in marrying tradition and modernity. All the garments were perfectly crafted in such a way as to reflect Fendi’s iconic style, as well as introduce that somewhat contemporary twist.

The house’s fading glory was honoured with sumptuous fur coats, remodelled into lighter silhouettes, and experimentation in kindergarten that modern terminology would picture. Other designs, from the Chantilly lace dresses to sheer organza panels, spoke of the brand’s passionate dedication to artisanal merit. Streaked in ribbons with playful lettuce hems, they lightened the sombre tailoring that ran throughout most of the collection.

Star-Studded Front Row: A Cultural Icon

The Fendi centenary runway show was far from just a fashion event; it became cultural. The front rows held a string of stars, all reflecting how Fendi has shaped and influenced pop culture around the globe.

Some of the famous guests included Sarah Jessica Parker, who made the Fendi Baguette bag an instant cultural icon by carrying it on the hit show “Sex and the City.” Thus, attending this show was a walk through a memory lane for that purse’s golden days. The presence of Parker was in no way a mere question of style; it was a celebration of the Baguette and all that it represents in the annals that have shaped fashion history.

The choice of the iconic bag to be present at the show was an indication of how Fendi’s designs remain stylishly relevant, while their connections with pop culture have a longer history. This was a wonderful moment of synergy between the historical legacy of Fendi and the modern-day celebration of the Baguette.

Silvia Venturini Fendi captured “Fendi-ness” in a unique merging of feminine elegance and stiff masculinity. While the style bore an unmistakable sign of luxe, it was also modern and daring. The collection tells us the Fendi soul has learnt to innovate whilst staying Fendi, adopting its traditions but living through the present.

The Future in Sight: Purity of Tradition and Innovation

Fendi’s centenary event was an opportunity to reflect not only on the past but also on an exuberant expression of the brand’s vision of the future. Staying true to tradition yet ready for innovations, Fendi affirmed with a flourish that it could evolve with modern times while retaining its identity.

The event displayed Fendi’s commitment to craftsmanship, creativity, and family values. With new generations ready to take over, Fendi’s legacy for excellence viably carries on. The celebration meant the end of a long journey of successes but also the dawn of yet another promising one for the Fendi brand.

What Is Different for Fendi as It Steps into Its Next Century?

Entering into its second century, Fendi continues to infuse its fabulous, rich fabric with values like quality, innovation, and family heritage. The event was not just a commemoration but truly a fashion display meshed with a legacy built on passion, praise, and endurance.

Silvia Venturini with Fendi at the helm and the next generation gradually stepping into the fore, the future of Fendi is looking brighter than ever. With the firm vow of the company to infuse traditional elements into contemporary, so much more will be in store for it in the changing world of fashion.

Conclusion: A Timeless Legacy

Fendi’s 100th birthday at the last had been an event most devoted to memories of the past, present, and future. True style is beyond nugatory fashion—it is about family, tradition, and novelty under the umbrella of luxury and elegance.

Going forward, Fendi will feed the imagination of the fashion industry into the fearful vision and inspire great works of craftsmanship forever. The 100-year celebration had indeed looked back, but it also signalled more to come.