After decades of creative leadership, Silvia Venturini Fendi will shift to an honorary role, signaling a new chapter at Fendi.
Summary
- Silvia Venturini Fendi transitions from creative director to honorary president at Fendi.
- The house is preparing to define a fresh creative structure for womenswear.
- Silvia’s legacy at Fendi spans iconic bags, menswear, and steering the brand through transitions.
Silvia Venturini Fendi, long central to the house’s creative identity, is stepping away from her role as creative director to take on the title of honorary president. In this new position she will remain connected to the maison, lending her voice to its heritage while handing over day-to-day creative leadership.
The timing underscores a moment of transition for Fendi. Following the exit of Kim Jones in 2024, the womenswear line has been in flux. The brand now faces the challenge of defining a fresh direction for that side of the business. Silvia, meanwhile, will continue to be closely tied to the areas she has shaped most: accessories, menswear, and the larger narrative of Fendi’s legacy.
Her mark on the house is undeniable. She introduced the Baguette bag in 1997, a design that became a global cultural reference. Over the years she steered Fendi through the post-Lagerfeld period, balancing the pull of history with a need for renewal. Her leadership has been essential in guiding the company through internal shifts and outside pressures.
This change is not only about personnel but also about redefining Fendi’s womenswear identity. With Silvia in a new capacity, the house must now decide who takes the creative lead and how that voice will shape its future. Names already circulating include Maria Grazia Chiuri and Francesco Risso.
What happens next remains open. Silvia’s role is shifting, but she is not disappearing. Her influence will continue to run through the house as Fendi prepares to announce its new creative path.
