Fendi’s relationship with art

«Fendi shares its approach to bold creativity with artists. The large retrospective dedicated to Arnaldo Pomodoro (opening tomorrow at the Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana, the Lvmh Maison’s headquarters, ed.) is proof of this». Therefore, ceo Serge Brunschwig gives MFF a preview of the exhibition dedicated to the 70-year career of the great lombard sculptor. The exhibition is curated by Lorenzo Respi and Andrea Viliani and is free to visit until October 1. «This partnership is the natural evolution of a bond that was created between the Foundation and our Maison, which in 2013 took up residence in the former exhibition venue of the Pomodoro Foundation, in Via Solari 35, Milan». That is where, by the way, the environmental work Entrance into the Labyrinth, one of the sculptor’s most representative works, is still housed.

«In addition to the exhibition, we collaborated with the Foundation and master Arnaldo Pomodoro on a special reinterpretation of the Peekaboo bag, as part of the global Canvas peekaboo project that, since 2014, has been involving artists, designers, and iconic figures, in the creation of unique pieces that represent a testimony of special events for the Maison,» the ceo explained. Meanwhile, the maison is also preparing its first runway show in the renovated Tuscan factory in Bagno a Ripoli during the upcoming Pitti Immagine Uomo.

The relationship between Fendi and the world of art and culture is deep. «It started from January 2013, when we announced the restoration works of the Trevi Fountain and the enhancement of Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana, which was chosen as a new venue to strengthen its Roman roots and opened in 2015, through the collaboration with Giuseppe Penone for the installation in Largo Goldoni, a large sculpture work commissioned by the Maison as a gift to the city of Rome».

More recently, the renovation of six reception rooms at Villa Medici in December 2022 and the renewed collaboration with Galleria Borghese supporting the Giuseppe Penone exhibition, Universal Gestures. The link with art is intertwined with a staunch support for high craftsmanship, which translates into a commitment to promote the métiers d’art. «In Germany, 900,000 students graduate from technical schools each year. In France about half, 45,000. Only 10,000 in Italy. We need a high school of Made in Italy,» Serge Brunschwig himself had said at the launch of the Master Craftsman of Excellence Award (see MFF of February 15) promoted with Lvmh and the National Chamber for Italian Fashion (Cnmi).

«Our goal is to promote and show to new generations that the craft of the artisan in the luxury industry represents a real opportunity», the Manager stressed from the Roman headquarters. «To celebrate the opening of the Fendi baguette hand In hand exhibition in Tokyo, we invited Japanese artisan Aya Nishikata, the fourth-generation heir of the family atelier Nishikata Senshoku Kobo, and the youngest traditional master artisan in Tochigi Prefecture. The exhibition will then move next week to China, landing in Beijing».

Speaking of high craftsmanship, how is couture doing?

«Very well, both in terms of clients and celebrities, which is a growing demand. We dress celebrities for major events from the Met Gala to the Oscars». (All rights reserved)