The one between FENDI and the world of art and culture is a deep relationship lasting since 1925, when Edoardo and Adele Fendi founded the luxury Maison in Rome. A bond made of strong values such as innovation, tradition, savoir-faire, creativity, Italian spirit, that has been strengthened in time thanks to a full commitment of the Maison and several partnerships in support of Italian art and culture around the world, with all its outstanding achievements and talent.
On January 2013, FENDI announces the restoration of the Trevi Fountain in Rome under its patronage. This philanthropic act starts an ambitious project for the preservation of cultural heritage of the city of Rome: Fendi for Fountains. In addition to the Trevi Fountain, the project also includes the restoration of the complex of the "Four Fountains". In 2016, the Roman Maison confirms its commitment to the patronage for the City of Rome and its fountains with the restoration and/or preservation of the fountains del Gianicolo, del Mosè, del Ninfeo del Pincio and del Peschiera.In 2015, FENDI gives back to its city, Rome, the Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana in the EUR district, chosen as its new headquarter to reinforce its Roman roots. On this occasion, after more than seventy years from its creation, the Maison opens the first floor of the Palazzo to the public and devotes it to temporary exhibitions and installations, among which Una Nuova Roma.L'Eur e il Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana (2015), FENDI Roma - The Artisans Of Dreams (2016) and FENDI Studios (2017).
At Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana, FENDI hosts for the first time, from January to July 2017, an exhibition of contemporary art, a solo show by lilian artist Giuseppe Penone entitled Matrice. Curated by Massimiliano Gioni, the exhibition features a selection of fifteen artworks that date from the 1970s to the present, including many that are rarely seen and are shown in Italy for the first time.The collaboration with Giuseppe Penone continues a few months later with the installation in Largo Goldoni, opposite Palazzo FENDI, of Foglie di Pietra, a great sculpture commissioned by the Maison as a gift to the city of Rome. This major donation marks the first time in which a significant contemporary artwork is installed permanently in the public spaces of Rome. The initiative was examined and then approved by a jury composed of the Italian Ministry of Culture, the City of Rome, FENDI and the exhibition curator Massimiliano Gioni.In March 2017, FENDI focuses on youth training, with the creation of a scientific area exclusively dedicated to the students of the 'SAF - Scuola di Alta Formazione' (School of Professional Training) of the ISCR - Istituto Superiore per la Conservazione ed il Restauro' (Institute for Conservation and Restoration), the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism technical body specialized in the conservation-restoration of cultural heritage.
At the same time, the Maison supports the Italian Pavillon at the 57* International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, as well as the three artists - Giorgio Andreotta Calò, Roberto Cuoghi and Adelita Husni-Bey - selected by the curator Cecilia Alemani for the exhibition ll mondo magico (The Magical World), confirming its support not only for culture and art, but for Italian excellence around the world.In September 2017, FENDI announces a three-year partnership with Galleria Borghese. The project sees the support to the exhibitions taking place at the Galleria Borghese for the following 3 years, among which Bernini, a solo one with eighty artworks dedicated to Gian Lorenzo Bernini, from October 2017 to February 2018 and Picasso La Scultura from October 2018 to February 2019. The exhibition for the first time in Italy, is included in the international cultural project Picasso-Méditerranée initiated by the Musée national Picasso-Paris, presenting 56 masterpieces by Picasso, unpublished studio photographs, and videos telling about the contexts in which the sculptures were created. The third exhibition realized in partnership with Galleria Borghese is VALADIER, Splendour in Eighteenth-Century Rome*, dedicated to Luigi Valadier and showcased from October 2019 to February 2020.
The Maison further confirms its commitment to the world of art in June 2018 by supporting the artwork and performance Revenge by artist Nico Vascellari, realized at the MAXXI museum in Rome and already winner of the 2006-2007 edition of the Premio per la Giovane Arte Italiana award of the MAXXI Arte collection and previously exhibited at the 52** International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia of 2007.
In October 2018, FENDI supports the creation of the most impressive architectural mapping project ever realized in Italy: Lux Formae by the Hungarian artist Lasizo Bordos. The project, produced by Solid Light for Videocittà, identifies Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana, headquarter of the luxury Maison, as its protagonist. For one night the building is transformed into a palette by the artist using projections as a hi-tech brush 4.0.
In June 2019, FENDI renews its commitment to the city of Rome by supporting and executing the restoration and enhancement works aimed at the protection and fruition of the Temple of Venus and Rome, completed at the end of the year 2021 - an incredible milestone in the Maison's patronage program aimed at bringing some of the most important landmarks of the Eternal City back to their former glory.
In June 2020, FENDI unveils the first episode of FENDI Renaissance - Anima Mundi, a series of streaming events presented by the Maison together with renowned musical institutions worldwide with the aim of promoting and supporting inclusivity, diversity, talent and creativity and bring people together with a unique and emotional moment. The first episode featured Antonio Vivaldi's Estate from The Four Seasons executed by the orchestra of the Academia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, followed by Italian classics executed by the orchestra of Poly Performing Arts in Shanghai, Gioachino Rossini's William Tell Overture Finale executed by students of the Tokyo University of the Arts, Antonio Vivaldi's Concerto No. 3, RV 310 from 'L'estro armonico (The Harmonic Inspiration) executed by chamber orchestra Sejong Soloists in Seoul up to an original Jazz score executed by the students of the Julliard School in New York.In December 2022, FENDI and the French Academy in Rome - Villa Medici unveil their latest collaboration, with the support of the Mobilier National, to refurbish six reception Salons at Villa Medici - including the majestic Grand Salon, Salon des pensionnaires, Salon de musique, Salon de lecture, Salon Bleu and Petit salon - offering a new décor that encourages creativity and contemporary design.
In January 2023, FENDI and Fondazione Arnaldo Pomodoro announce the launch of a multi-year partnership, a natural evolution of the relationship that was established between the Foundation and the Maison in 2013, when FENDI found its Milanese "headquarters" in the space at Via Solari 35, the Foundation's former exhibition venue which houses Ingresso nel labirinto, one of the most significant and representative works in Arnaldo Pomodoro's artistic path. The first appointment marking this renewed collaboration is the exhibition Arnaldo Pomodoro. Il Grande Teatro delle Civiltà (Arnaldo Pomodoro.
The Great Theatre of Civilizations), curated by Lorenzo Respi and Andrea Viliani, which is open for visits starting from 12* May to 1 October 2023 at the Palazzo della Civilt Italiana in Rome.
Following the first collaboration from 2017 to 2020, in March 2023, FENDI renews its partnership with Galleria Borghese by supporting the exhibition Giuseppe Penone. Gesti Universali from March to May 2023, and in 2024 for the Louise Bourgeois.
Unconscious Memories exhibition from June to September 2024.