The launch of this joint venture – Fashion Furniture Design (FF Design) is in collaboration with Design Holding and will focus on developing the FENDI Casa business.
Design Holding is a global group in the high-end design sector jointly controlled by InvestIndustrial and The Carlyle Group, and this joint venture will involve Design Holding as a majority shareholder. FF Design aims to integrate and combine the research, design and development under the creative leadership of Silvia Venturini Fendi, Artistic Director of Accessories and Menswear, and the unique know-how of Design Holding. Alberto Da Passano – former President of FENDI for Europe and Middle East – has been appointed to lead the joint venture in the role of CEO and will assume the role from July 1st, 2021. Passano’s focus will be on development of the all-round business in the main markets – starting with Asia and digital integration activities.
FF Design is already developing the new FENDI Casa collections which will be released in January 2022 and at the 2022 edition of Salone del Mobile. The range will be available through selective retail and a network of new single-brand shops, which will also aim to offer interior design services and improve the customer experience. A production company created by Design Holding will be exclusively in charge of the production of FENDI Casa branded collections. This company, based in Misinto in Brianza, will be able to enhance the skills of Design Holding in the engineering and production made in Italy for FENDI Casa products.
Gabriele Del Torchio, Chairman of Design Holding, said that “This new project will give the Group an opportunity to grow and further consolidate its presence in international markets. The class and style of Fendi products, combined with Design Holding’s leadership in the design market, will make this a winning partnership”.
Fendi
The house of FENDI was established by Adele and Edoardo Fendi in Rome in 1925, with the opening of the first Fendi boutique – a handbag shop and fur workshop. Soon winning international acclaim, the brand emerged as a brand renowned for its elegance, craftsmanship, innovation, and style. The collaboration with the late Karl Lagerfeld began back in 1965 and lasted 54 years. In 1992, Silvia Venturini Fendi seconded him in the Artistic Direction. In 1994, Silvia was given responsibility of Leather Goods Accessories and then the direction of the Menswear line. In 2000, the LVMH Group acquired FENDI and in 2001, became its majority shareholder. In September 2020, Kim Jones is appointed Artistic Director of Couture and Womenswear.
Design Holding
Founded in 2018, Design Holding is a unique design hub for size and international scope, integrating iconic brands such as Flos, Louis Poulsen, B&B Italia, Maxalto, Arclinea and Azucena. All brands produce lighting or furniture products, combining contemporary, innovative, and sophisticated design, with a cultural heritage of European origin and a global presence, distribution channels and product categories. The Group is jointly controlled by entities from the two investment groups Investindustrial and The Carlyle Group. In April 2021 Design Holding entered into an agreement to acquire YDesign, one of the leading digital platforms in the US for e-commerce in high-end lighting and furnishing products. In 2020, the group saw a turnover of Euro 526 million, with 50+ designer product ranges, 9 factories and selling in 90+ countries.
Image Credits: Fendi, Design Holding SpA, Milan, Italy