Adele Casagrande was born in Rome on 24 November 1897.

Ancora giovanissima decise di inaugurare un negozio di pelletteria e pellicce nel cuore della Capitale, in via del Plebiscito.

When she married Edoardo Fendi in 1925 – also a Roman, born on 8 August 1904 – the couple began running the business together, choosing to rename it after his surname.

The shop, which started out as a family business, soon began to stand out for the quality of its materials and the skill of its craftsmanship. Expansion and success followed swiftly: in a short space of time, the Fendi brand became a true symbol of artisanal excellence.

In the 1940s, the reins of the company passed to the five daughters (Paola, Anna, Franca, Carla and Alda), who transformed it into a global enterprise thanks to their forward-thinking vision. Two moments in particular marked its history: the partnership with fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, who revolutionised the concept of fur and designed the iconic double ‘F’ logo, and the creation in 1997 of the ‘Baguette’ by Silvia Venturini Fendi, hailed as the first ‘it-bag’ in history.

In a process of constant evolution, Fendi has grown from a small neighbourhood shop into one of the world’s most influential fashion houses, establishing itself as a leading exponent and benchmark of Italian craftsmanship.

You can view the birth certificates of Adele Casagrande and Edoardo Fendi on the Ancestors portal, held respectively by the State Archives of Rome > Stato civile italiano > Roma > 1897 e Archivio di Stato di Roma > Stato civile italiano > Roma > 1904

The originals are held at the State Archives in Rome.