Former Fendi President Carla Fendi Has Died

By Alexandra Whittaker
Updated Jun 20, 2017 @ 12:15 pm
Credit: David M. Benett/Getty

Sad news in the fashion world. Carla Fendi, of the Fendi fashion empire, died this week at age 79 following a long illness.

Fendi was one of five sisters who grew the family's eponymous fashion house into a global business. She acted as the president of Fendi from the time the sisters opened their first store in Rome in 1964 until they sold the family business to LVMH (which also owns Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs) in 1999. She was still an honorary president of the company up until her death.

VIDEO: Karl Lagerfeld Interview at Fendi for Fountains Press Conference

Under her watch, Fendi expanded internationally and became a favorite of celebrities and dignitaries alike. Everyone from Rihanna to Sarah Jessica Parker has worn clothing and accessories by the brand.

The fashion house has always had a particular focus on designing luxurious furs, and famously hired a young Karl Lagerfeld to work for the Italian brand under Carla Fendi's reign. It goes without saying that her work at Fendi has forever changed the fashion industry.

RELATED: Our Favorite Looks from Fendi Fall 2017

In honor of Carla Fendi's memory, scroll through some of our favorite celebrities wearing Fendi looks below.

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Rihanna

Credit: Mark Sagliocco/Getty
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Kate Hudson

Credit: Lodovico Colli di Felizzano/REX/Shutterstock

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Suki Waterhouse, Cara Delevingne, and Poppy Delevingne

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Sarah Jessica Parker

Credit: Neil P. Mockford/Getty
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By Alexandra Whittaker