Fendi Unveils Palazzo Fendi a New Milanese Epicenter of Luxury Fashion and Art

Milan's fashion landscape recently welcomed the grand opening of Palazzo Fendi, unveiled during the recent womenswear fashion week. Positioned strategically at the iconic intersection of Via Montenapoleone and Corso Matteotti, this LVMH-owned Roman label's new Milanese luxury hub encompasses an expansive 910-square-meter store, dedicated atelier spaces, and three Langosteria restaurants, establishing itself as a multi-faceted destination.

Fendi's new Milanese abode spans four floors within a distinguished rationalist building, originally designed by architect Emilio Lancia and constructed between 1933 and 1936. The interior design, meticulously crafted by Fendi's architecture department, masterfully integrates the distinctive details of 1930s Milanese homes with the brand's iconic elements. This blend is exemplified by the seamless integration of pre-existing marble details with Fendi's custom marble flooring, whose design draws inspiration from the ancient floors of Rome.

Further enhancing the interior's allure, a carefully curated selection of artworks has been incorporated throughout the palazzo. These pieces were hand-picked in collaboration with local galleries and foundations, including the Officine Saffi Foundation, the Arnaldo Pomodoro Foundation, and the Mazzoleni and Secci art galleries, adding a significant cultural dimension to the luxury experience.

The ground floor is dedicated to Fendi's women's accessories, with a striking deconstructed column by artist Anton Alvarez serving as its central feature, custom-commissioned for the space. At the building’s second ground-floor entrance, an artisanal sculpture by Roberto Sironi commands attention. Within the retail area, the accessories section proudly displays fashion jewellery, sunglasses, belts, perfumes, and textile accessories. The room's corners are adorned with two asymmetric entwined ceramic pieces by artist Roger Cal, presented in Fendi’s iconic yellow and bubble-gum pink hues. At the heart of this floor, a hexagonal area features twin staircases, each graced by a symmetrical artwork by Levy Van Veluw. The grand contemporary fresco that covers most of the ceiling, as well as the entire stairwell leading to the upper floors, is a masterful creation by artist Edoardo Piermattei.

Ascending to the first floor, visitors enter a space dedicated to menswear and childrenswear, designed to evoke the ambiance of a private club. A sophisticated fretwork door crafted from silvered nickel leads into the exclusive VIP area, which takes its stylistic cues from the renowned Villa Necchi Campiglio by architect Piero Portaluppi. This refined space is further enriched by a painting entitled "Where the Wild Things Are" by Daniel Crews-Chubbs, alongside a special dressing room adorned with Roman-inspired wallpaper, artfully designed by Luke Edward Hall for Rubelli.

The second floor features two distinct areas dedicated to Fendi’s couture and women’s ready-to-wear collections, each connected to a round VIP room. One of these exclusive rooms showcases the label’s exquisite high jewellery collections, while the other houses an abstract sculpture depicting a human figure, created by the Belgian artist Florian Tomballe.

A compelling sculpture by Nick Cave guides the way to the third floor, which is home to Fendi's fur and leather ateliers. Here, the label's skilled artisans meticulously craft and customise their products, with the ateliers also featuring a display of some of Fendi’s iconic archival items. Through a distinctive arched foyer, whose design is inspired by the monumental architecture of Rome’s Pantheon, visitors are welcomed into the Fendi Apartment, a private space adorned with "Rosso Rosa," a painting by Agostino Bonalumi, and the powerful "Tracce I" triptych by Arnaldo Pomodoro.