One hundred years is a mere trifle when measured against the millennia that passed before Rome earned its nickname, "the Eternal City." However, in the fashion world, with its constant upheavals, it is quite another matter. Such is the paradox of Fendi – a centenarian still young compared to the city that shaped it, yet a venerable force in an industry where it remains at the forefront.

This kind of longevity is all the more exceptional given that, aside from Valentino and Bulgari, Rome is home to few internationally renowned fashion houses in a country where Milan leads the way in luxury more than ever. What makes Fendi even more unique is that, since its founding in 1925 by Adele and Edoardo Fendi, the brand has been primarily run by women – standing in contrast to much of the Italian fashion world, where, Prada aside, men still call the shots. At Fendi, the matriarchy reigns.

"When I hear the name Fendi, I see a thousand faces – mostly women," said Isabella Rossellini. The Italian-American actress is a regular at the brand's dinners held around the world, especially in Rome, the city closest to her heart. "At those long tables, you find dozens and dozens of women active in every field: fashion, hospitality, agriculture, heritage restoration, arts patronage," said the Blue Velvet (1986) actress. "All Fendi women share the same spirit of generosity and a zest for life. When I come home from one of their dinners, I feel full of energy and optimism."

This remarkable women-led dynasty was long embodied by the five daughters of Adele and Edoardo – five, like the fingers on a hand, as the family legend goes. Starting in the 1940s, Paola, Anna, Franca, Carla and Alda took turns leading the company, until 1992, when Silvia Venturini Fendi – one of Anna's three daughters – stepped in to take the reins alongside Karl Lagerfeld.

You have 87.6% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.