Fendi and Fenty are two fashion and beauty brands with very different approaches to fashion and beauty. This article introduces you to their brands’ vision and compares their styles and designs to gain insight into their creations. This makes the Fenty vs Fendi comparison interesting as it will provide you insight into both brands’ thought processes. Keep reading to learn the difference between Fenty and Fendi.

Fenty vs Fendi – Fenty Beginning

Rihanna started Fenty Beauty in 2017, and the brand became a global sensation instantly. When Rihanna launched her makeup line, it was no surprise to fans, as many brands loved to work with her. In the early 2010s, she collaborated with Mac on some products. However, that’s not the only reason Rihanna decided to enter the cosmetic industry. As a public figure, Rihanna had easy access to many beauty products. However, none of that made her forget her upbringing. She knew that cosmetics weren’t always affordable, and people of color found it challenging to find products that matched their skin tone. Rihanna was well aware of these problems in the cosmetic industry because her mother sold makeup.

In 2014, Rihanna trademarked her last name Fenty which created some buzz. However, it was also during a slower time in her music career, and she had just announced her partnership with a high fashion brand. Working with a high-fashion brand didn’t mean Rihanna would put a high price tag on her products. When she launched her products in 2017, it was immediately available in several top stores like Sephora. The band released 40 shades of foundation, and the darker shades sold out much faster than the lighter shades. Other brands took notice of the success, but this was only the beginning of the journey for Fenty.

Fenty vs Fendi – The Brand’s Growth

By the end of the year, Fenty was recognized as the best invention of the year. This was a sad reflection of the marginalization common in the beauty industry. However, it also showed that Rihanna understood the market and saw a segment where she could excel. She continued to provide varying shades, and the brand received public recognition. Fenty opened 2018 with a Superbowl ad and continued to enjoy immense success. In 2019, the brand experienced product and financial growth. It became the center of pop culture. When Rihanna debuted the Savage X Fenty line of lingerie, it was an opportunity to showcase her eye for fashion while celebrating body positivity. Overall, Fenty filled a void in the cosmetic industry. The brand is a success and is a staple at Sephora stores. Rihanna owns 50% of the brand’s estimated value.

Fenty vs Fendi – How Fendi Began

Adele and Edoardo Fendi launched this fashion house in 1925. From the beginning, Fendi was synonymous with opulence and luxury. Although the brand started with leather goods, it soon dove into the fur business. It was a family fashion business right from the beginning, and Adele and Edoardo’s children were heavily involved with every part of the business. They frequently came up with no design ideas or helped sell the goods to excited customers. When Edoardo died in 1946, Adele and their daughters continued with the business. They strived to ensure the fashion house never wavered from its goal of innovation and beauty.

In 1965, the brand welcomed Karl Lagerfield. During his tenure as the company’s creative director, he created the signature double ‘F’ logo. Although many fashion houses today don’t support fur sales, it was a hot commodity those days. Lagerfield pushed the brand into the fur market, making the company one of the most sought-after brands for fur goods. He didn’t just use fur for fur coats but also accessories, and anywhere else he could manage it. This made fur products accessible to the average customer giving it a new existing method. 

Lagerfield worked closely with Fendi’s daughters, who were quite influential in the brand. Their designs became more creative, and they experimented with colors. These colors worked well to make Fendi pieces more desirable and unique. Although only the true elite could initially purchase fur, Fendi found a way to take low-quality fur and make it into something people would want to buy. This strategy also worked to make their prices more accessible.

The Brand’s Evolution

Adele died in 1978, which shook up the brand. Each of her daughters took a piece of the fashion house while allowing Karl Lagerfield remain at the creative helm of the company. As the brand continued to evolve and stay at the forefront of luxury fashion, it stayed true to its Italian roots. In 1980, the company opened several boutiques all over the world. They also designed uniforms for the Rome police department while also releasing a line of men’s and women’s fragrances. The first US store was in New York City in the late 1980s. At this point, the third generation of Fendi women began to play a significant role in the family business. These women helped the brand design new pieces while working on expanding the business. 

One of its most innovative creations is the Fendi Baguette. Sylvia Venturini Fendi created this bag, and it began a revolution in handbags for the fashion house. Many celebrities snatched the bags up quickly, including Naomi Campbell, Madonna, and many others. This simple bag came in several options and inspired iconic Fendi pieces in the following years. To date, The Baguette is still one of the brand’s favorite pieces. 

The Entry of Kim Jones

Fendi continued to rise over the years, with the Fendi family firmly controlling the brand. Each Fendi woman had a piece of the brand and wanted the brand to stay rooted to the family and Italy. Sylvia Venturini was Adele and Edoardo’s granddaughter who took over the artistic part of the accessories line, leading to her creation of the Baguette. She also worked on the men’s line. However, Kim Jones entered Fendi as its artistic director for the fur women collection, haute couture, and many more.

Kim Jones is the first person since Lagerfield to hold a prominent role in Fendi. Kim Jones worked with the family, especially Sylvia, who was at the center of the brand. The Fendi women’s collection was his first trial in womenswear. Lagerfield passed in 2018, and the brand honored him with their fall couture show. The company dedicated the entire show to Lagerfield and his legacy within the Italian brand.

This fall collection features the values Lagerfield introduced to Fendi, like a sense of identity, lightness, and an acceptance of fur. It was ideal for showing gratitude to this artistic director for his influence on Fendi while the brand advanced into the future. This collection featured 54 looks for each year Lagerfield spent with the brand.

Fendi’s Style

The Fenty vs Fendi comparison requires recognizing the difference in both brands’ styles. Fendi is an iconic fashion house in the luxury fashion world known for its top-quality leatherwear and clothing. When there’s a new fashion line from Fendi, you’ll see clean, top-quality leather and fur. This luxury has also created an extensive line of ready-to-wear clothing which is quite popular. However, their high-end clothing is usually customized and tailor-fit. These days, Fendi uses Faux fur and is quite innovative in its designs. The brand frequently adds some undertones of futurism and youthful fur style to its design. The goal is to appeal to a broader audience. 

Even the brand’s handbags make for a perfect blend of luxury and casual wear. Artisans handcraft Fendi’s bags and feature bold colors, unique patterns, and floral designs. Many of their collections are usually subtle in appearance and color choice. However, this doesn’t mean the brand is afraid to wow with bold colors. Fendi’s collection is typically a mix of audacious pieces and calming neutral tones. This combination helps to create a bold style that draws the proper attention while not becoming abrasive on the eye.

Fenty’s Style

Being a modern brand by global sensation, Rihanna, Fenty is highly inspired by Rihanna’s fashion taste and style. This is clear in many of the brand’s outfits. It features a unique mix of luxury and an urban twist. When considering Fenty, it is usually a mix of street-style outfits with a touch of sophistication. This mixture is unique, and many people believe it is creative and modern. Due to Fenty’s influence, you no longer have to wear street fashion on the street anymore. People can wear oversized blazers and camel suits and still appear sophisticated. These street style designs are usually subtle with color tones that are simple and bold. 

There are times that Fenty experiments with bold and creative designs like a hoodie dress and a denim corset dress shaped with unexpected lines that stand out and make the simple color tones even more appealing. People often expect to see weird color mixes and bold shapes related to street style. However, Fenty sticks to a more straightforward urban style that provides fun and creatively shaped fabrics. Even the brand’s beauty product range reflects the mix of street style and luxury. The beauty collections always feature exciting names like Gloss Posse, Fenty Glow, etc. 

Additionally, Fenty’s style is one of diversity, as reflected in Fenty’s beauty line. There are over 40 shades of foundation, which includes impressive color tones. Fenty isn’t too experimental with earthy color tones because they usually fade from light to dark.

Final Thoughts

Fenty is easily the highlight of 2017. The brand’s launch was a success and has continued to gain global recognition. In a way, Rihanna paved a path for future marketers through her triumphant launch. She made a successful entry through intensive market research to determine the void the brand needed to fill. The brand focuses on diversity and a mix of the street with luxury fashion. On the other hand, Fendi’s focus is entirely on timeless luxury fashion, and the brand continues to grow with this approach. This Fenty vs Fendi comparison will help you gain insight into the brands’ fundamental values and the future of both brands.