Italian fashion force Carla Fendi dies at 79
Carla Fendi, one of the five sisters who transformed the family leather goods business into a global luxury fashion house long known for its furs, has died at the age of 79 following a long illness.
The Rome-based fashion house confirmed Ms Fendi's death on Monday, expressing pain for the loss and gratitude for her continued contributions.
The sisters opened the first Fendi store in Rome's historic centre in 1964, and a year later hired a young designer named Karl Lagerfeld who helped to catapult the Italian brand into global fame, with a focus on designing luxury furs.
Each sister had her role, and Carla Fendi, as Fendi president, was the family business's public face until they sold to the French luxury group LVMH in 1999. She was honorary president until her death.
