Interview with Carla Fendi
“Fashion Is Youth, Death Will Not Stop Us”
Carla Fendi speaks: art and memories
Rome – “Fashion is life and youth. Death cannot stop it. Even when it is the death of a genius like Gianni. Even when we are struck in the heart as never before. I am convinced that there will be a small revolution: Italian designers will be more unified than before.” Carla Fendi’s voice is hoarse. She is emotional. So many memories. Two families, that resemble each other. Five Fendis working like crazy in their company. Three Versaces, all together.
What memories do you have of Versace?
So many memories. I met him when he was a youth. At least thirty years ago. He came to Rome to see our fashion shows. He came with his mother whom he adores. Even then he loved Karl Lagerfeld (NB: the Fendi designer).
Versace was a close friend of Karl’s. One of the closest friendships in fashion.
They had great respect for each other. I get emotional when I think that less than a month ago Santo (Versace) called me to propose a joint fashion show in Rome. Versace and Fendi together at Piazza Fontana di Trevi. Will you think about it, he asked me. It didn’t take me an instant, I said yes right away. Then the project was delayed. Who knows, if we had managed to schedule it…
Colleagues were envious, but the fashion critics, the buyers, feel they have lost a great artist. From a human aspect people are very sad. Naomi (Campbell) cried rivers in television.
She adored him. I spoke with her twenty days ago and asked her if she was coming to Rome. She said I’ll do anything Gianni asks me to do. There’s no sacrifice I would not make for him.
What struck you the most about Versace?
His impulsiveness. Which he never lost. He was genuine. Direct. And all the family is sincere. He found his unique style in fashion using the traditions that come from his land, from the traditional and the classic. But he added freedom to this. I remember once his brother Santo whom he loved so much said something very important – You know, Carla, for a period we tried to harness Gianni’s creativity. We thought he was going too far. But you can’t block an artist. He becomes unhappy. And he grew enormously from the time he started doing everything he felt like doing.
What were his strengths?
The courage to do what he believed in and the creativity that pushed him to dare. Result: young fashion, rock, beauty that passed from tradition to a shameless modernism. In this he was a magician. Because being classic can easily become musty. But he forged ahead. A bit like we do, respecting the past but always projected toward the future. Always.
What will change at Versace?
Donatella will continue. I am sure she will follow her brother’s trail. That’s what he would have wanted. There were already signals that she would continue his work. They were so united. And when Gianni was ill they were so dignified.
Why Miami?
Because in Italy everyone’s eyes are on you. They see you pass by and they think, oh, look how weary he seems. America gives and gave him the possibility to be himself. But that’s where a crazy man killed him. Who could hate him?
The excesses. In fashion there’s too much of everything.
There is homosexuality in fashion. But as time goes on I find it in all kinds of places. Perhaps in fashion it’s more courageous, more open. I may not agree, but neither do I judge anyone.
Copyright © Il Messaggero, July 18th, 1997
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