The new annual initiative aims to support emerging designers and expand the Maison’s engagement with contemporary design and craftsmanship
Fendi announced the launch of the Fendi Design Prize, a new annual initiative dedicated to identifying and supporting emerging design talent, with its first edition concluding during Milano Design Week on April 19, 2026. The inaugural winner, VIA by Gustav Craft, was revealed at a private event held at the Fendi Casa boutique in Piazza della Scala in Milan.
The prize was conceived as part of the Maison’s ongoing strategy to foster innovation and engage with the next generation of designers. Curated by Giulio Cappellini, the program was overseen by a jury including Cristina Celestino, Joseph Grima, Neri & Hu, Rossana Orlandi, Josh Owen, and Patricia Urquiola. The initiative received over 70 applications following a brief distributed to leading global design schools, inviting participants to develop a living environment composed of furniture and accessories incorporating upcycled Fendi materials and signature house codes.
“We are honored to introduce the Fendi Design Prize. Fendi has historically nurtured talents, and through this initiative we wish to keep on building on this inspiring path. The vision of the new generations from around the world interpreting our Maison’s codes is something very stimulating for us while we look forward to discovering the next standout designer of the future.” said Ramon Ros, Fendi Chairman and CEO.
The winning project, VIA, drew from the sampietrino, the basalt paving stones characteristic of Rome, translating the material into a series of furniture pieces. The collection explored durability and construction through elements such as woven leather seating, exposed steel frameworks, and mirrored surfaces anchored by stone, referencing both the physical and cultural infrastructure of the city.
Five additional finalist projects were presented alongside the winner, each interpreting Fendi Casa’s design language through themes including Roman domestic rituals, architectural memory, and multifunctional living. These included Tempus Aurea, which examined time and materiality through a leather-faced clock and lounge bench; Velare Capsule Collection, which explored architectural forms through layered surfaces and textiles; Rovine, which focused on fragmentation and reflective surfaces; Convivium, which reinterpreted communal Roman dining; and Fendi Fitness Kit, which proposed hybrid objects combining fitness and interior design.
As part of the prize, the winning concept will be developed for presentation at Design Miami in December 2026, with the potential for further collaboration with Fendi Casa in 2027. The initiative positions the Maison within a broader effort to engage with design education and emerging practices, extending its presence in the interiors sector while reinforcing its emphasis on material innovation and craftsmanship.
TEMPUS AUREA by Mimisol Arjona, Hugo Crevet, Luc Hosy, Valeria Lupo, and Dhruv Vyas
VELARE CAPSULE COLLECTION by Mahra Mustafa
