Cotton is a natural fibre valued for its breathability, softness and durability. Comfortable across a wide range of climates, it is one of the most widely used fibres in clothing and can be woven into fabrics ranging from crisp poplin to soft jersey.

Denim is a sturdy woven fabric traditionally made with a cotton twill construction, recognisable by its characteristic diagonal weave. It usually has a darker warp and lighter weft, creating the familiar contrast seen in classic denim, although modern versions can vary considerably in colour and weight. Unlike plain-weave fabrics such as canvas, denim has a clearly visible diagonal structure. The name denim is generally linked to the French phrase serge de Nîmes, meaning serge from Nîmes, while the related word jeans is associated with Genoa: Gênes was the French name for the Italian city, and a sturdy fabric associated with Genoa was known as jean. The two terms originally referred to related but distinct textiles and later became closely associated with the blue cotton trousers we know today. In the nineteenth century, Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis helped establish riveted denim work trousers in the United States, turning the fabric into the foundation of the modern blue jean.

Founded in Rome in 1925 by Adele and Edoardo Fendi, the house began as a handbag shop and fur workshop and developed into one of Italy's major luxury fashion houses. Fendi is strongly associated with Roman craftsmanship, leather goods, fur and innovative textile techniques. The long collaboration with Karl Lagerfeld, which began in 1965, was particularly influential in shaping the house's modern identity, while the Fendi family remains central to its history.