Federica Formilli Fendi

Rome is your hometown—the city where you were born, raised, and still choose to live. It’s also where Triple F came to life. What was the spark? And how much of that spark came from Rome itself?

Triple F was born out of my love for pieces that carry a soul — vintage treasures, refined objects, fragments of lives once lived. The true spark ignited the moment I stepped into the space that would become Casa Triple F. It was as if it had been waiting for me. Rome has that kind of magic — it hides beauty in silence, behind heavy doors and quiet courtyards. You just have to know where to look.

Casa Triple F isn’t just a space—it’s a whole world, your world. What’s the one detail, emotional or architectural, that really captures its soul?

The avocado tree in the courtyard — still standing, still growing — was the first thing that moved me. I’ve always had a deep love for trees, but this one felt symbolic. It spoke of life, quiet strength, and the kind of resilience that grows slowly, over time. In many ways, it captured everything I wanted Casa Triple F to be: a living space, rooted in memory, always reaching forward.

Rome has that unique, slow, theatrical energy. When you need inspiration, where do you go? Is there a view, a corner, a street that always speaks to you?

Rome is my constant source of inspiration. I’ve always chosen to live in the heart of Rome is an endless source of inspiration for me. I’ve always chosen to live right at its center — it’s where my home is, where my work lives, where beauty constantly reveals itself in unexpected ways. But what moves me most is the light: the way it shifts through the day, painting the city in warm, delicate tones. There’s one view that captures it all for me — the Fontanone on the Janiculum Hill. It’s pure poetry, every single time.

What’s your perfect Roman morning ritual? A favorite café, a scent in the air, a slow walk to start the day just right?

My perfect Roman morning begins quietly, away from the noise. There’s a tiny alley just behind Piazza Farnese where time seems to slow down. Tucked beneath the gaze of the French Embassy — in that magnificent building shaped by Michelangelo’s hand — is Antica Latteria. It’s a hidden gem, simple and authentic. The scent of coffee, the soft murmur of the street waking up... it’s a ritual that grounds me, every time.

Triple F is already a go-to for beautifully curated vintage—but when you're out hunting for one-of-a-kind pieces, where do you go? Any secret markets or hidden gem boutiques we should know about?

I love doing research while I travel — especially in lesser-known places and markets, where the unexpected is always just around the corner. That said, if you’re in Rome, Porta Portese Market on Sundays is an absolute must. But what I find most rewarding now is being invited into private homes. As Triple F has grown, people reach out to us, and I have the chance to see pieces in their original setting, to evaluate them up close. It’s not just about the object — it’s about the story behind it, the life it has lived. That context gives everything a different kind of value.

You come from the world of fashion—how do you live that side of Rome today? Any ateliers, designers or shops you’re particularly fond of?

Fashion is where I began — a world that taught me to recognize true quality, to train my eye, and to understand that real luxury lies in authenticity. That sensibility has never left me. Today, I find that spirit in places like Chez Dede’, a concept store with a beautifully curated vintage soul. It’s full of objects, books, furniture, and the poetic illustrations of Andrea Ferolla — he and Daria are the heart of that space on Via di Monserrato. And just a little further down the street, there’s L’Archivio, Soledad Twombly’s atelier. Her pieces — rich with influences from the Middle East — always feel like wearable stories.

Rome is all about craft, history and that magical “fatto a mano” touch. Is there a local artisan or workshop you love and think deserves the spotlight?

Rome is a city of hands — of quiet, skilled gestures passed down through generations. I’m always moved by the craftsmanship that still lives here, often tucked away in tiny workshops you might miss if you’re not paying attention. There’s a little shop on Via del Pellegrino, called Giuncart, that sells beautifully woven baskets — simple, timeless, perfect. And then there are the old-school shoemakers — like the calzolaio on Via di Monserrato 108 — where stepping into the atelier feels like taking a step back in time, yet the pieces are incredibly current and exquisitely crafted. Their work is extraordinary, and every pair tells a story of patience, precision, and pride.

When you crave a space where architecture meets poetry—where silence, materials and beauty come together—where do you go?

Casa Triple F, always. It’s more than just a space — it’s where architecture, light, silence, and materials come together in perfect harmony. There’s a quiet poetry in its walls, in the way the materials catch the light, in the stillness that invites ideas to surface. It’s a place that inspires me every day — deeply, instinctively.

Rome is full of house-museums and artists’ homes, full of layers, stories and details. Is there one that you find especially inspiring?

One place I find especially inspiring is the Fondazione Pastificio Cerere — an old pasta factory that now hosts a number of artists’ studios. There’s something deeply evocative about the space: its rawness, its history, its quiet transformation. I love visiting the studios of Piero Pizzi Cannella and Pietro Ruffo there — both bring such depth and sensitivity to their work. It’s a place where creativity feels alive, layered, and quietly powerful. Another incredible place is the atelier of a young artist based in Trastevere — the very talented Tommaso Spazzini Villa. His space is intimate and full of creative energy. Also worth mentioning is the Lorcan O’Neill Gallery on Vicolo dei Catinari — a truly inspiring cultural destination, always relevant and thought-provoking.

Is there a restaurant or spot you love that feels effortlessly elegant? Somewhere off the tourist radar, where the vibe is intimate and genuinely Roman?

One of my favorite places is Tiberino, a true Roman spot tucked away on Tiber Island. It’s where my family and I often go — simple, genuine, and wonderfully off the tourist path. The restaurant overlooks a quiet little piazza, right beside the Basilica of San Bartolomeo, which has stood there for over a thousand years. There’s a sense of timelessness in that corner of the city — intimate, serene, effortlessly elegant. 

Do you have a favorite cultural place—be it a museum, gallery, or exhibition space—that always gives you that creative spark?

For me, the Galleria Borghese is the most beautiful museum in the world. I go back often — and every time, I discover something new. Its beauty is endless, almost overwhelming: the harmony of the space, the colors, the light, the intimacy of the rooms. It’s a place that never fails to reignite my creative spark.

Rome is all about hidden beauty—an old doorway, a forgotten garden, a sliver of light. What’s the last little wonder you stumbled across on a walk?

Recently, I had the chance to visit Palazzo Firenze, tucked away in the square that bears its name. I was completely taken by its quiet beauty — the kind you almost stumble upon by accident. There’s a small, graceful garden inside, full of charm and stillness. It felt like stepping into one of Rome’s many secret worlds — hidden treasures that reveal themselves only if you’re walking slowly enough to notice.

And when you need a little escape—just an hour or two away—what’s your go-to getaway spot near Rome? Somewhere for a breath of fresh air, a change of pace, but still full of beauty?

Sabaudia is my refuge. I’ve been going there since I was a child, and so many of my family memories are woven into that place. It’s remained beautifully untouched — the landscape, the scents, the quiet rhythm of the days. The sea there has a kind of magic that resets everything. Just an hour from Rome, it’s where I go to breathe, to reconnect, to feel held by nature. Eating spaghetti alla checca at Saporetti, right at the foot of Mount Circeo on the beach, is a ritual — as is taking a boat trip to the Pontine Islands (Ponza and Palmarola). They're easily reachable even for a day trip: just hop on the hydrofoil from Circeo port at 8 AM, and you’ll be back by 7 PM.