is coming to the rescue of some of Rome’s most historical monuments.

The Italian fashion house has committed to funding restoration projects for the world-famous Trevi Fountain and the city’s Four Fountains monument as part of the newly-unveiled ‘Fendi for Fountains’ initiative.

It follows an appeal to big businesses by the city council last year, when it had to spend in the region of £250,000 on an emergency repair to the Trevi as parts of its decorative cornices started falling into the water.

Fendi – which, of course, is headed up creatively by Karl Lagerfeld – stepped in to take up the challenge solo and is stumping up an impressive £1.82 million to secure the Trevi, plus additional funds for the nearby Four Fountains. Work is expected to be completed late in 2015.

In a statement issued today, the label’s chairman and CEO Pietro Beccari expressed his delight at the opportunity for Fendi to ‘reinforce our geographical and cultural Roman roots, which we are very proud of’.

The Trevi Fountain is one of the most famous landmarks in Rome, made iconic the world over by Federico Fellini's cinematic masterpiece La Dolce Vita.