Like other major European luxury fashion houses, Fendi started small. Adele Casagrande was an Italian creative who loved fashion and sold leather and fur accessories from a tiny workshop she opened in Rome in 1918. However, after marrying Edoardo Fendi in 1925, her business model was altered dramatically. Together, the couple changed the boutique’s name to Fendi and moved into a bigger storefront, which quickly became the favorite shop of women all over Italy’s capital city for furs and leathers, such as handbags, coats and accessories.
As time moved on for Adele and Edoardo, the couple began to distribute more responsibility to their five daughters, who assumed management of the company during the 1950s. Fendi’s audience broadened and its profitability has soared over the years, owing to the brand’s fresh perspective on fashion world happenings and innovative sensibility.
The maison also has a distinctive relationship with old-world Italian craftsmanship. The Selleria bags were the work of master saddlers in Rome, and Fendi partnered with lace artisans in southern Italy as well as craftsmen in the east trained in the intrecciato (intertwined) technique (an idea that Adele introduced during the 1940s), which, in Fendi’s case, sees an interwoven leather fabric integrated in the creation of its handbags, countering leather’s traditional rigidity with a bag that is soft, versatile and fitted with an alluring slouchy curve.
It wasn’t until 1965, however, when a young German designer named Karl Lagerfeld took the creative helm that Fendi became a world-renowned fashion house. In fact, Lagerfeld, who produced four to five collections yearly for the brand, is credited with creating Fendi’s instantly recognizable double-F logo (which stands for “Fun Furs”) in “less than five seconds.” Until Lagerfeld started designing for the brand, fur was a material mostly associated with heavy coats that few people actually wore. Lagerfeld reimagined fur in creative ways, using it as an accent on purses, cuffs on dress sleeves and collars on wool coats.
Over the ensuing years, Fendi has broken into the home-goods market with Fendi Casa and has become synonymous with luxury fashion, producing such pieces as the iconic Baguette, which was rendered ever popular on the television series Sex and the City. In fact, an entire episode during the third season was dedicated to the “original It bag,” a slim accessory tapered in a manner that recalls its namesake, designed in 1997 by Adele and Edoardo’s granddaughter Silvia Venturini Fendi, who was named creative director of accessories three years earlier.
Perhaps just as well known as its vintage Baguette handbags and creative use of fur is the brand’s devotion to its Italian roots. In 2013, Fendi donated more than 2 million euros to restore Rome’s Trevi Fountain, and when it was reopened to visitors, Fendi hosted its Autumn/Winter 2017 show on top of the landmark.
Fendi was a family-controlled brand until 1999 and is now owned by LVMH. In late 2020, British fashion designer Kim Jones was named the house’s artistic director for womens wear.
Find a wide variety of vintage Fendi handbags and purses, clothing and other accessories on 1stDibs.
Fendi Yellow Fox Fur Bug Bag Charm
By Fendi
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
The Fendi Yellow Fox Fur Bug Bag Charm is a luxurious and playful accessory that instantly elevates any handbag or outfit. Crafted with vibrant yellow fox fur, it features a whimsica...
Fendi, Bag Bug fox charm
By Fendi
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Fendi, Bag Bug fox charm. The item is in very good condition.
Recycled Handmade Ivory Rabbit Fur Pouf Pom Key Chain or Purse Charm, 1950s
Located in Tucson, AZ
Waste not, want not: A mid-century fur hat bobble gets transformed into a bag charm (or key chain) that elevates the pedestrian into a confection. Handmade key chain with split key ...
FENDI - Bague/Pendentif Cristal et Perle - Circa 2010
By Fendi, Karl Lagerfeld for Fendi
Located in PARIS, FR
Material: Silver-toned steel metal Embellishments: Swarovski crystals, white pearl center & removable violet feathers Feather Type: Ostrich feathers Scientific name: Struthio camelus...
Fendi micro double sided baguette monster shoulder handle bag
By Fendi
Located in Capri, IT
Fendi micro double sided baguette monster shoulder handle bag Fendi multicolour fox and snakeskin trimmed leather baguette bag measurements approx in cm 17.5*7*10 handle drop is 3.5...
Fendi Logo Keychain
By Fendi
Located in New York, NY
Fendi Logo Keychain from the 1990's with original tag. Branded on both sides, tag is made of leather with signature stripe textile on back. 5.25" x 2.25". ...
Hermès Naturel Sable Rose D'ete Abricot Swift Paddock Bombe Bag Charm
By Hermès
Located in New York, NY
Listing Title: Hermès Naturel Sable Rose D'ete Abricot Swift Paddock Bombe Bag Charm SKU: 145649 MSRP: 870.00 USD Condition: Pre-owned Handbag Condition: Pristine Condition Comments...
FENDI pink Satin & Cord STRAP YOU DRAWSTRING Bag Shoulder Strap
By Fendi
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Fendi Strap You bag strap is crafted in baby pink silk satin paired with burgundy climbing rope for a modern, sporty-luxe aesthetic...
Fendi Nano Baguette Charm Pink Mink Fur with Chain
By Fendi
Located in AUBERVILLIERS, FR
Fendi Nano Baguette Charm Pink Mink Fur with Chain These are professional photos of the actual bag. CONDITION: NEVER WORN Scratches on the...
Runway Fendi Powder Pink Shearling Nano Baguette Charm Bag Braided Maxi Handle
By Fendi
Located in KRAKÓW, PL
**THE ULTIMATE MICRO STATEMENT** Introducing the pinnacle of whimsical Roman luxury— the Fendi Nano Baguette Charm reimagined in an exquisite combination of plush shearling and butter-soft Nappa leather. This hyper-luxurious 3-in-1 collectible accessory effortlessly transcends conventional handbag design. It serves beautifully as an independent ultra-mini crossbody bag, an elevated handheld evening statement, or a high-fashion structural charm to adorn the iconic Fendi Peekaboo or large Baguette. **HERITAGE, DESIGN & SAVOIR-FAIRE** • House: Fendi Roma • Model: Nano Baguette Charm (Maxi Braided Strap Edition) • Origin: Masterfully handcrafted in Italy • Materials: Ultra-luxurious curly shearling body (shaved sheepskin) beautifully trimmed with premium calfskin and Nappa leather. Featuring rich, tone-on-tone fine textile interior lining. • Hardware: Brilliant polished gold-finish metalware, including the iconic oversized front FF magnetic clasp, structural spring-clip carabiner hook, and a detachable delicate long chain strap. • Design Legacy: Conceived by Silvia Venturini Fendi, the Baguette shape has maintained "It-Bag" royalty status since 1997. This rare "Teddy" seasonal capsule iteration pairs the ultra-cozy, high-texture look of authentic shearling with an oversized, intricately braided leather top handle that adds magnificent architectural volume to the micro silhouette. **THE CULT-FAVORITE OF HOLLYWOOD & THE POP CULTURE ELITE** The Fendi Baguette family remains the absolute darling of global tastemakers, high-profile models, and fictional style icons. The ultra-mini and Nano charms in experimental textures (like shearling and exotic leathers) are heavily collected and mixed-and-matched by international icons, including: • Sarah Jessica Parker – The eternal muse who solidified the phrase "It's not a bag, it's a Baguette" and frequently accents her outfits with playful Fendi charms. • Kim Kardashian – Celebrated for styling matching sparkly and plush mini Baguette iterations for front-row fashion spectacles. • Gigi & Bella Hadid – Regularly photographed during Milan Fashion Week accessorizing their large streetwear totes with contrasting Fendi Nano charms...
Iconic Italian fashion houses Fendi and Versace teamed up on this delightfully outrageous Fendace reimagining.
When the name of a bag is as well-known as its brand, you know it's a classic.
