Vintage Fendi Leopard print B bag, Black patent leather
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Width: 13.5 in (34.29 cm)Length: 9.25 in (23.5 cm)
- Style:2000s (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:NEWARK, GB
- Reference Number:
Fendi
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: NEWARK, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Vintage Louis Vuitton Alma MM handbag, top handle, 1998By Louis VuittonLocated in NEWARK, GBA gorgeous classic, Vintage Louis Vuitton Alma MM top handle handbag. Coated canvas with the signature LV monogram design, Vachetta leather trim and handles with gold tone hardware. Lined in brown cotton fabric...Category
Late 20th Century French Top Handle Bags
- Lulu Guinness boxy A frame Dylan Handbag, Medium, Dark Navy leatherBy Lulu GuinnessLocated in NEWARK, GBA gorgeous Lulu Guinness boxy A frame Dylan Handbag. It is a chunky top handle bag, the predicted bag shape of the season! It is made from a nearly black, very dark blue navy leath...Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Top Handle Bags
- Fendi coral leather clutch purse, bi fold wallet, boxedBy FendiLocated in NEWARK, GBA gorgeous Fendi bi fold coral calf leather clutch purse or wallet. Front and back compartments with a space for cards and other compartments to the front. Soft and vibrant coral coloured leather, the perfect spring /summer piece but this is just so good for any season! Silver tone hardware and embossed branding text to the front, embossed branding within. Please note the camera picks this up as a multitude of tones but the pictures of the purse in / near the box are the most true representation of colour. Comes with the original Fendi box...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Wallets
- Dolce and Gabbana micro handbag leopard print, charm, BoxedBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in NEWARK, GBA gorgeous Dolce and Gabbana micro handbag or charm. This is a complete micro handbag which opens and closes, in a pony style leopard print calfskin des...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Wallets
- Gucci GG supreme tote bag, canvas, MonogrammedBy GucciLocated in NEWARK, GBA stylish vintage Gucci GG supreme tote bag. A tall tote with all over GG monogram to the coated canvas fabric, it is a beige / brown tone w...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tote Bags
- Vintage Sterling silver filigree purse, ShamrockLocated in NEWARK, GBA stunning vintage Art Deco era silver evening purse. The body is made up from intricately woven 925 sterling silver in a fascinating and eye catching filigree design. The purse has a silver chain handle and snaps shut at the front. It has a pretty shamrock floral design to the front. A beautiful and well designed little vintage purse...Category
Early 20th Century British Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Pablo Picasso Vintage Bi Color Kelly Flap BagBy Pablo PicassoLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLThe Vintage Kelly Flap style bag from Pablo Picassi is one of the famed luxury goods house's most coveted and exclusive items. This flap bag is made of blac...Category
1980s Italian Top Handle Bags
- Judith Leiber Rare Vintage Alligator Kelly Flap BagBy Judith LeiberLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLThe Vintage Kelly Flap style Alligator bag from Judith Leiber is one of the famed luxury goods house's most coveted and exclusive items. This flap bag is ba...Category
1980s Italian Top Handle Bags
- Rare Hermès Birkin 25cm Gris Caillou Grizzly/ Gris Meyer Swift PHWBy HermèsLocated in London, GBA rare Hermès Birkin 25cm handbag. The Grizzly Birkin is the namesake edition designed to showcase Veau Doblis Suede. The exterior of this Birkin is cra...Category
2010s French Top Handle Bags
- Hermès Kelly II Retourne 28cm Caban Veau Togo PHWBy HermèsLocated in London, GBA classic Hermès Kelly II Retourne 28cm handbag. The exterior of this Kelly features the Retourne style in Caban Veau Togo leather and is complemented ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
- Hermès Birkin 35cm Gris Etain Togo PHWBy HermèsLocated in London, GBA classic Hermès 35cm Birkin bag. The exterior of this Birkin is in Etoupe Togo leather with tonal stitching. It features palladium hardware and two top handles with a front toggle c...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Novelty Bags
- Hermès Kelly Mini II Cuivre Chèvre Mysore PHWBy HermèsLocated in London, GBA beautiful Hermès Kelly Mini II handbag. The exterior of this Kelly Mini features Cuivre Chèvre Mysore leather and is complemented by palladium hardware and tonal stitchings. It has...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
The Fendi Baguette Is an ‘It’ Bag Again, 25 Years After Its Introduction
Iconic Italian fashion houses Fendi and Versace teamed up on this delightfully outrageous Fendace reimagining.
14 Iconic Luxury Handbags and the Stories behind Them
When the name of a bag is as well-known as its brand, you know it's a classic.