Fendi Blush Mink & Leather Small First Bag
About the Item
- Designer:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- 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 share 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: New York, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Chanel Beige Quilted Lambskin Mini Square Classic Flap BagBy ChanelLocated in New York, NYListing Title: Chanel Beige Quilted Lambskin Mini Square Classic Flap Bag SKU: 127695 Condition: Pre-owned Handbag Condition: Very Good Condition Comments: Very Good Condition. Scuf...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Hermès Mimosa Veau Doblis & Craie Swift Jige Elan 29Located in New York, NYListing Title: Hermès Mimosa Veau Doblis & Craie Swift Jige Elan 29 SKU: 122819 Condition: Pre-owned Handbag Condition: Excellent Condition Comments: Ex...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Clutches
- Chanel Black Quilted Lambskin Jumbo Classic Single Flap BagBy ChanelLocated in New York, NYListing Title: Chanel Black Quilted Lambskin Jumbo Classic Single Flap Bag SKU: 121323 MSRP: 9500.00 Condition: Pre-owned Handbag Condition: Good Condition Comments: Good Condition....Category
21st Century and Contemporary Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- Chanel Candy Pink Quilted Patent Leather Medium Classic Double Flap BagBy ChanelLocated in New York, NYListing Title: Chanel Candy Pink Quilted Patent Leather Medium Classic Double Flap Bag SKU: 121750 MSRP: 8800.00 Condition: Pre-owned Handbag Condition: ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Chanel Beige Chevron Leather City Evening Box BagBy ChanelLocated in New York, NYListing Title: Chanel Beige Chevron Leather City Evening Box Bag SKU: 129061 Condition: Pre-owned Handbag Condition: Very Good Condition Comments...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Bottega Veneta Fondant Lambskin Chain PouchBy Bottega VenetaLocated in New York, NYListing Title: Bottega Veneta Fondant Lambskin Chain Pouch SKU: 118883 MSRP: 3800.00 Condition: Pre-owned (3000) Handbag Condition: Never Worn B...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Clutches
- Felix Rey New York Gold Mesh Pink White Clutch Bag with Leopard Print LiningLocated in London, GBWonderful Felix Rey New York gold mesh clutch bag with pink and white ikat weave edging, and a double magnetic closure. Measuring width 22.8 cm / 8.9 inche...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Clutches
- Chanel Beige Satin Applique Frame BagBy ChanelLocated in Palm Beach, FLThis authentic Chanel Beige Satin Applique Clutch is in excellent condition. Very unique ornamentation combines beautifully with edgy silver accents. B...Category
Early 2000s Italian Clutches
- A cream beaded evening bag, with a fabulous jewelled frame, Josef, USA, 1940s.By Bags by JosefLocated in Greyabbey, County DownThis rare and iconic clutch bag, in the realm of vintage and collectable handbags, made for Saks Fifth Avenue by Josef, is crowned with an exubera...Category
1940s American Clutches
- Vintage Judith Leiber Python Snakeskin Nude Tan Jeweled Shoulder Bag or ClutchBy Judith LeiberLocated in San Diego, CAStunning vintage JUDITH LEIBER nude python shoulder bag or clutch and matching tasseled comb (can even be worn as a crossbody)! Signature Lieber silhouette that snaps shut to keep ev...Category
1990s Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Italian Crystal Encrusted Oval Tassel Minaudière circa 1980sLocated in University City, MOItalian crystal encrusted oval tassel evening clutch c 1980s The elegant gilt metal minaudière is embellished with rows of glittering glass crystals on the front exterior A sinuous...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Chanel Vintage Metallic Gold Egg Minauderè Diamond Quilted Red Carpet ClutchBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Lambskin Quilted Tassel Clutch Gold Bag This stylish egg-shaped clutch is crafted of diamond stitched lambskin leather in gold. The clutch features a gold hardware and a hang...Category
1990s Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
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.