Fendi gold bead baguette the original "It" bag 1997
View Similar Items
Fendi gold bead baguette the original "It" bag 1997
About the Item
- Designer:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:glass beads, leather, metal, silk
- Condition:Excellent condition.
- Seller Location:West Palm Beach, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU120602284195
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.
- Rhinestone Jewel Clasp Pink Metallic Brocade Evening Clutch Handbag 1970sLocated in West Palm Beach, FLRhinestone jewel clasp pink metallic brocade evening clutch handbag from the 1970s. This beautiful bag is perfect for anyone who likes something exotic and...Category
1970s Unknown Clutches
- Swarovski Crystal Encrusted Mamma Cat & Kitten Evening Handbag Shoulder bagBy Finesse La ModelLocated in West Palm Beach, FLSwarovski crystal rhinestone encrusted mamma cat & kitten evening handbag, shoulder bag. Beautiful jeweled evening bag covered in crystal, gold and...Category
1990s Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Rafael Sanchez Golden Honey Comb Suede Tassel Shoulder BagBy Rafael SanchezLocated in West Palm Beach, FLRafael Sanchez golden honey comb suede, beaded tassel shoulder bag from the 1980s. Textured suede through a magnifying glass it looks like honey comb. B...Category
1980s American Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Giorgio Armani Black Suede & Satin Swarovski Crystal Evening Bag Black FrameBy Giorgio ArmaniLocated in West Palm Beach, FLGiorgio Armani black suede with black satin evening back set with Swarovski crystals, the bag has a black acrylic frame and snap closure. The bag has a gold chain that can be used or...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Judith Leiber Crystal Encrusted Monogram evening clutchBy Judith LeiberLocated in West Palm Beach, FLJudith Leiber crystal encrusted monogram evening clutch or shoulder bag. This beautiful bag in monogrammed LMJ, in crystal rhinestones set against black rhinestones. The bag frame is...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Bruno Magli Grey Suede & Leather Flap Front Cross Body or Clutch HandbagBy Bruno MagliLocated in West Palm Beach, FLBurno Magli grey suede & leather flap front cross body or clutch handbag. This structured bag has a lot of style, the flap front has an applique of silver metal bars with insets of g...Category
1990s Italian Clutches
- Chanel Chain Detailed ClutchBy ChanelLocated in London, GBThis edgy chain detailed clutch from Chanel comes from their Fall 2017 collection. For this collection, the runway Karl Lagerfeld transformed the...Category
2010s 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
- Glossy Black Vintage Hand Clip HandbagLocated in Milano, ITFabulous vintage shiny black handbag designed in the 1990s, made in Italy. The handbag works by a clip mechanism, has no cantenine, so it is worn by carrying it by hand. fine. The ha...Category
1990s Italian Clutches
$131 Sale Price20% Off - CHANEL Black Red Round Patent Gold Record Evening Clutch BagBy ChanelLocated in Chicago, ILPre-Owned Vintage Condition From 2004 Collection Patent Leather Leather Gold Hardware Measure 7” W x 7” H x 1” D Chain Drop 9” 100% Authenticity GuaranteedCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Clutches
$12,740 Sale Price20% Off - Roberto Cavalli Mirror Effect Gilt Metal and Snake Ornament MinaudièreBy Roberto CavalliLocated in Paris, FRRoberto Cavalli minaudière in gold metal mirror effect and snake ornament in metal and rhinestones. Removable golden metal chain. Satin lining. Signed...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Balmain Evening Clutch in Lame Gold Fabric and EmbroideriesBy BalmainLocated in Paris, FRStunning Balmain evening clutch. It is entirely handmade in Paris. Work of haute couture. Fabric in lamé gold, embroidered of multi red, gold and black ribbons and squares of mirror ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Clutches
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.