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 Multicolour Fur Scarf
By Fendi
Located in London, GB
- The fox fur stole with tonal silk lining - The interior features orange, white, brown and navy fur - Eyehook closure - Condition: Very Good This pre-owned item is in very good cond...
Fendi Foulard Etole Chale Beige Rose Nude Cashmere Precious Stole Scarf Shawl
By Fendi
Located in PARIS, FR
Fendi XXL stole or rectangular shawl in cashmere and silk with a monogram pattern in pink, beige, or nude, featuring a gray fur trim inset in the center. Approximately 75 cm wide x 1...
Vintage Gold Fendi Silk Scarf with Decorative Tribal Pottery Vessel Motif
By Fendi, Karl Lagerfeld for Fendi
Located in Morongo Valley, CA
Vintage Fendi silk scarf with composition of decorative pottery and sculptural vessels arranged in a grid format. Rendered in warm neutral tones and v...
Fendi Large Rich Silk Crepe di Chine Scarf Accented with Peacocks
By Fendi
Located in New York, NY
Fendi's large wonderfully elegant and rich silk crepe di chine scarf is accented with whimsical peacocks on all four corners. And finished with hand-rolled edges. Made in Ita...
Fendi Abstract Art Silk Scarf With Box
By Fendi
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Fendi Abstract Art Scarf is in 100% silk and features an abstract, multi color design throughout. Comes with original box.
FENDI black & camel wool & cashmere TOUCH OF FUR Muffler Scarf
By Fendi
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic This 100% authentic Fendi Touch of Fur muffler scarf in black wool (55%) and cashmere (45%) is a luxurious cold-weather essential. Featuring plush shearling appliqués ...
2000s Fendi Roma Dotted Pink Bows Print Cotton Scarf
By Fendi
Located in London, GB
This 2000s Fendi Roma scarf boasts a lovely cotton construction with a pattern of pink bow motifs on brown dotted pattern, Made in Italy . Dimensions: 32x32c...
Fendi New White Clocks Cotton Gavroche
By Fendi
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Fendi new cotton gavroche, white and yellow checkers design with clocks detail. No label.
Fendi Vintage Paisley Wool Shawl
By Fendi
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Fendi vintage multicolor paisley wool shawl. Excellent condition. No label.
$153Sale Price|55% Off
FENDI 100% wool navy blue Signature Monster Eyes purple fur trimmed scarf
By Fendi
Located in Hong Kong, NT
FENDI 100% wool navy blue Signature Monster Eyes purple fur trimmed scarf Reference: ANWU/A00588 Brand: Fendi Collection: Monster Bug Material: Wool, Fur Color: Navy, Purple Pattern:...
Fendi New Cheetah Flower Cotton Gavroche
By Fendi
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Fendi new cotton gavroche, brown cheetah print with yellow flowers. No label.
Fendi Multicolor Silk Jacquard "Sunflower Fendi" scarf
By Fendi
Located in New York, NY
Fendi wonderfully detailed multi-color "Sunflower Fendi" silk jacquard scarf accented with hand-rolled edges, measures 33 1/2 inches by 34 inches. Made in Italy.
FENDI blue & white wool HERITAGE FRINGE MUFFLER KNIT Scarf
By Fendi
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Fendi Heritage shawl in navy blue and white wool (40%), viscose (31%), polyamide (28%) and elastane (1%). Decorated with geometric pattern and logo. Has been worn and ...
Fendi Black & Navy Wool Scarf
By Fendi
Located in London, GB
CONDITION is Very good. Minimal wear to the scarf is evident. Minimal wear to the back diagonally opposite to the designer label where a pluck to the weave is visible on this used Fe...
Fendi New Blue Baroque Cotton Gavroche
By Fendi
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Fendi new cotton gavroche, white and blue design with gold baroque design. No label.
Fendi Muslin foulard
By Fendi
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
FENDI - (Made in Italy) Silk muslin foulard in red and blue tones. Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: 140 cm x 140 cm SKU:ACC251
$247Sale Price|25% Off
FENDI 100% silk FF monogram jacquard fringe extra long scarf
By Fendi
Located in Hong Kong, NT
FENDI 100% silk FF monogram jacquard fringe extra long scarf Reference: KNLM/A00212 Brand: Fendi Material: 100% Silk Color: Red Pattern: Monogram Made in: Italy CONDITION: Condition...
Fendi Green Optical Silk Maxi Twilly
By Fendi
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Fendi green black celeste optical 100% Silk maxi Twilly. Reversible pattern, versatile scarf. Brand new in unused condition.
Fendi Collection of Floral Shades of Olive and Green Silk Chiffon Scarf
By Fendi
Located in New York, NY
Fendi wonderfully elegant silk chiffon scarf in shades of olive & greens "Collection of Floral" scarf is accented with hand-rolled edges and measures 16 1/2 inches by 58 inche...
Fendi New Pink Baroque Cotton Gavroche
By Fendi
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Fendi new cotton gavroche, white and pink design with gold baroque design. No label.
Fendi New Striped Flower Cotton Gavroche
By Fendi
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Fendi new cotton gavroche, red trim and striped flower design . No label.
Fendi Beige Wool Zucca Logo Fringed Scarf
By Fendi
Located in London, GB
CONDITION is Very good. Minimal wear to the scarf is evident. Minimal wear to the centre of the scarf on one side and one tassel where discolouration is visible on this used Fendi de...
Fendi New Stripes Ribbon Cotton Gavroche
By Fendi
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Fendi new cotton gavroche, striped pattern with logo ribbon design. No label.
Fendi New Striped Logo Cotton Gavroche
By Fendi
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Fendi new cotton gavroche, striped logo design . No label.
Fendi New Striped Logo Cotton Gavroche
By Fendi
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Fendi new cotton gavroche, striped pattern with coin design. No label.
New Fendi Oversize Blue Maroon Shawl Scarf
By Fendi
Located in West Hollywood, CA
New Fendi Oversize Blue Maroon Shawl Scarf 70% cotton, 30% silk, original tag 78"x54"
Fendi 'FF' Logo Monogram Cashmere Scarf
By Fendi
Located in London, GB
Fendi 'FF' Logo Monogram Cashmere Scarf Red scarf fully crafted from cashmere with jacquard weave of the iconic Fendi 'FF' logo motif in burgundy. Featuring fringed edges. Rrp App...
Fendi Shades of Green & Tan "Bursting Fendi Floral" Silk Jacquard Scarf
By Fendi
Located in New York, NY
Fendi wonderful "Bursting Fendi Floral" in shades of green and Tan silk jacquard scarf accented with hand-rolled edges measures 34 inches by 34 1/2 inches. Made in Italy.
Fendi Brown x Black x Gold FF Zucca Logo Scarf 2f815a
By Fendi
Located in Dix hills, NY
Measurements: Length: 19.2" Width: .1" Height: 19.5" No Care Tag OVERALL NEW CONDITION ( 10/10 or N ) Signs of Wear: Exterior Canvas: Excellent Back: Excellent Corners: Excellen...
Fendi Multicolor Record Print Cotton Scarf
By Fendi
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
The Fendi Multicolor Record Print Cotton Scarf is a vibrant and luxurious accessory that effortlessly combines playful design with sophisticated craftsmanship. Featuring a lively array of multicolored record-inspired motifs, this scarf adds a pop of color and artistic flair to any outfit. Crafted from soft, breathable cotton, it offers both comfort and style, making it perfect for elevating casual looks or adding a chic touch to more polished ensembles. Pair it with a tailored Chanel blazer and classic Hermès sunglasses...