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 Geometric Bubble Acrylic Resin and Gunmetal Link Bracelet in Box
By Fendi
Located in Atlanta, GA
The House of Fendi, Italy, designed this stunning bangle bracelet. The rare piece is made of metal-setting links with a gunmetal finish, adorned with large "bubble" acrylic resin bea...
Chrome Hearts S925 Extra Fancy Link Bracelet 2010
Located in New York, NY
Authentic Chrome Hearts Extra Fancy link bracelet crafted in solid S925 sterling silver. Features the iconic floral link design with “CH” clasp, marked 2010 and 0.925. Measures 8 inc...
Sterling Silver
David Webb Fishscale Bracelet
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Magnificent 1970’S, 18K Yellow Gold David Webb “FISHSCALE” bracelet. This is composed beautifully with braided detailing and unique rope work - hand crafted to perfection. This is a ...
18k Gold
French 1960s Retro 18 Karat Rose Gold Curb Bracelet
Located in Poitiers, FR
Bracelet in 18 karat rose gold, eagle head and rhinoceros head hallmarks. This vintage bracelet features 3 rows of articulated gourmette link. The edges are chased on both sides and ...
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
0.84Carat 14Kt YellowGold Brilliant Cut Cubic Zirconia Adjustable Chain Bracelet
By Lustre of London
Located in London, GB
This design will never go out of style. Extremely wearable day or evening. Wear alone or layer with our 14 karat rose gold and silver brilliant cut chain bracelets...
Sterling Silver, Yellow Gold, Gold, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
$1,463Sale Price / item|24% Off
14K Yellow Gold 0.16CT Diamond PAPER CLIP Link Bracelet
By Gregory Mikaelian & Sons, Inc.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Specifications: main stone:ROUND DIAMONDS diamonds:1 PC carat total weight:approximately 0.16 CT color:f clarity:SI brand:CUSTOM MADE metal:14K YELLOW gol...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Ciner 1960s Vintage Sapphire Oval Crystals Clear Flower Circle Cabochon 2 Set
By Ciner
Located in Wokingham, England
Ciner 1960s Vintage Sapphire Navy Blue Oval Whole Crystals Clear Flower Circle Beads Cabochon Charms Link Elegant 2 Set Clip Drop Earrings Bracelet, Silver Tone Very good condition....
Silver Plate
Art Deco 18kt Yellow Gold Wide Flexible French Bracelet
Located in Esch sur Alzette, Esch-sur-Alzette
Bold and easy to wear, another style in vogue throughout the entirely of Art Deco was the wide flexible bracelet, popularised by Cartier and Chaumet. Some were decorated with preciou...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
ArtDeco MarcelBoucher MazerBros GlassAccented DecorativeLink Bracelet, 1930s
By Marcel Boucher
Located in Chicago, IL
Signed with the early "Mazer Bros" signature, this Art-Deco period decorative link bracelet was created in the early 1930s while former Cartier designer Marcel Boucher was the design...
Citrine, Crystal, Gold, Silver, Gilt Metal
Vintage Aquamarine Diamond Onyx Mauboussin Earrings Necklace Bracelet Suite
By Mauboussin
Located in Dallas, TX
Exceptional one-of-a-kind aquamarine diamond and black onyx suite attributed to Mauboussin Paris and set in 18 karat yellow gold. This impressive suite consists of a necklace, bracelet, and earrings and is a vintage creation dating to 1980s. It is emblematic of the bold French high-jewelry glamour of that era. Large aquamarines highlight each individual piece in the suite and feature an ever-elegant emerald-step-cut. The aquamarines display a rich and lively blue color that lights up beautifully as the pieces are worn. They are also characterized by very fine clarity. Vivid aquamarine gemstones float on top of oval 18 karat yellow gold base which is masterfully inlaid with black onyx and encrusted with sparkling fine white diamonds. The necklace and bracelet also feature elegant large oval gold links, surface of which is embellished with decorative ridges, and diamond set short links joining them. Diamonds total approximately 10.5 carats altogether. The juxtaposition of vivid blue aquamarines against elegant black onyx and sumptuous frames of glittering diamonds and luminous yellow gold setting create an incredibly sophisticated and chic statement jewelry. The pieces are in excellent condition and bear French hallmarks of the period including a maker’s mark for Péry & Fils which was one of the main jewelry makers for Mauboussin Paris. For further details please see summary below as well as individual listings for each of these pieces in our 1stdibs store. Suite pricing offers an attractive discount compared to buying each of the pieces individually. Summary: - Vintage suite dating to 1980s masterfully combines large blue aquamarines, elegant black onyx, white diamonds and 18 karate yellow gold into a bold and chic design that makes for high-statement jewelry - Featuring large vivid blue aquamarines of emerald-step-cut and of very fine clarity. Aquamarines altogether weigh an impressive 76 carats (24 carats for the necklace/ 30 carats for the bracelet / 11 carats for each of the earrings) - Featuring altogether approximately 10.5 carats of fine white round diamonds (F-G color) - Necklace measures approximately 16.5 inches (42cm) in length and its center pendant is approximately 1.2 by 1 inch (3cm by 2.6cm); bracelet measures approximately 6.9 inches (17.5cm) in length and its center section is approximately 1.25 by 1 inch (3.2cm by 2.5cm); clip-on earrings (posts for pierced ears can be added) measure 1in (2.5cm) in length and width - Attributed to Mauboussin Paris and with French hallmarks of the period including maker’s mark for Péry & Fils (well know Mauboussin jewelry...
Aquamarine, Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Paperclip Diamond Crafted 14K (or 18k upon request) Gold Link Bracelet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Paperclip Diamond Crafted 14K Gold Link Bracelet compliments any outfit and shines in every setting. Perfect gift for Anniversary, Birthday, Wedding, and Holiday. Bracelet Info...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Sterling Silver Christmas Icons Link Bracelet 8" - 925 Tree Santa Reindeer
Located in Greensboro, NC
Metal Content: Sterling Silver Bracelet Style: Link Fastening Type: Lobster Claw Clasp Theme: Christmas Icons, Tree Santa Reindeer Features: Textured Detailing Measurements Chain ...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Oval Dot Link Bracelet 7 3/4" - 925
Located in Greensboro, NC
Metal Content: Sterling Silver Bracelet Style: Link Fastening Type: Hook Clasp Measurements Length: 7 3/4" Front Width: 15/32" (11.3mm) Chain Width: 15/32" (11.3mm) Width at Statio...
Sterling Silver
FENDI c.1980's Gold Statement Glass Cabochon Demi Parue Earring Bracelet Set
By Fendi
Located in Thiensville, WI
Vintage c.1980's Fendi gold tone statement chunky bracelet and earring set. Bracelet has large gold tone bow tie shaped links with grooved detail, one end marked with FF Logo and th...