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.
2000s Fendi O’Lock Bracelet with Palladium Finish
By Fendi
Located in Arnhem, NL
O’Lock Bracelet by Fendi made of palladium finish metal with zircons decoration. In perfect condition. It will be delivered with the Fendi box. Size L. Diameter 6 cm x 4.5 cm.
Zircon
Fendi Monster Bracelet Tiger Eye Black
By Fendi
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Fendi Monster double bracelet in black. The item is crafted of leather and features two Monster eyes in tiger eye stone in the middle as well as two gold buttons to close the belt. I...
Fendi BNIB Snake Pattern Bracelet Green
By Fendi
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Fendi bracelet in green with a leather band patterned like snake skin. The clasp is round and in the inside is singular F. The piece is brand new and comes with the tag and original ...
Base Metal
Fendi 2 Monogram Strap Turquoise NIB
By Fendi
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Fendi monogram set of 2 strap crafted of a fabric in turquoise and brown. The hardware is gold and consist of a clasp on each side. The piece is new and comes with a box and tag.
Fendi Black Lizard Bracelet with F Logo
By Fendi
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Fendi bracelet in black lizard leather with a F logo in gold to close it. The piece is new and comes with a box and tag.
3.60 Carat Fancy Shape Diamond Bangle Bracelet 14KT Yellow Gold
Located in Rutherford, NJ
Rock tha party! There’s never a dull moment when you’ve got our Scarlet diamond BANGLE bracelet around. STACK THEM ON YOUR WRIST. Made with the precious marquise, pear, emerald, ova...
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Oscar Heyman 30 Carat Diamond Bangle Bracelet Circa 1970
By Oscar Heyman
Located in Miami, FL
Spectacular Oscar Heyman diamond bangle bracelet Circa 1970, finely crafted by hand in platinum, featuring 170 round brilliant cut diamonds weighing approximately 30 carats total, E ...
Diamond, Platinum
Rare Hans Hansen Sapphire Ruby Diamond and Gold Bracelet circa 1965
By Hans Hansen
Located in New York, NY
A rare, vintage, cabochon sapphire, ruby, diamond, and 18 karat gold bracelet, by Hans Hansen, c. 1965. A collectors bracelet, a gem set design from the iconic Danish silvermsithy Hans Hansen. Begun by his father Hans Hansen, the company started making jewelry in 1932 under Karl Gustav Hansen. Between 1936-1938 Karl Gustav studied at the Academy of Fine Arts' sculpture school and took over the firm at the age of twenty five. He designed the first line of jewelry, called ‘Future’ featuring brooches, earrings, and rings, which sold very successfully. Hansen also employed other Danish modernist designers, who were to become famous in their own right, cementing the firm’s place among mid-century Scandinavian silver and jewelry producers. Bent Gabrielsen Pedersen worked there between 1953 and 1969 and was artistic director from 1962 until he left the company in 1969. Gabrielsen won the prestigious Lunning prize and a gold medal for design at the Milan Triennial while at Hans Hansen. In 1991 the company merged with Georg Jensen. Generally, Hansen made jewelry in silver and adopted the functionalist and Art Deco styles as inspirations. This bracelet, however, is a one-of-a-kind jewel, with the cabochon gemstones cupped...
Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Multi Fancy Shape Diamond Bracelet 6 Carat 14k Gold
Located in Rutherford, NJ
Make everyday extraordinary. Set in 14kt yellow gold and crafted with 16 gorgeous fancy shape diamonds. The bracelet shines bright with the brilliant marquise, pear, emerald, oval, ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$20,000 / item
Ralph Masri Modernist Diamond and Sapphire Bracelet
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Elegant 18kt white gold bracelet with diamond pavé (3.15cts) and sapphires (1.65cts) on the edges from Ralph Masri's Modernist collection, inspired by mid-century Modernist architect...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Oscar Heyman 29.41 Diamond Bangle Bracelet Circa 1963
By Oscar Heyman
Located in Miami, FL
Sensational Oscar Heyman diamond bracelet circa 1963, finely crafted in platinum, featuring 19 Oval cut diamonds weighing 8.37 carats tot...
Diamond, Platinum
$2,200
H 2.25 in W 2.25 in D 0.2 in Dm 3 in L 7.5 in
Robert Lee Morris Shiny Brass Bold Caterpillar Bracelet
By Robert Lee Morris
Located in New York, NY
The Robert Lee Morris Caterpillar bracelet is a shiny 18k gold plated brass link construction that is very fluid, flexible and very comfortable to wear. The width of the gleaming golden bracelet...
Brass, Gold Plate
18 Karat White Gold Ruby and Diamond Bracelet
Located in Tel Aviv, IL
18K White Gold Ruby and Diamond Bracelet Stunning modern Ruby and Diamond bracelet. Set with quality diamonds G VS1 of 2.75 ct a...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
$7,846Sale Price|20% Off
Dm 2.37 in
Elastic Bracelet with 2.85 ct of Diamonds, 18 Kt White Gold Bracelet
Located in Rome, IT
The elastic model bracelet is made up of a row of eighty-one brilliant-cut diamonds with a total weight of 2.85 ct. The bracelet is without closure as it is extensible. 18 kt white gold...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Multy Color Stones 14 Karat Yellow-White Gold Bracelet
Located in Tel Aviv, IL
Multy Color Stones 14 karat Yellow-White Gold Bracelet 14 Karat Multi-Gemstone bracelet. This colorful link bracelet contains eleven oval faceted gemstones yellow gold length- appro...
Multi-gemstone, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Fancy Shape Diamond Bracelet 18KT White Gold
Located in Rutherford, NJ
A grand party of popular diamonds. The Carina diamond bracelet gives you more with every diamond in its symmetry. The diagonal placement of the diamonds ensures you get to flaunt max...
Diamond, White Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
$14,472
H 0.95 in W 2.17 in D 0.2 in L 1.82 in
Angeletti White Gold Bangle Bracelet with Diamonds & Carbon Fiber
By Angeletti
Located in Roma, IT
Angeletti White Gold Bangle Bracelet with Diamonds & Carbon Fiber. The Use of New Materials is one of the Characteristic of the Endless Creative Streak of Angeletti. The Carbon Fiber...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Sold
W 1.19 in L 7.09 in
Fendi Vintage 1980s Demi Parue FF Logo Monogram Statement Chunky Gold Bracelet
By Fendi
Located in Wokingham, England
Good condition. Scratches or colour loss at front and back. Still very good to wear. 100% genuine. A very beautiful bracelet, signed at the back. Size: 18*3 cm. Weight: 70 g. _ _...
Gold Plate
FENDI Black Topstitch Leather Silver Snap Skinny Cuff Bracelet
By Fendi
Located in San Francisco, CA
FENDI bracelet comes in textured black leather with top stitching and a silver tone embossed snap closure. With Box. Made in Italy. Excellent Pre-Owned Condition. Measurements: ...