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 Crest Black Matte Necklace New, Never Worn, 1990s
By Fendi
Located in Wallkill, NY
Large Chunky Fendi Necklace with Alternating Black Matte with Gold tone Stamp charms with the Fendi logo- Front Drop is reversible 1.94 inches x 1.66 inche...
Gilt Metal
1990s FENDI Coin Necklace Janus Face FF Logo New Never Worn
By Fendi
Located in Wallkill, NY
Stunning Gold gilt Chain with Baroque pearl front and center. Double FF on the pendant. Measuring 30 inches long on the chain with an additional 4 inches on the pendant. This is out ...
Gilt Metal
0.56 Carat Natural Emerald and Diamond 14 Karat Yellow Gold Necklace
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful Natural Emerald Necklace is crafted in 14-karat Yellow gold and features a 0.56 carat 1 Pc Natural Emerald, 20 Pcs Round White ...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
30.32 Carat Opal Diamond 14 Karat White Gold Necklace One of a Kind
By Meghna Jewels
Located in Hoffman Estate, IL
A stunning 30.32 carat opal diamond necklace is handmade in 14K white gold and 2.14 carats glimmering diamonds. One of a Kind Please note that carat weights may slightly vary as eac...
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
Sunita Nahata Diamond 1.72ct. Bloom Long Necklace in 18K Yellow Gold.
By Sunita Nahata
Located in Hong Kong, HK
This diamond collection showcases elegant pieces that are extremely versatile and a timeless addition to your jewelry collection and are perfect for everyday wear. These pieces are p...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Tanisa Nahata Diamond Bloom Necklace in 18 Karat Gold
By Tanisa Nahata
Located in Hong Kong, HK
This diamond collection showcases elegant pieces that are extremely versatile and a timeless addition to your jewelry collection and are perfect for everyday wear. These pieces are p...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Elegant 18ct White Gold Diamond Pendant Necklace – Modern Geometric Design
Located in London, GB
Experience timeless sophistication with this 18ct white gold pendant necklace, crafted to perfection for both everyday elegance and special occasions. The pendant features a modern g...
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$2,714
W 4 in L 2.55 in
Antique 10.35 Carat Cabochon Cut Moonstone and Yellow Gold Pendant Drop Necklace
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive antique 10.35 carat moonstone and 12 karat yellow gold pendant, 9 karat yellow gold necklace; part of our Victorian jewelry and estate jewelry collections. This stunning, fine and impressive antique cabochon cut moonstone necklace has been crafted in 12k yellow gold with a vintage 9k yellow gold trace chain. The pendant displays seven, individually displayed, claw / prong set cabochon cut moonstones. The central design consists of two moonstone ornamented linear settings suspended from the central, horizontally held moonstone. A single linear drop with a claw / prong set moonstone terminal is suspended and articulates from each of the two outer horizontal moonstone settings. The pendant drop and link arrangement has been sympathetically combined with a hallmarked vintage 9k yellow gold 40.64cm/16" trace chain (1986) which secures with a conventional spring loaded bolt ring fastening. The replacement chain is hallmarked to the clasp with the Sheffield import mark, the 9k yellow gold fineness mark 375 and date letter for 1986 (M). The pendant link arrangement has been independently tested using state of the art technology (Niton XL2 Analyzer) and verified as 12k gold. This antique moonstone...
Moonstone, Yellow Gold
1.13ct Dangling Bezel Set Diamond Necklace 18k White Gold
Located in BEVERLY HILLS, CA
Lovely dangling diamond necklace with heart design, bezel set. 18 round brilliant diamonds, 1.13 carats. Approximately G/H color and SI clarity. 18-karat white gold. Accommodated wit...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
0.82ct Dangling Bezel Set Diamond Necklace 18k White Gold
Located in BEVERLY HILLS, CA
Lovely dangling diamond necklace, bezel set. 13 round brilliant diamonds, 0.82 carats. Approximately G/H color and SI clarity. 18-karat white gold. Accommodated with an up to date ap...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2.60 Karat Ruby 0, 30 White Diamonds 18 Karat White Gold Chain Modern Necklace
By Rossella Ugolini
Located in Rome, IT
Rossella Ugolini Design Collection, a beautiful 2.60 Karat Ruby 0,20 White Diamonds 18 Karat White Gold Chain Modern Necklace. Ruby is present in our imagination for its red color, a...
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
PANIM 1 Carat Rose Cut Diamond Star Necklace in 18k White Gold
By PANIM
Located in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
PANIM 1 carat Rose cut Diamond Star Necklace in 18K White Gold Timeless and dainty 18K solid gold pave diamond small star charm hanging form a link n...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
18 Karat Rose Gold Necklace with Pink Sapphires, in Stock
By Amwaj Jewellery
Located in Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi
Inspired from the love and appreciation towards the Palm Tree. It features 5 drops of pink sapphires dangling from a soft chain which can be worn as a necklace or a choker. -Diamo...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
$48,500 / item
Enamel 3.78 Carat Diamond 18 Karat Gold Link Necklace
By Meghna Jewels
Located in Hoffman Estate, IL
A stunning link diamond enamel necklace is handmade in 18K gold and 3.78 carats diamonds. FOLLOW MEGHNA JEWELS storefront to view the latest collection & exclusive pieces. Meghna...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold, Enamel