Rare FENDI by Karl Lagerfeld Y2K Silk & Ostrich Layered Cocktail Dress 40
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 40 (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Original tags still attached. Minor wear from handling & storage, water stains, overall good condition.
- Seller Location:Switzerland, CH
- Reference Number:
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 share 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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: DXB, United Arab Emirates
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- ATELIER VERSACE Multicolor Beaded Evening Mermaid Haute Couture Gown & Heels 39By Atelier VersaceLocated in Switzerland, CHJust breathtaking - a rare ATELIER VERSACE Evening Gown An amazing Haute Couture Piece Seen on Selma Blair One of the most famous pieces by Atelier Versac...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Gowns
- NEW Dolce & Gabbana Silk & Lace Bone Corset Dress, Coat & Brooch Ensemble 3PCSBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Switzerland, CHStunning 3PCS Ensemble by Dolce & Gabbana Can be worn as a suit or each piece by itselm Beautiful gold-metallic lace Overlayed with finest black silk Fully lined Corset dress with ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Dress and Coat Ensembles
- Gorgeous Yves Saint Laurent by Tom Ford YSL Black Lace DressBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Switzerland, CHLace dress designed by Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent FW 2002 Collection Rare piece Finest black guipure lace Lined on backside with black mesh tulle Seen on the AD campaign, on the runway and on Carine...Category
Early 2000s French Evening Dresses
- NEW Dolce & Gabbana Turquoise Aqua Lace Crystal Floral Buttons Shift Dress 40By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Switzerland, CHBeautifully cut from finest lace fabric, Dolce & Gabbana hit a retro-inspired note with this stunning shift dress A DOLCE & GABBANA piece that will last you for years Square neckline...Category
2010s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- UNWORN Emilio Pucci Silk Cady Embroidered Kaftan Tunic Dress 44By Emilio PucciLocated in Switzerland, CHEmilio Pucci's embroidered kaftan is perfect for chic summer parties. Crafted in Italy from luxurious silk-cady, this design has amazing embellishments. Team yours with a clutch and ...Category
2010s Italian Kaftans
- NEW John Galliano Black Crochet Knit Ruched DressBy John GallianoLocated in Switzerland, CHAn extremely luxurious JOHN GALLIANO piece that will last you for years Made of soft black knitted fabric Ruched details Fully lined with black soft fabric Dry clean onlyCategory
Early 2000s French Cocktail Dresses
- ALEXANDER MCQUEEN 2018 Red Cut-Out Gown XSBy Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, Alexander McQueenLocated in Berlin, BEALEXANDER MCQUEEN 2018 Red Cut-Out Gown Brand: Alexander McQueen Designer: Sarah Burton Collection / Year: 2018 Fabric: Viscose / Silk Color: Red Size: ...Category
2010s Italian Evening Gowns
- New LANVIN Duchesse Satin Vintage Gray Long Wedding Celebrity Gown US 2 4 FR 36By Lanvin ParisLocated in Goshen, KYSize: French 36 Brand: LANVIN Color: Light Dove Gray Season: Vintage Features: Strapless sweetheart neckline Draped detail throughout Ruffle detail at side Belt at waist Long leng...Category
2010s Wedding Dresses
- Vintage 1950's Neymar Couture Duchess Satin & Beaded Gown UK 4 US 0Located in Cheltenham, GBA once in a lifetime piece, this original 1950's Neymar Couture duchess satin gown, in the most sumptuous shade of cream, showcases true craftsmanship i...Category
1950s Ball Gowns
- Vintage 1930's Pleated & Ruched Amber Satin Dress UK 10 US 6Located in Cheltenham, GBA beauty to behold, this original 1930's satin dress rendered in the most sumptuous shade of amber satin, is the perfect statement piece for your special occasion wardrobe. The rou...Category
1930s Evening Dresses
- Vintage 1960's yellow sequin beaded cocktail dress wiggle dress UK 12 US 8Located in Cheltenham, GBThis breathtaking 1960's yellow knitted wool dress, embellished in its entirety with clear iridescent sequins, and finished with floral beaded details in yellow rocaille beads, and i...Category
1960s Cocktail Dresses
- Vintage 1950's Duchess Satin Sweet Pink Pleated Dress UK 8-10 US 4-6Located in Cheltenham, GBA true beauty to behold. This original 1950's duchess satin dress, rendered in a soft shade of sweet pink and accented by the most divine pleat wor...Category
1950s Cocktail Dresses
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.