1970s Fendi Brown Bakelite Clutch Bag
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2038220822722
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 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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- 1990s Versace Versus Nylon Medusa Pin Top Handle Clutch BagBy Gianni Versace, VersusLocated in London, GB
Discover the essence of Italian luxury with the iconic 1990s Versace Versus Nylon Medusa Clutch Bag, featuring a vibrant blue Medusa pin graphic print ...
Category1990s Italian Top Handle Bags
- 1980s Gianni Versace Brown Envelope Clutch BagBy Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GBGianni Versace envelope bag featuring crocodile print on brown leather, frontal clutch closure with logo detail on, set of keys inside pocket, small strap. Condition: vintage, 1980...Category
1980s Italian Clutches
- 1990s Judith Leiber Karung Black Shoulder Bag with Gems and GoldwareBy Judith LeiberLocated in London, GBJudith Leiber Karung Black Shoulder Bag with Gems and Goldware, tiop clutch closure, gold metalware, coloured gems, leather strap, inside pocket ...Category
1990s Italian Clutches
- 1990s Gianfranco Ferre Logo Print Shoulder BagBy Gianfranco FerréLocated in London, GBBlack Gianfranco Ferre Logo Print Shoulder Crossbody bag, waterproof fabric, internal zipped pocket, 2 additional open compartments. The cross body strap is fully adjustable and in black leather Logo tag Measurements: approximately 11.5” wide and 8” high Condition: 1990s vintage like...Category
1990s Italian Shoulder Bags
- 1990s Jimmy Choo Blue Denim & Leather Shoulder bagBy Jimmy ChooLocated in London, GBleather strap, internal zipped pocket, front magnet closure, silver-tone metalware This timeless design piece is sure to stand the test of time. Put together with quality materials a...Category
1990s Italian Pouches and Wristlets
- 2000s Christian Dior Pink Patent Leather Chain HandbagBy Christian DiorLocated in London, GBOn trend Barbiecore stunning yet practical Christian Dior purse on chain, crafted from fuchsia patent leather, flap secures well with snap fastener, leather-fabric interior, Removabl...Category
Early 2000s French Clutches
- Judith Leiber Beige Lizard Tiger Eye Gemstone ClutchBy Judith LeiberLocated in Philadelphia, PAJudith Leiber Beige Lizard Tiger Eye Gemstone Clutch in fair condition. Beige lizard leather trimmed with gold hardware and tiger eye gemstones along t...Category
1980s Clutches
- Hermès Kelly Cut Clutch Elan Crocodile Porosus Lisse 89 Noir GHWBy HermèsLocated in New York, NY- New 2023 - Kelly Cut Clutch Elan - Crocodile Porosus Lisse 89 Noir - Gold Hardware - Full set including, Cities, Receipt, Dust bag, BoxCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Clutches
- Judith Leiber Brown Alligator ClutchBy Judith LeiberLocated in Philadelphia, PAVintage Judith Leiber Brown Alligator Clutch in excellent condition. Brown alligator trimmed with gold hardware and tiger eye twist lock closure. T...Category
1980s Clutches
- Chanel 2004 Beige Mini Flap Beige Cream Python Mini Clutch Top Handle Flap BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLSpring 2004 {VINTAGE 18 Years} -Beige python leather -Ruthenium hardware -Classic interwoven triple chain -CC classic lock closure at frontal flap -White satin lining -Small interio...Category
Early 2000s French Clutches
- Chanel 2002 Vintage So Black Long Medium Shoulder Convertible Clutch Flap BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Vintage So Black Long Medium Shoulder Bag Year 2002 {Vintage 22 Years} Black nylon canvas with a flap top CC turn-lock closure Leather entwined chain shoulder strap Black metal hardware Carry it as a clutch or shoulder bag Interior has a black fine textile...Category
Early 2000s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
- Hermés Amethyste Crocodile ClutchBy HermèsLocated in New York, NYThe Hermés bag embodies the quintessence of style and luxury due to its impeccable design, craftsmanship, and significance. That being said, it is the m...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Clutches
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.