Since Fendi was founded in 1925, handbags have been a core part of its collection. It took several decades, however, before designs emerged that left a lasting mark and still sit comfortably with today’s style.
The Baguette
In 1994, Silvia Venturini Fendi, granddaughter of founders Adele and Edoardo Fendi, joined the family business. Three years later, she designed what would become the house’s most recognisable and sought-after bag, the Baguette. Its clean shape, finished with the iconic double F logo, has proved remarkably enduring and lends itself easily to reinterpretation season after season. The bag’s rise was also fuelled by its high-profile appearances in Sex and the City, which had a major influence on fashion around the turn of the millennium.
See also: 5 Iconic Handbags and the Women Who Made Them Famous
The Peekaboo
In 2009, Fendi introduced another design by Silvia Venturini Fendi, the Peekaboo. This structured top-handle bag offers enough space for everyday use and is also available in a smaller version. When opened, the clasp reveals an interior divided by a firm central partition. In 2020, the model received a subtle update known as ISeeU, with a slightly wider opening to make access easier.
See also: Fendi: 4 Things You Should Know
The Spy Bag
Between the Baguette and the Peekaboo, Fendi launched another model in 2005, once again designed by Silvia Venturini Fendi. The Spy Bag is a softly shaped hobo-style bag defined by angled seams and braided handles, now twisted in newer versions. Its name comes from a concealed compartment hidden beneath the overlapping flap. Like its two counterparts, the Spy Bag is highly versatile and available in a range of sizes and finishes.
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Anyone buying one of these bags new should expect to pay a four-figure sum. At auction, prices vary widely depending on the model, material and condition. It is still possible, however, to find an attractive Fendi bag at auction for just a few hundred pounds.
