History of Fendi Handbags

Fendi is an Italian fashion design house most famous for its luxury handbags. Synonymous with opulence, prestige and the elite, the handbags are handmade from the finest leathers and materials.

The '40s and '50s

Fendi bags in the '40s and '50s were influenced by World War II. Because metal and leather were in short supply, bags were made from hard materials, such as plastic and wood. The now famous Fendi double F logo was created during this time.

The '60s

The '60s were a time of revolution and free thinking. During this period, Fendi transformed the look and feel of the handbag from rigid and structured to soft, supple and unstructured with leather and fabric.

The Fendi Baguette

The Baguette bag was introduced in 1997 by Silvia Venturini Fendi. So called because it was meant to be held under the arm like a loaf of bread, it was an instant success and spawned many copycat versions by other design houses.

The Fendi Spy Bag

In 2005, the company released the Spy bag. Crafted from rich leather, the slouchy body was topped with its most distinguishing feature--braided double top handles. A huge success when it was released, it became an instant collector's item.

Modern Fendi

Today, Fendi continues to be innovative with its handbag designs. Its strong, bold pieces are not meant to match an outfit but to inspire it. With more than 120 boutiques in 25 countries around the world, Fendi remains a dominant presence and one of fashion's elite handbag designers.

References

• Fendi: The History of Fendi
• Designer Fashion Trends: History of Fendi
• Made in Italy: Fashion Houses: Fendi

Resources

• Fashion and Accessories; Editors at Lannoo Publishers; 2008
• High Fashion Handbags; Adrienne/ Schiffer Astrologo; 2007