FENDI 101: THE BAGUETTE

In 2019, Fendi's iconic baguette, known for its compact size and rectangular shape, made a comeback when the Italian house reintroduced it. Celebrities like Amanda Seyfried, Emma Roberts and Gigi Hadid are among those who wear a baguette. In 1997, Silvia Venturini Fendi unknowingly created a bag that was so iconic that it retains much of its popularity 24 years later. The Fendi not only triggered an It bag craze, it also led to waiting lists in department stores (rare at the time)! The Baguette's popularity propelled Fendi to the forefront of the accessories world, making it one of the most coveted bags of all time.

While the baguette wasn't widely known for the first three years it was available, that all changed in an instant in 2000 when Sex and the City fashionista Carrie uttered the words, "That's not a bag, that's a bag." ." Baguette!" when she was ordered to hand her bag over to a thief. The baguette also appeared in the Los Angeles episodes when Samantha was kicked out of the Playboy Mansion for accusing a model of stealing her fake baguette The rest is fashion history.

Story

Although not everyone at Fendi initially agreed with the design, it was too boring, too small and not very functional compared to Prada's practical nylon backpack that was so popular at the time. Designed to be carried comfortably under the arm, it was inspired by the Parisians who carried their baguettes home from the bakery. The design was a conscious move by Silvia Venturini Fendi to move away from the larger sizes and utilitarian designs that were in vogue at the time. Fendi's grandmother also played a role. "My grandmother had a collection of beautiful beaded bags from the 1920s and 1930s," Fendi told Harper's Bazaar. "I always had her in mind."

To date there have been thousands of iterations, from the FF logo to fur, sequins and everything in between; The baguette is a highly recognizable status symbol known around the world.

In 2019, the baguette enjoyed a resurgence as Fendi reintroduced it in Spring/Summer 2019 before returning to its stores in July of this year. The new iteration is available in multiple sizes and some styles come with a shoulder strap or crossbody strap. In 2011, artists Damien Hirst, KAWS, Richard Prince and Tom Sachs created their own versions of the Fendi baguette for Christie's and Runway to Green to raise funds for Green Auction: Bid to Save the Earth.

star power

Stars and celebrities such as Paris Hilton, Plum Sykes and Sarah Jessica Parker were spotted with the compact bag in the early years and since her return Caroline Daur starred in the campaign with Sarah Jessica Parker, Ebonee Davis, Emma Stone, Amanda Seyfriend, Emma Roberts , Gigi Hadid, Rihanna, Olivia Palermo and Nina Agdal were all carried in the baguette.

investment value

As Fendi's most classic bag, the Baguette has a high resale value in today's resale market. The old original version is up 75 to 100 percent in the last two years depending on the material and style, and the current version, re-released in 2019, can be sold for pretty close to retail prices. Overall, the baguette is very likely to maintain its popularity and resale value for the foreseeable future. At Rebag, the best-selling model is the original vintage baguette version in the iconic Zucca brown canvas.

Size Breakdown

Originally, the baguette was only offered in one size, but with the relaunch of the popular shoulder bag, Fendi created other sizes.

The Fendi Nano Baguette measures 4.3 inches x 2.6 inches x 1 inch and was originally intended as a belt and bag charm, but since it hangs on a chain it can also be worn as a crossbody bag.

The next size up is the Baguette Mini, which measures 7.5" x 4.5" x 1.6" and is sold with a second, longer strap. There is also a Baguette Mini version, which has a smooth leather top handle and a long, thick chain strap attached to the sides via a neat hardware plate.

The Baguette (Classic) measures 10.2" x 5.5" x 1.6" and can be worn or carried three different ways with the addition of the longer shoulder strap for crossbody carrying. The Baguette (Classic) also has a version with Chain strap, with a top handle attached to the flap via square connectors and an elegantly designed handle.