Designer: Silvia Venturini Fendi, 1997

Silva Venturini Fendi had a dream of designing a one-of-a-kind bag. His dream came true when he developed a mini purse known as the Baguette. The bag was launched under the creative direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Elements of craftsmanship, handcrafting, attention to refined details embody the Fendi spirit. This little bag was developed with a certain type of shopper in mind and became a huge hit almost overnight … particularly in areas that were known for their more “artistic” atmosphere, like Greenwich Village. Baguette’s success can be explained in part by its philosophy. Since the bag had more than 600 aesthetic options, including a variety of different colors, trims, and fabrics, the buyer was able to select a bag that met their own individualism.

The beautiful fabrics that Fendi offered included silk velvet, snakeskin, crocodile, and woven raffia, to name a few. Some of the features included in each of the Baguette bags were the Double-F front closure and the rectangular shape. All baguette bags had a strap that was long enough to allow the bag to sit under the arm like “a loaf of bread.” The Baguette was designed to be a shoulder bag and a clutch. This bag could take you out to lunch with the girls and end the day as a tote bag for a dinner with the groom. This bag was known for its elegant and geometric lines.

The price of the Fendi Baguette depended on the size, the make and whether it is a limited edition version or not. A small non-leather model cost about $ 500. The average moderate-size baguette is priced between $ 1,000 and $ 2,000. Some limited editions would exceed $ 2,000.

This Fendi Baguette bag remains one of the most popular and highly coveted styles. It has been seen on many television shows and quickly became popular with many Hollywood celebrities for its uniqueness as a fun little bag. Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez and Kate Hudson have been seen carrying the “it” bag.

Fendi constantly reinvents the look for new seasons and events. There have been classic styles of black leather, the well-known brown FF patterned fabric, two-tone leathers, bright colors and prints, and even design your own kit. Two kits were offered. One was a canvas loaf with Pantone markers to highlight your creativity. The second was to personalize her Fendi Baguette with the art of cross stitch. This kit was to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the bag. The kit consisted of a timeless baguette bag, an assortment of colored threads and needles, and some drawings as a guide. This idea seemed to captivate the public.

As for the spring of 2012, many Baguettes are beginning to emerge. It’s always fun to see what’s hot for the little bag named after a loaf of bread!