Back in October, we discussed whether or not the legendary Fendi Baguette, the first real It Bag and practically the fifth cast member of Sex and the City, might be poised for a return to prominence. Based on the Baguettes that are starting to surface for Spring 2012, I’d say that we might all be carrying Fendi in a year’s time. Can I request a crossbody version, please?
Fendi Cracked Suede Baguette, $990 in blue or silver via Bergdorf Goodman
For an entire generation of women (of which I’m a part), the Fendi Baguette was the first It Bag to penetrate our collective consciousness. Indeed, many fashion people count its popularity as the dawn of the entire It Bag concept, and I probably have its existence to credit, at least in small part, to my current employment. In handbag history, the role of this little Fendi bag can’t be overstated.
Like anything, though, the heady days of Sex and the City passed and the Baguette fell out of favor to make way for the Chloe Paddington, the Fendi Spy and all the other must-have, “ungettable get” bags that followed. The fashion industry is endlessly cyclical, though, and eventually everything old is new again. Nearly 15 years after its launch, is it time for the Fendi Baguette’s second act?
I’m not one to turn to single-handle structured handbags much, but sometimes an unexpected bag wows me enough to get my attention. Fendi has accomplished this with their Silvana Croc & Stingray Bag. Seriously, everything about this bag is absolutely stunning from the beige smooth leather to the dark brown crocodile to the beige stingray top handle. Each piece of the whole flows together beautifully, leaving a stunning fall accessory staple.
But does this bag evoke enough emotion to draw a price tag over $8,000?
Images via Vogue.com
Forgive me for a moment while I indulge in a bit of Internet vernacular: I am disappoint, PurseBloggers. For the past few seasons, I’ve thought that Fendi was on something of a roll when it came to runway bags; Spring 2011 was of particular note, and I had high hopes for what Fendi Spring 2012 handbags would look like. Well. Let’s just say that those hopes were summarily dashed by what happened at the actual show.
I’m not here to critique the ready-to-wear, but I think it’s relevant to say that the entire thing made me think that Fendi really, really wants to be Prada when it grows up. Karl Lagerfeld made a lot of overtures to the wearable, intellectual, modernist quirk that has become Miuccia’s signature, but the final products felt like the designs were reaching for something they didn’t quite accomplish. That’s doubly true for the multicolored studded bags and all the totes that look like they’re birthing suede hobos. Maybe these bags are just so different that I need to give them a chance to grow on me, but right now, I simply don’t get it, with the exception of the couple clutches with the extra-short fur trim. Those can stay. Cathy Horyn disagrees with me, though, so I’m probably wrong.
Images via Fendi
We’ve written about the Fendi Fall 2011 collection a couple of times before, but it’s difficult to scrap together a full photo set of any company’s bags before the brand is good and ready to release them. Fendi has posted these photos on its Facebook profile over the past month, capping off yesterday with more than 30 photos of the collection’s exotics and runway bags.
The season contains some bags that will be familiar to fans – the Peekaboo, Silvana and 2Bag, for example – with a newcomer in the Chameleon totes and shoulder bags that Fendi appears to be banking on as the brand’s new big thing. Do you think it will be? I prefer the patent runway shoulder bags, personally. All the photos, after the jump.
While paging through the handbags from Fendi Fall 2011, I kept waiting for the brand’s trump card. For the bag that would pull the whole thing together and make me sit up and pay attention. And while there are some very attractive options from the collection, unfortunately that bag never came. Perhaps after Spring 2011′s stellar lineup of Fendi accessories, I was expecting too much.
Fall continues some of the biggest hits from that line, including the ladylike multicolor satchels with crocodile flaps, and it also introduces several more multicolor options in the form of slouchy totes and shoulder bags with elongated straps. Some of these asymmetrically shaded designs work better than others, and I hope to see them hit retail in bright combinations as well as the neutrals seen here. For now, my collection winner in the blue patent shoulder bag that you see above.
Yesterday we told you about the Fendi 2Bag monogramming event happening at Bergdorf Goodman today. You still have time to stop by, as it lasts until 5 pm, but either way have the pleasure of showing you the Fendi goodies BG has to offer.
Of course the main focus is the 2Bag and the option of monogramming it, but there are also many fabulous Fendi items (including an exclusive trench for BG). We love the direction Fendi continues to take with their handbags, bringing back classics with bold colors and stylish finishes.
If you can not make it to the store today, make sure to check out the Fendi offerings Bergdorf Goodman has online.
RHOC: “The ones who don’t talk about it are the ones who are doing it even more.”
RHBH: “What name did Giggy call you on Twitter?”
RHBH Reunion: “Being friends with you is like playing chess with Bobby Fischer.”
RHOA: “I doubt very seriously that Emily Post has a chapter in her book about aggravated assault.”
