As we gear up for the Spring 2025 Fashion Month season, we thought taking a step back in time would be fun. Today, we’re revisiting what the runway looked like 20 years ago with a look back at Fendi’s Spring 2005 collection, which featured one of the handbag world’s very first It-bags, The Fendi Spy Bag.
2005. It was the height of Y2K fashion. Clothes were loud, full of color, and fitted with embellishments. The bags of that time echoed a similar sentiment, and at Fendi, the late Karl Lagerfeld showed a collection that epitomized Y2K fashion (shudders).
RTW included lots of color, fringe, chunky waist belts, and more. While some vintage collections feel timeless, others feel indicative of the times, and this collection truly transports us back to the mid-2000s.
A Mid-2000s Dream
When the collection hit the runway, few could predict what a huge (and I mean massive) hit the Fendi Spy would become. Designed with hidden pockets to store lipsticks, your Motorola Razr, cash, and more, the Fendi Spy hit the runway in Fendi Zucca, smooshy neutral brown leather, exotics, and more.
It was the era of the It bag, and the Fendi Spy Bag quickly became It. Primarily defined by its braided handles and rounded flap closure, the spy bag would be released in countless iterations during its seven-year run.
While few can forget the Fendi Spy Bag that year, the runway also showed clutch versions of the Spy Bag, which featured the same secret compartment detail as the larger version. These clutches were highly embellished, featuring beading, fringe, ruching, and even metallic Fendi Zucca print.
Below, we’re taking a walk down memory lane. Do you remember this collection?
images via Vogue Runway
While I don’t remember the collection, I still have a Fendi Spy bag from that era. After it was staying in my closet for a few years, I have rediscovered it a year or two ago and am using it regularly again. Still love it. It’s a classic black one.
I’ve held on to mine from 2006 I bought for my 24th birthday. I finally brought it out again for my 42nd birthday this year. I had hoped it would have become obscure enough then trendy again for a high resale price. Oh no no no, not at all. It’s hideous and cumbersome, but it’s sentimental. I’m enjoying it.
I need to bring out my Fendi Spy – mine is honey!
I got my Fendi Spy bag last year and I couldn’t be happier with her. Dark brown with the lovely braided handles, the leather is so lovely and smooshy and the zucca lining is so cheeky.
Personally I am loving the Y2K bag renaissance, in fact I got a Dior Gaucho bag today. I’m finding it much more satisfying to get amazing classics from the past rather than being ripped off with the ridiculous prices today.
Today I carried a Tom Ford-era Gucci horsebit hobo and a very young gal in a shop went a little gaga over it. I love being a geezer now and watching trends emerge and evolve (and sometimes repeat). Congrats on your Gaucho! (Also, feeling a little sad about having sold my Spy ages ago)
I really want one!
I went for the Fendi Spy Shoulder and I’m so glad, it’s less heavy and is a classic hobo so I’m thinking I will bring her out for fall. It’s can’t believe it’s been so long!
This made me tear up….my Fendi logo spy bag was snatch from me on my way home from work one evening by a rider in a motor bike with everything in it…,.,house keys, phones, money, cards, make up etc. I remember running after him but a Good Samaritan watching from his window shouted for me to stop as I was running in an alleyway where he went. He called the police who took me home and thankfully my kids were around to let me in. I was so sad for day because I loved the bag and it was expensive them. 😭
I’m sure it would have been in my possession by now 😂
I was a bit late to the game on the Fendi Spy. But When I finally pulled the trigger it was for a very smooshy navy blue version from Net-a-Porter. Hardly used it and hope it will come back into the picture, with a vengeance. So versatile and mine is really pretty and soft.
Such a great bag.
I was never a fan of this bag. Too busy. Too many details. Especially the logo version. Even back then, I never felt the need to own it.
Same! I love the resurgence of older bags but this one just never did it for me and still doesn’t.
I LUSTED after this bag back in the day…I’ve thought about buying one now but I’m gone almost exclusively crossbody at this point and don’t think it would get much use…darn it!
I sold mine 😊. Why didn’t they bring it back though probably in an updated version
Don’t forget the secret stash compartment, which I’m sure zero celebs ever used…😉