Jenny Palmer x Sparkle Style: Rizzoli's Fendi Baguette! Xx

Silvia Venturini Fendi explains the history of her design

of the Baguette Bag at the beginning

of the Rizzoli book which

celebrates the 15th Anniversary

"I was asked, among other things,

to come up with a particularly easy and functional handbag.

In a certain sense, it had to be technological and minimal,

just like the times.

My response (fortunately I am indomitably disobedient)

was the Baguette: the exact opposite of what

had been requested of me.

It was an unprecedented success;

one of the most desired objects in the world.

Naturally I have received awards, gratification,

and all sorts of satisfaction.

But the most precious, the most intimate

reward—and, therefore,

that which I truly consider my own

—is that I have given Fendi a solid,

safe-conduct into the future:

its extremely vital and horizon-expanding passage into LVMH.

Looking back on it my disobedience

turned out to be a truly excellent idea."

Above: Silvia Venturini Fendi

Silvia dedicates the Book

'To the tenacious foresight of my grandmother Adele Fendi,

my mother, and her sisters... and to Bernard Arnault,

who is carrying that vision into the future.'

baguette, n. (bəˈgɛt)

A long, thin loaf of French bread, of various sizes in different regions, but usu. smaller than a flûte.

– The Oxford English Dictionary, Second Edition

bag, n. (bæg)

A receptacle made of some flexible material closed

in on all sides except at the top

(where also it generally can be closed);

a pouch, a small sack.

– The Oxford English Dictionary, Second Edition

Above: Me in the Fendi Store, Venice with the Rizzoli Baguette Book

Click to BUY from Amazon

Above: Mario at the Fendi Store in Venice shows the Toucan Bag (below centre)

when it is opened up with it's beaded tail - incredible! Xx

above: the six limited edition baguette bags

They are Silvia Fendi's Favourite Styles
which have been reissued
especially for the Fendi Baguette 15th Anniversary

In 1997, Silvia Venturini Fendi launched the so-called Fendi Baguette,

revitalizing the Fendi brand and creating an enduring style icon

that women the world over coveted and collected with a passion!

The Baguette instantly became one of the
most popular and most important accessories of the decade,

and this gorgeously illustrated book celebrates the Baguette—

a story of craftsmanship, artisanship, connoisseurship, and design.

A deceptively small, simple handbag to be carried under the arm

like the French loaf from which it takes its name,

the Fendi Baguette has been produced in over 700 models.

“The Baguette was conceived as an archetype,”

Paola Antonelli, Design Curator at the
Museum of Modern Art says in the book,

“its distinctive and simple shape a canvas for hundreds of

possible variations in materials and visual interpretations…”

With 250 full color photos this catalogue raisonne features

page after page of the astonishing range of Baguettes.

Some are simple and understated while others feature

unique or deluxe materials such as embroidery,

sequins, beading, leather, fur, or crocodile skin.

Some are embellished with precious stones,
while others are wild,

limited-edition works of art designed by
artists such as Damien Hirst,

Richard Prince, and Jeff Koons,
(see below)
making the Fendi Baguette an iconic fashion

“must-have” discreetly tucked under the arms
of debutantes and red-carpet celebrities alike.

For avid collectors, this book will be as essential

as the beloved Baguette itself, and a must for anyone

with an interest in fashion and this accessory phenomenon!

Above: Damien Hirst

Above: Richard Prince

Above: Jeff Koons

SENTIMENTAL, LADY, MODERN, AND SURPRISINGLY TIMELESS

Sarah Jessica Parker

“We’ve always credited Fendi as the first to loan

us an important piece for Sex and the City.

In the very beginning, Patricia Field and her team

had to be industrious and creative with a low budget

by getting clothes from thrift stores in order

to tell interesting fashion stories.

At this time, things were inaccessible and out of reach;

Fendi was really the first important design house to loan us items,

with the Baguette handbag being the first.

Having the Fendi Baguette was a very big deal,

and the gateway to everything else.

It really opened the floodgates and influenced the story line

—especially Carrie’s habit of spending more money

on fashion than her home.

The Baguette became a staple of

Carrie’s wardrobe and character.

Having Carrie wear the Baguette was a defining moment for us,

everything.

The timing was perfect for the story we were telling

and the character I was playing;

the Baguette was the perfect embellishment.

Once Fendi loaned us items, everyone was more

willing to do so, which helped us dramatically

in conveying Carrie’s decadence.”

and marked the beginning of

"I have very sentimental feelings toward the Baguette.
My very first Baguette was olive-green satin,

with beautiful floral
beading, a red snakeskin strap,

and a colorful interior lining. I used it for everything.
In my opinion, it was the new black—
and it was surprisingly large.”

“In addition to my first olive-green Baguette,

which I purchased, I was also gifted a Baguette

from the set—a beautiful, purple, square, sequined one.

I recently archived both Baguettes to keep them

in pristine condition.

Now that I have two daughters, they can each have one.”

TINY FRIEND
It wouldn’t suit me if it were even a smidgen bigger.
And if it were even a little smaller, it would double as an ornament.
We all find ourselves alone from time to time—in a party, in a car,
in a restaurant, or walking down the street.
We may not know why we are alone, or even why we are here.
In times like this, this bag will stay close beside you like a puppy,
like a parrot perching on your shoulder, or like the doll you
were never without in your childhood.
Yes, it stays with you just like a best friend.
Banana Yoshimoto