The baguette bag was created by Silvia Venturini Fendi in 1997: a flat, compact bag with an extremely short shoulder strap designed to be worn tucked under the arm, the way Parisians carry a baguette of bread. It became the first true 'it bag', propelled to global fame by Sex and the City — Carrie Bradshaw's collection of Fendi Baguettes became a plot point.
The baguette silhouette is now a recognised bag category adopted by other houses. The Prada Re-Edition 2005, the Saint Laurent Baguette, and various Bottega Veneta interpretations all reference the form. The Fendi original was revived in 2019 and celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2022 with an extensive collection of new colourways and collaborations.
Why It Matters for Collectors
The Fendi Baguette in its original iterations — particularly the embroidered, embellished, and limited-edition versions from 1997 to 2007 — are now genuine collectibles. Specific colourways and materials from this era sell well above their original retail prices at auction. For collectors interested in fashion history, the Baguette is the origin point of contemporary bag culture.