DESIGNER 101
Fendi 101:
The Fendi First
By Ann B, Jul 13, 2022
The Fendi First
ushered in
the Kim Jones era.
Kim Jones introduced the Fendi First with his debut Fall/Winter 2021 collection, marking Fendi’s dedication to family, form, fun, and function through the emblematic letter F. The bag’s design follows the pouch trend of the time, using the letter F as an asymmetrical frame, and materials ranging from fur to leather to exotic skins for the Fendi First handbag’s body.
The History of the Fendi First
Kim Jones is changing the way we see Fendi. The fashion designer, who is also artistic director of Dior Men, joined the house as artistic director of haute couture, ready-to-wear, and fur collection in September of 2020, a year and a half after his predecessor Karl Lagerfeld passed away after a little more than 50 years with the Roman fashion house.
Jones’s debut Fall/Winter 2021 collection, staged in February 2021, paid homage to the Fendi family — in particular Paola, Franca, Carla, Anna, and Alda, the five daughters of Fendi founder Adele Casagrande — their intellectual style of dressing, and the Italian craftsmanship behind the brand.
The Fendi First made its debut at Fendi’s Fall/Winter 2021 show in February 2021. Courtesy Vogue.
With his premier Fendi collection, Jones also wanted to release an accessory that stood not just for Fendi, but for his first collection. The result was the Fendi First bag. Jones presented an idea to third-generation Fendi family member Silvia Venturini Fendi: Reappropriate the “F” — which in the Fendi world, stands for “family,” “fun,” “functionality,” “fur,” and “form,” among other things — to create a bag. Jones tilted the “F,” turned it into a frame and gave the body a puffy shape, like a coin purse, forming an asymmetrical bag that can be used as a clutch, crossbody, or shoulder bag.
Images from the Fendi Fall/Winter 2021 campaign featuring the Fendi First bag.
The Fendi First on Celebrities
The Fendi First has been spotted on countless celebrities and content creators since its debut, including Chiara Ferragni, Priyanka Chopra, Jennifer Lopez, Lily Allen, Lauren Hutton, Christina Ricci, Chloé Sevigny, and more.
Jennifer Lopez with her Fendi First. (Courtesy The Zoe Report)
Chiara Ferragni with the Fendi First. (Courtesy A Shaded View on Fashion)
Lily Allen with the Fendi First at the Tribeca Film Festival. (Courtesy of The Telegraph)
Priyanka Chopra with the Fendi First (Courtesy The Market Herald)
Fendi First Materials
The Fendi First comes in a variety of materials and exotic skins, including nappa leather, python, fur, and shearling.
Fendi First Sizing
The Fendi First comes in two core sizes: Small, measuring at 10.25” W x 7.1” H x 3.74” D with a strap drop of 16.92”, and Medium, which is 12.8” W x 9.25” H x 5.91” D with a strap drop of 10.63”. There is also a Nano Fendi First Charm that is 4.53” W x 3.94” H x 2.17” D with a 23.23” strap drop.
Nano Fendi First Charm
4.53” W x 3.94” H x 2.17” D
Strap Drop: 23.23”
Fendi First Small
10.25” W x 7.1” H x 3.74” D
Strap Drop: 16.92”
Fendi First Medium
12.8” W x 9.25” H x 5.91” D
Strap Drop: 10.63”
Fendi First Special Editions
Fendace Fendi First
This Fendi First bag was released as part of the Fendi x Versace Fendace collaboration for pre-fall 2022.
Fendace Fendi First
This Fendi First handbag was released as part of the Fendi x Versace Fendace collaboration for pre-fall 2022.
Fendace Fendi First
This Fendi First handbag was released as part of the Fendi x Versace Fendace collaboration for pre-fall 2022.
Fendi First Crocodile
The Fendi First comes in crocodile.
Fendi First Fur
The Fendi First in fur, one of the house’s codes.
Fendi First Ostrich
The Fendi First in ostrich.
Fendi First Multicolor
This was released for Spring/Summer 2022.
Fendi First Sequins
The Fendi First comes in a sequined version.
Shop the Fendi First
Fendi First Bag Python Small
Fendi First Bag Leather Small
Fendi First Bag Leather Small
Fendi First Bag Python Small
