Reheated Luxury

Fendi’s latest drop is giving us the silhouette we wanted, but lacking in the fun department

Fendi’s “New” Baguettes: Fresh Out of the Microwave?

Fashion is cyclical, but lately, it feels like luxury houses are putting their leftovers in the microwave and hitting the “add 30 seconds” button over and over and over…

Chiuri recently decided to serve up Fendi’s iconic Baguettes again, and honestly? I can’t say I love it. They’re looking a little... stale.

I’m not a complete hater, so let’s start with the positives. I do love the new long shoulder strap; it’s reminiscent of the Givenchy Voyou and adds a touch of whimsy to an otherwise unremarkable bag.

They’ve also leaned back into the vintage silhouette. If you’ve looked at the Baguettes lately, they’ve become unnecessarily bulky, which is one of the reasons why I stick to the vintage. These new ones feel more like the slim and trim bags that have been a cult classic for almost 30 years. But that’s where the praise ends.

The $7,000~ Question

Here’s the part that keeps me up at night: The Price Tag. If I know anything about the upward trend of bag pricing, I’d imagine these bags are going to retail for $7,000 plus. For a reissued version of a bag that has been in circulation for 25+ years? Why would I pay a 500% markup when I can find the original vintage version for a fraction of the cost?

And realistically, the probability of vintage quality being better is almost certain.

This bag sold for $1400 on Vestiaire Collective...

The Missed Opportunity: If you’re going to bring back a classic, give us something we haven’t seen. Give us new beading, experimental textures, or a design that makes us gasp. Don’t hand us the same homework with a different date on it.

Where Is the Opulence?

There hasn’t been as much buzz about the Oyster Bag from the collection, but it really struck a nerve for me. I have one question for Fendi: Where is the excess?

Fendi is known for fantastical and excessive designs; it’s supposed to be about Italian opulence! Instead, we’re getting pebble leather that feels... dare I say... tired? We have enough basic bags. We have enough “clean” designs.

If you’re going to revive a legend, do it with some soul. Otherwise, you’re pulling stale bread out of the microwave.

What do you all think about the new bags? I’d love to hear your thoughts!