Fendi Baguette Takes Over NYC: 25 Year Celebration

A lucky PurseBop Community Member takes us inside the New York Fashion Week (NYFW) Fendi show. Yes, we know, Fendi typically shows in Milan, Italy. However, this season NYFW was abuzz with Fendi’s homage to its long-lasting “It” bag- the Baguette.

Let’s go inside with our guide @worldofcasaharris…

@worldofcasaharris

For the 25th anniversary of the Fendi Baguette, Fendi decided to bring its fashion show to the United States to commemorate the occasion. But not just anywhere or anytime in the United States. Of course, it had to be New York City during NYFW. After all, Sex and the City (SATC) helped lift the Baguette to pop culture icon status. One need only remember Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) stating “it’s not a bag; it’s a Baguette.”

I still don’t know why I was invited to this event, but it was one of my most memorable nights ever! Well worth the travel to and traffic in New York City.

Upon arrival at our hotel, a Fendi goodie bag awaited us. Inside was a bottle of champagne, a mini baguette, the itinerary and the invitations. Yes, multiple invitations. And, Fendi kept all the details a secret until the day of the dinner.

The dinner itself was one of a kind. Each guest was assigned a private driver for the duration of the events. We were driven to Battery Park where we boarded a private Fendi ferry around the Statue of Liberty before landing at Ellis Island. There we enjoyed a beautiful cocktail reception with live music with breath-taking views of NYC.

For dinner, we were escorted inside to the main room with spectacular decor. Hundreds if not thousands of candles lit up in the shape of the, wait for it… famous Fendi Zucca print. The food was delicious and Serge Brunschwig (Chairman/CEO of Fendi) spoke to commemorate the occasion. The sheer number of custom Fendi Baguettes at the dinner was INSANE.

Later, the private ferry returned us to Manhattan where our private driver was waiting to take us back to the hotel.

The next day was show time. Fendi graciously arranged hair and makeup (I have no idea how to do hair or makeup haha) for me. Properly done up, off to the show we went!

The show was at the Hammerstein Ballroom in midtown Manhattan. There were two entrances- one for the “normal” people like me, and another for the celebrities.

Upon entering, our breath was taken away with the beauty of the venue. There were carefully arranged photo locations; one for clients and normal people to snap and be snapped. And, there was another area for celebrities – fashion and otherwise.

From the moment we walked in, it was a sea of celebrities. From Sarah Jessica Parker to Amber Vallerta, Kate Moss, Winnie Harlow, Lilly Allen, Anna Wintour, Olivia Culp, Bryan Boy, Christy Turlington, Kim Kardashian, and so many more. I literally didn’t know where to look!

We were given a program with the list of events and the collaborations being introduced – Marc Jacobs, Porter, SJP and Tiffany & Co. The bottom of the program promised an encore of a special guest.

The show started with designer and Fendi Artistic Director Kim Jones pulling a curtain down to reveal a big mirror. When the music began, the mirror started vibrating to the beat as the models strode out. It was just perfection. Supermodels Vittoria Ceretti and Bella Hadid looked gorgeous!

And the collection was wonderful: colorful, edgy, classic, playful, you name it. Just like the Fendi Baguette, and how it represents individuality with all the different styles, this show truly captured that essence with at least one piece for everybody.

When the show ended and the models had disappeared, the giant mirror was illuminated to reveal the models. Then Delfina Delettrez and Silvia Fendi, Marc Jacobs and Kim Jones walked out. The encore guest was Linda Evangelista who carried the all silver Tiffany baguette valued at around $250k.

After the show, I ogled more of the celebrity crowd. Then we were taken to the after party at Le Pavillon at One Vanderbilt. Famed Chef, Daniel Bouloud, came out to interact with the guests.

The next day a re-see was held at 35 Hudson Yard Penthouse. It is considered the most expensive penthouse in Hudson Yards. Some exclusive pieces from the show were there to pre order, touch and try. It was just sublime to experience the collection up close.

The Sarah Jessica Parker baguette was featured here and it was stunning! There are four variations all made of gradient sequins (pink, purple, blue and green). Each comes in a gorgeous box emblazoned with the SATC line “it’s not a bag it’s a baguette.” Plus the bags all have interchangeable buckles. At the show SJP carried the purple version with the buckle of the green one.

Other special Baguettes were on display as well. In addition to the Tiffany silver style featured in the show, we saw the croc version with three carats worth of diamonds and white gold hardware. It is valued at $140k. Also seen was the leather Baguette with Tiffany silver hardware valued around $5.5k and the silk Baguette, as well as Mini Tiffany Baguettes and accessories.

But all of this wasn’t just for seeing. After you walk around the room, an assigned contact joins you to make a Wishlist and pre-order. This collection is expected to be released in December, subject of course to change.