FENDI reimagines the historic Selleria 1925 stitch and presents new Peekaboo bags
By The Time Place Magazine
FENDI revisits its heritage at the Spring/Summer 2024 Women’s Collection and weaves past motifs and codes into the present narrative with the Selleria 1925. The timeless Selleria saddle stitch emerges as the unifying element, echoing back to the House’s origins. Inspired by the craftsmanship of Roman master saddlers, the iconic FENDI Selleria 1925 evolves into luxurious leather handbags and apparel, while its essence extends to intricate metal thread hardware adorning footwear. This legacy is further celebrated in the exquisite FENDI Filo jewellery, crafted under the creative direction of Delfina Delettrez Fendi, honouring the brand’s rich heritage and timeless elegance.
Initiated by FENDI’s founder, Adele Fendi—Silvia Venturini Fendi’s grandmother—the Selleria project marked one of her earliest endeavours in shaping the House’s leather goods legacy. With a vision to collaborate with Rome’s Master Saddlers in an innovative manner, Adele Fendi brought this aspiration to fruition nearly a century ago with the original Selleria line. Upholding techniques passed down through generations, the Selleria collection boasts meticulously handcrafted details, including manually stitched wax thread and the unmistakably grained Cuoio Romano leather. This commitment to artisanal craftsmanship remains unchanged, bridging the Selleria’s bountiful tradition with its contemporary expression.
Within the latest collection, the classic wax thread saddle stitch undergoes a transformation, evolving into a thicker, tone-on-tone leather variation. This updated interpretation extends beyond the iconic leather handbags to encompass leather garments and intricate detailing within the ready-to-wear line. Furthermore, the stitch manifests in new forms, including abstract metal designs adorning shoe heels and encircling anklets. Additionally, it leaves its mark in the distinct “FENDI handwriting” of the FENDI Filo jewellery, featuring statement ear cuffs and bracelets.
Amid Silvia Venturini Fendi’s handbag designs, the essence of Selleria’s Cuoio Romano leather, saddle stitching, and masterful craftsmanship converge in three of the Maison’s iconic handbags: Peekaboo and Baguette styles, as well as the new Mini Fendessence hobo bag. Reflecting the vibrant palette of the clothing collection, the Selleria range offers a spectrum of colours ranging from vivid blue and yellow to vermilion red and classic House browns. Each piece boasts the soft, grained sumptuousness characteristic of Selleria leather, coupled with the meticulous attention to detail inherent in its handcrafted construction.
As part of its line-up for 2024, FENDI launches this year’s Peekaboo Campaign, featuring supermodel Kate Moss and her daughter Lila Grace Moss. In it, the timeless elegance of FENDI’s Selleria stitch is seamlessly woven into the iconic Peekaboo bag, showcasing the enduring legacy of craftsmanship and incomparable style.
The emotional connection and strong family ties embodied by the Peekaboo bag is perfectly personified by Kate and Lila Grace Moss, whose powerful mother-daughter bond is intimately portrayed by the lenses of photographer Craig McDean.
The line includes the Mini Fendessence hobo bag
The Peekaboo made its debut on the Women’s Spring/Summer 2009 runway, adding a finishing touch to Karl Lagerfeld’s ready-to-wear collection. Since its inception in 2008, the Peekaboo bag has emerged as a quintessential representation of Roman craftsmanship intertwined with the essence of FENDI womanhood. Conceived by Silvia Venturini Fendi and unveiled at the FENDI Women’s Spring/Summer 2009 show, the Peekaboo was a response—a creation stemming from a desire to redefine modern accessories amidst the fading prominence of ‘it-bag’ trends.
Characterised by its sleek and minimalist design, the Peekaboo effortlessly combines geometric and curvilinear elements. This ingeniously engineered bag embodies both elegance and practicality, seamlessly blending beauty with playful functionality. Its original trapezium-shaped silhouette borrows inspiration from mid-century frame bags, undergoing a transformative journey in the FENDI ateliers to emerge as a contemporary masterpiece of leather craftsmanship.
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