From Fendi to Moncler: How fashion houses are updating their signature pieces

We look back at how fashion brands are paying homage to their iconic apparel and furniture pieces.

By Lynette Koh / 21 Oct 2022

berluti, Fashion, Fendi, Moncler, October 2022 Issue, Ralph Lauren

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The Baguette, designed by Silvia Venturini Fendi in 1997. (Photo: Fendi)

1. Fendi: Baguette Bag

In an episode of Sex and the City that originally aired in 2000, Carrie Bradshaw, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, gets mugged in an alley in New York City. After the armed robber barks, “Give me your bag,” fashion-obsessed Bradshaw replies, “It’s a Baguette.”

That scene is one of the memorable ways in which Fendi’s famous bag has made itself felt in pop culture. Featuring a rectangular form, a single strap and a double-F clasp, it was designed by creative director Silvia Venturini Fendi in 1997. Last month at New York Fashion Week, the Italian house celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Baguette. The major show also involved four collaborators: Fashion designer Marc Jacobs, jewellery house Tiffany & Co, actress Parker and Japanese luggage brand Porter.

There were more Baguettes than you would find at a boulangerie. Fendi artistic directors Silvia Venturini Fendi and Kim Jones reinterpreted the bag as pockets across a variety of outfits. Meanwhile Jacobs used sequins, fluorescent recycled fur and graphic logos to put his own spin on the bag.

For their glam editions, Tiffany & Co used its signature turquoise hue. They also used materials such as sterling silver, while Parker employed degradé sequins. Porter’s utilitarian-driven take transformed the Baguette into a bum bag — made, of course, in the brand’s signature nylon. With Y2K fashion all the rage now, the Baguette is primed to remain as recognisable and covetable as it was 25 years ago.

2. Berluti: Heritage Furniture

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Aside from top-notch leather shoes, bags and tailoring, Parisian brand Berluti also offers covetable pieces of furniture. Its lifestyle offerings date back to the 1960s, when third-generation Berluti owner Talbino Berluti created the Club Chair. Made of the brand’s patinated Venezia leather, it was designed for optimal foot placement during shoe-fitting.

Recently, Berluti presented two furniture lines, Marbeuf and Swann. The Marbeuf range pays tribute to the Club Chair and the brand’s Alessandro shoe through the use of Venezia leather with no visible stitching. The streamlined Swann line mixes materials such as wood and leather with cashmere or wool.

3. Moncler: Marking 70 Years

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High-end outerwear brand Moncler celebrated its 70th anniversary with a big show at Milan Fashion Week. The event marked the beginning of 70 days of special events around the world.

The highlight of the celebrations? Seven new interpretations of Moncler’s signature Maya short puffer jacket by seven forward-thinking designers who have worked with the brand, including Thom Browne, Hiroshi Fujiwara, Rick Owens and Pierpaolo Piccioli. Their surely exciting designs were revealed in a series of drops from Oct 15.

Ralph Lauren: Polo Originals

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This season, Ralph Lauren highlights its signature brand of mid-century American Ivy League prep in a big way with Polo Originals, an assortment of pieces that channels the company's origins. Part of the Polo Ralph Lauren fall collection, Polo Origins includes items such as Fair Isle wool sweaters, trench coats and tweed outerwear.

And not just any old sweaters or jackets, mind you, but pieces made from fabrics by heritage brands: The trench coats, for instance, are made from oilcloth by British Millerain, a waxed-cotton specialist established in 1880; the Shetland tweeds are produced by one of the last remaining vertical wool mills in Great Britain.

Related: Fall/Winter Trend Report 2022: Fashion houses look back to their heritage for inspiration

berluti, Fashion, Fendi, Moncler, October 2022 Issue, Ralph Lauren