Fendi’s compact baguette-style handbag, first introduced in 1997, is called the Baguette.
Silvia Venturini Fendi designed the bag to resemble the French bread carried under the arm. Its short strap and elongated shape helped distinguish it from larger shoulder bags, while its many fabrics, colors, and embellishments made it adaptable to different collections.
The Baguette became especially famous after appearing on the television series Sex and the City, where Carrie Bradshaw identified it by the line, “It’s not a bag, it’s a Baguette.” That exposure helped turn a relatively small accessory into one of Fendi’s signature designs.
The name is sometimes confused with a general description of a long handbag, but in luxury-fashion history it specifically refers to Fendi’s design. Fendi has produced the style in hundreds of variations, including embroidered, beaded, leather, and limited-edition versions.