PURSUING the very core values of craftsmanship globally, Fendi is proud to announce its latest collaboration with Prickly Thistle – Cloth of Identity in the creation of a new, unique bag part of the Baguette ‘Hand in Hand’ initiative that champions Scotland’s rich textile heritage.
Fendi Hand in Hand x Prickly Thistle
Prickly Thistle is a contemporary tartan design and manufacturing brand located in the Scottish Highlands, founded by native Claire Campbell. Conceived across Italy in 2020 and expanded worldwide to USA, Japan, China, Madagascar and Scotland, this grassroots partnership between Fendi and local artisans highlights the Baguette bag – designed by Artistic Director of Accessories and Menswear Silvia Venturini Fendi in 1997 – as an icon of the house and an instantly-recognisable canvas for perpetual transformation.
The Fendi ‘Hand in Hand’ initiative calls upon a diverse group of ateliers and workshops to interpret the Baguette bag by applying their local craft to transform it into a veritable objet d’art.
Above and beyond the creation of artisanal Fendi products, ‘Hand in Hand’ establishes a strong network of human relationships and is a crucial step in preserving and transmitting the rare craftsmanship, creativity, and savoir-faire of these artisans around the world.
Fendi Hand in Hand x Prickly Thistle
Tartan is an inherently Scottish pattern, a timeless symbol of pride, honour, and identity as it indicates one’s belonging to a clan, company, family, or place. Historically, clans described a close-knit group of people united by a common surname, linked through actual family ties or by perceived kinship.
Clans gave a sense of belonging and shared heritage to members, values pursued by Fendi as part of the idea of chosen family so dear to the Maison, even more so as Fendi is approaching its 100-year anniversary.
Fendi Hand in Hand x Prickly Thistle
Today, the Scottish Register of Tartans continues this tradition while preserving and promoting Scottish tartans. Clare Campbell’s Prickly Thistle elevates this concept of historical significance by weaving logos, words, numbers, and even symbols representing important dates or events into the twill fabric. This innovative technique adds layers of meaning beyond aesthetics, creating exclusive textiles that narrate stories through their weaves while bringing to life the essence of bespoke craftsmanship.
Fendi and Prickly Thistle worked closely to define quintessential elements to include in the pattern, creating a unique tartan that could tell the story of the Maison and Fendi family as the story of a Scottish clan.
Fendi Hand in Hand x Prickly Thistle
Colours are accurately chosen: tobacco brown reflects Fendi’s institutional Pequin striped logo-non-logo, while touches of Fendi yellow identify the Maison’s heritage. The number five, representing the five Fendi sisters is included in the design together with the meaningful dates of Fendi’s founding year (1925) and the launch of Baguette (1997) and Peekaboo (2008) bags.
Identifying the Fendi Clan, the Fendi Baguette ‘Hand in Hand’ bag realised with Prickly Thistle is entirely crafted from the exclusive Fendi tartan, officially registered within the Scottish Register of Tartans and protected by intellectual property rights. The bag subsequently reaches the Fendi Factory in Florence where expert artisans complete the crafting.
Each Baguette bag is embellished with a plissé motif and small buckles on the sides, emphasising the punk spirit of the bag. The shoulder strap is crafted to resemble a belt, crafted in brown leather with two rows of grommets and a belt buckle to adjust the length.
by Chidozie Obasi