Image by FENDI
The Fendi First is one of the maison's most quietly bold contemporary designs — a soft, sculpted clutch-shoulder bag introduced by Kim Jones in 2021 whose defining feature is an asymmetric, oversized "F" that anchors the front flap. With its softly padded body, statement hardware, and elegantly curved silhouette, the First represents Fendi's most confident departure from its heritage designs, and has become one of the most recognizable modern bags in luxury. To care for a First is to preserve a bag whose singular hardware and soft body demand equally singular attention.
The First's softly rounded silhouette — held together by supple lambskin or Nappa leather — depends on what fills it to maintain its shape. Stored empty, the padded body can flatten unevenly, and the softly rounded corners can lose their fullness. A bag pillow shaped to the First's contoured interior, finished in satin, restores the plump silhouette during rest, holding the leather in suspension so the bag stays as sculpted as the day it was made.
The oversized asymmetric "F" is the First's defining identity and its most particular care consideration. Set into the front flap in polished gold-toned metal, the F is disproportionately large relative to the bag itself, and its exposed profile makes it particularly vulnerable to scratching when the bag is stored against rough surfaces or other pieces. It should be wiped only with a dry microfiber cloth; chemical polishes will dull the finish permanently. The leather immediately surrounding the F bears repeated stress each time the bag is opened, and operating the closure gently preserves both the hardware and the leather.
The First's leather choices — most commonly lambskin, but also Nappa and exotic editions — each carry their own vulnerability. Lambskin, famously delicate, shows scratches with the slightest contact. Nappa is buttery and supple but equally sensitive to water and color transfer. Between wears, a dry microfiber cloth lifts dust without disturbing the finish; water and cleaners should be avoided entirely.
The First's slim shoulder strap creates a hazard familiar to every chain-adjacent bag: worn crossbody, the strap and its hardware rest against the delicate leather body and can polish fine scratches into the surface over time. A satin chain wrap or protective strap sleeve, fitted over the section that touches the leather, eliminates this friction while remaining invisible in wear.
Storage protects the First's soft body and gleaming F. A breathable satin dust bag, fully enclosing the bag, shields the lambskin or Nappa from dust and UV fade while letting the leather breathe. Satin is essential — coarser cotton can catch on the oversized F and dull its gleam. The First should be stored upright in a cool, dark place, never stacked beneath heavier pieces that would compress the padded body or bend the hardware.
The First is Fendi at its most confidently modern — a bag whose singular F declares its identity from any distance. Cared for thoughtfully, its lambskin stays supple, its F stays luminous, and its quiet daring endures for years, becoming the rare contemporary bag whose bold design ages into something increasingly iconic.
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