Celebration of craftsmanship & local savoir-faire at Fendi

“Hand in Hand” is a special initiative that represents FENDI and local artisans coming together. It’s a grassroots partnership, a very collaborative process that highlights the Maison's iconic Baguette bag and their will to showcase the people behind the creations, especially the transmission of savoir-faire, which is something very dear to FENDI. They pushed their will to explore by adapting specific artisanal workmanships to their Baguette bag, starting with one artisan for every region of Italy to showcase the full spectrum of their expertise.

Starting from Italy and from its regions, they explored every Italian region’s workmanship specialty and selected the best artisans still working today with regards to the art they preserve and their attitude to working outside their usual schemes, as the requested designs were very unique. Each bag reflects the identity and differences between the regions.
For example unique collaborations have been inherent to the Marche region of central Italy, whereas at Bottega Intreccio in Mogliano, the technique of interlacing wicker, leather and cord that is dated back to the Renaissance period, has been passed down through generations .

This "Hand in Hand" project celebrates the local custom of weaving willow branches, a craft revived by an artisan for FENDI. The result is a Baguette adorned with a woven willow motif, inspired by traditional fishing baskets, and finished with vegetable-tanned leather details. In Trapani, on the island of Sicily, master goldsmith Platimiro Fiorenza, recognized as one of UNESCO’s Living Human Treasures, preserves the ancient Sicilian art of red coral setting, a craft that has endured since the 12th century. Handmade in his atelier, the FENDI Baguette features a unique façade of red coral elements, making it one of the most precious creations of the "Hand in Hand" project. With soft leather sides and polished metal panels cut into a geometric pattern in the front and back, the corals are meticulously inlaid using the retroincasso (back recessed processing) technique, like a precious casket celebrating centuries of craftsmanship.

The project was born from a desire to celebrate artisans – regarded as true artists – who have cultivated their skills over centuries, passing them down like precious secrets, and who continue to fight to preserve traditional production methods. This vision took on particular significance when the project was launched in 2020, in the aftermath of the pandemic, as many small Italian artisanal businesses were facing profound challenges.
This project holds profound significance for FENDI, as it celebrates the people behind each creation, sharing their identity – born of passion and magic – with the wider community. At its heart lies the belief that remembering where we come from is essential to understanding where we are going, for the future depends on it.

FENDI remains deeply committed to preserving the codes of quality and creativity that define its identity. The local workshops and ateliers it collaborates with lie at the very heart of Made in Italy. The Maison aims to share with the world their talent and passion for preserving ancient handmade techniques – the unique savoir-faire and craftsmanship behind each bag, and the meticulous artistry passed down from generation to generation.

"Hand in Hand" was conceived with the aim of expanding worldwide and goes beyond the creation of artisanal FENDI products. Above all, it establishes a strong network of human relationships and serves as a crucial step in preserving and transmitting the rare craftsmanship, creativity, and savoir-faire of these artisans.