An Italian Affair

Situated amongst just-as-glamorous neighbours in its posh new flagship in the Big Smoke, Fendi appeals irresistibly to the luxury shopper. The distinctive 19th-century brick and terraco‰ a façade at 141 New Bond Street is home to three storeys of classical travertine, accented with leather, bronze and stone, lined with discreetly pa‰tterned carpets by Haynes Robinson, the American artist. Design works by Humans Since 1982 and Maria Pergay dot the store, as well as distinctive pieces of furniture by the likes of Massimiliano Locatelli, Thierry Lemaire, Marc Newson and the Campana brothers. Karl Lagerfeld’s photographs of the Roman fountains, part of The Glory of Water project, are also interspersed through various rooms, reminding us of the brand’s rescue of the Trevi Fountain.

The Bague‰tte Wall pays homage to the first ‘It bag’ of them all, amidst a spectacle of thousands of bronze spikes. The Selleria Room displays the iconic collection in all its glory, with metal details and the signature Selleria stitches. The room also plays host to the Made-to-Order service, for customers to put their personal touch on the Anna and Adele styles of the Selleria range, and on the Peekaboo and the Bague‰tte, choosing from exquisite leathers, exotic skins, embroideries, precious furs and exclusive fabrics. The Fur Room, with its dark Japanese lacquered walls and metallic highlights, showcases its precious wares in bronze displays, like treasured works of art.

The basement is where you’ll find us though, indulging in the first-time concept of the Fendi Men’s collection, where the entire product range is at home. Leather goods and ready-to-wear co-exist alongside textiles and footwear, in a space which interprets the architectural themes of the rest of the flagship with a more masculine essence. The vertical display in sombre yet rich earth tones is finished in a textured lacquer in natural pa‰tterns, opening up to reveal the products. Dark parquet floors contrast nicely with the strong colours of the carpet, creating a warm haven for harried men to rest their senses in.

We’ve saved the best for the last though – the iconic Fendi Peekaboo makes its appearance in the Fall/Winter 14-15 collection, a sophisticated modern shape that will appeal to the most style-conscious of men. Bigger than the women’s version, with a more linear shape and capable handles inspired by those of a doctor’s bag, the new closure features a zipper, enabling the bag’s usage as a document folder. Traditional, yet contemporary, it is ideal for – and appeals to – all facets of the urban man. And should you please, you can get one for the missus too, customising them for a creative his-and-hers set, as a reminder of a fun sojourn in London.