Story | Leslie Yip Boucher-Harris Photography | Fendi
2024 marks 15 years since the debut of the Peekaboo bag. Created by Silvia Venturini Fendi, artistic director of accessories and menswear and third generation of the Fendi family, the minimalist chic, luxurious material, expert craftsmanship and creative reinventions have captured the hearts of many.
#1 The Name
Peekaboo Soft bag in Fendi Women’s Fall/Winter 24 fashion show.
Rumour has it that the bag was initially called “Hide and Seek”, but “Peekaboo” became the final choice to reflect the bag’s playful design, which allows the interior to be revealed or hidden, similar to the game of peekaboo.
#2 Speak Softly Love
The first Peekaboo from Fendi’s 2008 show displaying the SS09 collection.
The first Peekaboo from Fendi’s 2008 show displaying the SS09 collection.
New, soft and sophisticated. A new Peekaboo Soft bag is added to the line this fall. It features a new sumptuous high-quality calf leather characterized by a soft and silky texture. The shape of the bag is also softened by smoothing hard edges while maintaining the iconic trapezoid shape. The signature metal bar is also lightened and elegantly covered in leather.
Available in medium and large, the deconstructed silhouette and supplements accentuate the natural curved “smile” to reveal a suede internal lining. A new fixed yet adjustable elongated handle allows you to wear it on the shoulder or carry it close to the body.
#3 Peeka-Phone
The smallest version of the Peekaboo, the Micro Peekaboo, measures just 16.5 centimetres across and is too small for most smartphones, but if you were one of the lucky few who managed to snatch this Mr. Doodle phone holder, which was part of the 2020 Chinese Valentine’s Day capsule collection, you don’t have to worry, do you?
#4 Celebrity Fans
Joey Yung with her personalized Peekaboo.
Asian stars like model Liu Wen, as well as actresses Angelababy and Carina Lau, are among the celebrities who have been spotted with multiple Fendi Peekaboo bags. Singer Joey Yung even got one personalized for her as part of the Peekaboo Project. She chose to adorn it with a golden phoenix, which is a tribute to her mother Kam Fung—which means “golden phoenix” in Chinese. The regal bird is embroidered on black silk with gold threads, echoed by gold satin panels on the sides. “Golden Phoenix” is also engraved on a metal tag inside the bag, making it extra special.
#5 Nimble Thimble
The Selleria series is meticulously crafted using the Selleria technique, a signature Fendi craftsmanship method that involves hand-stitching each piece of leather with waxed thread. A small ISeeU takes a whopping 1,254 stitches, while the petite size still boasts 306.
#6 MAD Men
In 2019, Fendi launched the Peekaboo bag for men. This season, the iconic Peekaboo ISeeU bag is deconstructed with varnished aluminum pieces separating the facade and adorning the handle. This design is a collaboration with the Beijing office of MAD Architects. Founded by Ma Yansong in 2004, and with offices in Beijing, Los Angeles and Rome, the firm is worldrenowned for their imaginative and organic approach to contemporary spaces, their use of new technologies and materials, and an Eastern affinity for natural forms.
#7 Like Mother, Like Daughter
Silvia Venturini Fendi holds a Peekaboo at MeAndMyPeekaboo event.
For Silvia Venturini Fendi, the Peekaboo is a matriarchal symbol of family, uniting her with daughters Delfina Fendi and Leonetta Fendi through its heirloom quality. This sentiment is reflected in the#MeandMyPeekaboo campaign, which celebrates the bond between mothers and sisters, sons and daughters. The series has featured Catherine Zeta-Jones and Carys Zeta-Douglas, Sylvia Chang and Oscar Wang, and Ami and Aya Suzuki. The mother and daughter theme continues with Kate Moss and daughter Lila Kate Moss starring in this year’s visual campaign.
#8 Mix and Match
You can still make your bag unique, even if you are buying off the rack. The brand launched a “Make Up Your Peekaboo” accessories line earlier this year, comprised of statement charms, straps, silks and handles. There are more than 200 possible combinations, which means it is easy to match your #OOTD or reinvent your investment to the latest trends.
#9 Peekaboo-K
A book about the bag is part of the crystal anniversary commemorations. Like the bag, the Peekaboo-K book has a structured, three-dimensional cover and a charming interior with exclusive content and a photographic collection of 80 bags from the historic Fendi archive. Unlike the bag, it costs just $175.
#10 Sweet Tooth
And finally, if you are as smitten by that Chupa Chups lollipop holder on the Fall/Winter 2024 show, it is a real thing. This accessory even comes with five limited-edition, co-branded lollipops—a symbolic reference to the five Fendi sisters. You can wear it as a necklace, or attach it to a Peekaboo Soft bag to replicate the runway look.
