Toast to Baguette's warm welcome

Nadine Kam photos
At Fendi Aug. 16, Anne Young, with Alan Young, tries to choose between the Fendi Baguette Zucca, left, and Fendi Baguette Paglia, two of six of Silvia Fendi's favorites, reissued in celebration of the 15th anniversary of the handbag that helped usher in the era of the "It" handbag. It took her an hour to decide on the embellished Zucca style.

The dress code at Fendi last night was "Baguette," so I was half expecting someone with a sense of humor, and no baguette in their wardrobe, to come in with a loaf of French bread tucked her
arm in honor of the handbag's namesake.

No such moment arrived, but it was still fun to see women with the baguettes they had chosen over the years from the more than 700 styles created in the familiar flat, elongated shape that fits so well tucked under a woman's arm.

Silvia Fendi created the first baguette in 1997 and its immediate and phenomenal success helped usher in the decade of the "It handbag." With its eye-catching stream of creative embellishments and fabrications, it fueled an appetite for ornamental designer bags.

Fendi's district manager Cammy Maheras with her first baguette, a 2012 Lurex fabric version that she loves for its shimmer and versatility. It can be paired with denim to dressy evening ensembles.

"Baguette Mania" events at Fendi in the Royal Hawaiian Center Aug. 14 and Ala Moana Center on the 16th were highlighted by a champagne toast accompanying an exhibition of archival baguettes. You can still view them through 7 p.m. Aug. 17 at the Ala Moana Center store.

Also available for sale will be copies of the new "Fendi Baguette Book." Pictured on its pages are vintage, rare, limited-edition and one-of-a-kind artist baguettes, including interpretations from such artists as Jeff Koons and Damien Hirst.

This red embellished baguette is one of about 10 owned by Kazuko Rodriguez.

Bobbette Adcock brought in this baguette of woven leather in all the colors she favors in her wardrobe and suiting the colors of her other accesssory, her dog Cha-Lee.

Jinhee Oh with her own Fendi purse, left, and another 2012 design. This was my favorite. From afar, it looked like pony hair, but up close the pattern comprises beadwork, with baguette-cut crystals gracing the hardware.

A closer look at the baguette.

Izumi Montenero with her Fendi, and Chizu Kiriki.

At the front of the shop, Fendi craftsman Luis Villar was working on custom Selleria baguettes.

Choosing your leather color is the first step toward owning your own Selleria baguette. I was mightily drawn to the purple.

Representing the University of Hawaii College of Arts & Humanities, dean Peter Arnade and Hye-Ryeon Lee admired Luis's work. Funds raised from a percentage of sales during the event will benefit arts programs at the school.

Kazuko Rodriguez and Jenine Goto at an interactive display of Fendi baguettes included in "The Baguette Book," which I swear weighs 20 pounds. Jenine's baguette dates to 2005, a Zucca with a floral pattern.

A limited quantity of Silvia Fendi's six favorite baguettes have also been reissued in conjunction with the anniversary event, and stores had to fight over these in-demand handbags. In addition to the two considered by Anne Young at the top of the page, the reissues are:

Fendi Baguette Gialla

Fendi Baguette Jeans

Fendi Baguette Tucano

Fendi Baguette Specchietti