Carlos Falchi lizard patchwork clutch
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:Leather, snake and lizard.
- Condition:Vintage-excellent.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU120526247881
Carlos Falchi
New York City’s maverick handbag designer, the Brazilian-born Carlos Falchi, began his multibillion-dollar accessories brand in the bathtub of his Greenwich Village apartment.
In the 1960s, Falchi started by making leather clothing — bleaching snakeskin in his tub — for rock stars and jazz artists like Mick Jagger, Tina Turner and Miles Davis. But when he turned his attention to handbags, persuaded by Geraldine Stultz, the president of Henri Bendel, he found his true calling.
In a world flush with iconic “It” handbags, Falchi’s bags are distinctive and eye-catching, with soft, pliable forms, dazzling patchwork designs and dyed skins from exotic animals such as alligators, frogs, buffalo and water snakes. Even though he was a self-taught artisan, Falchi managed to reinvent the approach that yields the stiff, formal structure typically associated with the upright handbags of European luxury houses. His groundbreaking and oft-imitated Buffalo bag, an unconstructed and lightweight satchel made from a single skin with only two seams and a gathered front, went on to garner universal success for the craftsman, with Women’s Wear Daily deeming it “the most copied bag in the industry.” For his celebrated slouchy bag, Falchi was inspired by the draping techniques he learned while attending art school in Japan. In 1983, he won a Coty American Fashion Critics Award for the accessory.
Falchi made his clutches, shoulder bags and top-handled bags by hand in his New York City atelier, and the designer’s work garnered praise from fashion legends such as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Barbra Streisand and Sarah Jessica Parker. In the years leading up to his death in 2015, Falchi began to sell inexpensive versions of his handbags on the Home Shopping Channel. A sampling of his work is held today in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Find a range of vintage Carlos Falchi handbags and purses on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Charles Jourdan SIlk Floral ClutchBy Charles JourdanLocated in New York, NYCharles Jourdan silk floral clutch is like with white calfskin leather along with a zippered compartment within. Attachable leather straps is made with w...Category
1970s French Clutches
- Ted Lapidus Burgundy-Bronze Patent Leather ClutchBy Ted LapidusLocated in New York, NYThis wonderfully made Ted Lapidus burgundy-bronze patent leather clutch has a handle on back, if instead, to carry. There's a gold hardware chain...Category
1970s French Clutches
- SchildKraut Bros. Swirls of Silver Evening ClutchLocated in New York, NYSchildkraut Bros. swirls of silver glass micro bugle beads evening clutch is fully lined with silk. The opening has a snap closing. Evening ...Category
1970s Japanese Clutches
- Carlos Falchi Textured Violet Buffalo Shoulder Bag With Embossed DetailBy Carlos FalchiLocated in New York, NYCarlos Falchi wonderful textured violet buffalo shoulder bag is detailed with their signature name logo embossed on the exterior front flap...Category
1980s American Shoulder Bags
- Fendi reversible leather and suede clutchBy FendiLocated in New York, NYFendi reversible clutch has one side stripe with their logo in suede and the other side in olive leather. The clutch is accented is a tassel which mea...Category
1980s Italian Clutches
- Fendi Beige Calfskin Combined with Textured Silk Monogram ClutchBy FendiLocated in New York, NYFendi beige calfskin clutch is combined with their signature textured silk monogram throughout the exterior. Gold hardware also accents the this wonderful clutch with their name engr...Category
1980s Italian Clutches
- Hermès Vintage Jige Toile Burgundy 29By HermèsLocated in Palm Beach, FLHermès vintage jige toile leather trim clutch 29. Light beige canvas framed by burgundy leather, with beige stitching on the leather closure. This 1988 clutch has light stains on the...Category
1980s French Clutches
- Judith Leiber Vintage Cream Leather ClutchBy Judith LeiberLocated in Philadelphia, PABeautiful Judith Leiber Vintage Cream Leather Clutch in excellent condition. Soft cream leather exterior with textured pinched leather top front...Category
1980s Clutches
- Bottega Veneta Tan Snakeskin ClutchBy Bottega VenetaLocated in Philadelphia, PABottega Veneta Tan Snakeskin Clutch in excellent condition. Tan snakeskn exterior with black burnished edges. Hidden hinge closure with pull tabs opens to a blue suede interior. No s...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Clutches
- Bottega Veneta Brown Lizard Leather ClutchBy Bottega VenetaLocated in Philadelphia, PAGorgeous Bottega Veneta brown lizard leather clutch in excellent condition. Brown lizard leather exterior with front twist closure. Pleated expandable interior design features 2 sepa...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Clutches
- Vintage Judith Leiber Natural Tan and Brown Snakeskin ClutchBy Judith LeiberLocated in Philadelphia, PAVintage Judith Leiber Natural Tan and Brown Snakeskin Clutch in excellent condition. Tan and brown python exterior trimmed with gold hardware and multi color gemstones. Side pull lat...Category
1980s Clutches
- Judith Leiber Red Lizard ClutchBy Judith LeiberLocated in Philadelphia, PAVintage Judith Leiber Red Lizard Clutch in very good condition. red lizard exterior trimmed with gold hardware and unique floral filigree gemstone em...Category
1980s Clutches