Gucci Bronze Snake Skin Mini Exotic Bamboo Party Evening Minaudière Clutch Bag
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Chicago, IL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU359221898852
Gucci
Long before trend-bucking creative director Alessandro Michele brought his hallucinatory “Utopian Fantasy” campaign to Gucci, it was a modest Italian leather shop. Today, it’s an internationally renowned luxury house with an iconic logo, and vintage Gucci clothing, handbags and shoes are among high fashion's most covetable goods.
Guccio Gucci (1881–1953) admired the stylish suitcases he saw wealthy guests arrive with at the Savoy Hotel in London, where he worked as a bellhop. So, in 1921, after a stint at Franzi, a luggage company in his hometown of Florence, he opened a leather goods shop of his own.
At first, Gucci’s Florence business specialized in equestrian accessories. But as its reputation flourished, particularly among the English aristocracy, so too did its footprint. In 1938, he brought three of his sons — Aldo, Vasco and Rodolfo — into the business and expanded it to Rome and later Milan. In the mid-1930s, a League of Nations embargo against Italy pushed Gucci to experiment with alternatives to imported leather. Its woven hemp fabric from Naples, adorned with the brand’s signature diamond print, was a hit, especially among A-list celebrities. The material was first used on suitcases before finding enduring popularity on handbags. (No list of revered designer purses would be complete without Gucci.)
In the 1950s, Elizabeth Taylor carried one of Gucci’s bamboo-handled tote bags, another adaptation to material rationing. After Jackie Kennedy was seen sporting a slouchy Gucci tote in 1961, it was renamed for the First Lady. Then Grace Kelly, on a visit to the boutique in Milan, inspired Rodolfo Gucci to work with Italian illustrator and Gucci textile designer Vittorio Accornero on the Flora print in 1966. Taking cues from Sandro Botticelli’s Primavera, with its pattern of flora and insects, it was painted entirely by hand and featured no fewer than 37 colors.
In 1953, just 15 days after opening his first store on New York’s 5th Avenue, Guccio passed away at 72. The early 1970s saw store openings in Tokyo and Hong Kong, but by the late 1980s, Gucci was floundering. Rodolfo Gucci took charge in 1982, but family drama and lawsuits ensued. In 1993, Rodolfo’s son, Maurizio, transferred his shares in the company to Investcorp, ending the family’s involvement in Gucci. Dawn Mello, then-president of Bergdorf Goodman, joined as creative director in 1989. But it was Tom Ford, who took over as creative director in 1994, who ultimately revived the brand.
Ford’s racy ads, shot by photographers such as Mario Testino, stirred controversy. And his potent vision of sexed-up femininity — with “jewel-toned satin shirts unbuttoned to there,” as Vogue described his breakthrough 1995 runway show — was wildly successful. The new millennium brought new ownership — Pinault Printemps Redoute in 2004 — and a more toned-down vision from Frida Giannini, who became sole creative director in 2006. Alessandro Michele was named creative director in 2015, and the storied brand took a giant leap forward.
Find vintage Gucci clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Chicago, IL
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- CHANEL Black Red Round Patent Gold Record Evening Clutch BagBy ChanelLocated in Chicago, ILPre-Owned Vintage Condition From 2004 Collection Patent Leather Leather Gold Hardware Measure 7” W x 7” H x 1” D Chain Drop 9” 100% Authenticity GuaranteedCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Clutches
- CHRISTIAN DIOR Burgundy Canvas Logo Leather Trim Gold Shoulder Saddle BagBy Christian DiorLocated in Chicago, ILPre-Owned Vintage Condition From 2002 Collection Canvas Leather Trim Gold Tone Hardware Woven Lining Measures 10" W x 7.5" H x 2.75" D Handle Drop 6.75" 100% Authenticity Guaranteed ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Shoulder Bags
- CHANEL Black Caviar Leather Gold Hardware Large Jumbo Shoulder Flap BagBy ChanelLocated in Chicago, ILPre-Owned Vintage Condition From 1994 Collection Caviar Leather 24K Gold Plated Hardware Leather Lining Measures 11.75" W x 8.75" H x 3" D Strap Drop 25" 100% Authenticity GuaranteedCategory
Late 20th Century Shoulder Bags
- LOUIS VUITTON Monogram Green Suede Les Extraordinaires Evening Shoulder BagBy Louis VuittonLocated in Chicago, ILPre-Owned Vintage Condition From 2004 Collection Monogram canvas Suede Gold Tone Hardware Leather Lining Measures W 8.7 x H 9.4 x D 1.2 " Handle Drop. 4.3 - 5.5 " 100% Authenticity G...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Shoulder Bags
- CHANEL Black Satin Gold Micro Mini Party Evening Shoulder Pochette Flap BagBy ChanelLocated in Chicago, ILPre-Owned Vintage Condition From 1990 Collection Satin Gold Tone Hardware Satin Linin Measures 2.75" W x 2.5" H x 1.25" D Strap Drop 20" Includes Authenticity Seal 100% Authenticity ...Category
Late 20th Century Evening Bags and Minaudières
- CHANEL Black Caviar Leather Quilted Gold Hardware Classic Jumbo Evening ShoulderBy ChanelLocated in Chicago, ILPre-Owned Vintage Condition From 1999 Collection Caviar Leather Leather Lining Gold Tone Hardware Measures 11.75" W x 8.5" H x 3.5" D Strap Drop 20" Includes Dust Bag and Box 100% A...Category
Late 20th Century Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Chanel 2006 Vintage Velvet & Patent Camellia No. 5 Shoulder Clutch Evening BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel No. 5 Vintage Black Velvet and Patent Leather Camellia Shoulder Bag circa 2006 black velvet velvet effect floral appliqué logo patch to the front...Category
Early 2000s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
- Chanel 2002 Vintage So Black Long Medium Shoulder Convertible Clutch Flap BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Vintage So Black Long Medium Shoulder Bag Year 2002 {Vintage 22 Years} Black nylon canvas with a flap top CC turn-lock closure Leather entwined chain shoulder strap Black metal hardware Carry it as a clutch or shoulder bag Interior has a black fine textile...Category
Early 2000s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
- Chanel Classic Flap Clutch Vintage 80's Gold Cc Closure Black Crocodile Skin BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Vintage 1989 Crocodile Flap Bag Clutch Gold CC Closure The vintage Chanel octagon black crocodile 8 sided flap with classic cc closure and atta...Category
1980s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
- Suarez Red Lizard Covertible ClutchBy SuarezLocated in Alford, MAPerfect clutch in cherry red lizard by Suarez, known for their exotic skin handbags, features an interesting metal and black bead chain that converts it int...Category
Late 20th Century American Clutches
- Faux Tortoise Shoulder Bag/Clutch, c.1980sLocated in Alford, MAConvertible clutch in faux tortoise shell features a textured goldtone clasp and gold chain. The chain folds away to convert to a clutch. Fabric interior with side compartment. Made ...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
- Salvatore Ferragamo Vintage Navy Blue Leather Shoulder Bag or Clutch HandbagBy Salvatore FerragamoLocated in Portland, ORThis is a lovely vintage navy blue leather Salvatore Ferragamo handbag with blue suede trim around the edges of the flap extending to the back and a removable, adjustable suede stra...Category
1980s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Explore a Century of Gucci Fashion in London
The iconic Italian label’s traveling exhibition has just arrived in London.
The Stories behind the Most Famous Luxury Fashion Logos
From Chanel to YSL, the logos of some legacy fashion houses spark instant brand recognition and have come to symbolize a kind of luxury that feels at once aspirational and attainable.