Gucci Pebbled Calfskin Medium Soho Chain Shoulder Bag
View Similar Items
Gucci Pebbled Calfskin Medium Soho Chain Shoulder Bag
About the Item
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.
- Chanel Metallic Patent Calfskin Quilted Medium Boy BagBy Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for ChanelLocated in Scottsdale, AZThis stylish shoulder bag in the larger size is crafted of glossy patent leather in gold framed by a linear quilting. The bag features a polished gold tone chain link shoulder strap with a leather shoulder pad and a unique squared polished gold tone Chanel CC press lock. The bag opens to a beige fabric interior with a patch pocket. Est. Retail $5,900. Karl Lagerfeld designed the Boy Collection as an interpretation of the boyish charm that Coco Chanel was known for. Karl was stated as saying that the very spirit of Chanel was inspired by Boy Capel, the love of her life; which is why this new collection is called the "Boy Chanel...Category
2010s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
$4,304 Sale Price20% Off - Valentino Garavani Embroidered Small Glam Lock Flap PoudreBy ValentinoLocated in Scottsdale, AZThis stylish shoulder bag is crafted of luxuriously smooth lambskin leather in dark red with extensive hand-embroidered floral embellishments with mirror mosaics. The bag features a ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
$1,300 Sale Price20% Off - Louis Vuitton Vintage Monogram Canvas Griet BagBy Louis VuittonLocated in Scottsdale, AZDon't miss out on your opportunity to own this hard-to-find Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas Griet Bag. It features an ultra-spaci...Category
Early 2000s Spanish Structured Shoulder Bags
$1,060 Sale Price20% Off - Chanel Mademoiselle Lock Linked Bijoux Chain FlapBy ChanelLocated in Scottsdale, AZChanel Shiny Mademoiselle Lock Linked Silver Bijoux Chain Classic Flap Bag from the Mademoiselle line crafted from patent calfskin leather, oversized silver ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
$1,200 Sale Price20% Off - Louis Vuitton 2008 Black Suhali Le Radieux Satchel BagBy Louis VuittonLocated in Scottsdale, AZThis Louis Vuitton Black Suhali Le Radieux Satchel is the ultimate statement piece for any fashion-forward individual. Made from luxurious black Suhali goatskin leather, it exudes el...Category
Early 2000s French Structured Shoulder Bags
- Chanel 80s Black Shiny Alligator Camera Shoulder BagBy ChanelLocated in Scottsdale, AZThis Chanel Black Alligator Camera Shoulder Bag is made of black genuine alligator skin. Featuring a zip top closure and gold tone leather laced chain straps that attach with toggles...Category
1980s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
- Chanel Vertical Stripe Quilted Reissue Classic Flap Shoulder BagLocated in Philadelphia, PAChanel Vertical Stripe Quilted Classic Flap Reissue in excellent condition. Beautiful metallic champagne gold leather exterior in unique vertica...Category
2010s Structured Shoulder Bags
- Chanel Burgundy Lambskin and Suede Accordion Flap BagBy ChanelLocated in Palm Beach, FLThis authentic Chanel Burgundy Lambskin and Suede Accordion Flap bag is in excellent condition. 2016 collection. Rich burgundy lambskin with suede bottom and interior. Quilted top ...Category
2010s European Structured Shoulder Bags
- Prada Saffiano Lux Promenade Top Handle BagBy Miuccia Prada, PradaLocated in Scottsdale, AZThis Prada Saffiano Promenade handbag is the definition of understated elegance! Prada presents a neutral rendition of their iconic Promenade handbag in this versatile beige shade complimented by yellow gold hardware. The structure of this handbag is so sleek and modern, and the inside is so functional that you are never going to get enough wear out of this handbag. The inside is broken up into 3 different sized compartments all designed with different pockets/storing features to ensure your belongings stay organized and secure! Lined with the most stunning Prada logo satin, this bag is as luxurious as it is wearable! Pair this with an Hermes skirt...Category
2010s Italian Top Handle Bags
- Chloe Metallic Gold Large Shoulder BagBy ChloéLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2This Metallic Gold Shoulder Bag by Chloe is ready to go everywhere with you! The exterior is made from shimmering metallic gold leather and the bag is equipped with dual front compar...Category
2010s Italian Shoulder Bags
- Marc Jacobs Red Leather Wellington Fulton SatchelBy Marc JacobsLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Marc Jacobs is known for its impeccable designing and styles. Expertly designed from quality leather, this Fulton satchel exhibits a lovely silhouette. This red bag is held by dual h...Category
2010s Italian Shoulder Bags
- Givenchy Red Leather Logo Shoulder BagBy GivenchyLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2This striking shoulder bag from the house of Givenchy will elevate your outfits instantly. Crafted from leather, it comes in a lovely shade of red and flaunts a classic silhouette. I...Category
2010s Spanish 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.