1960s Gucci Green Boarskin Leather Wooden Large Top Handle Bag
View Similar Items
1960s Gucci Green Boarskin Leather Wooden Large Top Handle 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.
- NWT S/S 2001 Atelier Versace by Donatella Versace Pink Satin and Wicker BagBy Donatella Versace, Atelier VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting an incredible pink wicker Atelier Versace bag, designed by Donatella Versace. From the Haute Couture collection, this bag debuted on the season'...Category
Early 2000s Italian Top Handle Bags
- S/S 1994 Gianni Versace Safety Pin Cut Out Black Leather Mini Runway BackpackBy Gianni Versace Couture, Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a rare punk-inspired mini backpack designed by Gianni Versace for his Spring/Summer 1994 collection. Multiple variations of this bag were worn on multiple looks in the season's runway presentation and in the ad campaign on Linda Evangelista, shot by Richard Avedon. This bag is covered in the house's iconic Medusa safety pins, made famous by the safety pin dress worn by Elizabeth...Category
1990s Italian Backpacks
- F/W 2000 Gucci by Tom Ford Black GG Monogram Baby Carrier Vintage Y2KBy Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a rare baby carrier designed by Tom Ford for Gucci, released as part of the Fall/Winter 2000 collection. Silverplated buckle closures at the front and clips in the back ma...Category
Early 2000s Italian Other
- S/S 2000 Gucci by Tom Ford Green Beaded Snake Skin Print Chain BagBy Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a beautiful beaded snakeskin pattern Gucci bag, designed by Tom Ford. From the Spring/Summer 2000 collection, this fabulous flap bag is covered in shimmery beads a similar bag was highlighted in the March 2000 issue of U.S. Vogue captured by Raymond Meier...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
- 2000s Gucci by Tom Ford Mini Black Silk Satin Square Chain Logo Evening Bag Y2KBy Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a mini satin Gucci evening bag, designed by Tom Ford. This small square bag is constructed of black satin and features a silver-toned chai...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
- S/S 2000 Gucci by Tom Ford Grey Beaded Snake Skin Print Chain Flap BagBy Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a beautiful grey beaded snakeskin pattern Gucci bag, designed by Tom Ford. From the Spring/Summer 2000 collection, this fabulous flap bag is covered in shimmery beads and was highlighted in the March 2000 issue of U.S. Vogue with Shalom Harlow captured by Raymond Meier...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Chanel Lambskin Evening HandbagBy ChanelLocated in Scottsdale, AZWhen choosing your next bag, the answer is always vintage Chanel. This bag has all the classic hints of Chanel but different than anything you have seen before. Details include a kno...Category
Early 2000s French Top Handle Bags
- TYLER ELLIS Poppy Handbag Small in Black Ostrich Feathers with Gunmetal HardwareBy Tyler EllisLocated in Los Angeles, CAThe Poppy handbag small is featured in black ostrich feathers with gunmetal detail. This soft handbag is designed with a Lucite handle and our custom half-metal frame topped with our...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Top Handle Bags
- CHRISTIAN DIOR Black Monogram Canvas & Calfskin Leather Top Handle Box BagBy Christian DiorLocated in Bishop's Stortford, HertfordshireCHRISTIAN DIOR Black Oblique Monogram Canvas & Calfskin Leather Vintage Top Handle Box Bag Serial Number: HE0082 Age (Circa): 2002 Authenticity Details: S...Category
Early 2000s Italian Top Handle Bags
- CHANEL Purple Lizard Mini Belt BagBy ChanelLocated in Paris, FRVintage CHANEL Purple Lizard Mini Belt Bag. The hardware is in matte silver metal. Worn on the shoulder or crossed. In very good condition. Made in Italy...Category
Early 2000s Italian Top Handle Bags
- Hermes Kelly Doll Quelle Idole Black AlligatorBy HermèsLocated in Paris, FRDesigned by Jean-Louis Dumas in 2000, reedited very rarely in very small quantities. Incredible mini kelly doll in alligator leather ! Crocodile leather is...Category
2010s French Top Handle Bags
- Needlepoint Artisan Griffin & Laurels Hand Stitched Handbag c 1970Located in University City, MOElegant needlepoint artisan griffin & laurels vintage handbag c 1970 The chic retro needlepoint artisan handbag is decorated with an endearing griffin figure; surrounded with a wreath of laurels that is replicated on both exterior sides Illuminated against a contiguous black needlepoint...Category
1970s Unknown Novelty Bags
$375 Sale Price21% Off
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.