Classic 1970s Gucci Leather Brief Case, Made in Italy
About the Item
- Creator:Gucci (Fashion House)
- Dimensions:Height: 12.5 in (31.75 cm)Width: 16.54 in (42.02 cm)Depth: 3.94 in (10.01 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. minor scratches,,,, monogramed.
- Seller Location:Buffalo, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1062421904502
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: Buffalo, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Classic Mid Century Modern Architectural Room Divider's with planter boxesLocated in Buffalo, NYClassic Mid Century Modern Architectural Room Divider's with planter boxes.. Salvaged from an amazing Mid Century ,Classic Ranch Home in Buffalo NY.. Most likely custom built for the...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Screens and Room Dividers
MaterialsSteel
- Rare Bill Curry Cattail Room Divider / Sculpture for Design Line 29 CattailsBy Bill Curry & Design LineLocated in Buffalo, NYExtremely rare Cattail Sculpture / Room divider designed by Bill Curry for Design Line,,Featuring 29 metal rods with beautifully shaped and painted oval ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
MaterialsMetal
- Sculptural Relief World Globe by NystromBy A.J. Nystrom & CoLocated in Buffalo, NYSculptural relief world globe by Nystrom, wonderful design, aluminum stand, raised graphics, nice color and patina. Measures: 16".Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Globes
MaterialsComposition, Aluminum
- Wrought Iron and Wood Mediterranean Modern Folding Screen or DividerLocated in Buffalo, NYWrought iron and wood (balls) Mediterranean Modern folding screen or divider. Wonderful bronzed verde green patina, bi-fold, hand delivery availab...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
MaterialsWrought Iron
- Set of 3, Classic Bentwood Tables, Modernist, Made in DenmarkBy Alvar AaltoLocated in Buffalo, NYSet of 3, classic bentwood tables, Modernist, made in Denmark, manner of Alvar Aalto.Category
Antique 1850s Danish Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsWalnut, Bentwood
- Telescoping Adjustable World Globe by Rand McNally, ChicagoBy Rand McNally & Co.Located in Buffalo, NY16 inch diameter telescoping adjustable world globe by Rand McNally, Chicago, wonderful color and proportion, adjustable from 52 inches to 76 inches, retains original metal baseball ...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Globes
MaterialsMetal
- Large Vintage Leather Brief Case, Doctors BagLocated in Chillerton, Isle of WightLarge vintage leather brief case, doctors bag. This a superb quality piece, it is made in heavy quality tan pig skin, with brass working ...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Trunks and Luggage
MaterialsLeather
- Gucci Italy Hand-Stitched Red Leather Bookends with Gilt Metal Partridges, 1970sBy GucciLocated in Atlanta, GAGucci, Italy, designed this superb pair of handcrafted leather and metal bookends in the 1970s. This rare large-scale set features two gilded metal partridges resting on a hand-stitc...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookends
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Gucci, Italy Hand-Stitched Black Leather Travel Tie Case Necktie Holder RackBy GucciLocated in Atlanta, GAThis exceptional luxury travel tie case by Gucci will keep your ties wrinkle-free while traveling. This is a rare late 20th-century tie holder case in fine-grain black leather with r...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Trunks and Luggage
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- 1970s Gucci Leather Attaché Briefcase with Blue GG MonogramBy GucciLocated in St. Louis, MOAuthentic 1970s rare Gucci attaché briefcase in blue leather with GG monogram. Has three locked pockets, two on one side, singe large pocket on verso. Re...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Hollywood Regency Trunks and Luggage
MaterialsLeather
- Pair of Leather and Brass Bookends, Gucci, Italy, c. 1970By GucciLocated in New York City, NYClassic, refined bookends from Gucci, decorated with patinated brass horsebits and a contrast stitched leather.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Bookends
MaterialsBrass
- Italian Mid-Century Modern Luggage in Brown and Green Leather, 1970sLocated in MIlano, ITItalian Mid-Century Modern Luggage in brown and green leather, 1970s Rectangular suitcase in brown leather. Brass closure, handle present. Forest green leather interior with a pocke...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Trunks and Luggage
MaterialsBrass
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.