Gucci Italy Rare Midnight Blue Suede Amber Resin Lucite Handle Handbag c 1970s
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Height: 10.75 in (27.31 cm)Width: 11 in (27.94 cm)
- Style:Mod 1970s (In the Style Of)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:The dark blue suede handbag is carried with a large scale amber color lucite handle attached with a series of metal rings to open or close the handbag. Paired with G.G. medallion is leather lined
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. The Gucci G.G. medallion has plating-rubbing wear on the gilt metal. There is some wear on the dark blue leather exterior & interior lining.
- Seller Location:University City, MO
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU73612475562
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: University City, MO
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Unique Thespian Needlepoint Comedy and Tragedy Handbag c 1960Located in University City, MOUnique thespian needlepoint comedy and tragedy handbag The stylish large scale retro handbag is designed with comedy and tragedy mask on both exterior sides The theatrical masks are framed with leafy foliage The handle and sides are designed with olive green leather. The interior is lined in chartreuse taffeta with twin slip pockets and a zipper compartment The chic retro needlepoint handbag...Category
1960s American Novelty Bags
- 1940s Art Deco Ebony Iridescent Glass Beaded Evening PurseLocated in University City, MO1940s Exquisite ebony art deco glass carnival beaded evening purse The elegant oval-shaped evening bag is encrusted with elaborate black iridisc...Category
1940s Unknown Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Whimsical Quirky Astro Turf Wicker Handmade Basket Purse circa 1970Located in University City, MOWhimsical astroturf woven wicker handmade basket purse c 1970 The quirky one of a kind retro handbag is designed with an astroturf lid cover A mirror is placed on the center of the e...Category
1970s Unknown Novelty Bags
- Versace Italian Brown Suede Large Scale Handbag circa 1990sBy VersaceLocated in University City, MOVersace Italian brown suede large scale handbag c 1990s The stylish handbag is covered with luxurious caramel color brown suede The handle is designed...Category
1990s Italian Top Handle Bags
- Saks Fifth Avenue Striped Velvet Handbag Made in ItalyLocated in University City, MOSaks Fifth Avenue Striped velvet handbag Made in Italy c 1990 The posh Italian handbag is designed with vertical cut velvet stripes in black & brown. The diminutive handbag is trim...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Top Handle Bags
- Exotic Sleek Black Alligator Handbag c 1960Located in University City, MOExotic Black Alligator Handbag c 1960 The sleek retro handbag is designed with genuine alligator skin on all sides The chic handbag is carried with a ...Category
1960s Unknown Top Handle Bags
- Hermes Kelly 28 Orange Gold Hardware bagBy HermèsLocated in London, EnglandHermes Kelly 28 Orange Taurillion Clemence Leather Gold Hardware Retourne Bag. Such a desirable bag for a classic Hermes look, with the gold har...Category
2010s Top Handle Bags
- HERMES Taurillon Clemence Top Belt BagBy HermèsLocated in Paris, FRThis travel bag is grained leather taurillon clemency orange. The attributes are golden. It has its padlock, zipper, bell and keys (two). Closure of the bag by flap. It is carrying i...Category
2010s French Luggage and Travel Bags
- Louis Vuitton Rare Orange Veau Nuage Milla w/ StrapBy Louis VuittonLocated in Atlanta, GAFrom Rodeo Drive, in beautiful Orange Veau Nuage, this Louis Vuitton Milla PM features gold hardware and an open top that leads to a gorgeous LV...Category
2010s French Top Handle Bags
- Giorgio's Palm Beach Orange Klein Karoo Ostrich Leather PurseLocated in West Palm Beach, FLGiorgio's Palm Beach Orange Klein Karoo Ostrich Leather Purse. This beautiful Giorgio's Palm Beach purse is in excellent condition, it is brand new. It is made of orange ostrich leat...Category
2010s Italian Top Handle Bags
- Hermes Ostrich Picotin 22 Bag SaffronBy HermèsLocated in New York, NYHermes Ostrich Picotin 22 Bag Saffron. The Hermés Picotin bag embodies the quintessence of style and luxury due to its impeccable design, craftsmanship, an...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
- 1940s Apricot Twill Hand Bag with Brass HardwareLocated in San Francisco, CA1940s twill hand bag in a rare tone of apricot twill. The closure is made of brass and designed into a decorative curse to match the decorative grip on the double sash handle. The in...Category
1940s Top Handle 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.