Python Molurus

Born in Cali, Colombia, luxury handbag designer Nancy Gonzalez started her eponymous business with her late son, Santiago Gonzalez, in 1998, selling her very first collection at Bergdorf Goodman. Her vibrant yet timeless designs for handbags and top-handle bags are inspired by the nature and culture of her home country, and they’re handcrafted there, too, by local artisans. The brand is committed to social change — Gonzalez is focused on uplifting Colombian women. She prioritizes the well-being of her workforce, which is largely made up of women, and offers support systems such as childcare to all employees.

Nancy Gonzalez handbags are typically made from eclectic, naturally dyed skins like iridescent python and cobalt-blue ostrich or plant-based materials like banana leaf. But the brand’s signature material is crocodile skin, often dyed in bright colors, with the majority of their leathers sourced from the Gonzalez farms in Colombia.

The designer has also partnered with top contemporary artists such as Will Cotton, Jim Hodges, Jenny Holzer, KAWS and Dr. Lakra on limited-edition designs for the TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art gala and auction, hosted by the Dallas Museum of Art and amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research.

With a joyous exuberance in their colorful designs, the bags are a favorite of global A-listers and tastemakers alike.

Beyond its handbag and purse collection, the Nancy Gonzalez brand also expanded to men’s and women’s accessories and shoes, launching its first footwear collection in 2016. All of these new additions embraced the brand’s distinctive style with crocodile skin and vivid hues while also pushing their designs forward with new pieces and techniques like laser cutting. The company closed its doors in 2024.

Find vintage Nancy Gonzalez handbags and other accessories on 1stDibs today.

Ever since we’ve needed an accessory to carry our personal items when we’re on the go, shoulder bags have proven indispensable. Today, vintage and designer shoulder bags are such a treasured part of fashion history that they even get their own museum exhibitions.

Prior to bags becoming an essential piece of any ensemble for any gender, women wore pockets strung on ribbons as garments that were separate from their gowns, accessible by openings in the fabric. Small handbags and handheld purses were developed before the accessory gained importance as functional and fashionable. Most had more in common with wallets than anything else.

While the bags of the 16th century warranted ornament, such as exteriors embroidered with silver-gilt thread and beads, it wasn’t until the late 18th century and early 19th century that the design and craft of bags had really broadened. Handheld purses were finished with details that were meant to garner attention, and bags were fitted with shoulder straps. A stylish shoulder bag meant that women could tote jewelry, cash and perhaps a decorative snuff box full of tobacco to an evening ball across town.

The early 1900s saw the introduction of gold and silver minaudières. The patenting of these compact bejeweled clutches has been attributed to revered French jewelry house Van Cleef & Arpels, and today they remain a fashion favorite. One of Judith Leiber’s innovative minaudières even earned a role in the movie Sex and the City.

A luxury shoulder bag is a work of art with a long, fascinating origin story, and entire brands and fashion lines have emerged around creating the perfect versions of shoulder bags and top-handle bags. For example, the iconic Hermès Kelly bag, which was popularized by actress Grace Kelly, is a widely coveted, collected and often faked entry from the handbag hall of fame. And while vintage Gucci tote bags have their own dedicated fan base, collectors and lovers of luxury are likely familiar with the Dionysus, a pared-down Gucci shoulder bag that manages to make a substantial statement anyway.

Embrace a classic look with a vintage shoulder bag designed by Chanel, Givenchy or Fendi — find yours on 1stDibs today.