Goyard Belvedere

Few brands have stood the test of time as resolvedly as the French House of Goyard, a family-owned maker of luxury handbags, totes and accessories in chic and timeless styles and a vibrant array of colors. The internationally renowned bags were born out of the maison’s original business of making leather goods and other luxury travel wares — once the favorite of the French aristocracy, Goyard trunks are highly sought-after antiques today.

Originally known as House of Martin, the brand was founded in Paris in 1792 by trunk maker Pierre-François Martin. It quickly grew in distinction, and, in 1841, Martin hired and passed on the business to his employee, Louis-Henri Morel. In 1845, Morel himself hired a 17-year-old apprentice named François Goyard, who eventually took over and renamed the company Maison Goyard (House of Goyard).

François' son, Edmond Goyard, ushered the business into a new era when he became the head of the company in 1885. He focused increasingly on elite and international clientele to grow the brand's prestige. Edmond also created a "pet chic" line of Goyard dog collars and other accessories.

Perhaps the greatest accomplishment of the younger Goyard was the Goyard signature canvas, as seen on the iconic luxury Saint Louis tote. Durable, lightweight and waterproof, it features a distinctive "Y" pattern created from three chevrons or different shades. This revolutionary canvas laid the foundation for the modern brand.

A daring innovator, Edmond Goyard took the brand to the World Exposition of Paris in 1900 and won a bronze medal. Gold medals at the World Exposition of Milan and the Franco-British Exposition of London followed. Goyard continued showing at World Expos, bringing the house even more international acclaim and the attention of esteemed clientele like Pablo Picasso, John D. Rockefeller and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.

In 1998, the maison was purchased by passionate Goyard bag and trunk collector Jean-Michel Signoles. With the help of his family, he re-established the brand as a purveyor of luxury bags that continue to garner recognition.

Find unique Goyard purses, crossbody and messenger bags, top handle bags, wallets and other accessories on 1stDibs.

Stylish and practical, vintage and designer crossbody bags and messenger bags are ideal for all occasions, from lunch dates to errands to sunny afternoons in the park to formal affairs.

Messenger bags are a fashion staple. A shoulder bag that’s designed to be durable and lightweight, messenger bags offer comfort and convenience when carrying heavy items, and while their functionality is comparable to that of standard backpacks, you don’t have to take your bag off to get into its compartments and various zippered pockets. This is a sophisticated accessory — it sits flat against your body and provides easy access to your belongings at all times.

Our love for vintage handbags and purses goes back a long time. For as long as we’ve needed to carry around personal items to and from our homes, handbags of some fashion have been in our lives. Bag design evolved notably during the later Middle Ages to meet the needs of increasingly prosperous, sophisticated and diverse societies. As craftspeople grew in skill, and the choice of materials and dyes increased, the bags’ exteriors were embellished to please the eye and signify status. In our modern era, there is a vast range of iconic handbags and other bags to choose from.

Crossbody bags, which were designed to be worn on one side of the body so that the long strap is looped over the opposite shoulder, have been popular and versatile accessories over time, thankfully improving upon the medieval-era crude leather and silk coin purses that Europeans fastened to their belts as well as the drawstring pouches of the Renaissance, which held money as often as they did flowers and spices. These bags — as well as the stylish messenger bags that have materialized during the 20th century — weren’t bound by gender when they first appeared, and they certainly aren’t today.

For an alluring alternative to a satchel or backpack, luxury houses and various legendary brands such as Gucci, Prada, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and others offer a wide range of crossbody bags and messenger bags for the discerning bag enthusiast. Find these bags in all shapes and sizes on 1stDibs.