Judith Leiber Swarovski Crystal Spencer Bear Minaudiere
By Judith Leiber
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Judith Leiber Swarovski Crystal Teddy Bear Minaudiere in very good condition. Signature judith
Judith Leiber Swarovski Crystal Spencer Bear Minaudiere
By Judith Leiber
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Judith Leiber Swarovski Crystal Teddy Bear Minaudiere in very good condition. Signature judith
Judith Leiber 1980s Swarovski Teddy Bear Belt
By Judith Leiber
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Get your hands on the Judith Leiber 1980s Swarovski Crystal Teddy Bear Belt—a whimsical and
Judith Leiber Bronze Kid Clutch, Pave Teddy Bear Closure
By Judith Leiber
Located in New York, NY
Charming clutch by Judith Leiber in bronze metallic calfskin with a pave teddy bear clasp
Judith Leiber Polar Bear Minaudière
By Judith Leiber
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
is a highly designed handbag by none other than Judith Leiber will catch people's attention from
Judith Leiber Swarovksi Crystal Brown Teddy Bear Minaudiere
By Judith Leiber
Located in Philadelphia, PA
ADROABLE Judith Leiber teddy bear minaudiere in excellent condition. Brown swarovski crystal
Judith Leiber Teddy Bear
By Judith Leiber
Located in NY, NY
This Judith Leiber Teddy Bear Minaudiere Crystal Small, crafted from gold, red, white rhinestone
JUDITH LEIBER Rare Jeweled Bears and Semi Precious Stones Charm Belt
By Judith Leiber
Located in New York, NY
Super Chic Rare Vintage High-End Designer JUDITH LEIBER Jeweled Bear Bottom With Semi Precious
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H 5.5 in W 3.25 in L 4 in
Judith Leiber Couture Silver Rhinestone Polar Bear Chain Strap Clutch Bag
By Judith Leiber
Located in Chicago, IL
Judith Leiber Couture silver polar bear clutch adorned with rhinestone crystals. Features a push
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H 5 in W 3.5 in L 3.5 in
Judith Leiber Wedding $4695 White Gold Tone Faux Pearl Rhinestone Bear Bag
By Judith Leiber
Located in Chicago, IL
Retails at $4695. This whimsical Judith Leiber Wedding minaudiere is shaped like a glittering teddy
1990s Gianni Versace cream jacket
By Versace
Located in Capri, IT
1990s Gianni Versace cream jacket Totally made in italy Size: 42 italian size range
NWT $7380 Roberto Cavalli FW 2006 Metallic Gold Painted Velvet Sable Trim Vest 6
By Roberto Cavalli
Located in Montgomery, TX
New Roberto Cavalli Metallic Gold Painted Velvet Sable Trim Vest F/W 2006 Runway Collection Italian size 42 - US 6 ( will fit bigger size). Unique Cavalli Metallic Gold-Leafing Desi...
John Galliano for Christian Dior Silk Ruffle Hem Dress
By John Galliano, Christian Dior
Located in Water Mill, NY
A gorgeous silk dress by John Galliano for Christian Dior in brightly colored flowers on a navy and burgundy background. The spaghetti strap bodice is semi fitted and adorned on one ...
Giorgio Armani Vintage Dress Hand Beaded Fleurette on Tulle Formal Gown 40
By Giorgio Armani
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers a rare and vintage Giorgio Armani gown so divinely exquisite that it can take you from the Red Carpet to the White House. Breathtaking and the epitome of the Giorgi...
NWT 2004 Roberto Cavalli Pink Print Lace-Up Corset Bustier Top
By Roberto Cavalli
Located in West Hollywood, CA
From 2004, this new-with-tags Roberto Cavalli bustier top features a vibrant floral paisley print in pink and tan tones. The structured corset silhouette includes front hook closures...
LES HABITUDES 90's Vintage Couture Hand-Beaded Silk Embellished Evening Gown
Located in Leonardo, NJ
wedding / bridal / bride Les Habitudes Couture Vintage 1990's Entirely hand-made in England 100% silk Size Medium but fits like a XS/S Excellent Condition, no flaws Measurements in i...
1990s Moschino Cheap & Chic Animal Print Vintage 90s Silk Short Sleeve Top
By Moschino
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage MOSCHINO Cheap & Chic silk animal print blouse! Features leopard, zebra, cheetah, and tiger prints throughout. Warm colors of brown, ivory, trimmed with black lace....
MARC BOUWER 1999 Vintage Blue Sequin Midi Dress
By Marc Bouwer
Located in Leonardo, NJ
Marc Bouwer Vintage 1999 Dusty pale light blue with iridescent sequins throughout High neck turtleneck Keyhole cut-out at bust Size USA 6 but fits like an XS/S Great vintage conditio...
Gianni Versace F/W 2001 Blue Marmot Fur Jacket Coat
By Gianni Versace
Located in Naples, FL
Gianni Versace F/W 2001 Blue Marmot Fur Jacket Coat Seen on Look 8 on the Runway in the beige color and on Kim Kardashian in the cropped version. Size IT 42 Condition: great vint...
Pale blue silk slip dress with flower appliqué Circa 1930's
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Pale blue silk slip dress with flower appliqué. Tiny pleats under bust SIZE 38 (Fr) M
Judith Leiber Small Red Alligator Handbag
By Judith Leiber
Located in Philadelphia, PA
BEAUTIFUL Judith Leiber Small Red Alligator Handbag in excellent condition. Red alligator leather exterior trimmed with gold hardware and a top glass gemstone closure. Red satin inte...
VERSACE 2005 Vintage Runway Espresso Brown Silk Dress Gold Medusa
By Versace
Located in Leonardo, NJ
Versace Vintage Runway FW05 Espresso brown silk Gold medusa hardware Sheer lace panel around waist Flirty flouncy hem Side zip Size IT44 Excellent Condition, minor feeling of wear, n...
Christian Lacroix Vintage Striped Two Tone Blue Military Jacket, 1980s
By Christian Lacroix
Located in Sparks, NV
Vintage two tone blue blazer jacket by Christian Lacroix in diagonal broken stripes. Fully lined with front closure. Fabric content is 70% Acetate, 15% Wool, and 15% Acrylic. The mar...
Thierry Mugler Sweetheart Neckline Dress
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
In this stunning dress, Thierry Mugler once again proves that fashion is not merely worn - it’s performed. A masterclass in theatrical femininity, this mid-century-inspired silhouett...
$425
Size: Recommended Size; Small / UK 8
2000’s Dolce & Gabbana Green Tweed & Lace Corset Bustier with Denim Corsage
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in Sheffield, GB
A Fabulous 2000’s Dolce & Gabbana bustier. Crafted from green tweed featuring denim accents and floral corsage. The bustier closes via a concealed back zip and has ornately decorated...
Thierry Mugler Tuxedo Jumpsuit 1980s
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous black jumpsuit by Thierry Mugler. It has a tuxedo influence with silk peak lapels, flap pockets and decorative snaps closing the double breasted front and one at each cuf...
When it comes to handbags, no designer can compete with Judith Leiber’s ability to create magic using opulent crystals and wildly imaginative and playful shapes. The Hungarian-born designer's lauded vintage minaudières (small, decorative handbags, often without handles or a strap) were made in the form of crystal-covered swans, cupcakes, lipstick, wads of cash, teddy bears and other delightful objects.
These dazzling objets d’art have been regularly seen in the hands of First Ladies, movie stars on the red carpet and even in the prestigious collections of institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art. And like many pathbreaking inventions in the history of design, Leiber's purses and minaudières were the result of a happy accident.
In 1967, Leiber began working on her first metal handbag. The piece in question was named the Chatelaine, and the design was a graceful drop-shaped purse in gold-tinted metal. But when the samples came in, Leiber saw that the bottom of the bag looked greenish and discolored as a result of the plating process. She had the ingenious idea of applying crystal rhinestones to the base to cover up the flaws. The fabulous bag was a huge success and would become her trademark.
Born Judith Peto in Budapest, Leiber overcame many hardships before her breakthrough. At the start of World War II, she was working at the Pessl handbag company in Budapest where she quickly climbed the ranks to become a master craftswoman. When the war escalated, she and her Jewish family were forced by the Nazis to live in a cellar of a ghetto, and several of her relatives were killed in concentration camps.
“I designed handbags in my head to get through the misery,” Leiber said.
After the liberation of Budapest, she married Gerson “Gus” Leiber, an American GI, and moved to New York. In 1948, she began working for the fashion house Nettie Rosenstein. One of Leiber's first major pieces was the handbag embroidered with glittering rhinestones and pearls carried by Mamie Eisenhower at the 1953 inaugural ball. In 1963, she finally set up her own company.
Leiber’s whimsical designs embellished with Swarovski crystals and semiprecious stones defied traditional notions of luxury handbags. She also created striking clutches and bags with leather and fine textiles from around the world. In her 65-year career, she designed over 3,500 bags, which have been worn by First Ladies including Nancy Reagan and Laura Bush, pop icons like Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez and celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner (who collects Judith Leiber bags).
In 2005, the Leiber Collection Museum opened in East Hampton, New York, as a permanent space to showcase her work. The minaudières remain coveted objects that are celebrated worldwide for their eclectic beauty and glamorous charm.
The value of a good handbag cannot be overstated — find vintage Judith Leiber shoulder bags, crossbody bags, sunglasses and other fashion accessories today on 1stDibs.