Judith Leiber Resting Crane Bird Diamante Gold Trinket Pill Box
By Judith Leiber
Located in Montreal, QC
Beautiful Hard to Find Gold tone Judith Leiber Trinket Box fashioned after a Japanese 'Koro' or incense holder in the form of a Resting Crane; highlighted with sparkling CZ crystals ...
Judith Leiber Pill Box
By Judith Leiber
Located in Malibu, CA
Gold tone metal with swarovski crystal inlay pill box. Stamped Judith Leiber. Contact dealer for measurements and specifications.
Judith Leiber 3pc "A Trifle from My Love" Pill Case, Compact & Business Card Holder
By Judith Leiber
Located in Lake Park, FL
This is a beautiful Judith Leiber 3 piece ensemble "A Trifle from My Love" accessories.
JUDITH LEIBER Swarovski Crystal Quilted Pill Box
By Judith Leiber
Located in Wallkill, NY
Gold tone metal with swarovski crystal inlay pill box with drawstring bag and Box. May have never been used Labeled Judith Leiber.
Fabulous Judith Leiber Swarovski Crystal Trinket Pill Box
By Judith Leiber
Located in Montreal, QC
Signed: Judith Leiber on the inside. Approx. size: 2.65” wide x 1.90” high x .75” deep.
JUDITH LEIBER Pink & Silver Swarovski Crystal Pyramid Pill Box
By Judith Leiber
Located in New York, NY
JUDITH LEIBER Pink & Silver Swarovski Crystal Pyramid Pillbox Materials: swarovski crystals, metal base and interior. Features pyramid shaped pillbox in pink and silver swarovski c...
Judith Leiber Faux Diamond Quail Bird Pill Box
By Judith Leiber
Located in Montreal, QC
Beautiful signed Judith Leiber Golden Quail Pill Box enhanced with inlaid Swarovski Crystals; Approximate Size: 2"L X 1.5"W X 2"H.
Vintage Judith Leiber Crystal Encrusted Pill Box Money Bag
By Judith Leiber
Located in Atlanta, GA
Fully functional as a pillbox, the crystal encrusted money bag shaped pouch by Judith Leiber has a kiss lock closure and measures 2" x 1.63" x .75".
Judith Leiber Crystal Glass Jeweled Tiny Hinged Monkey Pill Box c 1980s
By Judith Leiber
Located in University City, MO
JUDITH LEIBER Adorable crystal glass jeweled tiny monkey pill box c 1980s The whimsical small hinged lidded pill box is designed with an endearing monkey face.
Judith Leiber Pill Box
By Judith Leiber
Located in Topanga, CA
Gold tone metal with swarovski crystal inlay pill box with drawstring bag. Labeled Judith Leiber.
Judith Leiber Elephant Pill Box
By Judith Leiber
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Judith Leiber Elephant Pill Box in Gold with Crystals and Stones.
Judith Leiber Pill Box With Original Judith Leiber Box
By Judith Leiber
Located in Westhampton Beach, NY
Stunning Judith Leiber Crystal Pill Box with Quartz Cabochon Clasp and Lined with Gold Leather.
S/S 1996 Dolce & Gabbana Brown Silk Taffeta Collared Pocket Mini Dress 38IT
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This brown silk taffeta mini dress by Dolce & Gabbana is from the Spring/Summer 1996 collection. Variations of this dress debuted on the runway, modeled by Karen Mulder and Eva H...
$13,339
H 0.87 in W 0.87 in Dm 0.87 in
Chanel 1989 Montre Mademoiselle 16 cm Yellow Gold Pearls bracelet Watch M
By Chanel
Located in PARIS, FR
Chanel Mademoiselle model watch, square yellow gold case, quartz movement, white background with Roman numeral indexes, crown with a small half pearl, yellow gold and pearl bracelet,...
Pearl, Yellow Gold
$2,964
H 5.52 in W 1.19 in L 8.86 in
Hermès Padlock Bag Clutch Purse Doblis Leather Purple and Golden Hdw RARE
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Lovely and Rare Authentic Hermès Clutch Called "Padlock" due to the Padlock Shaped clasp Very rare ! A-line shape of the purse and asymmetrical cut of the flap for a chic and eleg...
F/W 1998 Gucci by Tom Ford Beige Tulle Plunging Runway Gown 38IT
By Tom Ford for Gucci, Gucci
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This Gucci gown from the Fall/Winter 1998 collection, designed by Tom Ford, is cut in a floor-length silhouette in beige tulle with a deep V-neckline and small cutouts at each undera...
Cotton striped bustier dress JEAN-PAUL GAULTIER JEANS
By Gaultier Jeans
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Cotton striped bustier dress with branded snap closure on the middle front. Pocket on both side with bow and eyelet. Smocks on the side of the bust. SIZE 38 (Fr) M
$2,995Sale Price|39% Off
New With Tags $4980 Gucci Deco Leather Quilted Chain Tote Bag
By Gucci
Located in Conroe, TX
Brand New with Tags $4980 Gucci's 'Deco' tote is made from glossy leather that's quilted for a grid-like texture. Designed in a large slouchy shape, it's embellished with the iconi...
$960Sale Price|20% Off
H 4 in L 6.25 in
Harry Rosenfeld Opulent Gilt Metal Lion Evening Bag Made in Italy c 1970
By Harry Rosenfeld, Harry Rosenfeld Made in Italy
Located in University City, MO
HARRY ROSENFELD Opulent gilt metal lion evening bag Made in Italy The lavish gold metal cylinder evening bag is adorned with a pair of ornate lion emblems on each exterior side ...
Celine Silk Tuxedo Suit 1990s
By Celine
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous black silk pants and jacket suit by Celine. The suit has a subtle tuxedo influence via a matching slightly shiny narrow line of silk along each shoulder extending down to ...
S/S 2000 Gucci by Tom Ford Grey Blue Snakeskin Pattern Beaded Chain Flap Bag
By Gucci, Tom Ford for Gucci
Located in West Hollywood, CA
A beautiful grey beaded snakeskin pattern Gucci bag designed by Tom Ford from the Spring/Summer 2000 collection, this fabulous flap bag is covered in shimmery beads and was highligh...
Ivory rayon blouse with asymmetrical button placket SEE by CHLOÉ
By See By Chloe
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Ivory rayon blouse with asymmetrical button placket. Button and buttonhole closure on the left side. Bow on the side on the waist. SIZE 38 (Fr) M
1970s Samir Rust Brown Faux Suede Beaded Fringed Boho Vintage 70s Dress
By SAMIR
Located in San Diego, CA
Amazing 1970s SAMIR rust colored faux suede spaghetti strap handkerchief hem boho beaded dress ! Features a soft faux suede with fringe at the neck and hem. Hidden zipper up the side...
Judith Leiber Black Alligator Mini Evening Bag
By Judith Leiber
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Judith Leiber Black Alligator Mini Evening Bag in excellent condition. Black alligator exterior trimmed with a crystal silver top button closure. Black silk interior with one slit si...
F/W 2001 Bob Mackie 'Foreign Intrigue' Beaded Purple Mini Slip Dress Custom
By Bob Mackie
Located in West Hollywood, CA
From Bob Mackie’s Fall/Winter 2001 'Foreign Intrigue' collection, this purple mini slip dress features intricate beadwork in swirling and diagonal patterns. The sheer base is adorned...
Torso Creations Black Tulle & Lace 3-Piece Corset Under-Dress & Cape
By Torso Creations
Located in Gresham, OR
Torso Creations Black Crinoline, Tulle & Lace 3-Piece Lingerie-Look Ensemble: Corset, Under-Dress & Cape: Dress features a fishnet stretch body suit with attached hi-low crinoline...
Pucci Pink Coat With Pink Fox Fur Collar
By Emilio Pucci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection Vintage is excited to offer a Pucci pink coat with a fox fur collar, featuring double- breasted closures, belted waist, side pockets, detachable collar, and below the kn...
Plein Sud Burgundy Jacket with Double Row of Buttons
By Plein Sud
Located in New Hope, PA
This Plein Sud Burgundy wool blend jacket has quite a bit of style. The collar a notched lapel and there are two hip pockets. The most eye catching aspect is the row of buttons at ...
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.