Loewe Shell Tote

Since its inception, the house of Loewe has been a mainstay in the world of luxury fashion. Even in modern times marked by machinery and mass production, the Spanish brand is firmly rooted in artisanal craftsmanship as well as art, which is a fixture in its flagship stores and is central to its desirable hand-stitched handbags, accessories and ready-to-wear clothing. One of the oldest high-end luxury brands in the world, Loewe was acquired by LVMH in 1996.

In 1876, German artisan Enrique Roessberg Loewe joined forces with a group of skilled leather craftsmen in a workshop in Madrid, which had been established 30 years earlier. Loewe, highly gifted with leather himself, unified the collective that now bears his name — which is pronounced: “low-eh-veh.” 

Timeless and elegant, vintage Loewe leather shoulder bags, totes, jackets and shoes are always in high demand — and contemporary Loewe fashion is no less revered. In 2013, the brand brought on Irish designer Jonathan Anderson as the new creative director (the role had previously been filled by the likes of Narciso Rodriguez and Jose Enrique Ona Selfa).

Anderson, who had worked for Prada and founded his eponymous label JW Anderson in 2008, introduced his first handbag design for Loewe in 2015 — the famed, foldable Puzzle Bag, described by Anderson as “a flat object with a tridimensional function,” a deconstruction of conventional handbags. 

Aside from the impeccable construction and undeniably stylish appeal of its wares — from its colorful but refined shirts and day dresses that merge streetwear and modern luxury to its versatile, meticulously crafted bags — what draws prominent Loewe-lovers such as Harry Styles, Hailey Bieber and others to the brand is its commitment to pushing the boundaries of ready-to-wear as well as its support of arts, crafts and culture across the globe. 

Paintings and pottery enrich the shopping experience at the company’s flagship stores in locales such as London and Los Angeles, and in 2016, Anderson launched the Loewe Foundation Craft Prize, an international award that highlights and celebrates artisans across a range of disciplines. 

Find vintage Loewe fashion and accessories on 1stDibs.

An integral part of fashion, handbags and purses have been indispensable accessories ever since we began to carry around personal items. Level of craftsmanship, style and shape matters — from coin purses in ancient Greece to early 20th-century opera bags and onward, handbags have evolved considerably over the years to meet our needs and desires, whether or not you happen to be prioritizing functionality over a flashy exterior.

Once, a single “It” handbag ruled each fashion season. No more. Today, lovers of vintage handbags are savvier and have a wider range of shopping options. Nevertheless, classics created by the likes of Louis Vuitton, Dior and Balenciaga still rule.

“It is not a fashion bag — it is a statement bag,” says Mightychic's Debra Kent of Hermès's widely beloved accessories. “When you carry an iconic Hermès bag — Birkin, Kelly, Constance — no one knows how long you have been into this culture or if you are a newbie. Your status is validated immediately.”

First released in 1997, Fendi's Baguette rose to fame along with Carrie Bradshaw, the Sex and the City character portrayed by Sarah Jessica Parker. Recently, the design has seen such a resurgence in popularity that Fendi has reissued it.

They are part of design history, so owning a handbag has meaning. As New York–based fashion historian Sarah C. Byrd says, “You have made the choice to invest in this piece because you understand the value of it in the past and in the future to come.”

From a 1980s Chanel black leather quilted mini buckle bag to the rare Hermès Birkin 30cm Himalayan with diamond hardware to a range of 19th-century bags, find a rich variety of vintage and designer handbags and purses spanning numerous brands on 1stDibs — seasonal “It” designation no longer needed.